GovCon Secrets

"Most advisors, whether you're in GovCon or not, are getting bad advice from a broker with the wrong incentives." In today's episode, we're joined by Alexa Baggio, to discuss the challenges of employee benefits and the problems with the current broker and consultant system. She emphasizes the need for employers to take ownership of employee benefits and create a better experience for employees in order to stay competitive. This is part 2 of the interview.

This is the GovCon Secrets Podcast, your host Jim Campbell will take a deep dive into the Government Contracting space where you’ll hear from a variety of expert guests on strategy, pricing, and business tactics all to save you A TON OF MONEY.

Timestamps:

(2:37) - Challenges with brokers in GovCon

(4:41) - The rise of voluntary benefits

(15:47) - The challenges of insurance brokerage

(20:47) - The future of employee engagement

(26:05) - Maximizing technology for GovCon budgets

(31:40) - Building a nimble HR tech system

Connect with Jim on LinkedIn! | Connect with Alexa on LinkedIn! | Check out AXIM Fringe Solutions Group! | dobenefitsbetter.com

"We've got an access to information and an accessibility problem in benefits." In today's episode, we're joined by Alexa Baggio, to discuss the broken system of employee benefits and the need for a better way to communicate and market them to employees. Alexa shares the backstory of how she founded Showcase, a platform that aims to solve the problem of employees not knowing about their benefits and HR people lacking the tools and skills to market them effectively. This is part 1 of the interview.

This is the GovCon Secrets Podcast, your host Jim Campbell will take a deep dive into the Government Contracting space where you’ll hear from a variety of expert guests on strategy, pricing, and business tactics all to save you A TON OF MONEY.

Timestamps:

(3:21) - How Alexa started Showcase

(7:37) - Challenges of marketing employee benefits

(12:04) - Discovering hidden nutrition program

(17:36) - The moment Alexa realized the system needs to change

(25:14) - Communication strategy failures in business

(30:30) - Improving communication engagement

Connect with Jim on LinkedIn! | Connect with Alexa on LinkedIn! | Check out AXIM Fringe Solutions Group! | dobenefitsbetter.com

“You can't chase the next shiny thing. You can't chase it and you have to learn about it.” In today's episode, we're joined by Andrea Graves and Patrick Moore to share their experience working with government contractors in the employee benefits industry. They discuss the challenges and frustrations of the brokerage industry in GovCon, the importance of understanding and educating clients about their benefits, and the trial-and-error nature of finding the right solutions in a constantly evolving industry.

This is the GovCon Secrets Podcast, your host Jim Campbell will take a deep dive into the Government Contracting space where you’ll hear from a variety of expert guests on strategy, pricing, and business tactics all to save you A TON OF MONEY.

Timestamps:

(0:56) - Frustration with lack of focus by the outside brokerage community

(8:47) - Benefit literacy in the US and first-year education

(13:12) - Vetting vendors and solutions in the industry

(16:29) - HR director's understanding of benefits for the company

(25:01) - Brokers' willingness to take less for the same work

(28:16) - Staying in GovCon & final thoughts

Connect with Jim on LinkedIn! | Connect with Andrea on LinkedIn! | Connect with Patrick on LinkedIn! | Check out AXIM Fringe Solutions Group!

"Government contracting is absolutely, without a doubt, one of those areas you either are gonna be able to make an impact right away, or you're gonna get told hit the road."

In today's episode, we're joined by Andrea Graves and Patrick Moore to share their experience working with government contractors in the employee benefits industry. They discuss the unique challenges and opportunities that come with providing benefits to these types of clients, as well as the importance of understanding their specific acronyms and terminology. They also cover the importance of risk mitigation and thinking long-term in cost control for these clients.

This is the GovCon Secrets Podcast, your host Jim Campbell will take a deep dive into the Government Contracting space where you’ll hear from a variety of expert guests on strategy, pricing, and business tactics all to save you A TON OF MONEY.

Timestamps:

(1:57) - Andrea's background in benefits, and learning about GovCon space

(7:58) - Pat's experience working with GovCon and brokers

(13:07) - Changes when building GovCon benefits, & understanding GovCon contracts

(18:12) - Interactions with brokers in panic mode, needing help

(20:09) - Life in a typical agency, finding resources for GovCon clients

(23:11) - Interactions with brokers with limited knowledge and relationships

Connect with Jim on LinkedIn! | Connect with Andrea on LinkedIn! | Connect with Patrick on LinkedIn! | Check out AXIM Fringe Solutions Group!

"I can't help but see the numbers as people." In today’s episode, we’re joined by CaRessa Hutchinson, CEO of ModRN Health, to discuss the importance of understanding user needs and the challenges in healthcare literacy. She also talks about the benefits of having a team to answer employee questions and educate them, and the impact of following up with patients to prevent mistakes and potentially save lives. This is part 2 of the interview.

This is the GovCon Secrets Podcast, your host Jim Campbell will take a deep dive into the Government Contracting space where you’ll hear from a variety of expert guests on strategy, pricing, and business tactics all to save you A TON OF MONEY.

Timestamps:

(2:16) - Healthcare navigation; only directed to profitable plan pieces

(8:36) - Follow-up crucial to prevent relapse

(14:52) - Partnering with ModRN Health saves lives and money

(19:42) - Educating clinicians creates patient advocates

(22:25) - 50-60% of patients haven't seen primary care doctor in years

(25:20) - Future of ModRN Health and progress predictions

Connect with Jim on LinkedIn! | Connect with CaRessa on LinkedIn! | Check out AXIM Fringe Solutions Group!

