In Pursuit with Mike Vichich — Government Technology & Public Sector Sales

Pursuit
  • 5.0 (1)
  • TECHNOLOGY

In Pursuit is a podcast about how government really works — how decisions are made, how procurement actually functions, and how progress gets built inside public sector systems. Each episode features candid conversations with government officials, procurement directors, policy practitioners, and private sector leaders navigating the intersection of business and government. We cover the decisions that happen long before a contract goes public, the relationships that shape policy, and the strategies that move the needle in public administration. If you work in government, sell to it, or want to understand how public sector decisions shape the world around you — In Pursuit gives you the access and context to navigate it.

Episodes

  1. In Pursuit with Mike Vichich | Jim Colangelo — A CPO’s Guide to Selling into Government

    MAR 27

    In Pursuit with Mike Vichich | Jim Colangelo — A CPO’s Guide to Selling into Government

    Former Michigan CPO Jim Colangelo breaks down how government procurement really works — and what vendors must know before the RFP ever drops. Timestamps: 00:00 The Triangle of Customers in Procurement 00:51 Introduction — Jim Colangelo's Background 01:55 20 Years in Procurement: What's Stayed the Same 03:34 Who Are Procurement's Real Customers? 05:05 How JetBlue Shaped Jim's Customer Service Philosophy 06:55 Public vs. Private Sector Procurement: The Real Differences 09:41 Why Working in Public Sector Is a Privilege 11:04 Why Government Procurement Takes Longer 13:13 The Real Sales Cycle: Rec to Check 14:43 Vendor Management & Stewardship of Taxpayer Dollars 16:29 Best Value vs. Lowest Bid 18:00 Can You Shortcut the Government Procurement Process? 19:55 The Formula — and Why Everyone's Is Different 21:30 RFP Thresholds and How Co-ops Work 24:35 What the Ideal Vendor Sales Cycle Looks Like 27:35 How Procurement Plans 18 Months Ahead 30:07 When the Business Knows Exactly What It Wants 31:39 Bid Protests: What Happens and Who's Accountable 34:44 How Scoring Committees Work 37:46 Small & Diverse Businesses in Government Procurement 39:10 Teaming & Subcontracting Strategies for Small Businesses 42:56 How to Change a Procurement Law or Code 46:30 How Jim Turned Around Michigan's Procurement Office 50:07 Leadership Lessons: Listening Before Leading 51:41 Simplifying Complex Organizations 57:36 AI in Procurement: What Should Change, What Should Stay 1:00:03 How to Break Into Government Sales — Jim's #1 Advice 1:01:41 The Biggest Mistake Vendors Make: Going Around Procurement

    1h 3m
  2. In Pursuit with Mike Vichich | Rick Snyder — Cybersecurity & AI for State Government

    MAR 3

    In Pursuit with Mike Vichich | Rick Snyder — Cybersecurity & AI for State Government

    Rick Snyder, Michigan's 48th Governor, shares how he built MEDC, led the nation in cybersecurity, and why AI is government's next big frontier.

    59 min
  3. In Pursuit with Mike Vichich | Kevin Smith, MI Deputy Treasurer — Rescuing Distressed Cities

    FEB 16

    In Pursuit with Mike Vichich | Kevin Smith, MI Deputy Treasurer — Rescuing Distressed Cities

    Michigan’s Deputy Treasurer on distressed communities, trust, and the evolving landscape of emergency management laws.

    1h 2m
  4. In Pursuit with Mike Vichich | Sandra Yu Stahl, Detroit CPO — How Cities Buy Technology

    FEB 6

    In Pursuit with Mike Vichich | Sandra Yu Stahl, Detroit CPO — How Cities Buy Technology

    Detroit CPO breaks down what vendors often misunderstand about government procurement and how cities really buy.

    41 min
  5. In Pursuit with Mike Vichich | Jared Ambrosier — Winning Government Contracts from Inside

    FEB 6

    In Pursuit with Mike Vichich | Jared Ambrosier — Winning Government Contracts from Inside

    Michigan procurement leader on timing, cooperative contracts, and building the right relationships to win public sector deals.

    1h 8m
  6. In Pursuit with Mike Vichich | Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen — Innovating Inside Government

    FEB 6

    In Pursuit with Mike Vichich | Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen — Innovating Inside Government

    Dr. Z reflects on NASA, risk management, government culture, and what it takes to drive innovation at scale.

    1h 1m
  7. In Pursuit with Mike Vichich | Mayor Christopher Taylor — How Cities Make Decisions

    FEB 5

    In Pursuit with Mike Vichich | Mayor Christopher Taylor — How Cities Make Decisions

    A conversation with Mayor Taylor on Ann Arbor’s biggest challenges and his vision for the city’s future.

    1h 4m
  • 7 Episodes

About

In Pursuit is a podcast about how government really works — how decisions are made, how procurement actually functions, and how progress gets built inside public sector systems. Each episode features candid conversations with government officials, procurement directors, policy practitioners, and private sector leaders navigating the intersection of business and government. We cover the decisions that happen long before a contract goes public, the relationships that shape policy, and the strategies that move the needle in public administration. If you work in government, sell to it, or want to understand how public sector decisions shape the world around you — In Pursuit gives you the access and context to navigate it.

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