ELECTRONIC COMMERCE: 
BUSINESS- TO-BUSINESS (B2B),
BUSINESS- TO-CONSUMER (B2C),
and MOBILE COMMERCE (M-C) 
DOMESTICALLY and INTERNATIONALLY
Annual Conference
National Black Chamber of Commerce
Milwaukee, WI August 2, 2002
Warren H. Groff 
Consultant for Educational Development
African American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Milwaukee 
and Adjunct Faculty in the College of Business & Management
at Cardinal Stritch University and in
Leadership Studies at Nova Southeastern University
groffw@nova.edu 
MISSION OF THE NATIONAL BLACK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

To economically empower and sustain African American communities through entrepreneurship and capitalistic activity within the United States and via interaction with the Black Diaspora. 
http://www.nationalbcc.org

GOALS

1. To increase business development and growth via procurement, capital access and international trade

2. To provide entities to fund and guide our programs. 

3. Educate and train the masses on Black business development and our purpose to benefit society. 

4. Provide technical support to affiliated chapters. Access "About Us" for additional information at: http://www.nationalbcc.org/aboutus/plan.htm

A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR PLANNING STRATEGICALLY

                                                                        2002-2003     2003-2004     2004-2005     2005-2006     2006-2007
1.0 Business Develonment 
1.1 Partnerships 
1.2 Capital 
1.3 Foreign Counterparts 
     a. Africa - Ghana (needs and wants) can lead to African & African American Partnerships 

2.0 Funding and Guidance
2.1 Annual Convention 
2.2 Membership 
2.3 Projects 

3.0 Education and Training
3.1 Outreach 
3.2 Market Successes 

4.0 Technical Support
4.1 Local Strategic Plans 
4.2 Model Projects 
4.3 Website Development 

ANNUAL CONFERENCE 

The Annual Conference theme is "The 5 C's for Success: Capital, Contracts, Contacts, Capability, and Connectivity." Awards for excellence; the Honorable Alan Kyerematen, Ambassador of Ghana to the U.S.; and a future trade mission to Ghana provide a unique opportunity to promote the mission and goals of NBCC as well as for each Black Chamber and many potential members. Business capacity development begins with Market Analysis (MA), determining needs and wants of others. Awareness about e-MA is essential as is e-Customer Relations Management (e-CRM). Awareness raising about Ghana and Africa can begin by critiquing the following Web sites: 
http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/index.php
http://www.g77tin.org/members/default.htm
http://www.allafrica.com 

MISSION OF THE NATIONAL BLACK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 

To economically empower and sustain African American communities through entrepreneurship... . 

A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR PLANNING STRATEGICALLY


 
                                         2002-2003     2003-2004     2004-2005     2005-2006     2006-2007
1.0 Business Develonment
1.1 Partnerships 
1.2 Capital 
1.3 Foreign Counterparts 
     a. Africa - Ghana (needs and wants) can lead to African & African American Partnerships 

2.0 Funding and Guidance 

3.0 Education and Training

4.0 Technical Support 
4.1 Local Strategic Plans 
4.2 Model Projects 
4.3 Website Development
 

ANNUAL CONFERENCE THEME: THE 5 C's FOR SUCCESS 
SESSION: BROADBAND. WEB SITES. AND E-COMMERCE 
Capability and Connectivity, then Contacts, Contracts, and Capital 

Canability: Entrepreneurship = A Plan with MISSION and VISION, Domestic & Global
Awareness Building Capacity: Awareness, Exploration, Specialization with Concentrations. 

Connectivity: Communication and Information Technology, focus on Telecommunications. Broadband will playa significant role in the future. Browse Web sites of companies such as Spaceway, developed by General Motors' spin-off Hughes; Astrolink, from aerospace giant Lockheed Martin; and Euro Skyway, from Italian company Alenia Spazio." 
http://www.spaceway.com 
http://astrolink.com 
http://www.euroskvwav.com 
As corporations conduct Business @ The Speed of Thought (Bill Gates, 1999), how will area, economic, and education development adjust to Electronically Networked Communities (ENCs)? 

Communities: Beyond area geography to include Anytime Anywhere (24 x 7) Learning.

What should We do during the Conference? What should We do next week and this fall?

