Ep 385: How to Write Emails Government Buyers Actually Answer by RSM Federal

Struggling to hire the right people, especially before a contract award? In this episode of Game Changers for Government Contractors, host Michael LeJeune talks with recruiting expert Al Vega about what it really takes to build a talent pipeline in GovCon. From cleared candidates to proposal recruiting, Al shares why “hypothetical recruiting” is critical to success and how to keep candidates warm with newsletters, transparency, and early engagement. Learn why recruiters are your brand ambassadors, the red flags to watch for in staffing firms, and when it’s time to bring in professional help. If you want to win more and deliver flawlessly, this episode is your roadmap to smarter hiring in government contracting.

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Frustrated with your government contracting journey? Join our group coaching community here: federal-access.com/gamechangers

Grab my #1 bestselling book, "I'm New to Government Contract. Where Should I Start?" Here: https://amzn.to/4hHLPeE

Book a call with me here: https://calendly.com/michaellejeune/govconstrategysession

Ep 383: 4 Keys to Scaling Your GovCon Business Faster and Smarter by RSM Federal

In this episode of Game Changers for Government Contractors, host Michael LeJeune is joined by Christa Williams and Erin Olenjack from Bank of America’s government contracting team for a candid and practical discussion about what contracting officers and bankers wish every contractor knew.

Erin, a former contracting officer, unpacks the most common misconceptions about KO relationships—like why you may never hear back after sending an email, why it’s not personal, and how to communicate with purpose and clarity. She also dives into the strategic value of pre-solicitation engagement and explains why blindly chasing contracting officers won’t move the needle—building relationships with program offices will.

Christa brings clarity to the often misunderstood banking side of GovCon, explaining why having a contract in hand doesn’t guarantee financing, how banks evaluate risk differently than factoring companies, and when to bring in alternative lenders like Republic Capital Access. She shares why diversification, proactive planning, and relationship-building before you need money are key to your growth strategy.

Whether you're brand new to federal contracting or scaling up to pursue $25M+ contracts, this episode is loaded with real talk, smart strategy, and actionable tips to help you grow your business with confidence and avoid costly missteps.

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Frustrated with your government contracting journey? Join our group coaching community here: federal-access.com/gamechangers

Grab my #1 bestselling book, "I'm New to Government Contract. Where Should I Start?" Here: https://amzn.to/4hHLPeE

Book a call with me here: https://calendly.com/michaellejeune/govconstrategysession

In this episode of Game Changers for Government Contractors, host Michael LeJeune reveals five hidden profit levers that can dramatically improve your bottom line—without spending a dime on more leads. Drawing from decades of experience and over $14.5 billion in contract wins, Michael shares smarter ways to grow by improving your conversion rate, increasing average sale size, boosting transaction frequency, and tightening profit margins. You’ll learn how small adjustments—from refining proposals to reducing overhead—can generate significant returns. If you’re chasing growth by just submitting more bids or hiring more BD staff, this episode will show you a better, more profitable path. Plus, get a special offer for a free strategy call when you leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

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Frustrated with your government contracting journey? Join our group coaching community here: federal-access.com/gamechangers

Grab my #1 bestselling book, "I'm New to Government Contract. Where Should I Start?" Here: https://amzn.to/4hHLPeE

Book a call with me here: https://calendly.com/michaellejeune/govconstrategysession

he GSA schedule just became the hottest asset in government contracting. In this episode of Game Changers for Government Contractors, host Michael LeJeune sits down with RSM Federal sales strategist Rich Ernest to break down why GSA schedules are more critical than ever thanks to a recent executive order pushing 400–500% more spending through them. They expose costly myths, explain why getting a schedule doesn’t guarantee success, and outline how to market your schedule effectively. Whether you go the DIY route or hire help, this episode shows you how to do it smartly, avoid rip-offs, and position your company to win once you’re on schedule. Don't wait! Missing out on this shift could lock you out of the federal market.

