Diversity NetWorking – Part 2

In last month's article, I began an interview with Greg Maes, who manages the small business side of the supply chain for Chevron Global Upstream (a Chevron U.S.A. Inc. Division). I continue my visit with Greg this month as he gives networkers an insight on where we can focus our networking efforts.

Maria Elena: You mentioned that you seek small businesses to mentor through the process and certifications necessary to do business with Chevron and similar companies. Where are some places that we, small business owners, can be and network so that we might connect with you and garner your mentoring assistance?

Greg: Well, since they are already making a connection with me here, through the National NetWorker Magazine, they are welcome to contact me directly. My contact information is: Greg Maes, MidContinent/Alaska BU, Chevron Global Upstream, 15 Smith Road, Midland, TX 79705. They are also welcome to call me at 432-687-7179 or email me directly.

Also, networking a chamber breakfasts or culturally focused chambers like the Midland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Hobbs Hispano Chamber of Commerce in Hobbs, New Mexico and women focused networking groups are great places to “find” me as well. And, it’s important to join organizations, like that, so that you can stay “in the know” of events or opportunities that they are notified about. Often times, that’s one of the benefits of membership. Expos are another great venue! Expos like the Houston Minority Business Council expo are great places to meet me and others like me in companies seeking to do business with women or minority owned businesses. Remember, to look at conferences for organizations, too. That’s another great place to connect with people like me who would like to get to know the variety of businesses out there and the people behind those businesses.

Before making contact, if you have a desire to work with Chevron, spend some time investigating the corporation by going to our website,  And do the following:

1. See what projects we are working on right now.

2. Look through all areas. Realize we are like many companies within a company with several areas a small business can provide their product or service from upstream projects which pull the product out of the ground to mid-stream projects in areas such as Pipeline or Marketing, and downstream which processes the product for consumption. See what project niche you would like to be considered for and discuss.

3. Find out who to contact regarding that project. In regards to Chevron, after doing your research, feel free to contact me with questions. I’m excited and looking forward to the opportunity to know what I can do to help you do business with Chevron. If it’s not in the eight states that I service, I can definitely make the connection for you to the right person.

Maria: After all, it is about making connections! Thank you so much, Greg! You’ve been a wealth of information, a great solid education on doing business with a major corporation and how we, small business owners, can create our own opportunities.

 

So, as we end 2007, if you see doing business with a large corporation as something you aspire to do, then by all means include items and organizations that we’ve mentioned in this two part article on “Diversity NetWorking” into your goal setting and action steps for 2008.

 

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