Posted by BJ under Proposal Panda | 
On my trip to South Africa to present an APMP Foundation Level Accreditation Preparation Workshop and Exam and to act as Master of Ceremonies, Honored guest and presenter at the 2nd Annual South African APMP Conference I picked up Proposal Panda.
He returned to the States with me and he accompanied me to the recent Noreasters Chapter of APMP Annual Symposium. He was glad to see old friends there, many with whom he had visited and shared adventures.
He left the conference with a new friend who is a surfer and skateboarder and he was hoping to get in some skate and wave time before heading to his next host. Watch for the story and pictures on this visit to appear here soon.
Proposal Panda is looking for other proposal groups to visit so if you’d like to act as host, please do let us know (send an email to bj@strategicproposals.com) and will arrange for him to come for a visit. Your only obligation in having him visit with you is to send us a story and pictures afterwards (and to make sure he doesn’t get up to any mischief.)
Posted by Proposal Panda under Proposal Panda |
I recently travelled to Houston, Texas to attend the First Annual APMP Texas All-Star Symposium. I arrived a couple of days early to meet up with Jeannette Waldie, APM.APMP, a Sr. Proposal Specialist with AECOM. She was kind enough to let me borrow her baseball cap that said “Passionate about Proposals” in Latin.
The next day, it was “Go Texan Day,” where Houstonians celebrate the start of the Houston Rodeo, the largest indoor rodeo in the world. I enjoyed a panda-sized pecan tart.
Jeannette was busy getting ready for the Texas Symposium and asked if I was willing to help with Registration. So the night before the conference, I met up with the Registration Team and got to know Pam Silverthorn, Ruth Marcom, and Ismael Garza. Mark Wigginton from Shipley also joined in the fun.
Conference Texas Style
The next morning, I was up bright and early and helped everyone set things up before folks arrived. Then I joined BJ as he welcomed everyone to the conference.
The rest of the day I spent at the APMP Information Table telling folks about the wonderful benefits of the organization and about the Accreditation Program. I also got lots of questions about my adventures visiting proposal professionals around the globe!
Ride ‘Em Cowboy
The next day, I went out and got me some cowboy duds. Then off to the Livestock Show we went.
Since 1932, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo raises funds for education and youth programs. Every year they put on the largest indoor rodeo and livestock show in the world. First we went to the Exhibit Hall to make sure I had all the cowboy gear I needed.
Then we went to see the livestock.
B J had bet that I couldn’t ride a horse, so I set off to find a professional cowboy who would teach me how to ride.
Ride ‘em, Cowboy Panda! Yup, BJ, that is a real horse!
After my exciting ride, we hit the midway.
Finishing the Ride
Before I left, I met with the Board of the Greater Houston Chapter and helped give the Conference Report. Established over 10 years ago, the Houston Chapter is one of the oldest APMP chapters.
Then it was time to say goodbye and head off to my next stop with Joseph Hans with Trinity Consulting, located in Virginia. The Texas Symposium was a great day and learning to ride a horse was amazing. Thanks to Jeannette and the Symposium Committee for their hospitality. I’m looking forward to seeing the wonderful folks I met when we all attend the APMP National conference in June.
Proposal Panda travels the world visiting proposal professionals. Click here for more details. If you’d like Panda to visit you, just email us at panda@theproposalguys.com
Posted by Proposal Panda under Proposal Panda |
As a music lover, I was so excited when I arrived in Nashville “Music City U.S.A.”, Tennessee to visit Jeff Elkins and Robin Davis, both independent proposal consultants. I arrived just before Christmas and it was very cold so my first stop was the Goodwill store to pick up this toasty little sweater. 
The city was alive with the sights and sounds of the season – quite literally. Leaving the Goodwill store, I ran into my first celebrity. Well, celebrity-in-the-making, perhaps. Jim was volunteering as a Salvation Army bell ringer but is also a singer/songwriter. Of course he is – Nashville is filled with a bazillion musicians, including my hosts who used to play together in a band called Strat 5. Anyway, Jim was kind enough to let me sit in with him while he played “Silent Night.” In return, I generously donated to the red bucket. I hope Jim makes it big someday.
