Posted by BJ
One of our readers (hey there Ruth and how’s things down South Carolina way? I imagine it’s a bit warmer than the sub freezing temperatures up here in NH) recently sent me what she called a “stump the proposal guys question.” (Jon and I enjoy the challenge of answering reader’s questions and would encourage other readers to submit questions.)
I had to smile when I read Ruth’s question, as I have a fondness for derivations of words, phrases, expressions etc. and Ruth asked, “How did Black Hat reviews come to be named thus?” Great question Ruth and thanks for asking. (This question surely would have won a prize if you’d asked it of the Big Professor*).
Now, I know the majority of you, especially any one who has taken the APMP Foundation Level Accreditation Exam as this question comes up almost every time, will know that a Black Hat review is one in which the strengths and weaknesses of your offer and position are reviewed against those of the probable competition.
As to how a review of this information came to be referred to as a Black Hat review, I’m pretty sure I know the answer. However, before I confirm my answer, with Ruth’s permission, I wanted to first pose the question to our reader’s, as I suspect a few of you (especially our good friend Jay Herther, government proposal guru that he is) will have the correct answer.
Once we’ve heard from a few readers, Jon and I will confirm the answers and offer comment.
* The Big Professor was a character on a children’s show – the Sandy Becker show – seen in NY in the 60’s (way before your time Jon). Viewers could submit questions and if the professor deemed them worthy, would win a prize. A cousin of mine won a prize for the question, “What makes popcorn pop.”)
One of our readers (hey there Ruth and how’s things down South Carolina way? I imagine it’s a bit warmer than the sub freezing temperatures up here in NH) recently sent me what she called a “stump the proposal guys question.” (Jon and I enjoy the challenge of answering reader’s questions and would encourage other readers to submit questions.)
I had to smile when I read Ruth’s question, as I have a fondness for derivations of words, phrases, expressions etc. and Ruth asked, “How did Black Hat reviews come to be named thus?” Great question Ruth and thanks for asking. (This question surely would have won a prize if you’d asked it of the Big Professor*).
Now, I know the majority of you, especially any one who has taken the APMP Foundation Level Accreditation Exam as this question comes up almost every time, will know that a Black Hat review is one in which the strengths and weaknesses of your offer and position are reviewed against those of the probable competition.
As to how a review of this information came to be referred to as a Black Hat review, I’m pretty sure I know the answer. However, before I confirm my answer, with Ruth’s permission, I wanted to first pose the question to our reader’s, as I suspect a few of you (especially our good friend Jay Herther, government proposal guru that he is) will have the correct answer.
Once we’ve heard from a few readers, Jon and I will confirm the answers and offer comment.
* The Big Professor was a character on a children’s show – the Sandy Becker show – seen in NY in the 60’s (way before your time Jon). Viewers could submit questions and if the professor deemed them worthy, would win a prize. A cousin of mine won a prize for the question, “What makes popcorn pop.”)
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