FAQs About Mason Tillman Services

1. What is a disparity study?

2. What is social marketing?

3. What is public policy research?

4. What is an availability analysis?

5. For what purposes are statistical analyses useful?

6. Has my state conducted a disparity study?

7. What are the benefits of leading and managing cultural diversity? 

8. How do I know if my company or public agency complies with federal, state, and local affirmative action regulations?

9. What do I need to know about affirmative action?

10. What kinds of certification services can I get from Mason Tillman?

1. What is a disparity study?

Disparity studies determine if minority and women-owned businesses have equal access to government contracting opportunities.  They review the purchasing history of the local or government entity being studied.  Mason Tillman has completed disparity studies for states, cities, counties, special districts, housing authorities, transportation agencies, and redevelopment agencies.  

Each disparity study includes a statistical report and an anecdotal account of discriminatory patterns and practices in the market area.  At Mason Tillman, we not only document the barriers to public contracting, we propose solutions. Mason Tillman offers minority and women business enterprise programs as well as small, local business programs that are designed using ideas from the local business communities.

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Social marketing is the strategic planning and implementation of a program that seeks to influence and motivate socially responsible behavior to benefit the individual and society.  It uses various educational methods to introduce the desired behaviors. 

Mason Tillman designs innovative social marketing programs that have brought about responsible change at a low cost.  We help companies profile the values of their target groups and then tailor messages and programs to reach them. 

Our firm has had success in working with many groups, including urban teenagers, using field-tested methods drawn from the research. Another Mason Tillman specialty is community environmental awareness programs. We have designed numerous anti-pollution campaigns to change values and behaviors with regard to recycling, air and water pollution, and solid waste management.

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Public policy research identifies problems that affect the public at large and then recommends possible ways to solve those problems. 

Mason Tillman has effectively performed public policy research relating to the following issues and programs:

• Welfare-to-work programs - Mason Tillman has identified employers who are uninformed regarding welfare-to-work programs and determined how best to communicate the benefits these programs can provide.

• Environmental issues - Mason Tillman has designed programs to communicate to the public the importance of keeping our waterways clean, recycling, and other environmentally-safe practices.

• Education - Mason Tillman has conducted studies on the performance of students in public school systems, identified problem areas, and made suggestions for improving students' performance.

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•Determining the number of contractors by group, such as minority and women business enterprises;

•Assessing the number of these contractors that are willing to perform the contracts;

•Examining the qualifications of the willing contractors; and

•Evaluating the ability of these contractors to execute the contracts.

Mason Tillman has the capability to perform availability analyses for federal, state, and local public entities, as well as private industries.

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5. For what purposes are statistical analyses useful?

•Disparity Studies

•Availability Analyses

•Demographic Profiles

•Utilization

•Customer Satisfaction

Not all states have conducted disparity studies.  Mason Tillman can help you determine whether your state has conducted a disparity study.

• Increased recruitment and retention of employees;

• Diversity of ideas and contributions from staff; and

• Stronger appeal to a diverse customer base.

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• whether you are a public or private entity;

• the state, county, and city in which you are located;

• whether you receive federal, state, and/or local funding; and

• whether you are spending this funding on contracting or employment.

If you are concerned about whether or not you are in compliance, ask yourself the following questions:

• Did I perform a disparity study?

• Is my program based on the kind of disparity study required by the Supreme Court under City of Richmond v. J.A. Croson or Adarand Constructors, Inc. v. Pena?

• Is my affirmative action program "narrowly tailored" to remedy the discrimination documented in my disparity study?

If you need help answering these questions, contact Mason Tillman.

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What you need to know about affirmative action varies depending on whether you are a public or private entity; if you are an employer; if you receive federal, state, or local funding; and numerous other factors.

Mason Tillman can help you identify what affirmative action laws and regulations apply to you and how you can comply with those laws and regulations.

• We have qualified staff  who can review your application and give you individualized attention. 

• Efficient, timely, and courteous processing of your application.  Mason Tillman will finish reviewing your completed application within 15 business days.

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