GovCon After Hours

Welcome to GovCon After Hours. In this episode, hosts Caitlin Ruiz and Dr. Robin Desmore engage in a meaningful discussion on government contracting. Joining them is Cherylyn Harley LeBon, co-chair of the Government Contracting group at Cohen Seglias, bringing over 25 years of expertise in legal, government, and strategic advisory services for small business contractors.Together, they explore the critical factors that determine success in GovCon. Cherylyn highlights the importance of timing and strategic intelligence, identifies common mistakes small businesses encounter in long-term growth planning and acquisition preparation, and offers actionable advice. The conversation covers building robust company foundations, managing complex transactions, selecting appropriate legal partners, and leveraging the federal budget for business expansion.The episode also addresses significant challenges, including the upcoming FAR rewrite and its implications for small businesses, as well as the complexities of mergers and acquisitions. For a straightforward and insightful perspective on navigating the government contracting landscape, join us for this enlightening episode of GovCon After Hours.Chapters:00:00 - Introduction00:09 - "Govcon Expert and Advocate"05:02 - Defining Client Business Goals07:19 - GovCon Strategy: Follow the Budget13:03 - "Preparing Small Businesses for Acquisition"17:05 - Valuation Expertise in Professional Services19:13 - Valuing Unique Business Ventures23:20 - "Follow the Plan, Not Feelings"27:36 - Strategic Business Planning for Profitability31:02 - Navigating New Opportunities34:08 - "CMMC Impact on Small Businesses"36:16 - Confidential Legislative Rewrite Concerns39:23 - OutroQuotes:"Build and scale your business—the path is clear and success awaits."- Cherylyn Harley LeBon"Trust your plan over your feelings. That's how you win in GovCon."- Caitlin Ruiz"Resilience lets you pivot, survive, and emerge stronger from any storm."- Dr. Robin DesmoreKey Takeaways:Timing is Tied to Intel—Stop Throwing DartsStart With a Goal—Not Just a PlanDeviating from the Plan? Get Back On Track FastInvest, Reinvest, and Find Real Strategic PartnersFollow the Money—Budgets Leave CluesLegal Problems? Be Proactive, Not ReactiveThinking About Selling Your Business? Clean House NOWValuation is a Science—Find the Right ExpertsEmotional Intelligence—Check Your Feelings at the DoorThe FAR Rewrite: Advocate, Don’t Stay SilentConnect with the Guest Mrs. Cherylyn Harley LeBon,LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylyn-harley-lebon/Connect with the HostsCaitlin RuizLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caitlin-ruiz-m-s-cir-65a8962b/Robin DesmoreLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robindesmore/Call To Action:Listen or watch more episodes on our other platformsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/user/31jlhc2mmefwdlnf7il4inxlzgue?si=d12f5108888f4dbdLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/govcon-after-hours-podcast/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GovConAfterHours

Welcome to another episode of Govcon! Host Caitlin Ruiz and Dr. Robin Desmore explore AI Discussing compliance, innovation, and the challenging nature of AI in the industry. They touch on executive orders, Responsible AI Toolkits, and Avangard's evolving policies, highlighting AI's impact on processes, biases, and decision-making. From AI-generated resumes to the importance of clean data, human oversight, and industry dialogue, the conversation uncovers the nuances of AI in GovCon. Dive into the world of AI with valuable insights and perspectives in this engaging episodeConnect with Dr. Robin Desmore: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robindesmore/Episode Timestamps:00:00 - Intro03:28 - AI: Impact on Knowledge and Efficiency05:34 - Avangard's AI Policy and Client Focus06:32 - AI Conversations Amid Regulation Gaps11:34 - Setting AI Standards: Human Responsibility14:33 - Companies and Data Analytics Models16:14 - Oral Presentations in Proposal Processes20:07 - Operating Systems, Browsers, and AI Model23:17 - User Engagement in AI Integration27:59 - Secrecy for Competitive Advantage29:35 - OutroQuotes of the Episode"Learn from others who share insights and guide deeper exploration based on their experiences."-Dr. Robin Desmore"In AI, secrecy is crucial. Sharing details can fuel competition or hinder innovation, based on the approach." -Dr. Robin Desmore

Welcome to "GovCon After Hours," the podcast where we explore the world of government contracting over drinks. Hosted by Caitlin Ruiz, a GovCon recruiting specialist, and Dr. Robin Desmore, an expert in contracts and compliance, we aim to share real stories and insights in a casual, after-hours style.In this episode, we introduce ourselves and our vision of building a knowledge-sharing community that challenges the status quo in GovCon. Each episode will feature guests from the industry discussing topics from business challenges to innovative technologies like AI.Join us for an engaging conversation and insider stories from the GovCon sector. Cheers to demystifying government contracting together!Connect with Dr. Robin Desmore: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robindesmore/Website: https://avantgardeconceptsllc.com/Episode Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction00:27 - Key Success Factors: Functionality and Collaboration03:32 - Unraveling Complexities Through Casual Talks04:25 - Candid Networking After Hours05:11 - Uncovering Surprising Insights Across Networks06:53 - Addressing Hidden Worries in Our Field"09:01- Exploring the Industry's Unique Aspects11:42 - OutroQuote of the Episode:"We've learned that after hours, when we shed our outer layers, we open up about our true selves and realize many others share similar experiences." — Dr. Robin Desmore"Let’s talk about the things only a few discuss but everyone should. Let’s not just keep up; let’s get ahead." — Dr. Robin DesmorePowered by: Heartcast Media,http://www.heartcastmedia.com