Hangin’ out on the Bench
I first spent time with Jeff in Hendersonville, TN (home of Grammy winning country/pop star Taylor Swift). Almost before I was unpacked, Jeff requested I review Jeff’s notes on a current project and help him craft an executive summary. Once I started working I realized I could help Jeff by recommending some changes to the layout of his home office that would make things more efficient.
Jeff had a meeting that afternoon with one of his clients and he suggested I come along. Once there we reviewed the strategy on a multi-million dollar proposal for a large government municipality; my global expertise came in VERY handy, and my previous experience with IT companies really helped me translate the key messages from “tech speak.”
The next day Jeff had an orientation meeting with the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee (CFMT), which supports a wide range of needs in Tennessee. Jeff loaned me a Netbook for that meeting and I loved it —it was just my size!
On my last evening there, Jeff and I kicked back and played a little bluegrass, which is one of his other passions. I really enjoyed picking his mandolin on some of those old-time country tunes – we even tried our hand at “I May BE a Panda But I Won’t Panda To You.” It was a great way to wrap up the first week in Nashville.
Rockin’ Robin, tweet, tweedle-lee-dee
Next, I headed on over to visit with a good friend of Jon and BJ, Robin Davis. On the day I arrived, Robin was documenting the proposal process she designed for a client. Since I’ve been around so many different shops, she asked me to help ensure she was following best practices. I offered some advice on ways to make the process more efficient and then got busy making a flowchart for the client’s team to review. Robin then asked me to help create the proposal process training presentation for the client’s sales team. A perfect task for me since I’m a master presenter! I quickly whipped up a compelling and fun presentation and coached Robin on how to deliver it in the most effective way.
After a quick trip to Starbucks for a hot non-fat Chai tea latte (I asked if they might have a bamboo shoot to put in it but, as seems to be the case at most coffee shops I’ve visited, they didn’t have any.) While Robin was on a call with a prospective client, I monitored her Twitter account for her. That was pretty cool. There’s SO much information out there – some useful, some pretty strange - it was a blast!
Time for some fun
After a fair amount of working time, I was in need of some serious downtime. So, Robin and Jeff took me around to see the sights of the city. I can’t do that on an empty belly so our first stop was the Hard Rock Café on the banks of the Cumberland River. There was great music, fun memorabilia to look at, and an overpriced, but tasty, cheeseburger. Proposal Panda cannot live on Bamboo alone.
Nashville is the official “Home of Country Music” so we headed over to the mother church of country music, the Ryman Auditorium. The Ryman was the home of the Grand Ole Opry from 1943-1974, and today, still hosts some of the hottest acts around. My hosts tell me this place has the best acoustics in town, even though you have to sit on hard wooden church benches.
Next on our list was the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. The building is designed to look like a piano keyboard! 
The Museum, established in 1961, includes a vast collection of items that tells the story of country music history. The Museum hosts regular live performances and public programs, and also includes a Museum Store and on-site dining. I had great time learning about the dramatic history of country music and I have a new-found respect for it.
But, this is music city so it’s not just about country music. Around the corner from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, home of the Nashville Symphony. 
Built in 2006, the building takes up a full city block and was inspired by many of the world’s greatest symphony halls built in Europe in the 19th century. The hall features a custom-built concert organ and a convertible seating system that is designed to give the hall unique versatility. My hosts had the privilege of playing on the Schermerhorn stage and can attest to the hall’s acoustic clarity and warmth
After the Schermerhorn, we walked a block to Lower Broadway – host to a multitude of honky tonks and shops. We visited a fun little shop that offers tourists their fill of Nashville-themed trinkets. I resisted getting the giant blue foam cowboy hat that caught my eye – Robin and Jeff said it wouldn’t fit in my box. ☹ Right outside of the store I ran into Elvis. That’s right, ELVIS!! Ok, not the real one, but a cool statue of him, nonetheless. I rested on his guitar neck while the three of us belted out Blue Suede Shoes. Here I was in Music City U.S.A., singing on the street, just like many other struggling musicians. For just a moment, I got to experience what it must be like to chase your musical dreams.
Ya’ll come back now, ya hear?
