Tips to Getting Started as an SDVOSB
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Tips to Getting Started as an SDVOSB* 10 *Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business
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Transcript of Tips to Getting Started as an SDVOSB
Tips to Getting Started as an SDVOSB*
10*Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business
Define your Business1
Define your Business
Your business is more than just your socio-economic status.
Lead with your expertise and certifications to build credibility, then add your qualifying status i.e. SDOVSB.
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What does your business stand for?
What are your skills? Expertise?
Get your Message Out2
Get your Message Out2
Who are you?
There’s enough for everyone, right?
Wrong.
Like any other business, opportunities and partners won’t find you – you
need to find them. Put your message out there with a professional website listing all pertinent certifications, expertise and credentials.
$2,600,000,000,000 in federal opportunities
Keep it Simple3
Keep it Simple3
Who are you? What do you stand for?
What are your expertise?
Less is more. Focus on the 2-3 things you do best and market yourself as a specialist, an expert…not a jack of all trades.
“Yes, your story is impressive and can probably fill a 30-page PowerPoint, but don’t. Just don’t.”
Network, Network, Network4
Network, Network, Network…4
Who are you? What do you stand for?
What are your expertise?
…and then, network some more. This goes hand in hand with getting your
message out (Tip #2). Find 2-4 associations or programs to get
involved in and consistently attend.
Build relationships with prime and subcontractors.
Pointer: Leverage the training associations offer. Check out www.nationalvip.org and https://sdvosb-council.org/index.php.
Build Lasting Relationships5
Build Lasting Relationships5
Who are you? What do you stand for?
What are your expertise?
As a small business, you’ll need a bank, accountant and lawyer at a minimum.
Build relationships early on with these people so when you need them, they are willing and able to help you.
Pointer: Call your banker once per month for a check-in.
Understand the Market6
Understand the Market6
Who are you? What do you stand for?
What are your expertise?
There’s always risk for entrepreneurs going out on your own. But, as the saying goes – the bigger the risk, the greater the reward.
Understand the marketplace, know what you do and what your customer wants.
2010 2011 2012 20130
204060
Market Conditions
Market Conditions
Write Great Proposals7
Write Great Proposals7
Who are you? What do you stand for?
What are your expertise?
It’s critical that you are crisp, articulate and innovative in your proposal writing. Pull together information on industry trends, market insight and your expertise (your value-add).
On average, the amount government agencies spent on information technology funds through task order vehicles in 2010-2013
50%Pointer: Make an impression in the proposal so the prime contractor wants you as a teaming partner.
Create the Infrastructure8
Create the Infrastructure8
Who are you? What do you stand for?
What are your expertise?
This is one instance when you
evaluate the here and now vs. the future.
Think of what you need to
remain nimble and efficient and create the infrastructure to support that.
Pointer: Evaluate your infrastructure every year with your strategic plans
Process
Data
Tools
Be Strategic9
Be Strategic9
Who are you? What do you stand for?
What are your expertise?
Think of the bigger picture and your long term goals. There’s more going on that the one contract or one opportunity.
Find teaming partners that will grow with you and focus on their entire pipeline, not just the current deal.
1, 3, 5 year plan
Make a Move10
Make a Move10
Who are you?
If you are considering the SDVOSB market, now is the time. There is disruption and change in the market, which translates to opportunities for newcomers.
If you can succeed in today’s market, chances are you’ll be very successful when the market bounces back.
Work hard, stay dedicated and get educated on all aspects of working with the government.
Pointer: Take advantage of resources.
Summary
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Define your Business
Get your Message Out
Keep it Simple
Network, Network, Network
Build Lasting Relationships
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Understand the Market
Write Great Proposals
Create the Infrastructure
Be Strategic
Make a Move
Learn where to look for opportunities, the right proposal strategies and potential risks.
Download the Capturing Federal Business for Dummies eBook and learn all the do’s and don’ts that will help you successfully capture federal business.
http://bit.ly/10l0ipQ
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