TargetGov’s “How to Win Stimulus Spending Contracts” Teleconference and Instructional Toolkit Now Available for Download

TargetGov’s national teleconference, “How to Win Stimulus Spending Contracts,” is now available in an audio download. In addition to the MP3 audio file, customers will also receive an exclusive 82 page Toolkit (in PDF format.) This teleconference covers how right now is a unique time in our country’s economic history, especially in government contracting, due to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Business revenues can increase dramatically if a contractor can tap into the multi-billion dollar federal contracting market.

Critical topics covered in this teleconference include: How the stimulus contracts differ from other contracts, who the decision makers are, how to reach those decision makers, and what contract vehicles these decision makers are using to make purchases quickly.

“Many businesses are struggling right now, but those doing business with the government are getting more contracts and hiring more people. Using the tips in this teleconference, a business can turn the Federal Government into their client, and open the door to their share of the available stimulus dollars,” said Gloria Berthold Larkin, President of TargetGov.

The expert speaker for this teleconference is Gloria Berthold Larkin, President of TargetGov and the national Procurement Committee Co-Chair for Women Impacting Public Policy. She is an expert at government procurement and related business development and marketing services including minority certification services, contract development, GSA Schedules, proposal management and development, contract administration and federal contracting services.

The MP3 and Toolkit download is available for only $39.95 at http://www.targetgov.com or by calling toll-free 1-866-579-1346.

About TargetGov:
TargetGov focuses on government procurement and related business development and marketing services including minority certification services, contract development (GSA Schedules, etc.), business development, proposal management and development, contract administration and expert federal contracting services. The parent company, MOA, provides corporate business development and marketing-related services including current customer analysis to determine profitability, client profiling, targeted prospect identification and list development, database, marketing plan and strategy development, graphic design, marketing communications and calendar development and execution (advertising, direct mail, fax, email, newsletters, postcards, brochures, etc.) Gloria Berthold Larkin is the author of “The Veterans Business Guide: How to Build a Successful Government Contracting Business.” Visit http://www.TargetGov.com.

TargetGov’s “Teaming: How to Find Teaming Partners” Teleconference Scheduled

TargetGov’s national teleconference, “Teaming: How to Find Teaming Partners for Government Contracts” will be held on Thursday September 17, 2009. Registrants also receive a 55 page Toolkit with specific details about the process of teaming within government contracting. This toolkit, in conjunction with the teleconference, will cover the entire teaming process, how teaming can help grow your business, and the potential pitfalls and dangers within teaming.

Other covered topics include: Teaming agreements, the pros and cons of teaming, joint ventures, 8(a) set asides for joint ventures, trends in teaming, and the scope of subcontracting agreements.

“Government contracts now require specific teaming processes, procedures and agreements,” said Gloria Berthold Larkin, President of TargetGov. “Teaming is a very logical business development strategy for any upcoming business, and this teleconference will clearly outline exactly how to begin.”

The expert speakers for this teleconference are Pamela Mazza, managing partner at Piliero Mazza PLLC, and Gloria Berthold Larkin, President of TargetGov.

Pamela J. Mazza is the managing partner at PilieroMazza PLLC. She has 20 years experience advising clients on all aspects of government contracts law and represents clients before government agencies and contract review boards in bid protests, size standard challenges, teaming agreements and joint venture issues. In addition, Ms. Mazza counsels clients on corporate issues including corporate formation and restructuring, shareholder agreements, and trade secrets protection. She also represents trade associations and corporations before Congress and the Administration. She is admitted to practice law in the District of Columbia and Virginia, as well as before the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims and various other federal courts. She also practices before the General Accountability Office and the agency Boards of Contract Appeals.

Gloria Berthold Larkin is the President of TargetGov and the national Procurement Committee Co-Chair for Women Impacting Public Policy, a nation non-partisan membership organization. She is an expert at government procurement and related business development and marketing services including minority certification services, contract development, GSA Schedules, proposal management and development, contract administration and federal contracting services.

The cost to register is $97.00 and includes the 55 page Toolkit. Register at http://www.targetgov.com, or by calling toll-free at 1-866-579-1346.

