Congrats, you’re certified! Whether you just received that exciting letter or you’re just getting around to diving into the network, follow this checklist to understand everything that comes with certification and how to use it.
1. Learn How to Use It
Tune into our monthly free webinar “Maximizing Your Certification,” offered every month. We’ll introduce you to the network, tell you about resources and upcoming networking events, and share tips for making new business connections.
2. Download the Logos and Market Yourself
The WBENC seal is very well recognized among corporate and government procurement offices. The Women-Owned logo is great for customer or public facing businesses. Add one or both to your business card, website, capability statement, and other materials. Both can be downloaded on WBENCLink under Tools, Branding & Media.
3. Download and Share Your Certificate
You can download your certificate in WBENCLink at any time. Take a look to see if your target clients have their own supplier portals, and get registered. While WBENC has their own database of certified businesses, many procurement folks will quickly scan their internal company portal first before sending out an RFP. Yes, uploading your certificate to a number of different portals seems tedious (so be strategic about which ones you join), but it may give you just a tiny bit more of a heads up when RFPs are released.
4. Share it With Current Clients Too
Don’t forget to send your certificate to your existing clients, and encourage your direct contact to share it with their procurement department (if you’re not working with the procurement officer directly). You may find that it helps strengthen your supplier-client relationship.
5. Attend a Local Networking Event (and Connect with the Other 13 Regions)
Keep an eye out for WBEC-East events, particularly our “Doing Business With” series and in-person “Meet & Greet” events, as these will give you opportunities to meet and learn from corporate and government representatives, as well as other small businesses.
Do you have an office somewhere else in the country or are you interested in expanding to other states? If you’re just looking for WBEC-East events to network, you’re missing out. Among our network are 14 different regions, with over 20,000 WBEs and 500 corporate members. Check out the full calendar of events for all regions, and sign up to receive event emails from the other regions. Take advantage of virtual programs- you never know what corporate may be active in another region. Your WBE is valid in all 14 regions!
6. Check Out the Directory
In WBENCLink, you have access to the directory of corporate and government members (Search- Members) as well as other certified WBEs (Search- Vendors). You can search by name, location, or keyword. But remember, the best way to build a business relationship is with a handshake, so come out to those events (see above).
7. Nominate Someone or Yourself for an Award
Our awards program could get you some serious recognition. Nominations typically open up in the summer, with our awards celebration each fall.
Was there someone who mentored you as you got certified? Was there a procurement representative that was instrumental in helping you understand their organization’s goals? Keep an eye out when nominations open up every summer, and don’t be afraid to self-nominate.
8. Attend a National Event
Trust us when we say your socks will be blown off. The WBENC National Conference welcomes thousands of business owners and buyers, and provides plenty of opportunities to network, pitch, and learn. If your goal is to grow your business outside of our local region and meet potential business contacts in various states, these events can be a game changer.
9. Recertify Early!
You are probably still exhausted from your first application review, but be reassured that recertification is so much less arduous and requires few documents if you haven’t had major operational changes.
Your expiration date never changes, and you can reapply up to 4 months before you expire, so set your calendar and don’t delay!
Up next:
7 Things All Business Owners Need to Know About Supplier Certifications
3 Reasons Why the WBE Certificate Doesn’t Replace a Strategic Plan
Being a Better Supplier: 11 Secrets to Connecting with Corporates