Business leaders address development

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - The question of what makes a person stand out when doing business came up at a luncheon in Mobile on Thursday.

Experts in minority business development addressed that issue on Thursday at a luncheon in Mobile honoring companies in professional development.

Whether it's for Austal or Airbus, there are lot of people who want to do business with companies.

Thursday, the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce and the Minority Business Development Agency Business Center in Mobile sponsored a luncheon, where experts shared their knowledge of what it takes to help seal the deal.

Ralph Moore was the featured speaker for the event. Moore owns a consulting company specializing in emphasizing diversity of suppliers.

Moore said, "There are two parts of the equation: corporate America, local governments must open access to minority business, but minority businesses have to get better. We must create excellent businesses if we are going to take advantage of the economic opportunities presented in the Mobile area."

Mobile City Council Member Fred Richardson talked about what businesses need to know if they want to work with the city.

Richardson said, "Be prepared to do business. Being a minority is not enough. Being prepared to do business is enough."

But Moore also says when it comes to creating excellent businesses, "The onus is on the CEO's, the owners of these businesses. We must create stronger businesses.  We must work together to make this happen."