Business Enterprise Development - Strategic Initiatives
Strategic Initiatives is a division within Business Enterprise Development whose primary responsibility is to develop and execute initiatives that strategically engage the vendor and small business community for development.
What We Do
- Provide an educational pathway and body of knowledge that vendors, resource partners, joint agency leaders, and other pertinent people of interest can fully understand the purpose and processes of the contract compliance agency.
- Establish vendors (prime and sub) as competent and positioned to bid on or support, and comply with county government contracts.
- Development of a centralized learning platform that provides on-demand education content for vendors
- Development of a strategic engagement plan that encourages the participation of existing vendors and attracts qualified new vendors for opportunities
- Provide opportunities for vendor and small business development through community outreach and agency collaboration
Youtube Channel
Did you know that we have a Youtube channel where we post helpful videos related to contract compliance and doing business with the County? Please feel free to visit our page for more information and videos.
Upcoming Trainings
We have numerous exciting opportunities to learn more from our our office please search below for upcoming events or visit our newly created events page here.
Upcoming trainings are added quarterly. Links to register for events can be found below.
May 13, 2026 (2 PM - 3 PM) Getting Certified with Cook County
Join the Center for Business Enterprise Development under the Office of the Chief Procurement Officer for a 60-minute informational session on the certification application and review process. This session will cover required documentation, key steps, and common questions. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with a member of the team and gain confidence in submitting a complete and accurate application. Register Here
May 15, 2026 (12 PM - 1 PM) Navigating County Contracts: Managing the Prime and Subcontractor Relationship
This session will focus on the legal and practical considerations governing the prime contractor and subcontractor relationship. The discussion will begin with the common pitfall of misclassifying employees as independent contractors and provide guidance on how to avoid making such mistakes. Attendees will learn why written subcontractor agreements are essential and the importance of complying with contractual terms throughout the duration of the project.The session will emphasize the need for subcontractor agreements to incorporate required provisions from the County’s prime contract, including confidentiality and data protection obligations, ownership of intellectual property, indemnification, insurance, and compliance with applicable laws and County policies. The session will conclude with practical guidance on addressing and resolving subcontractor breaches Register Here
June 10, 2026 (2 PM - 3 PM) The MEPs of Certification: Maintaining, Expanding, & Prepping
Join the Center for Business Enterprise Development under the Office of the Chief Procurement Officer for a 60-minute informational session to learn the next steps. We’ll guide you through steps to maximize your certification, including tips on leveraging new opportunities, navigating the procurement process, and growing your business. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to gain knowledge in converting an approved certification into successful contract opportunities. Register Here
July 8, 2026 (2 PM - 3 PM) Getting Certified with Cook County
Join the Center for Business Enterprise Development under the Office of the Chief Procurement Officer for a 60-minute informational session on the certification application and review process. This session will cover required documentation, key steps, and common questions. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with a member of the team and gain confidence in submitting a complete and accurate application. Register Here
August 12, 2026 (2 PM - 3 PM) The MEPs of Certification: Maintaining, Expanding, & Prepping
Join the Center for Business Enterprise Development under the Office of the Chief Procurement Officer for a 60-minute informational session to learn the next steps. We’ll guide you through steps to maximize your certification, including tips on leveraging new opportunities, navigating the procurement process, and growing your business. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to gain knowledge in converting an approved certification into successful contract opportunities. Register Here
August 14, 2026 (12 PM - 1 PM) Navigating County Contracts: Mitigating Risk in County Contracting
This session will focus on strategies businesses can use to mitigate legal and operational risks when contracting with the County. We will begin by emphasizing the importance of protecting confidential information, including the County’s. Attendees will learn about the different types of intellectual property rights and best practices for safeguarding them, including maintaining ownership of their intellectual property and using work made for hire provisions to secure rights to intellectual property created by subcontractors. This session will also cover key risk management measures such as carrying adequate insurance, maintaining proper licenses and permits, and ensuring compliance with applicable laws and County regulations. Finally, we will discuss contractual tools to protect the business, including non-solicitation clauses to prevent the loss of employees or clients and strategies to reduce exposure if there is a dispute. Register Here
September 9, 2026 (2 PM - 3 PM) Getting Certified with Cook County
Join the Center for Business Enterprise Development under the Office of the Chief Procurement Officer for a 60-minute informational session on the certification application and review process. This session will cover required documentation, key steps, and common questions. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with a member of the team and gain confidence in submitting a complete and accurate application. Register Here
October 14, 2026 (2 PM - 3 PM) The MEPs of Certification: Maintaining, Expanding, & Prepping
Join the Center for Business Enterprise Development under the Office of the Chief Procurement Officer for a 60-minute informational session to learn the next steps. We’ll guide you through steps to maximize your certification, including tips on leveraging new opportunities, navigating the procurement process, and growing your business. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to gain knowledge in converting an approved certification into successful contract opportunities. Register Here
November 18, 2026 (12 PM - 1 PM) Navigating County Contracts: Building Success for Veteran Entrepreneurs
This session will focus on the legal and practical considerations governing the prime contractor and subcontractor relationship. The discussion will begin with the common pitfall of misclassifying employees as independent contractors and provide guidance on how to avoid making such mistakes. Attendees will learn why written subcontractor agreements are essential and the importance of complying with contractual terms throughout the duration of the project. The session will emphasize the need for subcontractor agreements to incorporate required provisions from the County’s prime contract, including confidentiality and data protection obligations, ownership of intellectual property, indemnification, insurance, and compliance with applicable laws and County policies. The session will conclude with practical guidance on addressing and resolving subcontractor breaches. Register Here
November 18, 2026 (2 PM - 3 PM) Getting Certified with Cook County
Join the Center for Business Enterprise Development under the Office of the Chief Procurement Officer for a 60-minute informational session on the certification application and review process. This session will cover required documentation, key steps, and common questions. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with a member of the team and gain confidence in submitting a complete and accurate application. Register Here