About TargetGov:
TargetGov focuses on government procurement and related business development and marketing services including minority certification services, contract development (GSA Schedules, etc.), business development, proposal management and development, contract administration and expert federal contracting services. The parent company, MOA, provides corporate business development and marketing-related services including current customer analysis to determine profitability, client profiling, targeted prospect identification and list development, database, marketing plan and strategy development, graphic design, marketing communications and calendar development and execution (advertising, direct mail, fax, email, newsletters, postcards, brochures, etc.) Gloria Berthold Larkin is the author of “The Veterans Business Guide: How to Build a Successful Government Contracting Business.” Visit http://www.TargetGov.com

Capability Statements for Government Contractors

What is the Purpose of a Capability Statement?

Government contracting has developed into a very competitive marketplace, thanks to its potential for being very profitable. Companies of all sizes, from small, micro-firms with one employee to large, mega-firms with thousands of employees have been successful in selling products and services to government agencies at the federal, state, city, county and municipal levels.

However, competition has heightened as more companies try to break into, be competitive in, and stay successful in this market. Five years ago, no one knew what a Capability Statement was, and now, it is a critical tool to help you be as successful as possible, no matter what size company you represent.

A powerful Capability Statement is the key to building relationships with important decision-makers in government contracting, providing them with a concise description of the goods and services your business can provide, and a consistent reminder of your firm. When properly written, a Capability Statement is the tool that sets your company head and shoulders above your competition.

TargetGov can help you create a Powerful Capability Statement.  To learn more about Capability Statements or for more information about federal contracting best practices, please visit http://www.targetgov.com or call 1-866-579-1346.

TargetGov Celebrates the Vital Role Entrepreneurs Play in Innovation, Job Creation and Economic Recovery as a Partner in Global Entrepreneurship Week

This November, young people around the globe will get together to change the world. To celebrate the vital role entrepreneurs play in innovation, job creation and economic recovery, TargetGov is participating in Global Entrepreneurship Week on Nov. 16 – 22, 2009 to inspire, connect, mentor and engage young people.

As a part of Global Entrepreneurship Week, TargetGov will hold a No-Cost teleconference, “How To Do Business With The World's Fortune One Customer,” on November 17, 2009 to learn about how you can start doing business with the U.S. Federal Government. Hear real-life experiences from business owners who started as very small businesses and have become multi-million dollar firms through government contracting.

Co-founded in 2008 by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation in the United States and Make Your Mark, a business-led government-backed campaign in the United Kingdom, Global Entrepreneurship Week will connect young people through local, national and global activities designed to help them explore their potential as self-starters and innovators. Students, educators, entrepreneurs, business leaders, employees, non-profit leaders, government officials and others will participate in a host of activities that include virtual and face-to-face events, large-scale competitions and intimate networking gatherings.

In 2009, the Week is estimated to exceed the 3 million people and 8,800 organizations around the globe that participated in the inaugural Global Entrepreneurship Week in 2008. Already, more than 650 organizations in more than 80 countries have signed up.

“I think it is important for TargetGov to participate in events, such as Global Entrepreneurship Week, because getting young people involved in small business leads to innovation, and especially in these tough economic times, that is truly what’s needed,” said Gloria Berthold Larkin, President of TargetGov. “Plus, I believe it is important that we try to instill in young people how important their contributions to business can be, no matter their age.”

“The world knows that entrepreneurship is the key to economic recovery, and the next generation of innovators holds that key,” said Carl Schramm, president and CEO of the Kauffman Foundation. “Now more than ever, we need to unleash the creativity and ingenuity of our youth by engaging them in the endless possibilities of entrepreneurship.”

To register for this teleconference, visit http://www.targetgov.com and sign up, or call toll-free 1-866-579-1346.

