Cresco Crafted

Craft Your Path to Contracting Success.

Tips for proposal development, government contracting, business development, and more.

Ashley Johnson Ashley Johnson

NAICS Codes: Your Essential Guide to Government Contracting Success

Think of NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) codes as your business's DNA sequence in the government contracting world. Just like your DNA tells your unique story, these six-digit codes tell the government exactly what your business does. Created by the U.S. Census Bureau, NAICS codes are like a universal language that helps the government understand and categorize different types of businesses.

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Ashley Johnson Ashley Johnson

Creating a Winning Capability Statement: A Comprehensive Guide for Government Contractors

In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the essential elements that make capability statements successful, drawing from actual feedback from contracting officers and real-world examples that have helped businesses secure government contracts. Whether you're new to government contracting or looking to improve your success rate, you'll learn exactly how to create a capability statement that gets your company noticed and remembered.

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Ashley Johnson Ashley Johnson

Color Team Reviews: The Complete Guide to Proposal Review Process

Your proposal has 30 minutes to grab the evaluator's attention. In the high-stakes world of government and corporate contracting, that first impression can make or break your chance at winning. This is where Color Team Reviews become your secret weapon.

I've guided teams through hundreds of proposal reviews, and I can tell you firsthand: a structured review process isn't just helpfulβ€”it's essential for winning contracts consistently. In this comprehensive guide, I'll walk you through everything you need to know about Color Team Reviews, from basic concepts to advanced implementation strategies.

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Building Your Government Contracting Foundation: A Comprehensive Guide to Your First 90 Days

Ready to transform your service business through government contracting? Our 2025 roadmap breaks down the process into actionable quarterly goals, from initial registration to winning your first contract. With federal spending on services at record levels and enhanced small business support, now is the ideal time to enter the federal marketplace.

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Ashley Johnson Ashley Johnson

Grants vs RFPs: A Small Business Owner's Guide to Understanding the Differences

Let me paint you a picture: It's 7 AM, and you're sipping your morning coffee while scrolling through potential business opportunities. Your janitorial business has been doing well for the past three years, but you know there's room for growth. Suddenly, you spot two interesting prospects - a government grant and a Request for Proposal (RFP). They both look promising, but wait... aren't they the same thing?

As someone who's helped numerous small business owners navigate these waters, I can tell you they're as different as a mop and a vacuum cleaner - both useful, but designed for different purposes. Let's break down these differences in a way that makes sense for busy service-based business owners like you.

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Proposal Development, Proposal Graphics Ashley Johnson Proposal Development, Proposal Graphics Ashley Johnson

The Non-Designer's Guide to Proposal Graphics (Part One)

Creating professional proposal graphics doesn't require expensive software or a design degree. As a small business owner competing for government contracts, you can make your proposals stand out with the right tools and basic design principles. From organizational charts to process flows, well-designed graphics help evaluators quickly grasp your value proposition. Tools like Canva, Draw.io, and VistaCreate offer user-friendly, affordable solutions for non-designers. By focusing on clarity, consistent branding, and strategic use of white space, you can develop compelling visuals that strengthen your proposals and increase your win probability.

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Proposal Development, Client Research, Source Ashley Johnson Proposal Development, Client Research, Source Ashley Johnson

Master Client Research: The Foundation of Winning Proposals

Picture this: You're a small business owner, eyeing a lucrative government contract. The potential for growth is immense, but as you stare at the blank proposal document, uncertainty creeps in. How do you stand out? What does the client really want? The answer lies not in what you write, but in what you know before you start writing. Welcome to the art of pre-proposal planning and the science of client research – your secret weapons in the competitive world of government contracting.

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Free Compliance Matrix Template

Download your free copy of the compliance matrix now and take the first step towards success!