Small Business Success Tips

After 20 years as a successful small business IT contractor, Neil McDonnell shares the step-by-step decision process of who to hire first to help grow your federal contracting business. After attending this session, you will know exactly when to outsource administrative tasks and when to hire in house employees for business development. Learn how to avoid mistakes that will hold you back. Neil shares wisdom based on his 20 years of hiring right and hirely wrong. Note, it is springtime in the Washington DC area and Neil McDonnell was suffering the allergies but he wasn't going to miss a single day of his daily LinkedIn Live series._________In addition to being president of the GovCon Chamber of Commerce, Neil McDonnell brings 20+ years of government contracting experience.As a small business owner, he has personally won and supported government contracts for the Army, Navy, Air Force, HHS,VA, Transportation, Interior, Energy and the Executive Office of the White House.

After 20 years as a successful small business IT contractor, Neil McDonnell had a conversation with Gus Phelps of the GovCon Chamber to talk about what he would do differently, given the benefit of experience. If Neil was to start a new company in the federal market, this is the process he'd follow to make money.Note, it is springtime in the Washington DC area and Neil McDonnell was suffering the allergies but he wasn't going to miss a single day of his daily LinkedIn Live series. _________In addition to being president of the GovCon Chamber of Commerce, Neil McDonnell brings 20+ years of government contracting experience.As a small business owner, he has personally won and supported government contracts for the Army, Navy, Air Force, HHS,VA, Transportation, Interior, Energy and the Executive Office of the White House.

In today's LinkedIn live, Neil McDonnell walks through his 90 Day Roadmap for transforming Interns into Junior business developers in Government Contracting. Learn the 3 phase process to take someone who knows nothing about federal contracting (intern) through to a confident, contributing Junior Business Developer (JBD).In addition to being president of the GovCon Chamber of Commerce, Neil McDonnell brings 20+ years of government contracting experience. As a small business owner, he has personally won and supported government contracts for the Army, Navy, Air Force, HHS,VA, Transportation, Interior, Energy and the Executive Office of the White House.

In today's LinkedIn live, Neil McDonnell talks with Josh Ladick about GSA Schedule Contracts. Josh is the President of GSA Focus and since 2006 has acquired 250+ GSA Contracts for federal contractors.Listen to learn::• Right path to get a GSA Contract• Top Tips and Top Mistakes with maintaining your GSA Contract• How to increase your federal sales using a GSA Contract Neil McDonnell brings 20+ years of government contracting experience. As a small business owner, he has personally won and supported government contracts for the Army, Navy, Air Force, HHS,VA, Transportation, Interior, Energy and the Executive Office of the White House.

In today's LinkedIn live, Neil McDonnell talks with Robert Marraro, Senior Procurement Specialist at Del Mar College Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC). about bidding, proposal reviews, federal agency networking and more. PTAC counselors are one of the "7 Mentors" every company should have on their informal Board of Advisors. They have vast resources available to them that can be used to support your business growth.Neil McDonnell brings 20+ years of government contracting experience. As a small business owner, he has personally won and supported government contracts for the Army, Navy, Air Force, HHS,VA, Transportation, Interior, Energy and the Executive Office of the White House.

In this series of free trainings, Neil McDonnell focuses on the 'HOW' and not just the 'WHAT' – actionable steps that help business owners build relationships and grow their federal contracting revenue. Business development involves building relationships with federal agencies and identifying opportunities. Sales Capture focuses on a specific opportunity. Neil McDonnell brings 20+ years of government contracting experience. As a small business owner, he has personally won and supported government contracts for the Army, Navy, Air Force, HHS,VA, Transportation, Interior, Energy and the Executive Office of the White House.As a business coach and mentor, Neil is famous for making complicated topics easy to understand, helping businesses 'find their niche' and for providing specific, achievable, actionable steps any business owner could follow.

In this series of free trainings, Neil McDonnell focuses on the 'HOW' and not just the 'WHAT' – actionable steps that help business owners build relationships and grow their federal contracting revenue. When you research the background, you may discover opportunities to nudge the buyer's acquisition strategy on an opportunity to your advantage.Business development involves building relationships with federal agencies and identifying opportunities. Sales Capture focuses on a specific opportunity. Neil McDonnell brings 20+ years of government contracting experience. As a small business owner, he has personally won and supported government contracts for the Army, Navy, Air Force, HHS,VA, Transportation, Interior, Energy and the Executive Office of the White House.As a business coach and mentor, Neil is famous for making complicated topics easy to understand, helping businesses 'find their niche' and for providing specific, achievable, actionable steps any business owner could follow.

