Struggling to hire the right people, especially before a contract award? In this episode of Game Changers for Government Contractors, host Michael LeJeune talks with recruiting expert Al Vega about what it really takes to build a talent pipeline in GovCon. From cleared candidates to proposal recruiting, Al shares why “hypothetical recruiting” is critical to success and how to keep candidates warm with newsletters, transparency, and early engagement. Learn why recruiters are your brand ambassadors, the red flags to watch for in staffing firms, and when it’s time to bring in professional help. If you want to win more and deliver flawlessly, this episode is your roadmap to smarter hiring in government contracting.
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Featured Guest:	Al Vega	Company:	Founder & CEO, CLERCO

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In this episode of Game Changers for Government Contractors, host Michael LeJeune breaks down the four essential pillars for scaling a government contracting business: People and Education, Delivery, Testing and Measuring, and Systems and Technology. Learn why hiring A and B players, refining onboarding, and investing in staff education are critical for growth. Michael also shares how consistent, high-quality delivery builds client trust, how disciplined testing can improve proposal wins, and why you should build processes before buying new technology. Whether you’re a startup contractor or managing a growing team, this episode provides a practical, step-by-step framework to remove bottlenecks, drive sustainable growth, and create a business that scales without burning you out. If you’re ready to take your GovCon business to the next level, this episode is packed with actionable insights.

Featured Guest:	Michael LeJeune	Company:	Partner, RSM Federal
Email:	mlejeune@rsmfederal.com	Phone:	(636)-577-5005

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In this episode of Game Changers for Government Contractors, host Michael LeJeune is joined by Christa Williams and Erin Olenjack from Bank of America’s government contracting team for a candid and practical discussion about what contracting officers and bankers wish every contractor knew.

Erin, a former contracting officer, unpacks the most common misconceptions about KO relationships—like why you may never hear back after sending an email, why it’s not personal, and how to communicate with purpose and clarity. She also dives into the strategic value of pre-solicitation engagement and explains why blindly chasing contracting officers won’t move the needle—building relationships with program offices will.

Christa brings clarity to the often misunderstood banking side of GovCon, explaining why having a contract in hand doesn’t guarantee financing, how banks evaluate risk differently than factoring companies, and when to bring in alternative lenders like Republic Capital Access. She shares why diversification, proactive planning, and relationship-building before you need money are key to your growth strategy.

Whether you’re brand new to federal contracting or scaling up to pursue $25M+ contracts, this episode is loaded with real talk, smart strategy, and actionable tips to help you grow your business with confidence and avoid costly missteps.
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In this episode of Game Changers for Government Contractors, host Michael LeJeune reveals five hidden profit levers that can dramatically improve your bottom line—without spending a dime on more leads. Drawing from decades of experience and over $14.5 billion in contract wins, Michael shares smarter ways to grow by improving your conversion rate, increasing average sale size, boosting transaction frequency, and tightening profit margins. You’ll learn how small adjustments—from refining proposals to reducing overhead—can generate significant returns. If you’re chasing growth by just submitting more bids or hiring more BD staff, this episode will show you a better, more profitable path. Plus, get a special offer for a free strategy call when you leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

Featured Guest:	Michael LeJeune	Company:	Partner, RSM Federal
Email:	mlejeune@rsmfederal.com	Phone:	(636)-577-5005

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The GSA schedule just became the hottest asset in government contracting. In this episode of Game Changers for Government Contractors, host Michael LeJeune sits down with RSM Federal sales strategist Rich Ernest to break down why GSA schedules are more critical than ever thanks to a recent executive order pushing 400–500% more spending through them. They expose costly myths, explain why getting a schedule doesn’t guarantee success, and outline how to market your schedule effectively. Whether you go the DIY route or hire help, this episode shows you how to do it smartly, avoid rip-offs, and position your company to win once you’re on schedule. Don’t wait! Missing out on this shift could lock you out of the federal market.
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Featured Guest:	Rich Earnest	Company:	Co-Founder, Earnest Consulting
Email:	rich.earnest@betteryourcompany.com	Phone:	765-293-4980

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