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Hello NBBTA,
Here's a link to an interview conducted a few days about by Devona Walker, a journalist for "The Loop 21".
She and I had an interesting (long) conversation from which she extracted enough material to write and then publish this article.
http://theloop21.com/news/black-entrepreneurs-face-uphill-climb-outside-and-inside-the-community
Your comments are always welcomed.
Peace and Blessings,
Lee Green
"...left scrambling for a mere parcel of an industry that was invented by a Black entrepreneur." That quote by Devona Walker in her article after her interview with NBBTA Administrator, Lee Green, was very profound and states many situations completely. Blacks create products and service ideas only to be pre-empted by other ethnic groups with more influence, money, and opportunity to produce and market them. While other blacks, being persuaded when these consumer products become mainstream and the latest must-haves, spend billions not realizing they are perpetuating the inability of their brothers and sisters to enjoy the fat of the land which should rightfully come from their hard work and ingenuity. We must, therefore, work toward not only owning our own parcels. but have the capabilities to enlighten our people in how to control, divide, distribute, and duplicate them for our own benefit and prosperity. Connecting with NBBTA is an excellent way to start.
The article was excellent and eye opening. I use the word eye opening because many of us are blind sided we do not see the benefit of supporting our own. It's okay to buy and do business with Black Business Owners and we need not apologize nor explain why. It's our money and we can decide who we want to spend it with. With that being said, when I make a purchase I don't think about who owns or made the product or offered the service. If I like the product or service I will purchase. I will state, however there have been times when dealing with fellow Blacks that the service provided was unprofessional. That is not to say that all are unprofessional -- you will find unprofessional behavior across all ethnic groups and unprofessional behavior is unacceptable no matter who displays it.
I was in a major department store a few months ago. The cashiers at the register were young black adults. The young man waiting on me was constantly talking to the other cashier -- making jokes and taking a long time to finish the sale. I was standing there really not happy and after he completed my purchase and handed me my packages, I said to him --" I just want to give you some constructive criticism. I note this may not be the most interesting job, however when you are waiting on a customer you should refrain from all of the back and forth laughing and chatting. I told him I know this is probably a job he is just passing through, however had he been in another environment his behavior would be unacceptable and most likely not tolerated. He was surprised by my comment, but I believe he understood where I was coming from. We have to learn that the work ethic does not change just because we are surrounded around other Blacks -- we are to be professional when dealing with the public at all times.
The hair care industry YouTube was disturbing. It is amazing how people from other countries are able to come here and be successful while we continue to struggle for a piece of the pie. There are trademark and patent laws and one would think there would be some way to prohibit the Koreans and/or others from blatantly copying products manufactured by Black hair care companies. The cost to do so is expensive however not doing so is detrimental.
Just my two cents.
Idette
This is a blog written by Tim Wise (who is white) and it ask for readers to imagine what would happen, or how would perceptions be formed, if the so-called Tea Party movement was a Black movement.
Click the link to get access to the link.
Post your comments and replies below in my blog.
Thanks for providing the article, but I imagine Mr. Wise's comments have been the source of many conversations and food for thought around many black dinner tables. We, meaning black folks, may watch with some consternation that the activity of the tea parties is conducted with such audacity and approval, but what else is new? Perhaps Mr. Wise wonders why the meeting are not put down or much negative press against the activity is not taking center stage in the media, but we are not surprised. We know it is business as usual; just a little more overt, but typical American politics and oppressor rhetoric as always.
I think Chris Rock said it all in one of his stand up comic routines.
Talking about race, Chris said, "I'm not scared of the Al-qaeda terrorist, I'm scared of "AL- CRACKER", speaking of some of the crazy white folk in America.
I had once voted conservative, because I thought they held some of my values. However these ultra conservatives now a days have lost their ever loving mind.
I remember when Bush was in office, I always heard the conservative talk show host praising him no matter what he did, and if a liberal put him down they said the liberal was un-American. And I always heard the conservative's say, we need to pray for "our president".
I've yet to hear conservative talk show host's give the Obama Adminstration any praise, or ask Americans to pray for President Obama. Oh they have a prayer going around, but it's a prayer for harm to come to President Obama and his family.
In my opinion there is nothing worse and more dangerous than a scared white conservative.
If what Mr. Wise wrote about was to truly happen, in America, oh boy...We ain't seen nothing yet from white folk.
IN THE NEWS:
An Australian book publisher has to trash 7,000 copies of a cookbook with a "typo".
Click here to read the article.
PS. Don't forget to use your Affiliate Link to participate in our new "Register Black Business" Affiliate Program. You can find the info by clicking the Affiliate Tab above.
