Anyone in the information and communications technology (ICT) industry knows that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of tech acronyms—not to mention all those acronyms that many of us are proud to list after our names (RCDD, DCDC, RPTM, CTS, etc.).
While most of us all know the common industry acronyms, we’ve all been in that situation where someone spouts one off and you wonder if you’re the only one in the room who has no idea what it means. Here at BCL IT Consulting, we wanted to make sure you understand the acronyms that describe who we are as a company and that we’re pretty darn proud of.
More than a Name
Those of you who really know our company might be aware that the acronym BCL stands for Bob and Carol Lucidi. This was the name that founder Bob Lucidi, father of our current owner and CEO Christy Lucidi Miller, gave to the company back in 1993.
While Bob unfortunately passed away in 2011, this acronym for our company name is something that we’re proud and humbled to still carry. It embodies the history of who we are, where we came from, and our ongoing commitment to Bob’s research-backed strategic and customer-focused approach that has allowed us to provide innovative solutions and help organizations advance for more than 25 years.
The Advantage of Disadvantage
As a third generation women-owned business, we’re also proud of our WBE (Women’s Business Enterprise) and WOSB (Women-Owned Small Business) acronyms, as well as DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise). These certifications validate that a company is at least 51% owned, controlled, operated and managed by a woman, women or other socially and economically disadvantaged person. BCL Consulting is proud to achieve that distinction at 100%!
When it comes to providing design, consulting and project management services in the ICT industry, there aren’t a lot of WBEs and WOSBs. That’s no surprise since only about 26% of tech-relating jobs globally are held by women and less than 20% of women in the ICT sector even reach an executive level. However, the fact is that the majority of construction projects, especially federal- or state-funded projects, actually REQUIRE minority participation. Like most states, the State of Ohio’s Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) program establishes a 15% set-aside procurement goal for state agencies, boards and commissions in awarding contracts to certified minority-owned businesses.
Not only have these acronyms gotten our foot in the door on several key projects, which has led to additional business, but they also benefit our customers. Considering the tax incentives that come with using a minority-owned business and the fact that non-compliance has cost several major general contractors more than $100 million in settlement fees in recent years, these are definitely not acronyms to ignore.
On the EDGE of Closing the Gap
Another acronym we’re proud to carry is EDGE (Economic Dividends for Gender Equality). While it might not come with tax incentives for our customers, it lets them rest assured that BCL Consulting maintains gender balance and equitable pay and career growth for all our employees. Acquiring EDGE certification is a detailed process of measuring representation, pay, policies, procedures and company culture followed by an independent audit.
As an EDGE certified company, we get to do our part in helping to close the workplace gender gap, which puts us in good company with other leaders—from Salesforce, Ericsson and JLL, to Deloitte, Ikea and Chevron. And if you think closing the gap doesn’t impact your business, think again. Did you know that female-led tech companies achieve 35% higher ROI, bring in 12% more revenue and have better payout dividends and stock performance than male-led companies?
When it comes down to it, women are actually pretty darn good at tech and project management—we’ve got a better aptitude for learning, we’re better communicators, we build stronger relationships and we know how to manage conflict and foster teamwork—all while multi-tasking and keeping an eye on the big picture. Just ask our customers.