                                 August       September       October       November       December 
1. Your business plan 
2. A Chamber's plan 
3. Learning Communities 
   - Economy sector 
     - Manufacturing 
     - Services 
     - Neighborhoods & Schools 
GOAL 1.0 BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT 

 
2002-2003     2003-2004     2004-2005     2005-2006     2006-2007
1.0 Business Develonment 

ANALYSIS - VISION - ACTION (A VA) 
Analysis of E-commerce of Establishments by Sectors of Economies 
InternetWeek E-Commerce 100    http://www.internetweek.com
KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT (KM), August 2002, pp. 2-4. 

Access http://www.members.cox.net/greenka6/wgnewweb/wgmenu.html All newsletters dating back to 1999 contain Web sites to link to many primary and secondary sources.

Analysis of Minority Owned Establishments 

Black Enteprise100 Sales by Economy Sector http://www.blackenteprise.com 
 

1. AutoDealers  43.7%  $ 8,869.9 Million 
2. Food & Beverage  10.0%  2,023.3        " 
3. Manufacturing  7.7%  1,562.5        " 
4. Technology  6.5%  1,323.8        "
7. Telecommunications  5.1%  1,032.0       " 
8. Construction  3.7%     749.1        "

E-commerce includes all aspects of business processes including e-Market Analysis (e-MA), domestic and global e-supply chains, and e-Customer Relations Management (e-CRM). General Motors is beginning to convert from 12 to 42 volt electrical systems, a change that will affect all design, manufacturing and assembly processes, and sales plus services with warranty.  http://www.supplychainbrain.com 

A few of the BE 100 are in KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT (KM). August 2002, pp. 5-6. 

Analysis of Establishments to Promote Visioning

Attached are pages of Web sites for analysis as well as envisioning business capacity development. Kimberly-Clark indicates "It is our vision to see ... brands on store shelves in every country." Could e-Market Analysis lead to product sales as an K-C partner and yield multiple winners? 
Rockwell Automation delivers the goods with online training (see KM, March 2002, p. 2). 

Could Anytime Anywhere Online Training yield a Return On Investment (ROI) in e-CRM
Analysis of Domestic and International Entrepreneurial Opportunities 

Advances and applications of communication and information technology are the forces of the digital era, e-commerce. Broadband will be deployed (see KM, February 2002, pp. 1 and 5). The Leland Initiative is a five year, $15 million U.S. government effort to extend Internet connectivity to 20 or more African countries and their people to achieve sustainable development.  http://www.usaid.gov/regions/afr/leland/ 

The "Trade and Development Act of 2000" (Public Law 106-200) has resources for Sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean Basin. PL 106-200 has produced information of value for e-commerce. Could e-Market Analysis (e-MA) yield needs and wants that can be supported by the legislation? 

E-COMMERCE VISION CREATION 

OUR VISION 

'1t is our vision to see ... brands on store shelves in every country." 

Kimberly Clark is a world leader in personal care products, consumer tissue products, and away- from-home products. Kimberly Clark manufactures in 20 states in the U.S. plus 38 countries and territories and sells in over 150 countries. Access http://www.kimberly-clark.com and click on "Who We Are." Critique countries in which Kimberly Clark has plants and sells.

OUR VISION

"We aspire to be the world's premier provider of medical electronic equipment and Systems used for clinical diagnosis, monitoring, and patient information integration." GE Medical Systems is defining leadership in the field. Access http://www.ge.com/medical/

GE Medical Systems is partnering with Abbott Laboratories, Baxter International, Johnson & Johnson, and Medtronic, Inc. in forming an Internet-based marketplace that will allow hospitals and other health care facilities to link directly to suppliers. 
Abbott Laboratories http://www.abbott.com 
Baxter International http://www.baxter.com 
Johnson & Johnson http://www.johnsonjohnson.com 
Medtronic http://www.medtronic.com 

Johnson & Johnson is the world's most comprehensive and broadly-based manufacturer of health care products via 190 operating companies in 51 countries, selling products in 175+ countries. How can browsing and mining Johnson & Johnson Web sites help to focus strategic thinking? Johnson & Johnson Medical Taiwan  http://www.jjmt.com.tw  and Johnson & Johnson Taiwan, Ltd. http://www.jmt.com.tw  provide a full range of products and services for health care. 

FULL-SERVICE E-COMMERCE GLOBAL VISION 

Lands' End is expanding full-service e-comrnerce Web sites. Web sites were launched in the United Kingdon  http://www.landsend.co.uk  , Germany  http://www.landsend.de  , and Japan http://www.landsend.co.jp  in November, 1999 and in Ireland  http://www.landsend.ie  , 
France (httQ://www.fr.landsend.com) and Italy  http://www.landsend.it  in the fall of 2000. Analyze competencies and skills to do B2B, B2C, and M-Comrnerce globally. 

