The Government Acquisition Process is Broken: The FAR Says So!
The FAR Encourages Communication with Industry ** This post is part of our series on how we can improve government/industry engagement to deliver better mission outcomes. In case you missed it, see our initial post! Improving The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 15.201 encourages information exchanges between the government and industry from the earliest identification of […]
The Government Procurement Process is Stuck in the Past – And It’s Hurting All of Us
In the coming weeks, we’ll be posting a series of articles derived from a whitepaper I wrote for one of our government customers. I wrote “Contracting for Excellence: Cost, Risk, and Performance” to help our government stakeholders (Program Leaders, Acquisition Executives, Contracting Officers, and others) to understand better the challenges they introduce to the industry […]
Celebrating Women in Government Contracting
As we mark International Women’s Day, it’s crucial to remember at ICS, we’re not just about celebrating our incredible women on this special day; we celebrate them every day. This global day of recognition offers a perfect moment to reflect on the strides women have made in various fields, including the dynamic and challenging world […]
Annual Performance Reviews Are A Waste Of Time: What To Do Instead
Dreading annual performance review season at your company? You’re not alone. The dreaded annual review is outdated, demotivating, and a waste of time. Yet so many companies stubbornly cling to them. Why is that? We’ve tried them all: The Rating Scale method, the 360-degree feedback, Management by Objectives (MBOs) and the Essay Method. They all […]
Master Efficiency with the Dollarization Discipline
In the quest for efficiency, understanding the true value of our actions in dollar terms, as advocated by The Dollarization Discipline, has revolutionized the way businesses operate. At ICS, we’ve embraced this concept, refining it to better suit our delegation and productivity strategies. ICS’s Custom Approach We begin by assigning a monetary value to each […]
Focus to Flourish: The Art of Perfecting Your Business Niche
In the fast-paced world of Government Contracting (GovCon), finding, and evolving your niche is not just a strategy – it’s a necessity. As an entrepreneur who transitioned from an Information Security Specialist in the Air Force to founding ICS in the ’90s, I’ve navigated this journey firsthand. Let me share the pivotal steps that can […]
Some Companies Have a CFO… we have a CFNo!
Many small businesses in the FedGovCon space have a CFO, who is accountable for a litany of activities in the business – Accounting and Finance, Treasury Management, Banking, Risk Management, Contracts, Legal, and more. Here at ICS, I have the luxury of not only having a CFO on my leadership team, but, as I fondly […]
Communicate Like a Pro: Talk, Don’t Type
In my tenure as a CEO in the government contracting arena, I’ve observed a pivotal trend: the over-reliance on email communication often leads to poor outcomes in Government and Industry. This isn’t just about miscommunication; it’s about the real costs incurred when trying to communicate and understand mission requirements. The Over-Reliance on Email Email and […]
How to Craft a Clear, Executable Vision
A clear, galvanizing vision serves as the bedrock for enduring business growth. We instill unity by articulating our niche, ideal customer, and commitment to guarantees. Documented strategically, this aligns our entire organization. Niche: Our niche establishes our special value. Rather than generic positioning, analyze the precise market gaps you fill better than anyone. Refine that […]
Overcommitted leaders struggle to focus
As leaders of small businesses, we wear many hats and juggle countless responsibilities. It’s easy to get bogged down in the minutiae of day-to-day operations, putting out fires rather than moving the needle on strategic goals. This prevents us from dedicating time to high-impact activities that actually move our companies forward. To thrive in today’s […]
