Podcast appearances and mentions of neil mcdonnell

Every opportunity leaves a trail.Every buyer has a pattern, and every prime has a history.FPDS shows you all of it if you know where to look.Let me show you my top 10 FPDS tips for uncovering revenue.In this training, you'll learn:• How FPDS searches really work; the fields, filters, and tactics most people overlook• Discover the FPDS data that reveals buyers, primes, competitors, and expiring contracts• Walk away with 10 actionable FPDS workflows you can use tomorrow to find revenue___________________________________

If sales are lagging, it's usually not your product, it's your focus.Selling to multiple federal agencies spreads you too thin, confuses buyers, and kills your pipeline.The fastest way to grow as a small business is to pick one agency and dominate it.Let me show you how to pick that agency.In this training, you'll learn:• Understand why selling to multiple agencies is killing your federal sales efforts• Learn where to start (e.g., VA, DoD, DHS, HHS, or a sub-agency) based on your core competency and past experience• See how to validate your choice using real data (buyers, vendors, opportunities, and competition)___________________________________

My customer was feeling lost on who to call in the VA.Here's exactly how I helped her build a list of 200 people.These are folks from the government and industry who can help, guide, introduce or even buy.These are the people who will get her in the door to have sales meetings.In this training, you'll learn:• The exact method I use to build a 200-person VA target list in under 30 minutes• Discover where the real VA stakeholders “live”, like buyers, influencers, teammates, and partners• Walk away with a copy-ready blueprint to build your own 200-person list for any agency___________________________________

Do you ever feel lost in federal sales?It's probably because you are not following a process.When you follow a proven process, you'll have repeatable and predictable results.You should expect that in your sales efforts.In this training, you'll learn:• The simple 7-step process that removes chaos from federal sales• Discover which step is currently blocking your revenue, and how to fix it• Walk away with a clear roadmap to grow federal revenue in FY2026___________________________________

You can't sell if federal agencies don't have a problem.But YOU know they have a problem your product or service can solve.So, you need to start by helping them ADMIT they have a problem.In this training, you'll learn:• Learn why federal buyers won't care about your solution until THEY admit a problem exists• Discover the exact questions that move a buyer from unaware, to problem aware, to ready to engage• Walk away with a repeatable conversation flow that opens doors, builds trust, and creates demand___________________________________

FPDS is one of the most valuable tools in your toolbox.Join me in this series and become an expert at using the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS).This is the second of a planned series about FPDS.In this training, you'll learn:• Why searching FPDS is vital to your sales success as a government contractor• Basic search techniques to find 'slam dunk' opportunities you can pursue• Advanced search criteria to narrow your search results___________________________________

Can you support Digital Transformation for the US Army?Program Executive Office Enterprise (PEO Enterprise) is at the forefront and delivers enterprise solutions driving Army dominance.In this training, you'll learn:• What PEO Enterprise is and how it is organized• Top priorities and key challenges industry can support• How to request meetings with key leaders within PEO Enterprise___________________________________

In this episode, we have Neil McDonnell with us to discuss his journey through the GovCon space. Neil shares his introduction to GovCon, if it was love at first sight and how he started the GovConChamber. Don't miss out on this great conversation full of insights for small businesses.  To connect with Neil find him on LinkedIn. 

I have won many contracts by responding to an RFI.You can have similar success if you 'write for the win' during federal buyer market research.In this training, you'll learn:• How I my initial review of a Request for Information (RFI)• My step-by-step process for quick planning around an outline of the page layout• Ways I find to engage with the federal buyer before responding to an RFI or Sources Sought Notice___________________________________

FPDS is one of the most valuable tools in your toolbox.Join me in this series and become an expert at using the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS).This is the first of a planned series about FPDS.In this training, you'll learn:• What FPDS is and why it is helpful to small business government contractors• Major sections of FPDS and how they help you find opportunities• Top information that can be found in FPDS___________________________________

Don't get caught in a reserch whirlpool.At some point you must have meetings with federal buyers to have success.In this training, you'll learn:• Why it starts with having a clear set of objectives you want out of the meeting• How setting a purpose gets everyone on the same page as you• To control a meeting for your success and that of the other participants___________________________________

President Trump ordered the Department of War to overhaul the entire defense acquisition system, and they did.This new strategy affects every contractor, including small businesses.If you want to stay ahead in FY2026, you need to know exactly what's changing.In this training, you'll learn:• The biggest shifts in the Department of War's FY2026 Acquisition Transformation Strategy• Where the new opportunities will emerge first• How to position your company to benefit from these changes___________________________________

