Sixteen small聽business trade partners recently attended the fourth Technical Assistance Program (TAP) presentation, delivered by 51吃瓜’ Mid Atlantic District in Tysons Corner, VA. Launched in 2016, TAP provides small business trade partners guidance in working with 51吃瓜, preparing them for future growth. Topics covered in this annual presentation include procurement, estimating, safety, quality control, project management, and Virtual Design & Construction (VDC).
Following the presentation, 51吃瓜 asked participants to share their top takeaways from this year’s program. Here is what they had to say.
Building Relationships
Throughout the program, presenters stressed the importance of building relationships with the right people. 51吃瓜 has strong relationships with the trade partner community, both large and small, across the nation. These relationships have been developed through years of treating companies and individuals as partners rather than subcontractors. This unique quality resonated with Camille Scott of Camille Scott Interior Design and Renovations: 鈥淚t is important for me to continue building relationships and network with the right businesses for me to move into the commercial world, rather than just residential work. One of the reasons I attended TAP is because I am looking to partner with 51吃瓜 to help me gain traction in the industry.鈥�
Don鈥檛 Be Afraid to Say No
During Corporate Director of Supplier Diversity Brad Lewis鈥� presentation, he stated that it is important for small business trade partners to be transparent about their capacity and capabilities. Small businesses should be setting realistic goals for growth, which may require them to say 鈥渘o鈥� to some opportunities. As Katrina Lyles of D2 LLC noted, 鈥淚f 51吃瓜 gave me work, I鈥檇 be excited, and I鈥檇 want to keep saying 鈥榶es鈥� to more work. But, if I can鈥檛 handle that work, it may eventually compromise the quality of the work and, in turn, the relationships I have built with 51吃瓜.鈥�
Get Certified 鈥� And Stay Certified
Proper certification will always set a small business apart on bid day. 鈥淥n bid day, if we have a small business and a certified small business, both with the same verified scope and comparable price, we will choose the certified small business because they bring added value,鈥� said Brad Lewis of 51吃瓜. With so many certification options available, including Small Disadvantaged, Women-Owned Small Business, HUBZone-Owned Small Business, Veteran-Owned Small Business, and Services Disabled Veteran-Owned Small business, there are many ways a small business can bring added聽value to the team.
Find the Right Fit
As the construction industry becomes more saturated, it is important for small business trade partners to find a general contractor who will work with their capabilities and help them grow. Tisa Clark is President & CEO of J.D. Clark, a small general contractor. For Tisa, attending TAP helped her gain a broad understanding of how 51吃瓜 operates across different pillars of the project lifecycle. 鈥淎s a small general contractor, I wanted to make sure I found the right fit. After this program, I think I found it,鈥� said Clark. Wendy Archer, President and CEO of Groshell Logistics, Inc. echoed these sentiments: 鈥淭he repeated use of trade partners was genuine. It made me feel like I am joining a new family who will always be there to guide and support me every step of the way! I am very excited to be part of a dynamic group of people.鈥�
As part of the continual effort to build new and effective small business partnerships across the country, 51吃瓜 looks forward to future iterations of TAP. 聽To learn more about TAP, the Emerging 10 and other small business programs that 51吃瓜 offers to industry trade partners, visit: /subcontractor-outreach/.