Posted by BJ
In a previous post I wrote about my brother-in-law, David, preparing a meal for a dinner party. I spoke about how he started preparations for the meal some 8+ hours before it was to be served.
As I was discussing with David and my brother Ken the parallels to proposal preparation – getting started well before the RFP was released – my brother asked, “And did you notice what David did first?”
In a previous post I wrote about my brother-in-law, David, preparing a meal for a dinner party. I spoke about how he started preparations for the meal some 8+ hours before it was to be served.
As I was discussing with David and my brother Ken the parallels to proposal preparation – getting started well before the RFP was released – my brother asked, “And did you notice what David did first?”
“David began by clearing the kitchen counter, emptying the trash and checking the edge on my knives.” (David hadn’t brought his own knives and was using Ken’s, which he found to be somewhat dull. Ken brought out his knife sharpener and David sharpened each of the knives.)
We discussed this parallel to proposals. Rather than jumping into things, David took the time to prepare his work area and his tools. Having the proper tools and an appropriately set up work space allowed David to then focus on the task at hand, rather than having to repeatedly stop to find a tool or to make room to work.
It is the same with proposal development.. Those who have an appropriate space in which to work and the necessary equipment and tools, are able to focus on the task at hand – developing and are able to work much more effectively and efficiently…resulting in higher-impact, higher-quality responses.
We discussed this parallel to proposals. Rather than jumping into things, David took the time to prepare his work area and his tools. Having the proper tools and an appropriately set up work space allowed David to then focus on the task at hand, rather than having to repeatedly stop to find a tool or to make room to work.
It is the same with proposal development.. Those who have an appropriate space in which to work and the necessary equipment and tools, are able to focus on the task at hand – developing and are able to work much more effectively and efficiently…resulting in higher-impact, higher-quality responses.