Benefits of Having a WBENC Certification

Why Become WBENC Certified?

The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council offers a certification for business’ that are women-owned. Many businesses are not aware of the WBENC certification and how it can help promote their business. This article will go over the benefits of being certified and the opportunities the WBENC offers.

Brief WBENC Background

The WBENC’s mission is that they are “dedicated to advancing the success of Corporate Members, certified women’s business enterprises and government entities in partnership with its Regional Partner Organizations (WBENC, 2010.)” Founded in 1997, the WBENC is the largest third-party certifier of businesses owned, controlled and operation by women in the United States. The WBENC is a national 501(c)(3) non-profit and is also the nation’s leading advocate of women-owned businesses as suppliers to America’s corporations (WBNEC, 2010.)

WBENC Certification

The certification the WBENC “provides and manages the development, enforcement and implementation of its world-class certification, which is nationally accepted by thousands of major corporations and a select group of government entities (WBNEC, 2010.)” Applicants must pay an application fee, go through a rigorous application, review process and site visit that is conducted by a Certification Review Committee. The Committee ensures that applying business are 51 percent owned, operated and controlled by a woman or group of women. The applicants must provide a variety of documents for certification, which include some categories such as owner eligibility, financial structure, personnel, management information and governance information.

Certification Benefits

Certified members are given “access to a current list of supplier diversity and procurement executives at hundreds of major U.S. corporations and federal, state and local government entities that accept WBENC certification (WBNEC, 2010.)” Opportunities for networking with National Corporate Members and other WBENC certified members at the annual WBENC’s National Conference and Business Fair and Summit & Salute to Women’s Business Enterprises events. All certified members are listed in the online database, which is viewable by other members and Corporate Members. Members also have access to WBENC support and local networking events.

Is the WBENC Certification Right for Your Business?

There are many benefits to becoming a WBENC certified member, but the certification may not be right for every business.  Typically, most of the applying businesses have products/ services targeted for corporation, retail or government agencies. These businesses must have the capacity to be able to deliver on larger contracts and be willing to share details on capital investments, tax returns and compensation records (WBENC, 2010.) Many WBENC certified members also compete and do business with each other. It is helpful once you have decided to apply for certification that you have a marketing and sales strategy in place that targets corporations, retail or government agencies that can use your product or service.

Aristocat Transportation is excited to announce that starting in January 2013; we will be WBENC certified! This certification is something that we have been invested in achieving, in order to meet our goals and expectations for our business. With this certification, we hope to benefit not only ourselves, but our corporate partners as well. Many corporations who use WBENC-certified businesses gain benefits as well. We encourage other applicable businesses to apply as well and take advantage of all that the WBENC offer your business. Feel free to contact us at Aristocat Transportation, if you have any questions about our new certification or learn more about the WBENC here.

Posted on December 26th, 2012 in Aristocat Transportation, Corporate Travel & Advice.