The BHAG
Ever struggled on knowing exactly what to focus on for a period of time? In order to avoid the tyranny of the urgent, it is imperative that you have a huge goal for a set period of time that demands and gets your attention. We call this the BHAG. So, what is a BHAG? A big, hairy, audacious goal according to Jim Collins and Jerry Porras in a book they [...]
Isn’t it really Priority Management? Priorities on time revisited
Many people continue to ask me how can I separate the important things to do from the constant call of the urgent things to do? What a great question. The term generally applied to this is in relationship to “Time Management.” I always respond to this question the same way, you can’t separate them, but you can prioritize them. You will always have the urgent, but you must focus on [...]
Now that you’re seriously considering pursuing government contracting, let’s get your certifications
In the last blog, we looked at all of the certifications. Today, let’s look at how to get them. The federal ones are relatively easy. For the overall Small Business certification, it is simply a declaration in the SAM registration, which can be accessed through this link here. This is a self-certifying certification and requires no documentation. Be sure you are under the revenue threshold for your primary NAICS Code [...]
Did you ever think you could get a government contract? Certifications, and the Rule of 3
It’s nice to get back to supporting those of you who are interested in pursuing government contracts with out blogs support. After lengthy period of closing out the calendar year, and supporting our clients in their year-end close, its time to help your business win your first government contract. In the last issues of the blog, we reviewed the most basic elements of federal, state, and utility/agency contracting. We looked [...]
Contracting and Networking, Why do they go together?
Last week we talked about the importance of building relationships. All too often, many businesses make that assumption that because their doors are open or they obtained that certification, that the next thing that follows is business. Well, as we learned last week, they couldn’t be more wrong. Only those who were the most prepared by having intelligence not available to the average business owner, or came out of an [...]
Certified, Now What?
Many times I have heard people say, I spent all the time, effort, energy and money to get certified, but I never got anything as a result of that. I am sure they are telling the truth. Getting certifications is a difficult and time consuming process, but they are well worth it if you know what to do next. Very few agencies and government entities can just hand you a [...]
Marketing to Various Sectors of Government, The Feds
In previous articles, we have looked at the government procurement process by defining the various government sectors of procurement and what they are looking for in a contractor as far as certifications, registrations and capability statements. We are now ready to explore the specific processes a company can utilize to successfully market to the government. The least effective method is to just respond to every competitive opportunity because you think [...]
Is the Post-Recession Economy the real reason you are a Cave Dweller?
In this economy, it is pretty normal to experience fear and trepidation about the current state of business and the future prospects for your business. However, it is critical to stay focused on the opportunities and not the circumstances, but to be as Stephen Covey says in the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Habit #1, be proactive. Just like the cave dwellers of old, who focused on what the [...]
Breaking Through in this Economy
Is there some bad news out there, heard any of it lately? Do you believe it? Do you have a choice? A change in attitude, would you agree that business is going to go on? That there is money to be made? What if you project an attitude of gratitude? Law of attraction 10 Strategies to attract new business and be strong in this economy. Is your company Built to [...]
Government Contracting – The Capability Statement
In order to effectively market to any sector described in the previous articles, it is important to have an effective and colorful one page description of the value your company provides to its customers. In the sectors we are describing, we call this a capability statement and it provides the procurement or sourcing teams the information they need to consider your companies merit. We can accurately say it is a [...]
Government Contracting and Market Research (Part II)
How does the government find you, and how do you find the opportunity that is right for you? In the last blog, we reviewed market research at the federal government level using FPDS and USA Spending, which are both websites. We began to explore market research at the State of California level (always remember to check your Secretary of State website for doing business with the state for the parallel [...]
Government Contracting and Market Research (Part I)
How does the government find you, and how do you find the opportunity that is right for you? What is so difficult about getting seen by the government? You would think with all of those steps you just went through that it would be easy to find you. Well, instead, it is very difficult. The government at all levels have a lot of contracts to manage and create, so it [...]
Government Contracting, The Final Preliminary Steps (Part VI)
So, now you have completed some initial steps, now what? In the previous five articles, we have talked about the initial steps. Doing the basic things required to be eligible for any kind of government contract which described as federal, state, agency, municipal, or large business. Now, the next step is how do you find opportunities and market to them? We will spend the next couple of articles presenting some [...]
Government Contracting (Part V) – Diverse Certifications
In the last blog we covered Federal and State Certifications. Just to clarify, by certification, we mean that there is a 3rd party that evaluates your business for what you say it is. If you claim to be a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), then the CVE (Center for Veterans Enterprise) is going to audit your books, scrutinize your company’s documents, and make sure that your company is [...]
Government Contracting (Part IV) Required Certifications for Pursuing Government Contracts
Last time we explored how to prepare to do business with the government by acquiring your DUNS # and CAGE Code. We also discussed some of the steps that will help you be found by contracting officers. When it comes to government contracting, there are actually several levels. These levels are: Federal level as prime and/or subcontracting to a large prime. State-level prime contracting and/or subcontracting to a large prime. [...]
You’ve Started your Government Contracting Business Model, now what? Part III
Getting Started (Part III) Last time we explored whether government contracting was good for your business and we looked at each of the markets. Once we determined we had what it took, we looked into each entity of the government to see if they bought what we sold. In most cases, that answer is going to be yes, but it is important to know when the potential opportunities will be [...]
