‘What Do You Think, How Do You Feel?’
I ask participants at the start of my workshops what comes to mind when I say the word “proposals”. I then ask the question again at the end of the workshop. I did this during a workshop in Baltimore this past week. It’s interesting to me to see the shift in thinking that can take place when someone has an opportunity to be introduced to and explore the core concepts and the ‘best practices’ related to proposals. Here’s the list from this past workshop.
BEFORE THE WORKSHOP –
I Think - I Feel
This is going to be very difficult – Anxious, nervous
I have no support, No one will help me – Frustrated, angry
I don’t know how to do this - Intimidated
I hate doing this - Annoyed
No one understands what I do - Abandoned
AFTER THE WORKSHOP –
I Think - I Feel
This is an opportunity - Excited
I understand my role - Eager to assist
There’s a logical process to follow - Competent, equipped
I know why we’re doing this - Energized, psyched
This is important - Valued.
This is after a 1 day workshop. So, I guess that might explain why I am so “Passionate About Proposals”. After all, I’ve been exploring, working with and discussing proposals for how many years now? :-)
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Hi – wondering about if you have any recommendations for automation tools for proposals. (other than home grown).
thanks!
Catherine
Hi, Catherine
We try and keep a fairly impartial position on tools and have good relationships with most of the vendors out there. That said, we’ve been involved with a number of clients who’ve had success with the Pragmatech toolset (http://www.pragmatech.com) and would very happily recommend these folks. (They’re good, trustworthy people to work with, too).
Of course, building the content is just as important as selecting the tool (there are a few posts going back on the blog with advice on this front).
Hope that helps?
All the best
Jon
My company just purchased Pragmatech (The RFP Machine). Although we have a long way to go, I am very excited about the possibilities. Before making our decision we requested proposals (of course) from both Pragmatech and one other software company. The choice for us was easy just based on the “package” of the proposal. Can you believe the competitor didn’t even use their own software to complete the proposal. That’s like going into Starbucks and the employees are drinking Dunkin Donuts coffee. What’s up with that…
However, It was nice to be on the receiving side of a proposal for once. Good luck