Episodes
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In this episode, we discusses the challenges and opportunities in government contracting. While recent reports show increased confidence among companies in government contracting, the reality for small businesses is different.
Many small businesses struggle to run and operate their business in this sector and face challenges in qualifying for contracts. It's vital to emphasize the importance of learning from experts and studying the market before jumping in.
Also the need for skills in business development and teaming up with other companies is a key strategy to have. Listen now to learn more!
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In this episode, we have Corliss “Mama U” Udoema, and she talks about her experiences of working in Japan and Italy. Working overseas was an experience that stretched her to areas she never saw coming.
She is a mission-minded veteran supporter and loves to work for the military. She also shared about her experience in Japan, and the surprising experience she had working there.
Here's a fun fact: One of the things that she noticed was that when you scheduled a staff meeting for 10, by ten minutes to 10, everyone was already gathered outside, not wanting to be late. Learn more about overseas working experience by listening to this episode now.
Hope you enjoyed this episode of The Daily Wind Up. See you tomorrow.
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Missing episodes?
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In this episode, we have Stephanie and the questions she have regarding her niche in the government contracting. We discuss her target market list as she has 9-10 agencies currently. Stephanie also shares about a recent meeting she had with the EPA.
This important meeting gave her some contacts to follow up with at other agencies. So how did Stephanie set up this meeting? Tune in to this episode to learn more.
Hope you enjoyed this episode of The Daily Wind Up. See you tomorrow.
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In this episode, we discuss the importance of standing by the truth and being honest with clients, even when delivering bad news. Our guest shares how their small accounting business focuses on providing excellent service to their clients, which has resulted in a loyal client base.
We also touched on the importance of working with good people, both in business and personal life, and the benefits of putting out a good product. Your business helps clients with process improvement, standard operating procedures, process mapping, and role assignments so operating with excellence is vital.
This episode provides insights for running a successful accounting business with a focus on client partnership. So tune in to learn more!
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In this episode of the GovCon Giants Podcast, we welcome back Venus Quates, President and CEO of LaunchTech, to share the incredible developments since her first appearance on episode 108. At that time, LaunchTech was ranked number 66 on the Inc. 5000 list. Venus details the rapid growth her company has experienced, including their relocation to Huntsville, Alabama, and strategic pivots made during the pandemic. The conversation covers the expansion of LaunchTech into federal, state, and commercial markets, emphasizing the importance of diversifying business portfolios and bold future plans involving potential acquisitions.
Venus provides valuable insights into creating a people-centric company, recruiting and retaining top talent, and staying competitive in the fast-changing tech industry. Her dedication to mentoring and community involvement shines through her initiatives like the Launching Scholars Program, aimed at empowering future leaders.
Entrepreneurs and newcomers to government contracting alike will find this episode filled with impactful lessons and strategies for growth and resilience. Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn from Venus's journey and vision for the future.
Website: https://www.welaunchtech.com/
Company Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/launchtech/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearelaunchtech
Email: [email protected]
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In today's episode, I talk about the common belief that organic growth is the way to successfully build a business. This approach may not be feasible for everyone, especially those who have other jobs and commitments.
Breaking down the math behind achieving 10,000 hours of practice, which is needed to become an expert in a field, it may take much longer than expected to reach that level.
So listen to this episode to know a different approach to business growth, one that involves joint ventures and bigger contracts. This simple math and logic from this episode will demonstrate how this approach can lead to much higher revenue and faster success.
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In this episode, we discuss the importance of looking at industry-specific examples when evaluating business success. Just because a company is making money does not mean they have the best processes, people, or technology in place. Instead, businesses should be willing to evaluate what will make them the highest profit and allow them to use their resources in the best way.
Want to evaluate what was necessary for success? This includes building a brand, building trust, and becoming a trusted authority before attempting to sell. It's important to be cautious about poor growth and only take on as many clients as they can handle without compromising their service quality. Tune in to this episode to learn more!
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In this episode, we discuss the importance of building relationships and connections in business. It's important to emphasize the need to meet people in person and have face-to-face conversations to develop connections that can help you grow your network and engage in more opportunities.
We also discuss our personal backgrounds and stories about our experiences along the way. Lastly, we also talk about the importance of having a cost accounting system in place and how it can make a difference in the success or failure of a project. Want to learn more? Listen now!