Federal buyers like AFLCM, use Industry Days to tell us what they need.I use them as ways to identify opportunities that can be won.In this training, you'll learn:• What information is shared during industry days.• How I 'scrub' industry day slide decks to find the most valuable information• Steps I take to turn slides into opportunities___________________________________

Finding staffing contracts in federal agencies is a processIt can seem overwhelming until you know the steps… here's mine. In this training, you'll learn:• How I identified almost 100 'staffing' contracts to pursue in FY2026• How I determine which are the best fit for me• What I do after identifying opportunities that look like a good fit.___________________________________

PJ chats to Neil McDonnell of the ISME who says businesses that used Fastway now struggle for information on their parcels in transit and find it hard to get an alternative. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stop teaming with your friends!That's bad for you and them. You both end up losing too often.Instead, team up with the best company to help you win the contract.Of course that might sometimes be your friends, but often it really is not.You both deserve to win more.In this training, you'll learn:• How to set the criteria needed for a perfect teammate on each opportunity• Why it is important to vet possible teammates before committing• Establish a written agreement early on all key points___________________________________

Federal buyers and teammates are stalking you online.They're trying to find you and decide if you're worth their time.This is called in-bound sales and counts for 99% of your business' growth.In this training, you'll learn:• Where federal buyers go to look you and your company up• What signals tell a federal buyer not to select you• Why teammates and buyers check you out before meeting___________________________________

I just returned from two, back-to-back Defense focused events.Here's how I ensure they have lasting value and how you can too.In this training, you'll learn:• How to triage all the leads you identified from the conference• Short-term steps to take that will turn a lead into part of your network• Long-term steps to make sure your new leads don't fade out of your network___________________________________

Most proposals sound the same in the federal market.Great ones stand out because of clear Win Themes.A Win Theme ensures all of your activity leads to differentiating your company in a way buyers will value.In this training, you'll learn:• What are Win Themes• How Win Themes strengthen proposals sent to federal buyers• Simple framework you can follow to create your own Win Theme___________________________________

Some of the most helpful tools for GovCons are on GSA's site.Successful small businesses master federal tools like those that GSA makes available.In this training, you'll learn:• How to find tools you can use• Which tools will help you as you try to win contracts• Where GSA is going in this 2025/2026 transition___________________________________

I get it. It sucks that the federal government is shut down.But we can't control that, only the actions we take.Here are 5 tips for this week that will ensure we keep moving forward even though our customer is not.In this training, you'll learn:• How to keep your pipeline moving even when agencies aren't buying• The daily habits that separate winners from worriers• What relationships you can (and should) build this week• Why momentum, not funding, is your greatest advantage___________________________________

SAM.Gov is the foundational tool for government contracting.By mastering it's data and how to use SAM.Gov, you will win more contracts.It's not magic, it's just the process for how federal buyers communicate with small businesses.SAM stands for the 'System for Award Management'.In this training, you'll learn:• How to find oppportunities in SAM.Gov• What information is in each opportunity and how it can help you• How to set up SAM.Gov to never miss an opportunity___________________________________

The WOSB Program should deliver value to WOSBs… but it does not.This is not my opinion, it is a fact based on awarded contracts.And this isn't a complaint, it's a recognition driving me to train WOSBs how to have success despite the certification.In this training, you'll learn:• The facts about the WOSB program• How the SBA gaslights WOSBs• What to do to win contracts as a woman-owned small business___________________________________

If you do what all your competitors do, you'll be an also ran.Doesn't mean you won't write a decent proposal, but it does mean you won't appear any different.But it's not that hard to stand out from your competitors by writing better proposals.In this training, you'll learn:• Why starting early matters most• Being success must begin with being clear and compliant• Compelling requires you identifying more than explicit paint points or objectives___________________________________

I know it can seem like there's nothing we can do while the government is shut down, but that's not the case.Winners make things happen.Others either 'watch it happen' or 'ask what happened'.To survive the shutdown, you need to be one of the companies 'making it happen'.In this training, you'll learn:• What is really shutdown during the FY2026 government shutdown?• What can small business government contractors do now?• 5 things you can keep doing to increase your chances of coming out on top___________________________________

As a government contractor, you'll meet so many people.We call them stakeholders when we group them like you see below.By understanding who they are, you can create plans for meeting them.In this training, you'll learn:• About Federal Buyer Stakeholders• About Teaming Partner Stakeholders• About (free and paid) Supporting Stakeholders___________________________________

