ATTENTION: Supplier Diversity & Inclusion Teams and
Chief Procurement Officers
Proven strategies to increase diverse vendor spend and remove roadblocks
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Elevate your vendor training programs with our GUIDED approach!
Workshops | Cohort Training | Business Academy | Center of Excellence
"Melanie has been a driving force in Suburban’s overall Supplier Diversity success. She eliminates pain points for both the vendor and utility, which adds to a more lucrative RFP process by ensuring diverse vendors are prepared.”
-Lauren James, Suburban Water Systems, 2021 diverse spend = 51%
Guided Business Plan
3 GUIDED training packages to create a
pipeline of project-ready vendors!
- GUIDED Continuity Statement workshop – 2 hours to protect your supply chain
- GUIDED Capabilities Statement – one of the fastest ways to connect vendors to opportunities
- Tier 1/Tier 2 Engagement - increase Tier 2 spending and reporting
- Plus we design and facilitate Cohort Training and Business Academies
Hi Partner for Progress:
We’re both in the business of opening doors to opportunities.
Click the video to meet me, Melanie Rae, author of the 10-edition GUIDED Business Plan™ and fierce champion for economic advancement.
Our Diverse Certifications
Certified WBENC WBE (Women’s Business Enterprise), ACDBE (Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise), CPUC (California Public Utilities Commission)
MBE / WBE / VBE / DOBE / LGBTQBE / WOSB
Award-winning training leads to contract wins
We design high-impact technical assistance programs for certified and non-certified businesses.
- Metrolink – Small Business Partnership Program
- McDonalds – 6-week business planning for 350 people
- Walgreens – Retail industry cohort training
- WBENC – WeThrive Instructor for business continuity
- California Water Association – Utility industry specific training
- Plus many more
“The feedback for Top Shelf Retail is incredible. I can’t say enough how thrilled I am to be a part of this. Melanie, fantastic job!”
~Pete Raffone, former Regional Director, Walgreens
Guided Business Plan designed a cohort-based training program for consumer goods producers.
Customize Our Proven Packages
Our Signature Training Packages
Protect Your Supply Chain
GUIDED Continuity Statement – online 2 hour work sessions
Live and on-demand
Templates
Proactively prevent business disruption by sponsoring online sessions to create a Continuity Statement
Introduce Project-Ready Vendors
GUIDED Capabilities Statement – online work sessions
Weekly outreach exposure
Personalized feedback
Expedite introductions by easily helping talented Diverse Vendors improve their Capabilities Statements
Connect Vendors to Buyers
GUIDED Intro Videos – 3-part online work sessions
Personalized feedback
Writing and production tips
Introduce vendors by forwarding their 60-second intro video to your decision-making colleagues
Work Session Packages – Online Workshops
Tier 1/Tier 2 Engagement
Prep Tier 2 to meet with Tier 1
Prep Tier 1 to connect with Tier 2
Automate introductions
Cohort Training
Create a pipeline of project-ready vendors who commit 20+ hours to learning how to navigate your company/industry – includes business matchmaking
3CoE – Center of Excellence
Plan for a more adaptable and resilient supply chain with our enterprise-wide learning platform, from onboarding to succession, that advances economic equality
Post-Event Thank You Testimonial
Hear our kudos from the California Water Association
Meet Your Before + After Business Coach
Melanie Rae
Corporate procurement teams sponsor a wide range of GUIDED Business Plan™ training programs for their diverse vendors, from small businesses to 8-figure companies, to equip them with information to close deals faster.
Guided Business Plan
Meet Our Guides
Our experts guide diverse vendors to their success destinations!
Melanie is the founder of Guided Business Plan & the Before and After Biz Coach who has helped thousands of business owners create tools to SEE and REACH their success destinations.
Melanie Rae
Lead Guide
Dr. Harris earned her doctorate in Education Leadership. She assists small businesses with writing County, State and Federal proposals.
Dr. Yvette Harris, Phd
Mindset Development
Scott Vowels, PhD
Supplier Inclusion, Apple
” I have known Melanie for many years and have been impressed with all of the different projects she is constantly involved in. I have been particularly impressed with the programs she has created tailored to the Veteran business community. Melanie has authored several training manuals. workbooks and etc. focused on MWDVBE development.”
Talia Boone
Founder, Postal Petals®
Audio testimonial from a diverse vendor
Guided Business Plan
Before & After
Melanie coached a group of women pursuing corporate contracts during a recent cohort.
For some of them, it was their first time navigating corporate procurement.
Before
Que Alicia
Q&A Consulting LLC
Within a one-hour session, we helped Que write a new script that showcased her true value and personality. This video wowed corporate buyers. Imagine how many prospects would have moved on if they only saw her BEFORE video because they did not understand the value that she brings to the table.
After
Before
Jamita Machen
The Software Vault
Jamita’s BEFORE video was solid but it did not distinguish her enough from other vendors that offer IT systems improvement. The second one showed more confidence as she described how her company solved an extremely costly and high visibility challenge. The listener has an idea of her unique capabilities, who has trusted her and what she can deliver.
After
Guided Business Plan can create a group training that resolves the gaps in onboarding new vendors!
Guided Business Plan
Testimonials
You got questions?
We have answers!
Below are answers to our most frequently asked questions
We specialize in offering virtual training; however, we may participate in hybrid training where the first and/or last session is held onsite.
Your leader is an instructional designer with more than 20 years of experience translating concepts for adult learners. You can’t get the same type of energy and inspiration from simply watching a video from a stranger.
Absolutely. We offer recorded and non-recorded pricing to reach a larger audience.
Yes. We work directly with corporations to translate what they want diverse vendors to know. Our training may be offered to companies you select or held publicly with not-for-profit organizations.
Yes, one, two, five…ten. We offer volume discounts and add-ons so they learn what you need them to know.
