14-Hour Days, 17 Years in GovCon—What Small Businesses STILL Get Wrong

On today’s Daily Windup, I’m addressing one of the most overlooked deal-killers in government contracting: poor follow-up and lack of preparation. My guest, with 17 years in supplier diversity and small business programs, shares behind-the-scenes insights from grueling conference days to procurement readiness training at DIA. Together, we highlight how simple actions—like sending a follow-up within 48 hours, keeping your website sharp, and answering questions confidently—can be the difference between winning attention and losing out. This episode is all about helping small businesses tighten up their processes, impress decision-makers, and position themselves as credible, ready-to-win partners. Key topics covered: The importance of timely follow-up, updated websites, and clear communication in building credibility. Real-world examples of small firms winning next-day interviews through preparation and professionalism. How sloppy outreach and weak readiness instantly kill opportunities with primes and agencies. Learn more: https://govcongiants.org/