If you do not specialize, you will not succeed.This is true for athletes - they don't play every sport.This is true for doctors - they don't specialize in every part of the body.And this is true with government contractors.In this training, you'll learn:• What is a core competency• Why buyers need you to specialize not be a generalist• Why a lack of a clear, core competency will prevent your success___________________________________

Everyone says you need to meet with federal buyers and teammates?But how? Is the most common question.If you can land 1st meetings with a buyer, you can get a 2nd meeting.And anyone who can have two meetings with a buyer has started and is building a strategic relationship that will lead to sales.In this training, you'll learn:• Why you should have 1 intro meeting per day with someone new• How I prepare to contact a federal buyer or teammate• My process for getting the meetings with people I don't know___________________________________

AUSA 2025 is the must-attend event for anyone in the defense sector.But what if you can't make it to DC in person?You can still network and build relationships outside of the three days.When you think about it, how can anyone meet even a fraction of the over 44K people expected to be there?They can't. You and they need a plan for pre and post engagement.In this training, you'll learn:• How to engage with key note speakers and panelists• How to engage with the 750+ exhibitors• How to engage with the expected 44,000 attendees___________________________________

WOSBs should not wait for federal agencies.You can make your owns success when you understand the same process others have followed for years.In this training, you'll learn:• How vital a Clear, Focused Offer is to your success• Why 'Strategic' Relationships opens doors• Steps to take to push opportunities to WOSB set aside___________________________________

The Navy is one of the largest buyers in the federal government, awarding billions in contracts every year to businesses of all sizes.Understanding how they buy, what they buy, and how to get your company in front of the right people is critical to winning work with the US Navy.In this training, you'll learn:• How the Navy organizes and funds contracts• Where to find upcoming Navy opportunities• Key offices and points of contact to build relationships• Best practices for outreach and capability statements tailored to US Navy___________________________________

The vast majority of corporation tax receipts come from a handful of American companies based here. It's because of that overdependence and the increasingly unreliable behaviour of the American administration, that small businesses need to be encouraged and fostered to avoid what ISME refers to as “sleepwalking into economic peril“. The Small Business lobby group also wants a so called “reset on the national minimum wage calculation” All to discuss with Neil McDonnell the Chief Executive of ISME.

Pj speaks to Neil McDonnell of ISME and retailer Willie O'Brien about the survey showing two-thirds of businesses escape crimebut those on the front lines face repeat offenses, legal frustrations, and rising security costs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To discuss this Michele Puckhaber, chief executive of the Crime Victims Helpline and Neil McDonnell, chief executive of ISME.

So long threatened, Donald Trump's sweeping new tariffs against more than ninety countries come into effect today. We hear from Mary Sadlier, CEO of Coole Swan Irish cream liqueur; Simon Harris, Tánaiste and Minister for Trade; and Neil McDonnell, CEO of the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association.

The Irish Small Enterprise Association has criticised Government proposals to raise personal injury awards by 17%. To discuss this Neil McDonnell, chief executive of ISME and Stuart Gilhooly, a solicitor specialising in personal injury cases and past President of the Law Society

ISME, the national SME representatives, have criticised Government proposals to raise personal injury awards by 17 per cent. The organisation says this will punish smaller businesses, while putting more money into the pockets of lawyers. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Neil McDonnell, Chief Executive of ISME.

In this episode of Game Changers for Government Contractors, host Michael LeJeune sits down with Neil McDonnell, president of the GovCon Chamber of Commerce CEO of GovCon in a Box, to explore how contractors can navigate a rapidly evolving federal market. From the controversial DOGE initiative to shifting priorities in cybersecurity and AI, Neil shares blunt, actionable advice on aligning your strategy with what government buyers actually need. Learn why mastering the basics—clear value, strong service, and process discipline—trumps chasing "secrets." Whether you're a prime or sub, seasoned or new, this episode will help you adapt to change, survive market shifts, and position your business for sustainable growth. ----- 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

Businessman Denis O'Brien has blasted working from home as “...a load of nonsense”.He claimed Ireland's reputation as a place to do business is at risk, and working from home is now a threat to the economy, because it has caused a loss of competitiveness, energy, creativity and ideas.What do you think? Should we all be returning to the office?Joining Andrea to discuss is Neil McDonnell, CEO of ISME, Laura Bambrick, Social Policy Officer with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and Larissa Feeney, CEO of Kinore.

