Podcast Guest Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

GovCon Chamber president Neil McDonnell teaches valuable federal sales skills and occasionally interviews government and industry experts who offer advice and insights to help Small Businesses succeed in the federal contracting space.

Event Title?

Government Contracting Success Podcast

Purpose

To provide key information and guidance to small businesses to help them present their offerings more effectively, while also learning about your organization.

Who is the Audience?

Primary Audience: Small business federal government contractors

Our listeners primarily include Small Business owners and their staff, who sell to the federal government. They are in Guam and the US Virgin Islands, and every state in between.

Secondary Audience: Large prime contractors, federal agency personnel, and supporting organizations like the WBCs and APEX Accelerators.

Time Commitment for Guest

60 Minute window will allow for pre/post discussion with host. Interview is 30 minutes.

We budget 60 minutes from start to finish:

  • 15 minutes for pre-recording tests and discussions
  • 30 minutes for recording
  • 15 minutes for post-recording discussions

Our podcast episodes are normally 30 minutes, but it's more like a guideline than an actual rule. We respect the immense time demands on our guests. Because we only discuss your area of expertise, we find the 15 minutes before a podcast starts sufficient.

Our interview will feel like you're having a comfortable 30-minute conversation with a small business who called with questions about your agency.

Prior to your scheduled interview, we'll send some basic read ahead notes to you. Additional materials or preparation are not required (i.e., no slides or handouts). However, we are happy to put links and materials on our webpage, as you wish.

What Are the Topics of Discussion?

We provide topic suggestions prior to the podcast for your review and welcome additional topics that you think would help our listeners.

The value to the listeners comes from a discussion between host and guest, so we keep the topics at a very high-level. Depending on the role of the guest, the questions would vary. For example, for a leadership guest we would ask questions around mission and strategy. For a small business specialist, we'd ask questions around successfully marketing a small business.

Below is an example of some topics we'd discuss with a small business professional:

  • What does your base buy?
  • What does your base use (e.g. IT) that maybe is procured elsewhere?
  • What is the mission of your base?
  • How can I meet program office people to learn more?
  • What are some best practices you'd recommend to smalls?
  • What frustrates you about smalls that we can diplomatically discuss for their improvement?
  • Who's engaged in the market research phase? Is there a large body of acquisition folks on site?
Presentation Format

Interview style education for small businesses delivered as an audio podcast and video log (vlog).

Think panel interview but usually a panel of one person.

The podcast interview is done in a conversational style, compared to a rigid presentation style.

Each podcast episode is designed to mimic what a small business representative would experience if they walked into your office and got 30 minutes to chat. You would talk with them about the basics of their business, then share some tips on how they can succeed in your organization, office, etc.

The true value is your candid advice to small businesses on how they can be successful, or learn more about your organization. We want to have that conversation with you once, then share it as broadly as we can across the country. In particular we are trying to reach those businesses who rarely, if ever, would be able to meet with you, and share your wisdom with them.

Who Are Your Typical Guests?

We typically look for current, federal government employees. They range from contracting officers or small business specialist at a single installation, to Department level leadership.

We also encourage industry experts to participate, when they can offer true, actionable tips a small business can follow.

Sample agencies that have already participated:

  • Army
  • Air Force
  • Navy
  • Marine Corp
  • EPA
  • Energy
  • Army Corp of Engineers
  • GSA
  • Interior
  • Education
  • Homeland Security (DHS)
  • Small Business Administration (SBA)
  • PTACs
  • As well as industry experts
Is This a Live or Recorded Event

Currently we record our podcast episodes with just the host and guest present or on the phone. We are exploring recording some of these episodes "live" which would allow small businesses to submit questions as they listen to the guest. Live recordings are currently an "opt in" format, meaning it is up to the guest's comfort level.

Who is the Host of This Event?

Neil McDonnell, Founder and President of the GovCon Chamber of Commerce.

How is the Interview Distributed?

Podcasts are distributed using Spreaker as the host provider of our content material. Each episode is further distributed on:

  • Spreaker
  • iTunes
  • Google Play
  • PlayerFM
  • Stitcher
  • TuneIn
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • our website
Honorable Guests Attending

None, other than the podcast guest.

Cost of Attendance

No cost. Event is provided free as an educational session to the industrial base.

Press Allowed?

They can attend but are not invited to attend or participate.

Is there a Q&A Period

None normally, as the podcast is either recorded with just the guest and host, or the event is a live discussion with all attendees on mute. The purpose is to inform industry more than enable a dialogue.

Event Web Site

None. Episodes are recorded and distributed through public podcast platforms.

Event Agenda

None. This is an informal interview to help share knowledge and insight with industry.

Disclaimer / Release Form Needed

None

Speaker Relationship

There is no relationship between the speaker / guest and anyone related to the event.

For Profit / Not for Profit

This is a not for profit activity.

Event Sponsor

There currently are no event sponsors. Expenses are covered by the GovCon Chamber of Commerce.

Offer of Payment or Reimbursement to Guest?

None

Deadline for Acceptance

N/A - as soon as approval is given, we'll schedule a time for the interview.

Coordinator Point of Contact
Origin of the Invitation?

Neil McDonnell, Host and President of the GovCon Chamber of Commerce