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Conrad Lawrence's Writing Samples
773-865-5524 or Conrad_Lawrence@yahoo.comWriting Samples:
"Build it AndWill
They Come?"
N'Digo Magapaper
July 2005
The Future is In Your Face
Book
"Sweatshops or No Sweat"
N'Digo Magapaper
October 2004
"Expressive arts therapies: Where the West meets the East"
An academic paper
June 2009
Global Warming Population Bomb
"Crossing The Digital Divide"
N'Digo Magapaper
November, 2004
Shirley, This'll Piss
Someone off
(Blog Commentary)
Conrad Lawrence
(CV/Work Resume)
Creative Narrative
Resume
N'Digo Magapaper
July 2005
The Future is In Your Face
Book
"Sweatshops or No Sweat"
N'Digo Magapaper
October 2004
"Expressive arts therapies: Where the West meets the East"
An academic paper
June 2009
Global Warming Population Bomb
"Crossing The Digital Divide"
N'Digo Magapaper
November, 2004
Shirley, This'll Piss
Someone off
(Blog Commentary)
Conrad Lawrence
(CV/Work Resume)
Creative Narrative
Resume
Crossing the Digital Divide:A Formula for Business Success
Text and Photos by Conrad Lawrence
"You can't be 'techtimidated'," says Melody McDowell of Melody'service, a PR firm that helped to organize the 2nd Annual Cosmopolitan Chamber of Commerce Technology and Trade Show, held Friday, August 20th at the McCormick Place Hyatt. The conference was organized to educate minority entrepreneurs on the need for using the newest in technology. State Senator Emil Jones, President of the Illinois State Senate agrees with McDowell, "You must have technology to survive as a small business today." Frighteningly, minority owned small enterprises are not using technology. According to Richard Hernández, President and Chair of the Cosmopolitan Chamber of Commerce Technology Committee, "The 'digital divide' is real among minorities."
"Small misnority businesses don't understand the importance of technology," says Gloria Bell, Executive Director of Cosmopolitan Chamber of Commerce and driving force behind the Technology Conference. She indicates that businesses making use of web sites make 50% more in sales, yet 70% of small business don't use technology to grow their businesses. Hernández feels there is a reticence toward technology among minority owned businesses because of what he calls a "Cash and Carry" mentality. "Small business will pay for technology if they can pay cash for it and take it with them. They won't invest in technology."
According to Bell, "Small businesses are missing the boat. Ignorance is not bliss; it's bad for business." Bell feels that not only are business owners not leveraging technology, but they show no interest in expanding business outside of Illinois or exploring global markets." Bell sees one commonality to these problems, "Lacking a working knowledge of how to use technology to expand the business." Or, as
Richard Hernández puts it, "Getting more bang for the buck!"
The problem is both one of education and resistance. As Melody McDowell says, "Entrepreneurs are not as tech savvy as they should be." Bell indicates a need to continually press the message. "You have to say things fifteen times before it makes a dent." Hernández believes that for minority businesses the lack of role models, exclusion from business networks and access to capitol also contribute to the problem.
"One of our goals at this conference and trade show," says Bell, "is to try and put forth new ideas that will not only spark an interest in using technology to grow the business, but will encourage the business owner to seek additional knowledge and training, that can eventually lead to business expansion and growth."
Hernández claims that an obstacle to investing in technology is the problem of minority businesses being "under banked." This includes being red lined and considered a higher risk by loan institutions. Another problem in acquiring capital to invest in technology, is a lack of collateral. Hernández cites that 60% of all minority businesses are service based, leaving no equipment to use as collateral for loans needed to acquire technology. Gloria Bell contends that low capital is exactly the reason to use technology.
"Technology is the great equalizer," says Bell. By front ending a small business through a web presence and using e-mail, a small business can look like a big business without costly real estate capital. Wireless technology allows an entrepreneur to be anywhere with a business line, even at a second job if need be.
The Cosmopolitan Chamber of Commerce 2nd Annual Technology Conference sought to address these issues. A breakfast panel kicked off the conference with panelists that included David Blake, Publisher of Crains' Chicago Business; Dennis Siencko, Deputy Director, Technology and Industrial Competitiveness, Illinois Deparment of Commerce and Economic Opportunity; Leroy Wright, President Wright Group Internatnal Holdings, LLC; Robert Blackwell, Sr., Chairman and CEO Blackwell Consulting Services and Phillip Cobb, Managing Deputy Procurement Officer, City of Chicago.
Workshops were held in the morning, and again in the afternoon. Between these sessions vendors set up a trade show where attendees could see and touch new technology. The trade show was opened by a ribbon cutting ceremony was hosted by Illinois Senate President Emil Jones; Conrad Hunter, Regional Vice President of U.S. Cellular; and Dr. Akinyinka O. Akinyele, District Manager, United States Postal Service.
Workshops covered Wireless Applications For Small Business Success, Electronic Marketing and How To Find Contracts Using The Internet. The turnout was less than what was hoped for, reaffirming. Linda Cohran of Cohran Consulting and Coaching, an attendee, estimated that there was only about ten to twelve entrepreneurs who attended.
"I'm not going to back away from the fact that I'm disappointed in the turnout," said Bell. "Small to
mid-sized businesses just don't get it." She also didn't find it too surprising that those entrepreneurs attending were already somewhat tech-savvy. Linda Cohran, Wendy Jackson of Advanced Systems Resources, Reginald Phillips of NASA Illinois and Rose Marie Rodriguez an entrepreneur starting her own public relations firm all agreed that they got something out of the conference. "I came to find what communications enhancements could help me," said Jackson, "and I will add more technology to my own
business as a result of this."
Bell claims it's all about educating the entrepreneur, "The focus of Cosmopolitan Chamber of Commerce has always been to educate. We have high hopes that through understanding, education and taking a hands-on approach, small to mid-sized businesses will embrace today's technology and see it as a working tool to grow their businesses!"