Critique the Maternity Wear, a new line, as an entrepreneurial international opportunity. What e-comrnerce competencies/skills are needed to sell Maternity Ware internationally? 

VISION 2016 

People working together as a global enterprise for aerospace leadership. 

Core competencies are detailed customer knowledge and focus, large-scale systems integration, and lean enterprise. Values are leadership, integrity, quality, customer satisfaction, people 
working together, a diverse and involved team, good corporate citizenship, and shareholder value. http://www.boeing.com/companyoffices.aboutus/mission/index.html
 

E-COMMERCE VISION CREATION

AMP 

AMP is the world's leading producer of connectors used in automotive, computer, and many 
other industries. AMP deployed an e-catalog by 1995 and offered 500 e-courses to employees in Central and South America. AMP began an EC department in 1996. http://www.amp.com 

BRADLEY CORPORATION 

"Since inventing the washfountain in 1921, Bradley has been the undisputed leader in the commercial plumbing industry. Today, bradley stands as the only single source provider of commercial plumbing fixtures, washroom accessories and emergency plumbing fixtures. This extensive product line means you find the products you need for any plumbing application with 
one call." - Donald Mullett, CEO. http://www.bradlevcorp.com 

BRADY CORPORATION 

"Brady Corporation is a world leader in identification, safety, and material solutions with products ranging from high-performance labels, signs and tapes to software, printers, and data collection systems." Browsers may want to check Brady's "International." http://www.bradycom.com 

JOHNSON CONTROLS 

How do Johnson Controls' make automotive interiors safer, more comfortable, and enjoyable? Browse JC's Global reach via 11 languages - 77,000 people, 30 countries, 290 locations.  JC is the Leader in Integrated Facility Management Services. http://www.iohnsoncontrols.com

OSHKOSH TRUCK 

". .. a leading designer and manufacturer of severe duty defense vehicles, ... concrete trucks, ..., heavy-duty snow removal trucks." Add ambulances, fire trucks, and first responder vehicles. 
http://www.oshkoshtruck.com
http://www.piercemfg.com 
http://www.medtecambulance.com

QUAD/GRAPHICS 

Quad/Graphics is the world's largest privately held printer, employing more than 14,000 people at printing plants and sales offices in a 24 x 7 x 365 Anytime Anywhere around the world enterprise. Q/G produces Newsweek. People Weekly. Sports Illustrated. ~ and nine million copies of National Geogravhic. How could EC be applied to e-books? http://www.qg.com

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION

"Rockwell Automation is intent on being the most valued global provider of power, control and information solutions for automation." Rockwell employs about 23,000 people serving customers in more than 80 countries. Browse annual meeting slides. http://www.rockwell.com 

SC JOHNSON: A FAMILY COMPANY

"The goodwill of the people is the only enduring thing in any business. It is the sole substance .., the rest is shadow." H. F. Johnson, Sr., 1927 Profit Sharing Speech Check "This We Believe" at http://www.sciohnsonwax.com 
 

KNOWLEDGE WORK and KNOWLEDGE WORKERS 

"The most important, and indeed the unique, contribution of management in the 20th century was the fifty-fold increase in the productivity of the manual worker in manufacturing. The most important contribution management needs to make in the 21st century is similarly to increase the 
productivity of knowledge work and the knowledge worker." - Peter Drucker 

Hugh McKeller used the quote by Peter Drucker to introduce the KMWorld Buyers' Guide. 
The Guide was prepared in preparation for the 15th annual KMWorld Conference & Exposition in October 2001. Carla O'Dell, president of the American Productivity & Quality Center keynoted the conference using the topic "If We Only Knew What We Know." 