Professor Janice Walshe, Consultant Medical Oncologist, St Vincent's University Hospital and Neil McDonnell, CEO of the ISME, who represents Small and Medium businesses

Tom Fitzgerald, Unite Regional Coordinating officer, and Neil McDonnell, ISME Chief Executive join Matt to discuss trade union Unite's call for Climate Leave in the event of extreme weather.Unite is seeking a meeting with the Minister for Enterprise to bring their requests into the conversation for future legislation.Listen here.

Neil McDonnell, CEO of ISME and Sarah Furno, joint Owner and Cheese Maturer of Cashel Farmhouse Cheesemakers react to Donald Trump's US tariff announcement.

Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe has said that tens of thousands of jobs in Ireland could be at risk if US trade tariffs are introduced in early April. But, what does this mean for us, and what is the reality of these job losses?Joining Kieran to discuss is Neil McDonnell, CEO of ISME and John Fitzgerald, Adjunct Professor in Economics at Trinity College Dublin.

Many Irish retailers have given up challenging shoplifters stealing from their stores due to the number of defamation actions being taken, according to a group representing small and medium enterprise.Neil McDonnell, chief executive of Isme, estimates defamation cases are costing small businesses in Ireland up to €70 million each year. He joins The Last Word to discuss.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button!

Laura Bambrick, Social Policy Officer with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and Neil McDonnell, CEO of the ISME, who represents Small and Medium businesses

How to Get Federal Agencies to Use Your GSA Contract Vehicle for GovConsDuring 'Capture' you have the ability to influence the contracting officer on which contract vehicle they'll use. Join Neil and Andy Kirkpatrick of GSA as they discuss tips for making your GSA MAS work for you✅ In this Training, GovCon Chamber president Neil McDonnell explains:Why General Services Administration (GSA) Multiple Awards Schedules (MAS) matter to federal agency contracting officersSigns an agency would be open to using you GSA MAS for their requirementSteps you can take to get a federal agency to use your GSA MAS contract vehicle✅ Join us on LinkedIn to build your network and engaging other in the largest Government Contracting community online.https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/government-contracting-success-6895009566325907456/–––––––––––––––––––––––––

RFI and Sources Sought How to Avoid the Black HolesOne of the biggest complaints government contractors have is that their RFI responses go into black holes. If you've experienced this, where you submit a response but get no reply or engagement, then join Neil in this training.✅ In this Training, GovCon Chamber president Neil McDonnell explains:Why responding to sources sought notices is a vital task for small business government contractorsHow to ‘write for the win' to increase your chances of winning a contractWhy your response go into a ‘black hole' and how to get federal buyers to engage you more✅ Join us on LinkedIn to build your network and engaging other in the largest Government Contracting community online.https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/government-contracting-success-6895009566325907456/–––––––––––––––––––––––––

25 Best Federal Government Contracts for 2025 - Steps to Find Your Top OpportunitiesGovernment contractors preparing for 2025 success should have a strong sales pipeline of federal opportunities. Join Neil as he shows you how he identifies the best opportunities for him and his clients.✅ In this Training, GovCon Chamber president Neil McDonnell explains:What are the best contracts for your small businessWhere you can find the best contractsWhen you should add these opportunities into your sales pipeline✅ Join us on LinkedIn to build your network and engaging other in the largest Government Contracting community online. https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/government-contracting-success-6895009566325907456/–––––––––––––––––––––––––

How to Get a Second Meeting with Federal Buyers for Small BusinessesOne of the most frustrating things in government contracting is not being invited back for a second meeting.✅ In this Training, GovCon Chamber president Neil McDonnell explains:Why you're not getting a second meeting with federal buyersWhat you can do in the first meeting to guarantee the second meetingWhat you can do after the first meeting to land a second meeting✅ Join us on LinkedIn to build your network and engaging other in the largest Government Contracting community online. https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/government-contracting-success-6895009566325907456/–––––––––––––––––––––––––

7 Easy Steps to Land Federal Buyer Meetings for Government ContractorsIf you struggle to get meetings with federal buyers, then this training will be for you. Join Neil as he teaches you what he teaches his clients in order for them to land more meetings with federal buyers.✅ In this Training, GovCon Chamber president Neil McDonnell discusses:Why it is important to have meetings with key stakeholders before submitting responses to RFPsWhere meetings fall into my 7-Step Process for Federal Revenue SuccessWhat are the steps you can take to land more meetings✅ Join us on LinkedIn to build your network and engaging other in the largest Government Contracting community online. https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/government-contracting-success-6895009566325907456/–––––––––––––––––––––––––