Here's the a sample of what your sales page will look like once you become an Affiliate of the program.
http://www.RegisterBlackBusiness.com/?=YOUR_ID
Here's your log in page to check your stats:
http://www.registerblackbusiness.com/reseller.php
I sincerely believe it was a typo on their part. especially since it was not published, promoted nor signed by heirs of Jeffery Dalmer.
E.M.
LOL, I guess spell check is not what it used to be. Although the book was recalled or trash, 7,000, I wonder what the people who already have the book are thinking. Wow!
LOL!!! Ok, yes I too believe this is was a typo. Especially since I also have used spell check and still some errors managed to reach my final doc. Thank goodness I'm so anal sometimes that I still read the paper after I spell check it!!! Wow, how embarrassing for them!!!
I am the world's worst speller and even I know the difference between "pepper" and "people" Also the letters "e" and "r" are on the left hand side of the keyboard!!! One other thing, you have to research the "treatment" of the Aborigines by the British during the 1700's! Which in some ways was the same thing that the ("Ex- British) people did to the Native American Indians here in America!!!!!!! Also, books are "proof read" before they are published, so what happened in this case? Humm???????? Mistake maybe but, I think "ethic" hate played/plays a part in this!! I could be wrong but, the history of the "treatment" of non-white folks, aroung the world shows that there have always been "player haters"!!!
H
I'm not as offended by the typo as I am the publisher wondering why anyone would be offended by the typo. It is the nature of man to be protective of their feelings especially when their history lends itself to past offenses and abuse as the native Australians were treated by the British. If it was a German cookbook which mentioned ground Jews, or a white cookbook which mentioned ground blacks, there would be the same very negative reactions.
People and pepper....No doubt this is a typo.....lol WOW! 7,000 thats so unfortunate.
Ning is an increasingly popular "social network builder" — you can create a site, invite friends, upload photos, set up a forum, discuss, share etc.
Yesterday, one month after Jason Rosenthal replaced Gina Bianchini as a new CEO, Ning announced that they will cut 69 jobs and completely shut down their free service. Ning will remain as a paid-only service. Needless to say, this really upset a lot of its users. Although Jason claims that 75% of their traffic comes from premium sites, vast majority of sites and users are still free.
It might seem that Ning is sending a clear message: "free does not work". For those of you who have intact networks that you value, you may want to start looking around for an alternative or be prepared to pay the monthly fees.
Black Business Space is on the Ning network and has been a paid network from day one.
Wow! I knew this was going to happen. I am not sure about the 75% of premium users. Anyhow I am impressed that black business space was a premium member from day one. Thanks for the "fyi".
I do think that the significant portion of new traffic comes from those who are premium subscribers. I had a conversation some time ago with Gina about this and she broke down the stats on this. I remember sharing them with Don and others in the Club. I'll see if I can retrieve the info and repost it.
On another note, our Register Black Business may be of assistance to Ning Network owners with a "black" themed network. The earnings from the program could help offset the new fees.
The latest" entrepreneurial project launch" of the National Black Business Trade Association (NBBTA) is "REGISTER BLACK BUSINESS".
To view the Sales Page:
1. Go to http://www.RegisterBlackBusiness.com (Do NOT Pay Here! Use the link below to become an Affiliate)
To become an Affiliate:
2. Go to http://www.registerblackbusiness.com/?action=affsignup (For Your Use ONLY!)
3. Once you've created your Affiliate Link you can always Log In by going to:
NOTE: Please keep this information in a safe place for future reference.
The Next Move is Yours!
I wanted to make sure you were able to get a copy of my latest ebook:"Newbies Guide to Setting Up a Sales Funnel".I'm hoping that you'll find the information helpful in building your business.Check it out. Here's the link: http://www.leegreenonline.com/recommends/salefunnel/Peace and Blessings,Lee Green, Success Coach & Business MentorPS. Send me a note and let me know what you learned or how it helped. I'm always interested in hearing real life stories or testimonies.