DISCLAIMER: The views presented are those of the speaker and do not necessarily represent the views of DoD or its components.In this interview, GovCon Chamber president Neil McDonnell and USAF Policy Chief Ron Saville discuss how small businesses can build better business relationships with the Air Force which lead to contracting revenue.With over 27 years experience with the AIr Force, Ron is a passionate Small Business champion and highly experienced contracting officer. Currently Policy Chief based at the Pentagon, he writes the small business policies within AIr Force and Space Force. He also serves as President of the National Contract Management Association (NCMA) Pentagon Chapter. Read the blog for the tip list and contact information for our guests: https://www.govconchamber.com/blog/how-to-do-business-with-the-us-air-force-meet-ron-saville-usaf-policy-chief_____________Neil McDonnell brings 20+ years of government contracting experience. As a small business owner, he has personally won and supported

April 6, 2022 LinkedIn liveFederal contracting sales expert Neil McDonnell explains how to get into federal contracting if you have limited federal experience. If you have the right product or services that the government needs, and if you have success in the commercial space, you simply need to follow a process that establishes your business and extends your network and experience. In this episode, Neil gives step by step guidance to take your business to the next level. Neil McDonnell brings 20+ years of government contracting experience. As a small business owner, he has personally won and supported government contracts for the Army, Navy, Air Force, HHS,VA, Transportation, Interior, Energy and the Executive Office of the White House.As a business coach and mentor, Neil is famous for making complicated topics easy to understand, helping businesses 'find their niche' and for providing specific, achievable, actionable steps any business owner could follow.

April 7, 2022 LinkedIn live | Federal contracting sales expert Neil McDonnell shows :1. how to identify your core SME status 1. how to demonstrate your subject matter expertise by getting you strategic social media content in front of the right audiences You need to stand apart is to raise your SME profile as a visible expert and become recognized as the go-to Subject Matter Expert in your field.Read the blog notes on the Chamber websitehttps://www.govconchamber.com/blog/how-to-prove-to-federal-buyers-that-you-are-a-sme-subject-matter-expertNeil McDonnell brings 20+ years of government contracting experience. As a small business owner, he has personally won and supported government contracts for the Army, Navy, Air Force, HHS,VA, Transportation, Interior, Energy and the Executive Office of the White House.As a business coach and mentor, Neil is famous for making complicated topics easy to understand, helping businesses 'find their niche' and for providing specific, achievable, actionable steps any business

"How to Find Small Business Federal Contracting Opportunities "In this LinkedIn LIVE recorded in April, 2022, Neil McDonnell talks about the best places to research small business opportunities with large prime contractors and federal agencies.Neil McDonnell brings 20+ years of government contracting experience. As a small business owner, he has personally won and supported government contracts for the Army, Navy, Air Force, HHS,VA, Transportation, Interior, Energy and the Executive Office of the White House.As a business coach and mentor, Neil is famous for making complicated topics easy to understand, helping businesses 'find their niche' and for providing specific, achievable, actionable steps any business owner could follow.

"Federal Contracting Small Business Matchmaking Done Right" In this LinkedIn LIVE recorded on April 04, 2022, Neil McDonnell shows how to make the most of an industry day hosted by federal government for small businesses, larges and federal agencies. Neil McDonnell brings 20+ years of government contracting experience. As a small business owner, he has personally won and supported government contracts for the Army, Navy, Air Force, HHS,VA, Transportation, Interior, Energy and the Executive Office of the White House.As a business coach and mentor, Neil is famous for making complicated topics easy to understand, helping businesses 'find their niche' and for providing specific, achievable, actionable steps any business owner could follow.

Federal Capture | How to Identify and Understand the Buyer ObjectivesNeil McDonnell daily LinkedIn LIVE this week focus on the Capture process of federal sales.Visit the Blog: https://www.govconchamber.com/blog/federal-capture-how-to-identify-and-understand-the-buyer-challenges-neil-mcdonnell-linkedin-liveNeil McDonnell brings 20+ years of government contracting experience. As a small business owner, he has personally won and supported government contracts for the Army, Navy, Air Force, HHS,VA, Transportation, Interior, Energy and the Executive Office of the White House.As a business coach and mentor, Neil is famous for making complicated topics easy to understand, helping businesses 'find their niche' and for providing specific, achievable, actionable steps any business owner could follow.

Federal Capture | How to Identify and Understand the Buyer Challenges | Neil McDonnell LinkedIn LIVEAll week Neil McDonnell is focusing on the Capture process of federal sales. Neil McDonnell brings 20+ years of government contracting experience. As a small business owner, he has personally won and supported government contracts for the Army, Navy, Air Force, HHS,VA, Transportation, Interior, Energy and the Executive Office of the White House.As a business coach and mentor, Neil is famous for making complicated topics easy to understand, helping businesses 'find their niche' and for providing specific, achievable, actionable steps any business owner could follow.