"I think a huge misconception is that it's just uneducated people or it's just people with financial burden. That is not the case…” In today’s episode, we’re joined by CaRessa Hutchinson, CEO of ModRN Health, to discuss how they are approaching the benefit space and helping people navigate the healthcare system. She also touches on the lack of trust in the system and the need for better education and advocacy. This is part 1 of the interview.

This is the GovCon Secrets Podcast, your host Jim Campbell will take a deep dive into the Government Contracting space where you’ll hear from a variety of expert guests on strategy, pricing, and business tactics all to save you A TON OF MONEY.

Timestamps:

(1:53) - Getting to know CaRessa and ModRN Health

(6:01) - Barriers to success, lack of health literacy, and healthcare mistrust

(14:02) - Leaving the system and the struggles of delivering at a high-level

(24:26) Incentives not aligned, turning down deals, care for employees

(27:48) Healthcare literacy remains a problem, new plans improve population

(29:30) - The journey since starting and the future plans for ModRN Health

Connect with Jim on LinkedIn! | Connect with CaRessa on LinkedIn! | Check out AXIM Fringe Solutions Group!

"Hard work wins all the time, as long as you have a good reputation to stand on." In today’s episode, our guest Leo Fox, former CEO of Tenacity Solutions, discusses the challenges of being a CEO in the GovCon world, including growing, scaling, and exiting successfully. He also shares his insights on reputation, staffing, and the importance of attending industry conferences.

This is the GovCon Secrets Podcast, your host Jim Campbell will take a deep dive into the Government Contracting space where you’ll hear from a variety of expert guests on strategy, pricing, and business tactics all to save you A TON OF MONEY

Timestamps:

(2:05) - Leo's start-up days in the GovCon space

(6:31) - Struggles of winning contracts and scaling company

(21:06) - Responding to sequestration and competition in GovCon

(28:13) - Leo's experience selling his company

(37:12) - Advice for up-and-coming CEOs and caring for employees

(43:16) - Changes in contracting landscape and requirements

Connect with Jim on LinkedIn! | Connect with Leo on LinkedIn! | Check out AXIM Fringe Solutions Group!

In today’s episode, Jim sits down with Heather Teed to discuss the state of the government contracting industry, including pricing and strategy. They delve into the challenges facing small and mid-size businesses, the importance of capture and competitive analysis, and the need to diversify and adapt to market forces. Heather also shares her experience working in government contracting for the past 30 years and offers advice for business owners looking to succeed in this industry.

This is the GovCon Secrets Podcast, your host Jim Campbell will take a deep dive into the Government Contracting space where you’ll hear from a variety of expert guests on strategy, pricing, and business tactics all to save you A TON OF MONEY

Timestamps:

(1:47) Heather's journey in government contracting

(4:42) The evolution of pricing and strategy in GovCon

(9:39) The importance of capture in winning contracts

(11:37) The impact of market forces on GovCon

(21:14) The role of data in GovCon decision making

(24:23) Understanding direct labor and industry best practices

(25:02) The importance of strategic and tactical approaches

(27:02) The challenges of hiring in the current job market

(30:30) The shift in solicitation and procurement trends

(34:03) The importance of understanding contractual obligations

(42:51) Looking forward to 2023: Opportunities and challenges

Connect with Jim on LinkedIn! | Connect with Heather on LinkedIn! | Check out AXIM Fringe Solutions Group!

In today’s episode, Jim sits down with Matt Stavish from Republic Captial Access to talk about everything you need to know on how you can take advantage of your contract rewards, maximize returns, and use a leveraged partner to ensure your growth in the space! 

This is the GovCon Secrets Podcast, your host Jim Campbell will take a deep dive into the Government Contracting space where you’ll hear from a variety of expert guests on strategy, pricing, and business tactics all to save you A TON OF MONEY.

Timestamps:

(1:40) What happens at Republic Capital Access?

(7:28) What is the Google Effect?

(16:50) Talk to your bankers, and make sure your liquidity isn’t at risk!

(22:07) Is your company competitive and offers solutions to your customers?

(28:08) Why financial literacy is important!

Connect with Jim on LinkedIn!

Connect with Matt on LinkedIn!

Check out Republic Capital Access 

Check out AXIM Fringe Solutions Group!

In today’s episode, Jim sits down with Spencer Smith and Pat Moore to discuss the importance of having good and honest conversations, eventually adapting to being a consultant and finding your niche in the market, and how all of these can help you in the GovCon space. 

This is the GovCon Secrets Podcast, your host Jim Campbell will take a deep dive into the Government Contracting space where you’ll hear from a variety of expert guests on strategy, pricing, and business tactics all to save you A TON OF MONEY.

Timestamps:

(2:41) Who is Spencer Smith?

(12:35) Why the market will eventually shift into more systems.

(16:15) Have more good and honest conversations and you will lock people in!

(20:11) How Spencer found his creative outlet.

(27:47) The grind in benefits.

(35:55) What is Point solution fatigue?

Connect with Jim on LinkedIn!

Connect with Spencer on LinkedIn!

Connect with Pat on LinkedIn!

Check out the Self-funded with Spencer podcast!

Check out AXIM Fringe Solutions Group!