ACCESSING AND MINING KNOWLEDGE IN BUYERS' GUIDES 

KMWorld's Buyers' Guide. 2001, lists more than 1,000 companies http://www.kmworld.com Biometric Group organization provides analyses ofbiometric technology including keystroke- scan, facial-scan, retina-scan, iris-scan, voice-scan, finger-scan, signature-scan, and hand-scan. 
http://www.biometricgroup.com/e/zephyr_charts.htm

The 2002 Card Technology Buyer's Guide -  http://www.cardtechnology.com
M-business 2002 Resource Guide -  http://www.mbusinessdaily.com
Electronic Commerce World 2002 Buyer's Guide -  http://www.ecomworld.com
Communications News. February 2002  http://www.comnews.com
(E-Business Technologies Buyers Guide lists 58 vendor Web sites by product and service).
Speech Technology 2002 Buyers' Guide  http://www.speechtechmag.com

ACCESSING AND MINING KNOWLEDGE FROM OTHER RESOURCES 

FIRSTGOV 

FirstGov.gov is a primary Web site for searching the U.S. government. A free government e-mail newsletter is available plus e-Business and e-Government information. http://www.firstgov.gov  "Online References for Business" includes U.S. Export Assistance and Small Business Classes Online. You can have a free e-mail Newsletter sent to your e-mail address. 

U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNADONAL DEVELOPMENT (AID)

AID, or USAID, has many useful resources at  http://www.usaid.gov  USAID explains the 
African Trade and Investment Policy (A TRIP) Program and provides a link to the legislation. 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC) 

DOC includes the Bureau of Export Administration, Economic Development Administration, and Minority Business Development Agency  http://www.mbda.gov  with E-Commerce and more. DOC also has the International Trade Administration (ITA).  http://www.ita.doc.gov

UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE

Excellent Web site with Trade Capacity Building.  http://www.ustr.gov/

U.S.. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (SBA) 

The U.S. Small Business Administration provides many resources:  http://www.sba.gov  "Starting Your Business" main page.  http://www.sba.gov/starting/  "Business Opportunities" page. http://www.sba.gov/expanding/ 

Note SBA' s Annual Industry & SBA Procurement Conference and Business Opportunity session. SBA has an Office of Women's Business Ownership:  http://www.sba.gov/womeninbusiness  An E-Cornrnerce Guide at the Small Business Development Center National Information Clearinghouse contains an extensive amount information  http://sbdcnet.utsa.edu/SBIC/e-com.htm "The simple key to the Business Plan is the planning itself..." An abundance of resources are available at local, state, national, and international levels. Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC) has many resources at its Web site. http://www.wwbic.com/ 

NATIONAL BLACK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (NBCC) 

NBCC has many resources including "Subcontracting Opportunities for Small Disadvantaged 
Businesses" and "E-Cornrnerce."  http://www.nationalbcc.org  Annual Conference in Milwaukee. 
UNITED STATES HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (USHCC) USHCC has many resources http://www.ushcc.com

ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT VIA EXPORTING

Data by Paul D. Churchill, Director, U.S. Dept. of Cornrnerce, Milwaukee 

The U.S. export volume has grown 243% over the past two decades. 
Exports have accounted for 30% of U.S. economic growth since 1989. 
Exports now account for 11% of U.S. GDP, and for 21% of U.S. GDP growth in 2000. 
Growth in the number of small businesses that were exporting: 

1987 - 69,354;      1992 - 108,026;      1997 - 202,185 
The figures represent only 1 % of all SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) in the U.S. What percent of the 1% are Disadvantaged Minority Business Enterprises (D/MBEs)? What client-centered regional services could be provided to assist D/MBEs and fledgling entrepreneurs develop competencies and skills to compete in e-business internationally? How could articulated International Baccalaureate (IB) programs assist in developing entrepreneurs with basics for international trade with countries in Africa, Asia, etc? Access, browse, and mine the January, 2002, issue of KM, pp. 1-3 and beyond. 

TRADE AND INFORMATION NETWORK 

Access Trade and Information Network at  http://www.g77tin.org/members/default.htm  and click on Chamber Index for Member Organizations, click on Africa, scroll down to South Africa, click on Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry at  http://www.jcci.co.za/  and browse SAESBA ALL AFRICA SMALL BUSINESS CONFERENCE in August 2002. What e-MA can be conducted around the conference about product and service needs in Africa? 

ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTERS (EN) and KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT (KM) 

An increasing amount of information is available in e-formats only delivered to an e-mail address. China Ecornrnerce Update provides a continuous flow of information  http://www.eastcity.com 
 

GOAL 3.0 EDUCATION AND TRAINING 
GOAL 3.1 OUTREACH 

"Community and Economic Development via Education and Training" 

Broadband Futures Broadband Office -  http://www.connectwisconsin.org/issues/future/office.htm Broadband Home -  http://www.connectwisconsin.org/issues/future/home.htm
Broadband Neighborhood -  http://www.connectwisconsin.org/issues/future/neighborhood.htm Broadband Networks -  http://www.jespinal.com/broadband.htm  (click Broadband Networking) 

The Connected Home 
http://www.connectedhomemag.com/virtualtour 

How Stuff Works 
http://www.howstuffworks.com 

How House Construction Works 
http://www.howstuffworks.com/house.htm 

Neighborhood Schools Initiative - Milwaukee Public Schools 
"Our vision is to provide universal access to 21st century technologies that will enhance teaching and learning - anywhere, anytime, for anyone. " 
http://www2.milwaukee.k12.wi.us/supt/pages/NIS/NSI.html 

SmarterKids
http://www.smarterkids.com 
Kids Links by Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) 
http://www.opic.gov/frameset-a.htm 

Cyberschoolbus (in six languages) by the United Nations
http://www.un.org/pubs/cyberschoolbus/ 

21st Century: Skills
http://lwww.ncrel.org/engauge/skills/matrix.htm

International Technology Education Association
http://www.iteawww.org/

GetEducation.com's Best Distance Learning Graduate Schools, Business and Management 2002 available free online at  http://www.geteducated.com/bdlgs_bm.htm  Publisher: GetEducated.com, LLC, October 15, 2001. Editor: Vicky Phillips 

IBM Automotive e-business Framework Focused on Knowledge Mangement (KM)
http://houns54.clearlake.ibm.com/solutions/industrial/indpub.nsf/detailcontracts/e_business_framework_OpenDocument

EQUALITY WITH QUALITY

Natl. Assn. for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO)  http://www.nafeo.org/
Historically Black Colleges & Universities -  http://www.smart.net/pope/hbcu/hbculist.htm 
American Indian Higher Education Consortium -  http://www.aihec.org/
Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities -  http://www.hacu.net/

CAREER DEVELOPMENT E-PARADIGMS for B2B, B2C, and M-COMMERCE 
plus Knowledge Managers (KMs) and Chief Information Officers (CIOs) roles. 

 
ACTION for ATTAINMENT of MISSION and VISION 

Statements of Purpose are necessary, But something must eventually be done to prove that attainment is possible. 
Burl N. Osburn, "The Editor Has The Last Word," The Industrial Arts Teacher, Nov-Dec, 196, p. 26. 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

"... OUR PURPOSE TO BENEFIT SOCIETY." 

Action during the Annual Conference? Action next week and then this fall? 

August      September      October      November      December
1. A business plan 
2. A Chamber's plan 
3. Learning Communities - Economy sector 
    - Manufacturing - Services 
    - Neighborhoods & Schools - International Education Week, Nov. 18-22 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

ALLIANCES OF HUMANS AND ORGANIZATIONS 

Fortune Most Powerful Black Executives  http://www.fortune.com/lists/blackpower/index.html  Paula Sneed is president of E-Commerce and Marketing at Kraft. "Last year, Kraft provided more than $30 million in food and financial support to hundreds of non-profit organizations around the world. In the US, In other parts of the world, we focus our giving on hunger and other areas of need including ... education, ... and AIDS." (See below).  http://www.kraft.com  Additional blacks make significant contributions to chambers, to communities, and to education. An example is Stephen L. Powell, president of Powell Steel Corp.  http://www.powellsteel.com 

American Association of Community Colleges  http://www.aacc.aacc.nche.edu 
Association for Career and Technical Education  http://www.atceonline.org
Association of Community College Trustees  http://www.acct org 
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business  http://www.aacsb.edu
Center on Education and Training for Employment  http://www.cete.org 
Clearinghouse on Adult, Career, and Vocational Ed. http://~w.ericacve.Qrg Council of Great City Schools http://www.cgcs.org 
League for Innovation in the Community College  http://www.league.org 

BOTTOM LINE 
ALLIANCES OF RESULTS-ORIENTED PARTNERS 

 
CHALLENGE OF POVERTY ALLEVIATION 

"Today we have 6 billion people on the planet. Three billion of them live under $2 a day. One billion two hundred million of them live under $1 a day in what we call absolute poverty. Two billion of them don't have any power. One-billion-and-half don't have any water. One hundred and twenty-five million kids don't go to school. There are too many people dying due to lack of vaccines, and the world is showing an increasing inequity, not an equity, in terms of the disposition of asset in what we call absolute poverty. And it's in this context that we come to the next millennium and the challenges that we face with one other very, very important component, which is that we're entering a new age of global development - not the agricultural revolution and not the industrial revolution but a digital and electronic revolution, which will have enoromous implications on where we go in the world in general and in the developing world in particular." 

