Robert Newman is the Owner and Chief Executive Officer of Global Solutions International (GSI), a company he founded in 2014. An emerging global management consulting firm, GSI specializes in Program Management, Management Consulting, Organizational Development, Organizational Culture Development, Leadership Development, Course Curriculum Development and Facilitation, and more, all geared towards helping clients meet and exceed their mission objectives. Based in Shreveport, Louisiana, GSI was founded with responsibility as a guiding value: responsibility to community, fellow citizens, and the health and sustainability of the entire planet. With the goal to reach new clients in new markets, Robert Newman and GSI recently started working with The National Center-operated Arizona Minority Business Development (MBDA) Export Center.

Keep reading to learn more about Robert Newman and Global Solutions International!

• Tell us about yourself and your business?

My name is Robert Newman. I was born in Jackson, Mississippi and my family relocated to St. Louis, Missouri when I was two years old. I completed high school in 1985 and enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1989, serving 21 years before retiring honorably in 2010. I worked as a Federal Contractor with several companies prior to starting Global Solutions International. I am currently pursuing a Doctoral degree in Business Administration and hold a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership, a Bachelor of Science in Workforce Education and Development, and an Associate degree in Air and Space Operations Technology. I am a Master Instructor/Facilitator, Instructional System Designer, Curriculum Designer, Program Manager, and Training Program Manager, and currently possess the following certifications:

• Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) Practitioner
• Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation – Behavior (FIRO-B) Practitioner
• Emotional Intelligence Practitioner (EQi 2.0 and EQ360)
• Discovery and Emerging Leadership Program Practitioner
• Change Style Indicator and Change Navigation Practitioner
• Decision Style Profile Practitioner
• Influence Style Indicator Practitioner
• Human Synergistics Leadership Impact and Management Impact Practitioner

Being the founder of Global Solutions International (GSI) allowed me a unique opportunity; It allowed me to dream…to create a vision for what I think a company should look like and how it should operate without any history, baggage, or traditional societal constraints. I was able to establish the values that have personal meaning to me and set out upon that course.

Responsibility has always been a strong, guiding value at GSI. I believe that businesses hold a particular responsibility towards the communities in which they operate, towards fellow citizens, and towards the health and sustainability of the planet we all share. Naturally, we take very seriously our responsibility to our stakeholders, and our duty to build a strong, sustainable business.

We have endeavored to build our businesses on a foundation of integrity and ethical conduct, with responsible management being an intrinsic part of our commitment to corporate social responsibility. We continue to reinforce this commitment, which is fundamental to our business success, enabling us to mitigate risk, create long-term value and earn the confidence of our customers, business partners, shareholders, employees, and the communities in which we operate.

GSI was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in Shreveport, Louisiana. Our core capabilities include Program Management, Management Consulting, Organizational Development, Organizational Culture Development, Leadership Development, Course Curriculum Development and Facilitation, and Command Control Communications Computers and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR). This diverse set of competencies reflects GSI’s ability to successfully execute a wide array of service support contracts. GSI prides itself on its ability to develop customizable processes, information technology solutions, and technical and business architectures – this allows the GSI team to provide clients with tailored solutions to architect, manage, protect, and oversee their organizations. GSI also delivers full lifecycle business support services to ensure success and continued growth at every stage within an organization

Global Solutions International, LLC (GSI) is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) SBIR-STTR/SBC_001653529 Small Business, Veteran-Owned Small Business, Minority-Owned Small Business, African American-Owned Small Business that is recognized by the State of Louisiana and registered in the Louisiana Small and Emerging Business Development, Hudson Initiative-Small Entrepreneurship, Veteran Owned Small Entrepreneurship, and Veteran Initiative-Service Connected Disabled Veteran Owned Small Entrepreneurship Programs.

• What made you interested in exporting?

I firmly believe that the services I offer are in high demand Globally.

• How are you hoping the Arizona MBDA Export Center can help your business?

I really need help with marketing to overseas buyers.

• What challenges have you faced as a minority-owned business/business owner?

As a new small business entering the Federal Contracting markets, my lack of knowledge put me at a disadvantage when negotiating contracting opportunities. In the past, this has allowed companies to take advantage of me. My program designs have been used by other companies to obtain federal contracts when I couldn’t. Lack of mentoring from companies in the industry and overall lack of support is also a challenge for minority business owners and businesses.

• What advice would you give aspiring minority entrepreneurs?

1. Stay the course.
2. Stay Laser focused on the outcomes you want to achieve.
3. Analyze what is required to facilitate the outcomes you want to achieve.
4. Remove from your life anything the doesn’t align with the outcomes you want to achieve.
5. Get comfortable being uncomfortable.
6. When you feel you can’t go any longer and you’re ready to give up “PUSH THROUGH” to see what on the other side.
7. ALWAYS express GRATITUDE!!!

• Anything else you’d like to add?

Don’t allow your expectations of others to become a distraction. Do not allow others to define your success. Always remember to celebrate your successes.

Learn more about Global Solutions International by heading to https://gsiusa14.com.

For more information on working with the Arizona MBDA Export Center, please contact Shelby Kinlichee, Export Business Development Specialist, shelby@ncaied.org.