There's No Crying in Contracting

Business is booming in the federal marketplace-at least it is for those who are making changes to deal with the budget constraints, cuts and doom-predictors. Yes, the market is tightening, but is this a surprise? Come on, really, the spending spree grew from $220B in 2000 to over $550B in 2010, and there is surprise that we have to now take budget cuts into consideration?

Remember, there is no crying in contracting. Instead, make a change in your efforts, your strategy, and your tactics to pursue the $500+ Billion still in play. If you are using the same processes and procedures this year that have worked in the past-your hit rate is going to fall. It is past time to evaluate the market, plan a new strategy and lead the pack instead of being one of the pack.

We are considering planning a business roundtable discussion to be held here in Columbia MD on a monthly basis. The purpose would be to have the place where you can discuss with your peers the issues you are seeing as challenges. This will not be a networking event, it is not a sales event. It is not a training event. Rather it will be a peer-to-peer discussion session that would focus on your federal contracting issues and solutions. If you are interested in this, think it would help you, and you can meet in Columbia MD or perhaps call in to a conference line, let me know. We will make it happen if there is enough interest.

Leading Maryland Entrepreneur Gloria Larkin Inducted Into Circle of Excellence with Third Top 100 Women Award

Baltimore, MD. March 26, 2010 - Gloria Larkin, President and founder of TargetGov, a prospering national marketing company focused on the federal contracting market, recently received her third Maryland’s Top 100 Women Award from The Daily Record. This third honor affords her the distinction of being named to The Daily Record’s Circle of Excellence; she is one of only fifteen women in Maryland to be inducted into the Circle of Excellence in 2010.

The Daily Record, a Maryland-based newspaper, annually recognizes 100 high-achieving Maryland women as demonstrated through their professional accomplishment, community leadership and mentoring. The newspaper initiated the award in 1996.

Larkin, who previously won the award in 2004 and 2007, has built TargetGov’s reputation in recent years by working tirelessly to ensure that her clients understand what it takes to be successful in government contracting. Through teleseminars, many provided free of charge, personal consultations, and numerous speaking engagements, Gloria has helped businesses nationwide become acquainted with the government contracting market and procure many large-scale government contracts.

“TargetGov was created as a niche expert consultant service addressing the federal market’s quirks and requirements. The best proof of our effectiveness is our clients’ success,” said Larkin.

While operating TargetGov, Larkin also advocates for business women nationwide, serving as the national Procurement Committee Co-Chair for Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP). Larkin comments, “I became involved in WIPP because of the non-partisan process—WIPP looks out for member’s best interests, not endorsing or following a party-mandated route. I found that refreshing and ultimately, better for business.”

A special ceremony will take place on Monday, May 3rd, 2010 at the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore to honor this year’s award recipients.

Maryland Entrepreneur Recognized by U.S. Small Business Administration

Gloria Larkin Named Women in Business Champion

Washington D.C. March 12, 2010- Gloria Berthold Larkin, President of TargetGov, a national company providing government procurement, business development and marketing services was recently named as the 2010 Maryland Women in Business Champion of the Year by the Maryland District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA holds the annual awards competition, which is acknowledged as one of the most renowned in the country, to recognize outstanding small business owners and the champions who support them.

Nominees for the award were judged on their businesses’ success, based on company growth and expansion, and their dedication to community involvement.

“Being named the Women in Business Champion is an honour,” said Larkin. “I have been fortunate to be involved in business issues at the local, regional and national levels and through the years, have learned that we can be most effective working as a team as opposed to individually.”

The Maryland Small Business Week Awards operate in conjunction with the federal government’s annual declaration of small business week. The three-tiered selection process involves nominees competing at the district level, with the winner advancing to regionals and then to nationals. Larkin will move on to compete at the national level during the week of May 24th in Washington D.C.

Gloria Berthold Larkin originally founded TargetGov with a focus to help small, minority, disadvantaged and women-owned companies succeed in the government marketplace but has since expanded dramatically to accommodate businesses of all sizes and goals. She assisted many of her clients in procuring multi-million dollar contracts in the government sector and also conducts webinars and teleconferences for business owners trying to get their foot in the door to the government contracting world.

“Our clients have trusted in TargetGov to help expand their business and customer base,” Larkin noted, “ and the one thing that builds success in this business is producing results, and that’s what we’ve done and what we help our clients do.”

As well as advocating for women small business owners, acting as the national Procurement Committee Co-Chair for Women Impacting Public Policy, Larkin is a recognized author, writing a book, “The Veterans Business Guide: How to Build a Successful Government Contracting Business” and a series of Government Business Development Audio CDs and Toolkits.

Gloria Berthold Larkin named as one of Enterprising Women magazine’s 2010 Enterprising Women of the Year

President of Elkridge, MD based firm TargetGov, Gloria Berthold Larkin is thrilled to be included in the prestigious list of honorees.

Feb 13, 2010 Washington, DC Gloria Berthold Larkin is honored as one of Enterprising Women magazine's 2010 Enterprising Women of the Year. Enterprising Women is a national magazine for women business owners. This is the eighth year the publication has paid tribute to North America’s top women entrepreneurs. “The Enterprising Women of the Year Award is one of the most prestigious recognition programs in the world for women entrepreneurs. In light of the challenging economy, this year’s honorees have overcome many obstacles to grow their businesses, give back to others, and really shine as leaders in their communities,” Monica Smiley, publisher/CEO of Enterprising Women, said.

Nominations poured in throughout November and December, with an unprecedented number of nominees from throughout North America. The magazine's editorial team narrowed the field to a group of semi-finalists, while members of the magazine's prestigious National Advisory Board, comprised of more than one hundred outstanding women entrepreneurs from the United States and around the globe, assisted in the final screening process.

Gloria Berthold Larkin is President of TargetGov, a national company providing government procurement, business development and marketing services; she is thrilled to be included in this year’s list of honorees. “I am honored to be included in this group of remarkable women. It is recognition that I will cherish.”

Gloria Berthold Larkin will be recognized for outstanding business growth, mentoring and supporting other women in business, and leadership in her community at a gala awards dinner in Miami, FL.

Ms. Berthold Larkin is author of “The Veterans Business Guide: How to Build a Successful Government Contracting Business” and has created a series of Government Business Development Audio CDs and Toolkits (e-books) focusing on successful business development processes for federal contractors. She is an expert author with articles regarding business development published in local, regional, national and international publications. Ms. Berthold Larkin has spoken at international, national, regional and local conferences including the Middle East North Africa (MENA) Business Women’s Summit, the Annual OSDBU Procurement Conference and the Annual National Veteran’s Conference.