When seeking federal government contracts, many business owners, especially small business owners, are often discouraged from trying because of the rigid qualification process and lack of adequate information. To help these entrepreneurs secure and successfully execute federal contracts, business coach and retired federal contracting officer Lori Smith established her company, Acu-Elligent LLC, to proffer brilliant solutions to how entrepreneurs can maximize their potential and develop an alignment and a clear roadmap towards achieving a healthy government-business relationship.
Hailing from Macon, GA, Lori Smith is a visionary leader with a strong entrepreneurial background. She holds a BS Degree in Resource Management from Troy University and a Master of Science in Education from the University of Oklahoma. After her tertiary education, she sought to widen her horizon of knowledge in the business sector. So she proceeded to the University of Phoenix, where she obtained her MA in Business. She is also a certified GrowthIQ Personality Assessment Evaluator, and has earned certifications in DAWIA and FAC-C Level III. Lori is also American Board certified as Hypnotherapist, Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), a NLP Coach, and is certified as a Time Line Therapy Practitioner as well.
Lori has an extensive resume spanning over four decades, where she worked with the federal government as a federal contracting officer until she retired recently. She proffered her expertise and fiscal oversight during her employment to direct a full range of contract administration actions such as overseeing a $128 billion portfolio, providing executive support, and human resources management services. She also developed a keen ability to recognize the various problems organizations and individuals seeking contracts with the Federal Government often face.
To nudge these entrepreneurs in the right direction and give them a competitive advantage, she founded her company, Acu-Elligent LLC – a business coaching and management consulting firm assisting black women-owned and other small businesses by helping them simplify the federal contracting process, obtain government contracts and successfully execute the contracts. “Black women-owned businesses, as well as other small businesses, get lost in the procedural aspect of government contracting. For some, it discourages them from engaging, and I want to change that,” she explained.
Lori’s consulting firm, Acu-Elligent LLC, boasts of a team of seasoned business strategists, mentors, professional trainers and thought leaders who employ expert industry knowledge to define and develop the most cost-effective solutions to help companies achieve their government contracting goals. The firm’s unique consulting approach is informed by its over seventy-five years of experience in orchestrating results amid the fast-paced environment of working with government agencies, policymakers, government contractors, end-users, suppliers and subcontractors. “Ever since our involvement in this sector, we have earned a stellar reputation for successfully proffering the best solution helping businesses navigate through opportunities and challenges through strategic positioning, relationship and resources.”
Additionally, this trailblazing businesswoman is a best-selling author of the book: book Winning Business Proposal Strategies for Success: How to Give Your Business the Winning Edge, Writing to Win More Customers, Clients, and Contracts. Other works include Customer Relationship Management: A Business Guide to Customer Relationship Management, Discovering Techniques for Attracting and Retaining Customers. Her latest effort, Business Development and Strategic Marketing: A Practical Guide for Business Owners, Understanding Business Development, Guidance for Orchestrating Strategic Marketing Plans for Success, will be published soon. Many of her peers and admirers describe her as a system thinker, capable of raising expectations while interfacing effectively with personnel at all levels. Her expertise lies in creating the masterful coaching conversation, paying attention to every detail, and nurturing a space for growth and opportunity that leads these clients to an overwhelming shift in outcomes.
Through Acu-Elligent LLC, Lori Smith continues to empower small business owners to articulate their vision and understand federal contract terms, federal regulations, pricing and billing regulations associated with doing business with the federal government.
Learn more about Lori Smith by visiting her LinkedIn.