Federal Capture | How and WHY to Form Winning Teams for Government Contract Opportunities | Neil McDonnell LinkedIn LIVEAll week Neil McDonnell is focusing on the Capture process of federal sales. If you are a small businesses struggling to find viable teammates when pursuing federal contracts, you can improve your chances of finding the right match by using GovvCon Chamber's Neil McDonnell's strategic Gap Analysis to assess opportunities according to scope and acquisition requirements.Neil McDonnell brings 20+ years of government contracting experience. As a small business owner, he has personally won and supported government contracts for the Army, Navy, Air Force, HHS,VA, Transportation, Interior, Energy and the Executive Office of the White House.As a business coach and mentor, Neil is famous for making complicated topics easy to understand, helping businesses 'find their niche' and for providing specific, achievable, actionable steps any business owner could follow.

This week Neil McDonnell is focusing on the Capture process of federal sales. Most small businesses are not winning enough of the proposals that they submit. Today Neil McDonnell focuses on how to use the PWIN (probability of win) process and the gap analysis tool to strategically assess your chances of winning a business opportunity.The most common reason a business doesn't win a contracts is because they are not focusing on their true core competency. Too many firms pursue opportunities they can 'generally' do and clutter their pipeline with longshots.Truly successful firms focus exclusively on work that they can perform better than their competitors.Neil McDonnell brings 20+ years of government contracting experience. As a small business owner, he has personally won and supported government contracts for the Army, Navy, Air Force, HHS,VA, Transportation, Interior, Energy and the Executive Office of the White House.As a business coach and mentor, Neil is famous for making complicated topics easy to understa

In today's LinkedIn LIVE session, Neil McDonnell explains how your small business can earn $10 million simply by subcontracting on existing federal contracts. Winning a prime contract with a federal agency can be hard if you're new to the federal government market. Subcontracting is far easier than pursuing a prime and delivers revenue far quicker. Neil McDonnell brings 20+ years of government contracting experience. As a small business owner, he has personally won and supported government contracts for the Army, Navy, Air Force, HHS,VA, Transportation, Interior, Energy and the Executive Office of the White House.As a business coach and mentor, Neil is famous for making complicated topics easy to understand, helping businesses 'find their niche' and for providing specific, achievable, actionable steps any business owner could follow.

In today's LinkedIn LIVE session, GovCon Chamber president Neil McDonnell explains how to push past your fear of cold calling so you can advance your federal contracting business development. Every successful relationship starts from that first awkward conversation and requires courage to step into the unknown. With proper preparation, you can put an end to 'constructive procrastination' and make cold calling just another predictable task in your day.WHAT ARE THE THREE KEY STEPS FOR COLD CALLING?1. Master your fear 2. Control the Call3. Recognize the difference between a "great" call and a "successful" callRead the blog: https://www.govconchamber.com/blog/how-to-make-successful-cold-calls-into-federal-agencies Neil McDonnell brings 20+ years of government contracting experience. As a small business owner, he has personally won and supported government contracts for the Army, Navy, Air Force, HHS,VA, Transportation, Interior, Energy and the Executive Office of the White House.As a business coach and m

In today's LinkedIn LIVE session, Neil McDonnell explains how (and why!) you want to reach federal buyers before the RFI (request for information) drops. This follows our recent episode 'Understanding the Federal Acquisition Lifecycle from a Sales Perspective.' By "shifting left" (referencing to placement of the life cycle) and engaging earlier in the process, small businesses actually have an opportunity to influence the contract process. If you can participate in the discussion while the requirements are still being developed, you can share your expertise in the field to help refine the RFI . By the time an opportunity is posted on SAM and the RFP drops, it's too late to respond. That's why you want to be engaged with an opportunity (doing capture) during the RFI / Sources Sought phase. Neil brings 20+ years of government contracting experience. As a small business owner, he has personally won and supported government contracts for the Army, Navy, Air Force, HHS,VA, Transportation, Interior, Energy and th

In today's LinkedIn LIVE session, Neil McDonnell walks through an important sales process known as SPIN selling to help you ask the right questions specific to federal sales. If you arrive prepared with your solution, you miss the opportunity to really understand the customers current challenges from their perspective. The SPIN selling process guides you through a series of questions pertaining to Situation, Problem, Implication and Need.Neil brings 20+ years of government contracting experience. As a small business owner, he has personally won and supported government contracts for the Army, Navy, Air Force, HHS,VA, Transportation, Interior, Energy and the Executive Office of the White House.As a business coach and mentor, Neil is famous for making complicated topics easy to understand, helping businesses 'find their niche' and for providing specific, achievable, actionable steps any business owner could follow.