Earnest Consulting Group

Lack of Government Sales – The Cause and the Cure

October 26, 2023 | Government

Image taken from Canva In government contracting, many companies typically are embroiled in a seemingly endless cycle of frustration and disappointment. The problem isn't always the lack of effort or passion. The Problem: Blindly Responding to RFPs Falls Short A typical approach to government contracting often involves a brute force strategy of blindly responding to RFPs listed on SAM.gov. Companies dive headfirst into a sea of opportunities, hoping to secure contracts that will propel them to success. They meticulously prepare proposals, invest significant time and resources, and eagerly await a response. However, this approach often leads to frustration and disappointment as…

The Truth About GSA Schedules and Winning Government Contracts

October 4, 2023 | Government

Image taken from Shutterstock For the past few years, I have pontificated about how getting a GSA schedule does not guarantee success in government contracts. When seasoned government contractors or companies new to the game tell me, “I need to get a GSA schedule. Can you help me get one?” My response is almost always a question, “Why?”. There are plenty of companies out there that would be delighted to provide any company with a GSA schedule and take your money. The problem is that many companies don’t share that GSA sales aren’t guaranteed or know how to create a…

Six Fundamental Strategies to Navigate the Threat of Government Shutdowns: Operational and Business Development Insights

September 27, 2023 | Government

Image taken from: Unsplash Operational Resilience Amidst Shutdown Threats Review Contracts Proactively: In light of a potential shutdown, assessing your contracts can offer foresight on possible interruptions. Keep a keen eye out for "stop-work" notices and familiarize yourself with the expiration dates of contracts. Furthermore, understand which agencies are “business as usual” due to their essential nature like the VHA. Our contracts, when we were a prime contractor to the VA were never affected by a government shutdown. The best way to understand how your work might be affected is through ongoing communication with your contracting officer. Foster Open Communication:…

7 Ways to Kick Off the New Fiscal Year with a Bang: #1 Don’t Wait Until October 1st!

September 21, 2023 | Business Development, Government, Time Management

Image taken from Shutterstock As the federal fiscal year-end draws near, proactive government contractors are already gearing up for FY’24. You must plan, strategize, and be several steps ahead to hit the ground running. I have shared seven critical efforts to ensure that you're prepared and in a prime position to maximize your government sales opportunities 1. Don’t Wait until October 1: The biggest mistake many make is waiting until after the new fiscal year begins or, for that matter, waiting until November or December. Some people think because historically, it's slow for new contracts to be released on the…

Navigating the Decline: Opportunities Amidst Small Business Challenges – 2023.09.13

September 13, 2023 | Business Development, Government

Image Taken from SBA.gov So, I have to say the post by Steven Koprince last week was super depressing! No offense, Mr. Koprince. I appreciate the awareness you presented of the issue of the Federal Government losing 48% of the prime small businesses since 2009. It doesn’t matter if it's a presidential election year or midterm elections; we constantly hear from all who are running about how vital small businesses are to the lifeblood of this country. Congress legislates initiatives making it easier for small businesses to access capital, tax breaks, and other programs. At the same time, the Executive…

Selling On Your Contract Vehicle: Free Webinar 10/12/2023

September 6, 2023 | Business Development, Government

Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash In my early years as a government contractor, businesses continually contacted my company, wanting me to hire them to obtain a GSA MAS Contract(often called the GSA Schedule). Our company was in the business of providing health care to Veterans. We thought about it because we could leverage our past performance and our recruiting department to provide clinical staffing to government agencies. We chose not to because our line of business kept us very busy. These sales pitches always included the following: Over X dollars (in the billions) are bought on a GSA Schedule…

Strengthen Your Bid By Selecting the Best Teaming Relationships

August 30, 2023 | Business Development, Government

In government contracting, one's strength often stems from individual capability and the alliances developed. In bidding scenarios, particularly in defense, construction, and the IT world, teaming relationships can significantly enhance your offer to the government and your pipeline. In contrast, it can also break the chances of securing a contract and possibly ruin your reputation. The key to successful bids often lies in carefully selecting these teaming partnerships. Below, we are going to examine how to ensure you make the best choices when it comes to your teaming partners. 1. Vet Prospective Teaming Partners Thoroughly The importance of conducting due…

Planning For a Conference

August 23, 2023 | Business Development, Government

Navigating industry conferences, especially in the realm of government contracting, requires a blend of strategic planning, active participation, and timely follow-ups. Here's how to maximize your experience from start to finish. Pre-Conference Planning Ensure Key Buyers are Attending: Research the list of attendees. If the main buyers of your products or services are present, your attendance becomes even more crucial. Secure Meetings in Advance: Identify people you want to meet or prospects you may want to target and include other team members in this search. Ask other attendees if they…

Shifting Focus: It’s Not About What You Don’t Have, But What You Can Do

August 16, 2023 | Business Development, Government

At a project's inception, it is easy to get caught up in what we don’t have: the right subject matter expertise, cutting-edge technology, or the perfect team, for example. This also rings true for pursuing opportunities as a government contractor. However, a shift in perspective--what we can do with what we have instead of focusing on a lack of resources--can lead to transformative results. 1. Knowledge: It's a Mindset Knowledge, or the perceived lack thereof, can be a daunting barrier. In the realm of government contracting, knowledge doesn't…

Mastering Time Management: Setting Boundaries for Meetings

August 9, 2023 | Business Development, Government

In today's interconnected, fast-paced work environment, meetings often consume a significant portion of our daily schedules, leaving us less time for focused, productive work. This can be a significant time suck unless we set boundaries, optimize meeting times, and assertively communicate our value. Here are some actionable steps to streamline your schedule, ensuring your meetings are efficient, effective, and less frequent. Schedule 30-Minute Meetings: Meetings tend to expand to fill the allocated time, an occurrence known as Parkinson's Law. For example, if a meeting is scheduled for an…

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