[sir0010010]

As a SWE that has only ever worked for an employer or on his own projects, this makes me wonder: how would someone even get such a contract? Did this person already have a consulting business? Do you just call up random hospitals and ask if you can demo an inventory management system for them? Did this person already know people at the hospital? I know technical folks that do independent consulting, but even with a vibecoded product, how is it that anyone can just get such a contract?

[ActorNightly]

Frictional money.

People really have a misconception about the sums of money that companies operate on on a regular basis. If you are a people person and know essentially how to sell yourself, you can "scrape" money on the fact that nobody is going to look or think too hard about some contract that represents a tiny fraction of the years budget.

[wild_egg]

That still leaves the question of how one gets their foot in the door. Lots of us are aware of the budgets but we don't get how's sales work at that level.

[h317]

The only way something like this would work is through "networking", and trust that you are capable of delivering.

[all2]

I'm practical terms, go to where the decision makers are and shmooz with them. It's a numbers game. Eventually someone will say yes.

[johnnyanmac]

That's what it means to be a "people person" in the context of trying to sell a product, yes. Getting within 2 degrees of a decision maker can open up millions for you, while being a rounding error for every company you work with.

[ramoz]

He's already in the whole consulting sphere around these hospitals in his area.