BIDDING STRATEGIES FOR EMERGING SECURITY GUARD FIRMS
There is no shortage of bid opportunities for security guard firms. That said, the bid process can be an arduous undertaking for a small firm, it does require planning, resources and a certain level of expertise. Here are five tips to help you increase your win rates. Capacity: it’s …
Read MoreGrowing Your Small Professional Services Company with Corporations
Last week, I had the pleasure of attending the Women’s Economic Development Center’s http://wedcbiz.org/ panel discussion and networking reception on Growing Your Business with Corporate Contracts. In addition to the fabulous team at WEDC, representatives from Westchester County IDA, IBM, MasterCard and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals shared information about opportunities for small …
Read MoreMWBE SUCCESS: RESPONDING TO RFPs – TIPS for Emerging Security Guard Firms
We are seeing an greater number of opportunities for small, minority and women owned security guard firms to do business with the government. The opportunities are in the form of MWBE participation goals and small business set asides, yet many companies are continuing to struggle with responding to RFPs. Here …
Read MoreMWBE SUCCESS: Responding to Requests from Prime Contractors
Over the past several months, I have had the opportunity to interview a number of MWBE firms discussing issues and concerns. One of the most common challenges MWBE firms are facing is sending information to prime contractors and then never hearing from them again. Prime Contractors doing business with …
Read MoreMWBE SUCCESS TIP: How to Identify Your Target Audience
If you are like many small, minority and women owned businesses you may be reluctant to defining a niche market for business or limiting yourself to going after contracts of a certain size and scope. Many business owners feel that by carving out a target client profile that they may …
Read MoreMWBE SUCCESS – Differentiate through Certification & Self-Branding
Certification is a powerful tool for disadvantaged, small, minority and woman owned firms to increase opportunities with government agencies and large corporations. That said, all too often I see certified businesses really struggling with how to use certification; they are frustrated and often give up before seeing any real results …
Read MoreMWBE SUCCESS TIP: SURROUND YOURSELF WITH THE RIGHT PEOPLE
You may find this hard to believe, I did at first, but if you want to really grow and take your business to the next level, you can’t do it alone. You need support and you need help. The key decision for MWBE firms is where do we get help …
Read MoreHOW TO DEVELOP AN EFFECTIVE COST ESTIMATING STRATEGY FOR GOVERNMENT BIDS
The basis for developing an effective cost estimating strategy starts with a good business plan. A well thought out business plan will force you to consider key elements that are the foundation of cost estimating that includes cash flow projections, budgets, profit margins and sales goals. In my opinion, it …
Read MoreMWBE SUCCESS TIP: BE CLEAR ABOUT YOUR CAPACITY
I remember years ago when I first got certified as a minority and woman owned business enterprise (MWBE), I was so excited; I literally thought the sky was the limit. I remember downloading various lists of buyers and sending out several mailings announcing my certification and providing an overview of …
Read MoreMWBE SUCCESS: 5 TIPS FOR INCREASING SALES IN 2015
Analyze Sales from 2014: taking into consideration where sales are coming from, profitability and activities that are contributing or not contributing to results. What is the return on investment from your marketing, business and networking activities? Are you doing what is necessary to drive sales? If not, what is holding …
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