American Express OPEN Forum to Feature Two New Webinars

TargetGov President, Gloria Berthold Larkin, to Lead Capability Briefing Session the WIPP Give Me 5 Program

Washington D.C. March 10, 2010 The American Express OPEN and WIPP Give Me 5 program has announced the dates for the two newest webinars in their government contracting series designed to educate small businesses on the world of government contracting. TargetGov, a full-service business developing marketing firm, and its President, Gloria Larkin, will conduct the webinar on Planning and Executing a Memorable Agency Capability Briefing, which is open to all American Express Card Members and Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) members.
TargetGov’s webinar directs its focus towards the process of establishing a strong relationship with Small Business Representatives, Contracting Officers or Program Managers in the Federal contracting market. In her session, Larkin, named as one of Enterprising Women magazine's 2010 Enterprising Women of the Year, covers topics on requesting an in-person meeting, the recommended pre-meeting research, documentation to take with you, discussion points, and post-meeting follow-up.

“TargetGov is shooting to really inspire small business owners in this webinar with American Express and WIPP,” Larkin said. “We want to give these businesses the tools to truly take advantage of the huge government contracting sector, and executing a capability briefing that intrigues and assures contracting officers is one of the first steps.”
The American Express OPEN forum is an online community of small business owners that provides the tools for companies to obtain client leads, gather advice, and expand their business. It’s interactions with WIPP in the Give Me 5 program is only part of its involvement to help strengthen the minority owned and run small businesses in the United States.

TargetGov’s original focus was to help small, minority, disadvantaged and women-owned companies achieve success in business with government agencies. It has since expanded to businesses of all sizes that want increased success from government contracting opportunities.
The Planning and Executing a Memorable Agency Capability Briefing webinar will take place on March 17, 2010 at 4 pm. EST. The second of the webinars announced, Introduction to the GSA Schedule, will be conducted on April 7, 2010 at 3 pm. EST.

Much of Larkin’s advice and strategies can be found in her book, “The Veterans Business Guide: How to Build a Successful Government Contracting Business” and her series of Government Business Development Toolkits.

TargetGov’s “Introduction to Government Contracting” Teleconference Scheduled

TargetGov’s national teleconference, “Introduction to Government Contracting” will be held on Thursday December 10, 2009. This teleconference is designed to help companies who are newcomers to the federal marketplace. Registrants of this teleconference will also receive a 60 page Toolkit with specific details about the world of government contracting. This teleconference will include what the government is buying and when, how to target the right opportunities, how to reach the decision makers, and the keys to successful Federal marketing.

Other covered topics include: A 5 Step Guide to Increasing Sales to Government Agencies, 200+ Federal Agency Procurement Web Sites and Related Links, Annual Budget Forecast, Prime Contractor List, Commercial Market Representatives, Over 100 specific contacts, and the Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid.

Said Kellyann F., Environmental Engineer and small business owner, of TargetGov, “I'd like to personally thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge of Federal Contracting with local start up business owners. I truly realize the value of having someone like yourself providing tips on developing a successful contracting business.”

The expert speakers for this teleconference are Mary Lee Kolich, Program Manager, Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) and Gloria Berthold Larkin, President of TargetGov.

Mary Lee Kolich has spent most of her 30 year career working with small, minority-owned businesses. Having studied Business Administration at the University of Cincinnati, Ms. Kolich embarked on a career in information technology.

Her expertise lies in marketing to the federal and state governments, as well as project management in the service contracting arena. For twenty years of her career, Ms. Kolich served as Division Director and General Manager for two 8a federal contracting businesses that successfully graduated from the SBA program.

Mary Lee owned her own small business for 5 years as a value-added reseller and consultant of office automation software and equipment to the federal government and prime contractors. She has served as a SBDC Counselor in Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties for the past two years, assisting small to mid size businesses.

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 waived as a part of the TargetGov economic stimulus program. The 60 page Toolkit is also complimentary to all registrants. 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.

How To Create a Powerful Capability Statement Teleconference Now Available for Download

TargetGov’s national teleconference, “How to Create a Powerful Capability Statement,” is now available in an MP3 audio download. In addition to the MP3 audio file, customers will receive a 63 page Toolkit, in PDF format, detailing a sample Capability Statement, specific instructions to craft a business’s best development tool, and over 200 contacts within federal agencies to which to send it. A well done Capability Statement will open doors to great business opportunities, while a poorly done Capability Statement will slam the door shut before a business can reach square one. This teleconference will ensure that doors are always open for business.

Topics covered include: the five key mistakes contractors make in their Capability Statement, the key features of a great Capability Statement, how to create a Capability Statement that can be used for more than one agency or prime contractor, the differences between Core Competencies and Differentiators, the ideal length of a Capability Statement, and the difference between a Capability Statement and a Capability Brief, and when to use each.

“The ideas given on setting up the core competency section were the most useful for us. They were ones that we had overlooked… The template was very helpful and, obviously, all the contacts listed are wonderful!” said C. Hashim, President of a government contracting firm. D. Harvey, business development director at a services provider added, “the teleconference was very helpful...With the guidance [the teleconference] gave and [now] having the handbook will give me the help that I need to put it together. I also saw what we need to work on to give us an “edge” that we so desperately need.”

The expert speaker of this teleconference is Gloria Berthold Larkin, President of TargetGov and 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.

“A Capability Statement is now a required tool in order to do business with government agencies. Those firms that create targeted Capability Statements will be much more successful that those who have poor ones. This teleconference will make sure that a business makes a powerful first impression,” said Gloria Berthold Larkin.

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

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 www.TargetGov.com