The following is a new program I am introducing for interested minority owned contracting firms. My plans are to start this program in April so now is the time to indicate your interest by completing the application on this page and e mailing it to PEOPLEofconstruction@gmail.com. I will contact you to set up an informational meeting to discuss further and to make sure the program fits your needs. At that time we will discuss the various options for mentors to assist you in the management of your business–however that may be defined. This is an excellent opportunity for those emerging firms looking for a way to get meaningful engaged in the commercial construction industry in the St. Louis marketplace. If you have been searching for “the next step” in your business, I suggest you complete the following application and return to me via e mail. If you prefer, simply send me an e mail responding to the questions in the application and that will get us started.

Capacity Building Mentoring Program
Sponsored by PEOPLE

DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM:

Modeled after RUCC (Regional Union Construction Center), CBMP is a mentoring program designed to help you manage and grow your company. Depending on your needs–and by mutual agreement–an independent board member or mentor, consisting of business and management professionals in our industry, will be assigned to meet with you and your management team monthly–or within a time as agreed–to review specific company information and to make recommendations, suggestions or confirmation of direction currently being taken by your firm. Additional professionals with varying backgrounds will be brought in to assist as may be determined to be necessary. You will be asked to prepare certain business and financial information and discuss this information freely and openly at each meeting between your team and the assigned business mentor. It is strictly up to you if you accept or reject the recommendations of the board.

TO QUALIFY:

Must be certified minority business enterprise engaged in commercial or residential construction in greater St. Louis area
Must have passion for the design and construction industry; a will and want to learn and to grow
Must have desire to build the capacity of your firm and have desire to be a significant player in the design and construction industry in St. Louis
Must be committed to prepare for and attend scheduled meetings; respect your mentor and his or her time; share company information freely; ability to listen and to accept advice
Must be willing to commit to a minimum of three months in the program; preferably six months to a year—but certainly free to withdraw at any time if you decide program is not working for you

NEXT STEP:

Complete the attached application and e mail to Ron Unterreiner at PEOPLEofconstruction@gmail.com. You will be contacted to attend an informal meeting with several prospective mentors so we may explain the program in detail and assess the need or the fit of this program for your firm. We certainly respect that this program may not be for everyone so we want to make absolutely sure you are comfortable in accepting our help, guidance and direction. The individual mentor assigned to your firm will be selected according to your needs and we will only move forward if everyone is completely comfortable with all aspects of the program.
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CAPACITY BUILDING MENTORING PROGRAM
APPLICATION FORM

Name and address of Company: _________________________________________________________
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Your name and title: __________________________________________________________________
Are you the owner of this firm? __________________________________________________________
Contact information: Office phone _________________cell phone _____________________________
E-mail address: _______________________________________________________________________
Organizational structure of your firm: (Corporation; Partnership; Proprietorship) __________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
How long as your firm been in business? ____________________________________________________
How many employees in your firm? ________________________________________________________
Description of work performed by your firm: ________________________________________________
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What trade unions are your firm associated with? _____________________________________________
Approximate amount of GROSS Revenues by your firm for last fiscal year: _________________________
Is your firm certified MBE/WBE by the Lambert DBE office? ____________________________________
Do you have a business mentor now? ______________________________________________________
Do you have an individual you would recommend as a possible mentor to your firm? ________________
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What would you like to achieve for yourself or your firm by joining this program? _____________________________________________________________________________________
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(Feel free to leave any question unanswered as we can discuss further in the first meeting)

Please E Mail this completed form to Ron Unterreiner at PEOPLEofconstruction@gmail.com. You will be contacted within three business days to schedule and informal informational gathering meeting. Thanks for your interest.
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Monthly meeting suggestions:

I would leave the discussion points up to each individual mentor and client but I would suggest the following as a guideline. Maybe each meeting is different depending on the needs and the activity of the firm at the time. Certainly, we want to touch on the financial highlights and the business opportunities before us and whatever may be the challenges of the day.

Financial highlights:

Contracts signed during the period since last meeting

Projects bid during the period; current projects on the board to bid

Work put in place and billed since last period

Updated schedule of work in progress

Schedule of accounts payable—any major issues?

Schedule of accounts receivable—any major issues?

Cash flow and/or capital needs

Union benefits; payroll taxes

Business highlights:

Any significant changes in your company during the period

What was your greatest challenge since we last met

Any employee issues we should discuss

What is your biggest challenge with your company right now?

Are all current projects flowing smoothly–on time–on budget–client satisfaction?

What in your mind is holding you back; what can a mentor do to help

What networking or marketing events did you attend since last period

What networking events do you have planned for the coming month