Well, it’s that time again and I must move on to visit new people and experience new places. Nashville was a blast and I enjoyed spending time with Jeff and Robin. I’m looking forward to seeing them again when we all attend the APMP National conference in June.
Proposal Panda travels the world visiting proposal professionals. Click here for more details. If you’d like Panda to visit you, just email us at panda@theproposalguys.com
Posted by Jon and BJ under Proposal Guys news, Proposal Panda, Word play & writing |
You know, it’s a very small step from “Impossible” to “I’m possible“. Here’s wishing you every happiness for the festive season, and hoping that you achieve every “possible” success in 2010.
We’ll be taking a seasonal break from posting for the next couple of weeks. See you back here at the very start of the new decade…
With very best wishes to all of our many readers
Jon and BJ – and Proposal Panda!
Posted by Proposal Panda under Proposal Panda |
When the Proposal Panda arrived in our Chicago headquarters, he was ready to work, but after a long, successful year of completing more than 500 proposal requests, our proposal team was looking for a little downtime to work on special projects that had put on the “back burner” all year long. The Proposal Panda debated that we must stay focused and find ways to learn from our experiences and conduct proposal debriefs during this time. We asked the Proposal Panda to pick a proposal so we could follow his lead. As you can see, he had a lot to choose from, and these are only the proposals that requested a hard copy binder!
After we conducted our proposal debrief, we could tell that the Proposal Panda was a bit tired and needed a break. One of the advantages of visiting this time of year is that Proposal staff can actually step away from their desk and have lunch! While determining where to head out for a bite to eat, Proposal Panda rested and enjoyed or magnificent views of the Chicago skyline.
While taking in the sites from up high, Proposal Panda immediately became intrigued by the “bean-like” sculpture in Millennium Park. Proposal staff quickly shared some history that the sculpture is really called the “Cloud Gate” and was created by British artist Anish Kapoor. The Proposal Panda was so excited and was ready to take a break and start seeing what the City of Chicago was all about!
The Proposal Panda showed his strength by getting a little crazy and lifted the 110-ton elliptical sculpture forged of a seamless series of highly polished stainless steel plates, which reflect the city’s famous skyline and the clouds above. Inspired by liquid mercury, the sculpture is among the largest of its kind in the world, measuring 66-feet long by 33-feet high; however, the weight and size is no match for the power of the Panda!
After we left the Millennium Park, the Proposal Panda was interested in seeing more architecture and sites of the City. We headed over to the Richard J. Daley Center which is Chicago’s premier civic center and features a massive sculpture by Pablo Picasso. Known by locals simply as “The Picasso,” this renowned sculpture was one of the first of many public art installations throughout Chicago.
During the holidays, the Daley Center features the Christkindlemarket. It is a popular exhibit and many Chicagoans will tell you they could not imagine the holidays in the city without it. The market features a unique shopping experience that includes German food and drinks and holiday entertainment.
The Panda’s favorite part of the market was the Christmas tree. In the past, the tree was made from 100 trees compiled together to make one massive tree. This year, a family in Palos Park, a suburb of Chicago, donated a tree from their backyard. The Proposal Panda was amazed by its size and magnitude. He got a little too excited and tried to pull some ornaments, but you can see the rope that is holding it up…primarily tied to the tree to avoid it from falling over from the Panda’s antics!
Proposal Panda reported that he thoroughly enjoyed his trip to Chicago and looks forward to visiting again when the weather is a bit warmer and he could maybe take in a Cubs game.
Proposal Panda travels the world visiting proposal professionals. Click here for more details. If you’d like Panda to visit you, just email us at panda@theproposalguys.com
Posted by Proposal Panda under Proposal Panda |
SPAC CONFERENCE – Atlanta, Georgia (Friday, October 30, 2009)
I got to attend the 13th Annual Southern Proposal Accents Conference (SPAC). The Georgia Chattahoochee, Carolinas, and Florida Sunshine Chapters of the APMP did a great job (as always) on this year’s conference. Thanks for letting me Volunteer.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN (Saturday, October 31, 2009)
It’s Halloween!! Rainy day, so my Host, Joni Charron (Proposal Manager with Eclipsys Corporation), said it would not be a good idea to trick or treat, being that I’m a stuffed animal and all. Just the same, I was all set with my costume (I’m “Pandy Corn”)….and the best part was I had color…no black and white pictures for me!
