Maybe the hardest job in writing clear RFP responses is mustering the discipline to use one term — and only one term – for every concept. On Leo Tolstoy’s 186th birthday, he still has a lesson for us in this regard, believe it or not. Continue reading“RFP Responses are Not “War and Peace””
The Fourth P of Selling
Like all sales, winning contracts by responding to RFPs doesn’t happen without significant, sustained effort. First, it takes time to learn the ropes. But even when you know what you’re doing, the hit rate is about that of a successful major league batter: between 1 in 5 and 1 in 3. A lesson I learned from selling my book applies equally well in bidding on contracts. Continue reading“The Fourth P of Selling”
Virtual Launch
Authors promoting their books often hold launches/parties, complete with readings of enticing excerpts. I’m doing my own version of a book launch, getting a copy of my book into clients’ hands, dropping off review copies with newspaper business editors and bloggers, contacting educational institutions, and doing the meet-&-greet at business and industry associations.
So far, so good.
But I can’t quite resist doing a virtual reading for my readers. Herewith, one excerpt from my book – an anecdote that supports my recommendation to keep the team structure simple . . . Continue reading“Virtual Launch”
Did It Hurt?
Responding to RFPs requires the ability to see different possible interpretations of every question. Here’s an example of how to do it. Continue reading“Did It Hurt?”
Forms
A Polite Request to RFP Writers (#2)
When you want data, not narrative, give bidders a form to complete. Continue reading“Forms”