- James D. Wolfensohn, president of the World Bank 
Harkins, Phil; Carter, Louis L.; and Timmins, Amy J. (editors). Best Practices in Knowledge Management and Organizational Learning Handbook. Lexingto~ MA: Linkage, Inc., 2000. 
http://www.linkageinc.com 

* * * * * * * 

UNITED NATIONS MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS 

1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger 
2. Achieve universal primary education 
3. Promote gender equity and empower women 
4. Reduce child mortality 
5. Improve maternal health 
6. Combat IllV/AlDS, malaria and other diseases 
7. Ensure environmental sustainability 
8. Develop a global partnership for development 
By the year 2015 all 189 United Nations Member States have pledged to meet the above goals. 
http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/index.html

* * * * * * * 

A NEW PARTNERSHIP FOR AFRICA'S DEVELOPMENT

"Africa is the only continent where poverty is on the rise. Over 40% of Sub-Saharan Africa's 659 million people live below the international poverty line of US$1 a day. Africa's share of world trade has plummeted, accounting for less than 2%. More than 140 million young people in Africa are illerate, and Africa is the only region where the number of children out of schools is rising. Life expectancy in Africa is the lowest in the world, and continues to decrease with HIV/AIDS incidence rates of more than 25 percent in some countries. More than 200 million Africans have no access to health services, and more than 250 million lack access to safe drinking water. One African in five is affected by armed conflict and the number of civilian casualties of war is higher than anywhere else in the world." http://www.g8.gc.ca/surnrnitafrica-e.asp

* * * * * * * 

 
GIFTS TO EACH OF US THROUGH ALL THE AGES 

"Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethern, 1 would not have you ignorant. There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the same Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different languages, and still another the interpretation of languages" (1 Corinthians 12: 1, 4, 8-10). 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

Research indicates that gaps have deepened between African American and Hispanic American enterprises with their majority peers in recent years. A Survey of Minority Owned Businesses by the U.S. Census Bureau indicated that Milwaukee ranked 48th among the 50 largest metropolitan areas in Black-owned firms per 1,000 Black population and 49th among the 50 in Hispanic-owned firms per 1,000 Hispanic population. Hispanics in the U.S. were flourishing before the recession but gains in the 1990s may be erased based on reports from the Pew Hispanic Center. Although analyses of Native American-Owned Enterprises, Women-Owned Business Enterprises, and other minority groups are sparse, it can be assumed they all want business development help. Alliances, domestic and international, offer opportunity for improving QOL in the emerging e-global village. 

Numerous issues will be important in the years ahead. No issue will be as important, however, as leadership for improving Quality Of Life (QOL) for all people in our emerging e-global village. Collectively we are stewards of QOL for all life forms for a brief few years and during the digital emergence era do not deserve high marks in stewardship. Our challenges, rich with opportunities, lie in building capacity development in improved QOL by alliances of people using contemporary communication and information technologies. Collectively we have a critical mass of intellectual capital and resources. A central question is do we have the same Spirit and the collective WILL? 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

"Daddy, I want to show you what I just learned how to do." 

Eight computers were made available at the hub of the Memphis Public Library three blocks from where I lived. I became an Internet Volunteer late Tuesday afternoon and evenings. An African American child was playing a game one evening and was growing tired of it. I went to him and asked him if he would like to send a package via FedEx to South Korea. I showed him how to access the FedEx Web site and send a package and then he did it. A few minutes later his father came in to pick him up and he said "Daddy, I want to show you what I just learned how to do." This child was in the first grade in a school near the library but the computer lab in that school was used for one hour of instruction per week by classes of 4th, 5th, and 6th graders so he found excitement, in an ad hoc manner, playing in this after school day care center. Imagine what could be accomplished if we apply some HIS GIFTS to each of us in a more planned way via KM. 
 

KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT (KM) and OTHER RESOURCES 

Access, browse, and mine at: 

http://www.members.cox.net/greenka6/wgnewweb/wgindex.html

An expanded "Menu" contains a detailed list of topics with links to primary source Web sites. 
 

Warren H.Groff, 3408 N. 49th St., Milwaukee, WI 53216-3208
 (414) 871-1127
 mailto:groffw@nova.edu