PROPOSAL PANDA MEETS “THE BIG CHICKEN”
Built in 1963, this Marietta, Georgia landmark is a 56 foot tall chicken head (made of sheet metal) and is designed to rotate with the beak opening & closing. The Big Chicken is commonly used as a landmark for driving directions — “make a turn at the Big Chicken”, or “it’s about 2 miles past the Big Chicken.”
TIME TO EAT
Hey…fried chicken can be quite messy!
Go Falcons (Atlanta’s football team); hey, that’s also a bird!
IT’S MONDAY – GOTTA WORK (November 2, 2009)
Eclipsys Corporation, a large healthcare information software and services company, is based in Atlanta, Georgia. The 9 proposal team members are hard-working telecommuters who gather in the office on an “as needed” basis for team meetings, proposal production and training.
On this particular day, Proposal Panda helped us out by providing some required officer’s signatures – Thanks Proposal Panda – we hate chasing down the CEO!
MY NEW PROPOSAL MANTRA
“The ultimate inspiration is the deadline”
Enjoyed my visit in the Atlanta, Georgia area…Off I go to Peachtree City, GA
Proposal Panda travels the world visiting proposal professionals. Click here for more details. If you’d like Panda to visit you, just email us at panda@theproposalguys.com
Posted by Proposal Panda under Proposal Panda |
My mission to South Africa was to be a Proposal Pioneer at the first ever AGM of the local APMP chapter. I even have a certificate to prove it. For those of you who don’t understand cryptic TLA’s, too bad – refer to the table of abbreviations on page 999 of the proposal I forgot to attach. So here I am with all the other pioneers – that’s me next to the flag in the front row. I’m glad I arrived by plane and car rather than by ox-wagon. Nor did I have to eat any of that vile beef jerky they call biltong. Bamboo shoots are hard to come by in Africa, but the locals were friendly and that tree in the background tasted good.
Sporting my new cap, I took some time off to go on safari to the local zoo. This elephant tickled my ear – how rude! Unfortunately my hectic globe-trotting schedule didn’t allow for a trip to the Kruger Park game reserve to see the rest of the animals known as the Big 5. And I’ll have to save Cape Town for next time. They say Table Mountain and the wine-lands are amazing. And the garden route sounds worth exploring. I fancy a pony trek in the Drakensberg and a beach holiday on the wild coast to unleash the wild panda within. I’ll be back for their first APMP conference!
Refreshed after my safari, I took the time to inspire Wendy Word, a local proposal witch. In my absence, she will continue the work I started. I shared with her some secrets on how to motivate bid teams in the dead of night and discouraged her from making potions for them to drink. Instead I showed her how to make a mean cup of coffee and explained what Red Bull does.
Wendy Word in turn told me about the NOSE she uses for persuasive proposals, and the 10 tips she trains nFold customers to use. I thought she meant her own pointy nose, but was too polite to ask. I’d forgotten all about Need Outcome Solution and Evidence to make my proposals more client-focused and differentiated. It never hurts to re-visit the basics, so I decided to brush up on Tom Sant’s persuasive methodology by reading his classic and his latest books. I liked his concept of avoiding the pseudo-languages: fluff, guff, geek and weasel, in “The Language of Success” and found it an easy read. Even my emails have improved.
As a famous bear, I’m quite used to the Paparazzi by now. But even I was stunned by how eager the local journalists are to meet me. Here I am motivating for a radio interview by phone. I have a few meetings planned with the local business community before I leave. And I’ve managed to round up a few more subscribers to my blog. Wendy Word has started a blog of her own. I guess we’ll compare notes from time to time. It’s great to have a new friend in proposals, even if she is a witch. And I guess that’s why the South Africans started the local chapter of APMP. There’s nothing like moral support to cheer one up. It’s nice to know you’re not the only bear trying to meet a proposal deadline – doing the impossible, with the unwilling, for the ungrateful.
Proposal Panda travels the world visiting proposal professionals. Click here for more details. If you’d like Panda to visit you, just email us at panda@theproposalguys.com