Hope you enjoyed this episode of the Daily Windup. See you tomorrow.
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In today's episode, we have Manish Gorawala, the founder of Tri-Force Consulting Services, Inc. Tune in to this podcast as Manish shares the story behind the name Triforce. He views their company name as representing excellence, integrity and hard work.
Now their company specializes in IT systems integration, data analytics, cybersecurity, software testing and IT staffing. He started consulting as an independent consultant after graduating in computer science and later realized that the knowledge he gained could be used to work with more clients.
He also employs other experts in the industry and the company has been in operation for almost 22 years. Interestingly, their company also works with new technologies like artificial intelligence, workflow automation, mobile apps, NFT and blockchain.
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In today'e episode, we discuss the identification of indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) numbers used in government contracts.
Want to know how IDIQ numbers are developed? Most agencies use contract writing systems that generate the number, which typically includes the year, the department within the agency, and a random number for the IDIQ. Task orders are then issued against the IDIQ, with the next number in sequence indicating each order.
It's important to do market research on previous contracts and how to find past IDIQs. You can use Fair Biz Ops, a government website where agencies must post requirements for contracts over a certain threshold, to search for opportunities by agency or keyword. Tune in to this episode now to learn more!
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In this episode of the GovCon Giants podcast, we welcome Thomas Beil, a seasoned supply chain expert with a rich background in digital transformation at industry leaders like Honeywell and Whirlpool.
Now the founder of Perfect Planner, a cutting-edge supply chain tech firm, Thomas dives deep into the critical pillars of supply chain success: velocity, visibility, and variability. He reveals how mastering these elements can protect businesses from disruptions and boost resilience, especially in today’s unpredictable market.
With actionable insights and real-world examples, Thomas equips listeners with strategies that can elevate their supply chain operations. Don't miss this chance to learn from a true industry innovator.
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In this episode of the Govcon Giants Podcast, we welcome Erica Dobbs, the dynamic CEO of Dobbs Defense Solutions. Erica's story is one of resilience and determination. She began her journey while still working her traditional 9-to-5 job, with a dream of one day running her own business. Today, she leads a multimillion-dollar company specializing in cybersecurity and IT services for the Department of Defense.
Erica shares her path from being an employee to becoming a successful entrepreneur, detailing the numerous challenges she encountered along the way. She opens up about facing setbacks due to her gender, veteran status, and ethnicity, and how she transformed those obstacles into the driving force behind her success. Throughout the conversation, Erica provides practical advice for anyone considering the leap into entrepreneurship, offering insights on how to navigate the federal marketplace and turn adversity into opportunity.
If you've ever doubted your ability to succeed or felt underestimated, this episode is packed with inspiration and actionable steps to help you overcome those doubts. Tune in to hear Erica’s remarkable journey and discover how she built an empire in the federal contracting space.
Website: https://erica.ceo/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-dobbs/
Company Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thinkd2s/
Contact: https://erica.ceo/contact/
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In today's special episode of the GovCon Giants Podcast, Eric introduces listeners to John Cook, CEO of Strategic Growth Advisors, a prominent figure in the world of federal contracting. With over 20 years of experience in the D.C. area, John has developed a reputation for guiding small businesses to significant growth through proven strategies that double revenues and secure multimillion-dollar contracts.
His insights come from a deep well of experience in both corporate and small business environments, making him a sought-after advisor in the industry. This episode is packed with invaluable insights for anyone looking to scale their business in the federal contracting arena. Don’t miss out on this game-changing conversation on the GovCon Giants Podcast.
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In this special episode of the Govcon Giants Podcast, Eric sits down with Jalen Uboh, an inspiring government contractor whose journey epitomizes resilience and adaptability. Jalen shares his path from college hustles to entrepreneurial success, offering insights into the challenges and triumphs of his career.
Initially delving into the world of drop shipping, Jalen transitioned into the healthcare sector before finding his niche in federal contracting. Astonishingly, within just eight months, he grew his business to surpass a million dollars in gross revenue. This episode dives deep into how Jalen secured his first contract supplying defibrillators to the Department of Defense, as well as his recent ventures providing drones, AI solutions, and aerospace technology.