How Do I Start, and What Do I Do to Become a Government Contractor? Part II
How do I Start? Contracting from Start to Finish (Part II) Last post we discussed the pros and cons of entering the mysterious world of government contracting, so if you are reading this, you are probably ready to go to the next step. So, the next step is to decide what level of contracting you want to pursue. There are several considerations that are necessary to evaluate before making this [...]
How do I start and what do I do if I want to become a Government Contractor? (Part 1)
Contracting from start to finish (Part I) Many business owners get intimidated when they hear the word government contracting. And yes, its true, if you want to do government contracting, your company needs to be in good shape financially, your processes need to be well defined, and your company needs to be operationally sound. But, if you meet these three criteria, then, there are several good reasons to enter into [...]
Veteran’s Entrepreneurship Week on School for Startups Radio Announced
ATLANTA – School for Startups Radio is excited to announce Veteran’s Entrepreneurship Week. In recognition of May’s National Military Appreciation Month and the important role veteran entrepreneurs play in the economy, all shows during the week of May 5 -9 will be devoted to helping service members start new business. Host Jim Beach is a bestselling McGraw-Hill author and recently won the 2014 Media Advocate Award from the Small Business [...]
Do you think big?
Are you planning something big for next year. Failing to plan is planning to fail, so I would highly encourage you to think and dream big for next year if you want to make a difference in the life you are living. Below, are a couple of ideas concerning the thought process behind thinking big. We welcome your comments. So, what is a BHAG? A big, hairy, audacious goal according [...]
10 Strategies to Break Through In Any Economy
10 Strategies to Break Through in This Economy Strategy # 1 Our first Strategy is the most important one because it is one of mindset. It is the personal and powerful decision you have as to how you are going to look at the circumstances you find yourself in, such as the economy you face, or the environment of marketing and sales. It is rough out there and it is [...]
This is a Time for Businesses to Grow
This is the time for…How did you fill in the blank? I know how I filled it out. Now is the time for remarkable INCREASE in your Business. The opportunities are endless for companies looking to grow. It is time to take a stand against the constant negative rhetoric that is bombarding us at every corner in regards to our economy. You will not have to go far before someone says something [...]
The BHAG and Your Core Values, How do they interrelate?
Once you have the BHAG firmly established and a part of your daily thoughts, actions and learning, it is time to break the BHAG into its smaller components. Often times, these smaller parts are called goals. I would like you to consider them as SMART goals. Without going into what smart goals are in this article, we will provide a quick orientation on the importance of Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant [...]
Priorities on Time Management Revisited
Priorities on time revisited Many people continue to ask me how can I separate the important from the urgent in relationship to “Time Management.” What a great question. I always respond the same way, you can’t, you will always have the urgent, but you must focus on the important. The urgent will take care of itself over time. I call this “Priority Management.” We know that many business people fall [...]
The BHAG and Your Core Values, How do they interrelate?
Once you have the BHAG firmly established and a part of your daily thoughts, actions and learning, it is time to break the BHAG into its smaller components. Often times, these smaller parts are called goals. I would like you to consider them as SMART goals. Without going into what smart goals are in this article, we will provide a quick orientation on the importance of Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant [...]
The BHAG
So, what is a BHAG? A big, hairy, audacious goal according to Jim Collins and Jerry Porras in a book they wrote called “Good to Great.” Or, as I describe it, it is a goal so big that everything has to change for it to become a possibility, of becoming the new reality. That is where it gets really good, because when we start changing, opening our eyes to new [...]
Priorities on time revisited
Many people continue to ask me how can I separate the important from the urgent in relationship to “Time Management.” What a great question. I always respond the same way, you can’t, you will always have the urgent, but you must focus on the important. The urgent will take care of itself over time. I call this “Priority Management.” We know that many business people fall prey to the call [...]
Changing the Paradigm on Time Management
Changing the Paradigm on Time Management Would it be fair to say that people who we consider to be successful use their time wisely and are high achievers?However, most people struggle with the issue of time management. May I be so bold as to suggest something? Aren’t we all given the same amount of time? 24 hours – correct? So, in reality, it is not so much how we manage [...]
Priorities in an Uncertain Time
One of the questions several of our readers have asked is how do you make the 10 most important things a priority when all of this other stuff is happening? The answer is found in the question, prioritize. You prioritize your most important projects so that they are completed in a timely and excellent manner. Only, higher priorities get in the way of complete focus. For example, I have a [...]
A Vision for a Better Tomorrow Through Business Increase—Yes WE Can
How can a vision increase your business? To answer this question we must define vision and the power behind it. It was August 28, 1963 when Martin Luther King Jr. gave his powerful “I have a dream speech” on the steps of the Lincoln memorial. It was there that the power of a vision and the possibility of dreams can be truly be seen. What is inspiring about Dr. Martin Luther is that he [...]
What’s Next for Your Business?
Now is the time for remarkable INCREASE in your Business. The opportunities are endless for companies looking to grow. It is time to take a stand against the constant negative rhetoric that is bombarding us at every corner in regards to our economy. You will not have to go far before someone says something along the lines of “with the economy the way it is…” or “we are just not able to do what we [...]