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Government marketing workshop offered May 16th

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April 17, 2012 by

In partnership with American Express OPEN, the Contracting Education Academy at Georgia Tech is proud to offer a three-hour workshop entitled “Victory in Procurement: Marketing to the Federal Government.”

Designed for small business owners, this event will teach you how to effectively pitch your business to the government and provide:

  • Insights into how to select which government agencies to target and how to get meetings with them,
  • Tips and tactics for improving your elevator pitch and capabilities statement,
  • Sample elevator pitches and capabilities statements,
  • Advice from a panel of government buyers and successful small business owners,
  • Interactive, roll-up-your-sleeves round-table exercises where you’ll hone your new-found skills.

The event will be held on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at the Tech Square Research Building (TSRB), located at 85 Fifth St., NW, Atlanta, GA 30308.   The workshop will take place from 9:00 am until 12 noon.

Pre-registration is required. Click here to pre-register. Due to space limitations, walk-ins on the day of the event will not be allowed.

A flyer describing this event can be downloaded by clicking here.

4 government contracting classes planned for February

Filed under Albany Small Business Training · Tagged with ,

February 10, 2012 by

If you want to learn a lot about government contracting, February is the month for you!

We’ve got all these free classes lined-up just for you:

All of these seminars are being held in the 1st floor conference room at the Microbusiness Enterprise Center, 230 S. Jackson St. in Albany, GA.

To learn more about any of the sessions listed above, simply click on the class title.

14 tips for attending a government expo or trade show

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January 24, 2012 by

Federal, state and local government agencies frequently host trade shows or expos to publicize their contract opportunities and attract new vendors.   Wonder whether you should attend a government-sponsored business expo?  What should you expect if you go?  How should you prepare?  Are you disappointed in the last trade show you attended?

These are the kinds of questions often posed by businesses we’re helping as a part of the Albany Small Business Procurement Program.  Fundamentally, businesses want to know how they can gain a competitive advantage by attending an event sponsored by a government agency.  The answer lies as much in preparation and follow-up as it does in actual attendance.

These kinds of events are what you make them.   If you go to just listen, you may come away disappointed.  If, on the other hand, you go to make something happen, you can come away with some good contacts,valuable insights, and solid business leads.

Here are a few tips …

  1. Establish some objectives for yourself – what do you hope to accomplish by attending?  State this in concrete, quantifiable terms.
  2. Think about the specific kinds of opportunities you want to go after and be prepared to explain how you represent the solution to the government’s contracting objectives.
  3. Identify who is going to be in attendance and research in advance as much as you can about who will be there and those persons you want to meet.  Think about why they are going to the show and what they want to accomplish there – align yourself with their objectives.
  4. Familiarize yourself with all details of the show so that you can envision how you are going to use the structure of the show to accomplish your objectives.
  5. Be prepared with marketing materials, including business cards, brochures and/or product/service fact sheets, product samples/portfolio, and a detailed capabilities statement.  (Don’t have a capabilities statement?  See our article on this subject here.)  Tailor at least one of your handouts to the expo or show itself.
  6. Be prepared to talk about pricing.  You may not need to, but be prepared just in case someone asks.
  7. Begin to envision how your competitors at the show can be potential partners as a result of the show.
  8. Develop and be prepared to deliver a 30-second “elevator speech” which explains in layman’s terms exactly what you are an expert at doing. Don’t be shy to explain what’s special about your company and why your products/services are the best.  (If you need help constructing an elevator speech, see our article at http://www.albanysmallbiz.org/2011/04/whats-an-elevator-pitch-and-why-you-need-one.)
  9. Remember that buyers don’t have time to waste. Buyers want specific information, and buyers want to know what’s special about you (that’s your competitive advantage).
  10. Preparation is essential. It’s better not to go than to go unprepared – you never have a second chance to make a good first impression.
  11. Dress to impress. And wear comfortable shoes!
  12. At the show, listen to how your competitors are selling themselves and learn as much about their marketing as possible.  Also learn from their mistakes.
  13. Understand that follow-up after the show is critical. Gather all the business cards you collected, write follow-up notes or emails – promptly.   Set-up follow-up meetings/conference calls, if possible and appropriate.  Send more marketing materials.
  14. Write yourself a report on lessons-learned. Review this report before planning to participate in another event.

We will be glad to elaborate on this topic and provide you with additional advice.  You can find our contact information by clicking right here.

Government contracting classes scheduled for January

Filed under Albany Small Business Training · Tagged with ,

December 29, 2011 by

Start off your New Year right by planning to attend three classes that will help you learn how to succeed in the government marketplace!

Three free classes are already scheduled for January 2012, and you will benefit from attending them.  They are:

■ Business Development in the Government Market – 6:00-8:00 pm – Jan. 10th

■ Subcontracting with Large Prime Contractors – 11:00 am – 1:00 pm – Jan. 11th

■ Fundamentals of Working with the Government – 6:00-8:00 pm – Jan. 19th

Please notice that two of these classes are scheduled to be conducted in the evening, so that they won’t interfere with your regular business day.

Each of the classes are being held in the 1st floor conference room of the Albany Microbusiness Enterprise Center, located at 230 S. Jackson St., Albany, GA 31701-2885.

To register, please click on the class titles listed above.  This will allow you to register on-line and will help us anticipate the number of people planning to attend.