As head of an international Black business organization, I have to ask that question all the time from different vantage points.Should Black businesses EXPECT loyalty from Black consumers?Should BLACK businesses expect loyalty from Black consumers?Should Black BUSINESSES expect loyalty from Black consumers?Should Black businesses expect loyalty from Black CONSUMERS?Should Black businesses expect LOYALTY from Black consumers?OK, you get the point. Putting the emphasis on different words creates different or varying outcomes. So it depends on what one emphasises.And from my perspective, that's where the problem begins. We aren't all on the same page. Some of us are operating off of our own limited "expectations" and not seeing the "big picture".Others are operating off of their idea of "Blackness" alone.Still others are operating off of their interpretation of standard market "business" practices.And some are operating from the perspective of "consumers".We may all have different perspectives on expectation, blackness, and business. But one thing is certain, in America, we are all consumers. And today's consumers are not loyal.There was a time that Blacks tended to be "brand loyal", but that is fading away very quickly, given so many more options to buy in the marketplace.Yes, we like what we like. But we do what we do, in many cases, based on how the "mind-motivators" of television, movies, cable and other media direct us.You may think that you're in control of your likes and dislikes, but in reality you are only responding to the advertising, marketing and promotion of a range of limited product/service choices and buying options.The products and services that we are exposed to, by in large, are limited to what is presented to us in the mainstream media.The ability to reach you as a consumer is driven by a series of factors, including target marketing, laser advertising and buzz or hype promotions.Over the years, as we have been integrated into mainstream markets, our under-nourished appetites and issues of self-esteem and self-worth, have caused us to become the "consumate consumer".As a result, many of us are operating off of the notions of scarcity. We react to marketing changes in fear of not be included, or to prove we are "worthy".Every other ethnic group at one level or another will view choices on a "culture first" basis. Black people in America tend to do just the opposite. Somehow believing that to deny ourselves is to be more open-minded and tolerant of others.It is our so-called "open-mindedness" that has allowed others unchecked access to our thoughts ... which control our beliefs ... which control our behaviors.Others more in control of our choices, income opportunities and lifestyles have defined us from the cradle to the grave. And we have mostly accepted their definitions, somehow thinking nevertheless, that we were not personally affected by it.It is our children who are most vunerable and have been our weakest link. They tend to be more duly influenced by what is deemed socially acceptable, en vogue, hip, or current.Older adults follow suit, in an attempt to also be viewed as young, socially acceptable, hip or current. So a cycle of uncontrolled spending of 97% of all that we earn leaves our communities every week. It has gone unchecked now for decades.WE ARE AMERICA'S BIGGEST CASH CROPBlack people can be counted on to buy whatever is the "latest, greatest craze" and stimulate anyone's economy but our own with our too few dollars.America knows that the more consumers America makes or creates, the more wealth those with economic power will make.Our choices in marketplace buying and spending have become predictable ... almost stereotypical and certainly easily manipulated.The loss of our own consumer market has caused many problems for Black businesses and the viability of a vibrant Black community.The truth of the matter is, we don't have to live next door to one another to have our own financial or business market. Most people live in diverse areas, but still are able to successfully do business within their own cultural group.As Black business owners, we need to understand what drives the market and not just operate off of sometimes false assumptions about what Black folk should or shouldn't do based on anything associated with "freedom of choice".We are not yet free enough from the influences of those "hidden persuaders" to be strong enough to be in control.Become a student of your market. Learn and understand what your target or niche market wants and then seek to be the best supplier of what they want.Be competitive with your self. Be cooperative within your market. Networking is a part of that cooperation.Not doing that will cause a deep dip in your income, especially if you maintain outdated outlooks about what you expect the market will bear.To be viewed as viable today, Black businesses will have to "fight fire with fire". Our fire will still have to be hotter, but it will make a big difference when we come as close to consistently "bringing the heat", as possible.The best strategy is to provide world-class value in products and services, exceptional pricing, and exemplary customer service. We should always seek to be consistent as we under promise and yet still over deliver.The good news is, we can win our market share back. Even better news is, we can win some of other markets too. This economic upheaval will certainly create more opportunities for those astute and centered enough to make the right moves.We can succeed beyond the limitations of this new economic order, if we see and then do, what's possible when we organize and work together in harmony and love. Let's bring the heat!
LeeGreen, Chairman & CEONational Black Business Trade Associationhttp://www.nbbta.orgBlack Business Spacehttp://www.BlackBusinessSpace.comBlack Business Builders Clubhttp://www.BlackBusinessAffiliate.com
Dear Lee, I love this article. You have laid out the facts of our buying power and tendencies with clarity and compassion. We, black people, have looked the other way too long and justified our actions by declaring our independent thought to buy and use what is in the mainstream...to keep up with the Jones. The pride of wearing and using black products which we had in the sixties and prior, seems to have vanished and been replaced with, as you say, what is "hip or current." The ironic thing is that most of the "hip" and "current" trends are begun by black folks and commercialized by others with the advertising dollars to move them in the marketplace. Why not go to, support and show your loyalty to the source of most of American culture...our black people?