About TargetGov:

TargetGov focuses on government procurement and related business development and marketing services including minority certification services, contract development (GSA Schedules, etc.), business development, proposal management and development, contract administration and expert federal contracting services. The parent company, MOA, provides corporate business development and marketing-related services including current customer analysis to determine profitability, client profiling, targeted prospect identification and list development, database, marketing plan and strategy development, graphic design, marketing communications and calendar development and execution (advertising, direct mail, fax, email, newsletters, postcards, brochures, etc.) Gloria Berthold Larkin is the author of “The Veterans Business Guide: How to Build a Successful Government Contracting Business.” Visit http://www.TargetGov.com

About Global Entrepreneurship Week

With the goal to inspire young people to embrace innovation, imagination and creativity, Global Entrepreneurship Week will encourage youth to think big, turn their ideas into reality, and make their mark. From Nov. 16-22, 2009, millions of young people around the world will join a growing movement to generate new ideas and seek better ways of doing things. Tens of thousands of activities are being planned in dozens of countries. Global Entrepreneurship Week is founded by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and the Make Your Mark campaign. For more information, visit www.unleashingideas.org, and follow @unleashingideas on Twitter.

Kauffman Foundation

The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a private nonpartisan foundation that works to harness the power of entrepreneurship and innovation to grow economies and improve human welfare. Through its research and other initiatives, the Kauffman Foundation aims to open young people's eyes to the possibility of entrepreneurship, promote entrepreneurship education, raise awareness of entrepreneurship-friendly policies, and find alternative pathways for the commercialization of new knowledge and technologies. It also works to prepare students to be innovators, entrepreneurs and skilled workers in the 21st century economy through initiatives designed to improve learning in math, engineering, science and technology. Founded by late entrepreneur and philanthropist Ewing Marion Kauffman, the Foundation is based in Kansas City, Mo. and has approximately $2 billion in assets. For more information, visit www.kauffman.org, and follow @kauffmanfdn on Twitter.

Make Your Mark

Make Your Mark is the campaign to give young people in the UK the confidence, skills and ambition to be enterprising - to have ideas and make them happen. Run by Enterprise Insight, which was founded by the four leading UK business membership organizations – the British Chambers of Commerce, the CBI, the Federation of Small Businesses and the Institute of Directors. Their Director-Generals sit on our board, which is chaired by entrepreneur Peter Jones, from BBC’s Dragon’s Den. It is supported by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills andendorsed by the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown. www.makeyourmark.org.uk

Avoid These Government Contracting Mistakes

When trying to enter the federal marketplace as a government contractor, it is important to present your company in as professional and knowledgeable of a manner as possible. The mistakes noted below scream “novice” and will close the door on your success.

1. Don’t try to market to every federal agency that MAY be a potential customer. Instead, target the top 5 or 10 agencies.
   
2. Don’t bid on every contract. Pick and choose those that you can effectively manage. Companies have gone out of business “winning” contracts they cannot perform.
   
3. Do not try to be all things to all people. If you go outside your core competency, be prepared to lose focus and confuse your buyers and program managers.
   
4. Do not rely on electronic communications 100% of the time. It is impossible to give a warm handshake in an email. The people you want to do business with want to get to know you. Personally.
   
5. Do not ignore the associations and organizations in which your market participates. Become a member. Be seen where they are seen. Do everything you can to build relationships.
   
6. Do not assume that your web site is 100% government contact and contract-friendly. Government procurement personnel, program managers and end users should be able to see that you are ready to do business on their terms right from the home page. And it goes without saying – your email should reflect your web site, never use a free or non-professional domain name. You may have a multimillion-dollar company, but if you are using something like doug123@yahoo.com or anything@aol.com, you will be perceived as a non-professional.
   
7. Do not expect people to stay year to year. Realize that turnover in government procurement exceeds 40% a year. The people you knew last year may not be there this year. You have to maintain regular contact and take the time to build new relationships when needed.
   
8. Do not expect contracting officers to make it easy for you. Instead, go out of your way to make their job as easy as possible. Do your research and be totally prepared at each point of contact – claiming ignorance is a huge turnoff to doing business.
   
9. Do not expect “low hanging fruit.” It takes time. You may be lucky enough to pick some low hanging fruit, but don’t bet the farm on it. Plan for a 12 to 18 or even 24-month business development cycle.
   
10. Do not be inconsistent. Pleasant persistence pays. Be in touch regularly. Take the time to touch base. If you don’t your competition will.

Government contracting is a complicated process, and successful business development is key to creating the relationships that will open the door to winning contracts. Invest the time to learn the ropes for business development success.

For more information visit http://www.targetgov.com.