The potential customer’s always right?
What a surreal conversation, played out towards 10pm on Friday evening. I just had to transcribe it as accurately as I could straight afterwards…
My mobile phone rings: “Is that Strategic Proposals?” asks the heavily-accented stranger.
“It is indeed. I’m Jon: I run our UK business. How may I help?”
“Do you help people to win contracts, then?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“OK. I’ve found a contract that we want to win. I’ll send you the details, OK?”
“Erm… OK.”
“And then you’ll write the proposal for us. That’s really great. Is there anything else we need to do ourselves at any point, or can you do it all from here?”
Where does one start?!
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ahh, Jon … 90% of our RFPs come in with a similar email – “let me know if you need anything from me” We’ve been 5 years helping them to understand that we needs LOTS more. Everyone’s looking for someone to do the hard work. Happy Monday!
Wow – you can DO that? I wish I’d known that. That would make my job ever so much easier :’)
Amen, Jon. On a recent project, I sent out a follow up email with a list of questions for the Program SME to complete, and I quickly received a call from the Finance Director. “Jeff,” he said, “You responded to a previous RFP for us – you’re the expert! You go ahead and answer these. Just put what you think is best. We’re sure it will be fine.”
I toyed with the idea of doubling my rate if I’m going to be both writer AND SME, but I’m already performing a disservice in this situation if the defined “Win” includes a signed contract…
I really enjoy the engagements where the team is engaged!