Free classes conveniently held in the evening, on weekends, during lunch hour, and on-line

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November 6, 2011 by

To better accomodate your busy work schedule, our government contracting classes are now scheduled after hours and during the lunch hour on weekdays as well as on Saturdays.  And some classes are now being offered on-line, so you don’t even have to leave your home or office to attend.

Here is our list of upcoming free classes.  Click on the class title for more information and to register:

20 free classes to help you understand how to do business with the government offered

Filed under Albany Small Business Training · Tagged with , ,

November 6, 2011 by

Between now and January, you can learn what it takes to do business with the City of Albany and many other units of government.

To accomodate your work schedule, many of the classes are conveniently scheduled during the lunch hour, on Saturdays, and in the evenings. Some are on-line, so you don’t have to leave your office to attend.

Mix and match the classes you’d like to take. They range from the “Fundamentals of Working with the Government” to “Using Your Computer to Win Government Contracts” to many, many more topics.  Orientations to the City of Albany’s Small Business Program also are scheduled.

Take a look at the schedule and register to any of these free classes at http://www.albanysmallbiz.org/training/training-calendar.

Government contract fundamentals and local small business programs are topics of Oct. 18 free class

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October 14, 2011 by

Trying to decide whether to sell to government agencies? Interested in the government market but not sure where to start? Want to know how to do business with the City and County governments?    These questions and more will be answered by dynamic instructor Muriel Moton at our free class on Oct. 18 at 10:00 a.m. at the Albany Microbusiness Center.

Our one-hour briefing will be followed by a light lunch and then an orientation to the small business programs operated by the City of Albany and Dougherty County. This briefing is the perfect place for a busy business person to learn what you need to know – and what you need to have in place – in order to effectively market yourself in the government sector. This class will provide special instruction for Albany, Dougherty County, and southwest Georgia-area small businesses interested in registering for local small business programs.

Don’t miss this free class!  Register now at http://gtpac.ecenterdirect.com/ConferenceDetail.action?ID=7096.

Business development in the government market is topic of free Oct. 20 class

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October 14, 2011 by

If you’ve ever wondered how State agencies, cities, counties, school boards, and authorities buy their goods and services, then our Oct. 20th class is for you.

You’ll learn how to register as a vendor, who to contact, where to find opportunities, what the requirements are for bidding, and how to get paid. Specific attention will be given to doing business with the City of Albany, Dougherty County, other local governments throughout SW Georgia, and the State of Georgia. Dynamic guest instructor Muriel Moton will be conducting this two-hour class. Light lunch will be served.

This class will be held from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 pm at the Albany Microbusiness Center.

Register today at http://gtpac.ecenterdirect.com/ConferenceDetail.action?ID=7097.

Learn how to do business with the government on Oct. 27

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October 14, 2011 by

We’re conducting two seminars on Thursday, Oct. 27 to help you learn how to do business with government agencies.  Come and learn — it’s free!

Our Oct. 27th seminars — conducted by our dynamic guest instructor Muriel Moton — are a must for anyone thinking about doing business with the government. You will learn how the government buys goods and services and what you must do to win government contracts. We will tell you all about how to register as a vendor, how to find out about what the government buys, how government agencies advertise their purchases, how to respond, how to locate subcontracting opportunities with government “prime” contractors, and much more. You’ll also learn how to register for the City of Albany’s and Dougherty County’s small business programs.  The County’s program includes benefits for companies throughout SW Georgia.

Choose the class time most convenient for you on Oct. 27th:

Evening classes unveiled! Plan to attend Oct. 25 and 27!

Filed under Albany Small Business Training · Tagged with ,

October 14, 2011 by

Too busy during the day to take a government contracting class?  Well, now you can attend our free classes in the evening!

Two terrific classes are now scheduled to be held at the Albany Microbusiness Center on the evenings of Tuesday, Oct. 25 and Thursday, Oct. 27.  Make plans now to attend — if these prove to be popular, we will schedule more evening events!

  • Business Development in the Government Market is the class scheduled for 6:00pm to 8:00 pm on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011.  By attending, you will learn how to register as a vendor, who to contact, where to find opportunities, what the requirements are for bidding, and how to get paid.  Specific attention will be given to doing business with the City of Albany, Dougherty County, otther local governments throughout SW Georgia, and the State of Georgia. Dynamic guest instructor Muriel Moton will be conducting this special evening two-hour class. A light snack will be served.  Register for this free class at http://gtpac.ecenterdirect.com/ConferenceDetail.action?ID=7098.

 

  • Introduction to Government Contracting is the class scheduled for 6:00 pm until 8:30 pm on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011.  This seminar — once again conducted by our dynamic guest instructor Muriel Moton — is a must for anyone thinking about doing business with the government. You will learn how the government buys goods and services and what you must do to win government contracts. We will tell you all about how to register as a vendor, how to find out about what the government buys, how government agencies advertise their purchases, how to respond, how to locate subcontracting opportunities with government “prime” contractors, and much more. You’ll also learn how to register for the City of Albany’s and Dougherty County’s small business programs. A light snack will be served during this evening class.  Register for this free class at http://gtpac.ecenterdirect.com/ConferenceDetail.action?ID=7099.

Don’t miss these wonderful educational opportunities — register for one or both today!

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