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Frustrated with your government contracting journey? Join our group coaching community here: federal-access.com/gamechangers

Grab my #1 bestselling book, "I'm New to Government Contract. Where Should I Start?" Here: https://amzn.to/4hHLPeE

Book a call with me here: https://calendly.com/michaellejeune/govconstrategysession

In this fast-paced episode of Game Changers for Government Contractors, Michael LeJeune breaks down three essential phases of scaling a government contracting business: Foundation ($0–$1M), Growth ($1M–$10M), and Maturity ($10M+). If you’ve ever felt stuck at a revenue plateau, this episode delivers the roadmap to get moving again. You’ll learn how to build credibility in the early days, when to stop being the bottleneck as CEO, and what strategic shifts to make as you grow. Michael covers everything from building systems and hiring A-players to agency penetration and long-term sustainability. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to push through your next ceiling, this episode delivers practical advice for climbing the GovCon growth ladder without burning out or stalling out.

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Frustrated with your government contracting journey? Join our group coaching community here: federal-access.com/gamechangers

Grab my #1 bestselling book, "I'm New to Government Contract. Where Should I Start?" Here: https://amzn.to/4hHLPeE

Book a call with me here: https://calendly.com/michaellejeune/govconstrategysession

In this episode of Game Changers for Government Contractors, host Michael LeJeune interviews Tom Prokop, a federal coach and GovCon entrepreneur, about how he launched his business with a contract already secured. Drawing on more than 15 years of experience, Tom shares the unconventional strategy of turning job interviews into subcontracting opportunities and starting with value not just status. He outlines how to prepare your business infrastructure, adopt a winning mindset, and build strong relationships from day one. Whether you're new to the space or struggling to gain traction, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you start smart, scale quickly, and build a sustainable GovCon business.

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Frustrated with your government contracting journey? Join our group coaching community here: federal-access.com/gamechangers

Grab my #1 bestselling book, "I'm New to Government Contract. Where Should I Start?" Here: https://amzn.to/4hHLPeE

Book a call with me here: https://calendly.com/michaellejeune/govconstrategysession

In this episode of Game Changers for Government Contractors, host Michael LeJeune exposes one of the most overlooked secrets to success in the federal market... silent influencers. These behind-the-scenes players shape acquisition strategies, steer evaluations, and quietly impact award decisions, often without holding formal authority. Learn how to identify and ethically build relationships with these insiders, from contracting specialists to technical evaluators and even former government officials. Michael breaks down how to build an “influence map,” tap on-the-ground insights, and understand the real decision-making dynamics inside target agencies. This episode is a must-listen for any contractor ready to play... and win... the invisible game.

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Frustrated with your government contracting journey? Join our group coaching community here: federal-access.com/gamechangers

Grab my #1 bestselling book, "I'm New to Government Contract. Where Should I Start?" Here: https://amzn.to/4hHLPeE

Book a call with me here: https://calendly.com/michaellejeune/govconstrategysession

In this episode of Game Changers for Government Contractors, host Michael LeJeune interviews Mary Toxey, COO and co-founder of Basis Path. Mary shares her powerful journey from serving as a SIGINT analyst in the Air Force to co-building a women-veteran-owned GovCon firm specializing in modernization and data science. Learn how Basis Path prioritizes “mission over margins,” supports employee growth, and rebounded from major challenges like contract loss and the COVID-19 pandemic. With a team of 55–60 and eyes on becoming a prime in 2025, Basis Path stands out as a people-first, performance-driven company. Mary’s story offers essential lessons on resilience, leadership, and scaling with purpose.

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Frustrated with your government contracting journey? Join our group coaching community here: federal-access.com/gamechangers

Grab my #1 bestselling book, "I'm New to Government Contract. Where Should I Start?" Here: https://amzn.to/4hHLPeE

Book a call with me here: https://calendly.com/michaellejeune/govconstrategysession