Response to the State of Union, January 2010

Response to the State of the Union
The Government as a Customer for Small Business.........

I did not watch the SOU. However, the script from the tele-prompter seemed to say & promise various areas for businesses - large & small to stay alive during these economic times. There are incentives in certain industries (green, energy efficiency, etc) that are new and burgeoning area where the playing level may appear fair. Most of these areas are dominated by larger firms who have the experience, past performance, resources, relationships in place & knowledge of how to be successful.

Many of these areas which require some involvement with government - such as applying for grants, competing for government contracts, interfacing with Export-Import Bank, or OPIC - again will leave many of the small businesses baffled by the cumbersome government process. The small businesses do not have the financial strength or time investment (as cash is dwindling down) to either pay a government consultant or learn the B2G process.

It is however not all "doom-&-gloom" for the small business. I highly suggest that they take advantage of the set-aside contracts w/in the government; take advantage of the Prime Contractors (ie. Lockheed, Northrop Grumman) small business contracting goals; leverage the free (tax-payer funded) gov't resources such as the PTAC offices - and many others!; and lastly... capitalize on the fact that you are small & you can make changes quickly in your organization & that you are adaptable, can add new product/service lines to your offering - unlike the big companies that are as cumbersome as the government.

There are opportunities for all and that is the beauty of this great country. Businesses need to find their angle and advantages asap - and implement their 2010 strategy for success in this increasingly competitive global economy.

Thank You.

Jennifer Schaus
Jennifer Schaus & Associates
Washington, DC
http://www.JenniferSchaus.com
JSchaus@JenniferSchaus.com
GOVT RELATIONS CONSULTANT
B2G Monthly Networking Event
http://JenniferSchaus3.eventbrite.com

By: Jennifer Schaus, Jennifer Schaus & Associates, Washington DC