His success extends beyond contracting—he also developed a single-family home community from 2020 to 2023. For anyone interested in breaking into government contracting or scaling a business in this space, Jalen’s story is filled with valuable lessons in creativity and determination. Tune in to hear how he made the leap from zero to success in the competitive world of federal contracting.
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In this episode, we have Marsha Lindquist, a Strategic Pricing Expert. Eric and Marsha talks about the world of government contracting and pricing. With her vast experience in this field and working in various positions such as cost engineer, director of contracts and pricing, and corporate controller. There is so much to learn from her experiences and knowledge.
The government usually sees pricing in a cost plus approach, which is different from the commercial way of thinking. They have its own way of seeing pricing and that the company might have to present their pricing in a way that the government is willing to accept, but that doesn't necessarily mean that the company has to change its approach completely.
Want to learn more about strategic pricing? This episode is for you. Hope you enjoyed this episode of The Daily Wind Up. See you tomorrow.
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In this episode, uncover the keys to excelling in government contracting with guidance from an industry powerhouse, Travis Mack, generating over $100M in annual revenue. This exclusive interview delves into finding and winning government contracts, offering expert tips on navigating the federal marketplace and growing your business through mergers and acquisitions.
Whether you're new to government contracting or aiming to scale, this discussion delivers actionable strategies on building winning proposals and fostering long-term relationships. Perfect for entrepreneurs eager to master the essentials of teaming, performance leverage, and exponential growth in the government contracting arena.
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In today's episode, Lynwood Owens talks about the difficulties his business faced after obtaining an 8(a) status in 2018. The stakeholders considered his company as a risk since they were not a prime contractor, and had no capital and fast forms to show for it.
However, in March 2019, he won his first prime contract as a product award, which started a chain of prime contracts for his company. He now faces the challenge of sustaining his business as the period of performance for some contracts is one to four years long.
His new challenge? Retaining customers and contracts, looking at the cycle of the contract, and aligning with competitors. Tune in to this episode to know how these challenges will make you level up in the Government contracting space.
Hope you enjoyed this episode of the Daily Wind Up. See you tomorrow.
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In this episode, I talk about the contracting process for acquisitions in the federal government and its importance. I explained the process including a planning phase, market research phase, and others.
The government's market research phase can be identified by the publication of sources sought notices and RFIs.
It's important to emphasize the importance of understanding the process and knowing the phase in order to correctly interpret and respond to opportunities for work with the government. I also talk about the Defense Acquisition University, which trains contracting officers.
Tune in to this episode, to learn more.
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In this episode of the Govcon Giants podcast, we have Alice Williams, a seasoned expert in federal contracting with nearly four decades of experience. Alice has played a pivotal role in some of the nation’s most critical operations, including the recovery of the Pentagon after 9/11.
She brings a wealth of knowledge as a government contracting mentor, consultant, and expert, and shares her incredible journey from a 16-year-old civil servant to an executive in the Department of Defense. Along the way, she earned her Level 3 Acquisition Professional Certification and unlimited warrant authority, key milestones in her prestigious career.
During the conversation, Alice dives into some of the most common mistakes small businesses make when trying to secure government contracts. She emphasizes the importance of keeping up with changing rules and regulations, following where federal money is being allocated, and always bringing practical solutions to the table. Alice also discusses strategic tools like category management and explains how small businesses can align their approaches with federal government plans to maximize opportunities.
For those looking to scale in the federal marketplace, this episode is a must-listen, packed with actionable insights from an industry insider. Let’s welcome our next giant, Alice Williams.
Links:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alice-williams-bba988a
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amwacg/
Website: https://govcontractpros.com/about-us/team-2/alice-williams/
Episode 174: https://govcongiants.org/174-2/
Book “Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead”: https://a.co/d/gCeRmVa
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In this episode, we discuss how to find good business development (BD) people and proposal writers for their company. We believe that it is important to network and leverage platforms like LinkedIn to find people who are currently working and have a history of success, instead of relying on resume sources like Monster.
So want to know how to hire the perfect talent? My guest in this episode has had success with finding a young, energetic person who articulates themselves well and who can be trained by an experienced BD person. He trained them through courses like Shipley's proposal process.
We also discussed compensation and how much to pay employees. Want to know more? Tune in to this episode now.
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