Diversity & Inclusion… it’s a hot topic these days and you’re asking yourself what are some of the ways my company can improve upon its D&I goals? An often overlooked opportunity is partnering with a Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)-certified business. In this post, I’ll discuss what WBENC is, including the certification process, and what are some of the benefits companies can take advantage of when you partner with a WBENC-certified business.
As President of Solomon Search Group and having served over 20 years in the staffing industry, I’ve worked with numerous companies, large and small. A wholly women-owned and operated business is rare. I learned about the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council and immediately found the value in becoming certified by this nonprofit which is a third-party certifier for the Women-Owned Small Business federal contracting program through the Small Business Administration.
What is WBENC?
Founded in 1997, WBENC is the largest third-party certifier dedicated to helping expand business opportunities for women entrepreneurs by offering a nationally recognized certification for businesses owned, controlled, and operated by women in the United States. In addition to certification, WBENC offers a wealth of resources to its members including, pitch opportunities, educational programming, and access to over 300 of the nation’s largest and most successful corporations.
That’s why Solomon Search Group is proud to be a part of this organization which not only offers us incredible opportunities but also allows us to offer our clients unique benefits only available to those that partner with a WBENC-certified business.
3 Benefits of Partnering with a WBENC-Certified Business
Tax incentives. The federal government passed the first laws offering legislative provisions encouraging utilizing minority-owned and/or women-owned business. Through the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), the government is able to provide tax incentives for using a minority-owned and women-owned businesses including offering reduced tax liabilities for projects funded with federal or state grants or loans when the supplier is a women-owned business. Solomon Search Group is prepared to provide you with our WBENC certification information for your tax purposes.
Furthering diversity & inclusion goals. With many companies’ legal departments and board of directors facing requirements to diversify, the expectations for their partners to do the same has increased. From NASDAQ looking to the SEC to approve a new diversity disclosure rule to legal departments needing to abide by the Mansfield Rule, it’s no surprise that diversity & inclusion is at the forefront of yearly growth initiatives. Partnering with a WBENC-certified business accomplishes this goal and complements the internal diversity
efforts your company is implementing.
Supporting the continued growth of minority-owned small businesses. Your support showcases your company’s commitment to working in diverse markets. We are among the fastest-growing sectors of our economy thus positioning your company favorably to opening new channels of revenue. As an ally, a partnership with a minority-owned business directly promotes innovation and creativity across industries.
For companies such as Solomon Search Group, the process to become WBENC-certified is extensive and many times takes upwards of a year or longer from start to finish. With an equally intensive recertification process, you can trust that businesses certified by WBENC maintain the highest standards of business operations. With over 20 years serving the legal staffing industry, we have a proven track record of providing excellent service throughout Florida. Solomon Search Group is proud to offer its clients the benefits of partnering with a WBENC-certified business.
For more information about the WBENC and the certification process, you can visit www.wbenc.org.
Felice Solomon
President
Solomon Search Group
cell: 954-647-0300
work: 954-796-3300
felice@solomonsearch.com