rfp

Lucy chats to founder of Graphic Novel Reading Room, Gabi Putnoki.

GNRR is a regular event where people can read graphic novels in other people’s company in a relaxed space such as a cafe, a community centre or a library. A wide selection of graphic novels are provided to chose from, mainly long-form fiction and non-fiction. The sessions can be anything from a couple of hours to a whole day and people can come and go freely.

Follow GNRR on social media:
Insta: @graphicnovelreadingroom
Web: www.graphicnovelreadingroom.com

Links to everything  discussed in this episode  can be found on the podcast padlet.

You can SUPPORT the podcast by buying a comic or buying me a comic at: https://ko-fi.com/lucysb

Producer and Host: @Lucy_Braidley
Contact: comicboompodcast@gmail.com

Music by John_Sib from Pixabay

In this episode of YouShouldTalkTo, Daniel Weiner sits down with Robert Berris, the Chief Innovation Officer at Brightwell. They cut through the noise and get real about the challenges and opportunities in innovation. Berris brings a fresh take on co-creation, emphasizing the need for client collaboration from the get-go.

The conversation shifts gears to the often-dreaded RFP process. Both agree it's broken. Berris offers a no-nonsense approach: no decision-maker in the room, no proposal. It's that simple. He argues for a process that values meaningful questions over price tags.

Lastly, they delve into the complexities of navigating a regulated industry like payments. Berris shares his ongoing journey to validate new ideas in a space where MVPs are a no-go. The episode wraps with insights that challenge conventional wisdom, making it a must-listen for anyone looking to shake up their business strategy.

Guest-at-a-Glance

💡 Name: Robert Berris, Chief Innovation Officer at Brightwell

💡Noteworthy: Expert in innovation, emphasizes client collaboration and challenges conventional RFP processes.

💡 Where to find them: LinkedIn

Key Insights:

Standing Out in a Saturated Market:

Robert emphasizes the need for agencies to differentiate themselves by showcasing the value they've created for clients. He criticizes the repetitive pitches that focus on buzzwords like "human-centered" and "strategic," stating that agencies should instead highlight their unique contributions to client success.

Measuring Innovation:

When it comes to innovation, Robert advises focusing on what you intend to learn and why. He introduces the concept of a "learning agenda," which includes knowns, unknowns, assumptions, and hypotheses. This structured approach helps in validating key unknowns and can be a game-changer in any industry.

Rethinking the RFP Process:

Robert calls out the flaws in the traditional RFP (Request for Proposal) process, stating that it often dehumanizes the interaction between agencies and brands. He argues for a more collaborative approach, where both parties can ask meaningful questions and understand each other's thinking.

Scott Sinatra is the CEO and Co-Founder of Bountiful. Scott is a serial entrepreneur and former senior vice president of worldwide sales at Glassdoor. With deep industry knowledge in HR technology, Sinatra also served as a founding executive and head of go-to-market at Glint, which was acquired by LinkedIn in 2018

In this interview, Scott shares his experience responding to an RFP during his time at BladeLogic. He discusses the importance of having a champion within the customer's organization, the need to influence the decision criteria in the RFP, and the value of training and understanding your product and competition. Scott also emphasizes the importance of making a go/no-go decision when evaluating an RFP and the need to prioritize activities that will lead to success

HERE ARE SOME KEY SECTIONS TO CHECK OUT

[00:01:26] Overview of Bountiful, a referral platform for recruiting
[00:03:03] Explanation of how Bountiful works and how scouts can refer candidates
[00:09:06] Formation of a committee and funding for the initiative
[00:10:11] Surprise of receiving an RFP and the alignment with decision criteria
[00:11:14] Conclusion of the RFP discussion and next steps
[00:11:14] Scott offers to provide a test plan template for the RFP.
[00:23:14] Addendum received with more details on problem to solve
[00:24:41] Scott writes another letter declining to participate further
[00:25:32] Scott receives a call from the company
[00:26:12] Second addendum received with desired changes
[00:35:42] Salespeople need to get buyers thinking about their solution
[00:36:12] If you didn't write the RFP, your differentiators may not be included
[00:37:31] Example of influencing criteria in an RFP to win a deal
[00:44:59] Importance of managing the sales process for team success
[00:45:40] Introduction and discussion about RFPs

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
More tips for handling an RFP as a seller: https://forc.mx/3ELMidQ
How to stack customer requirements in your favor: https://forc.mx/48oUxdF

HIGHLIGHT QUOTES

[00:17:49] “We can either play by somebody else's rules or we can change the game” - Scott Sinatra
[00:24:54] "We really appreciate the time, but if this is the criteria you're going to use to make a decision, we're going to respectfully decline to participate further." - Scott Sinatra
[00:33:07] "Understand how to set decision criteria. The shopping list of capabilities required to solve pain is fundamental. You need to know your products and services really well, as well as your competition's, so you can differentiate."
[00:44:09] "This is a team sport. If you manage a sales process with the idea that you're going to make your team successful, they're going to appreciate that a lot. You'll build a lot of internal credibility, and they'll be more apt to want to help you." - Scott Sinatra

Learn more about Scott through this link.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-sinatra-b399312/

Check out John McMahon’s book here: https://www.amazon.com/Qualified-Sales-Leader-Proven-Lessons/dp/0578895064

When you're in the market for vendors, partners, and a company to work with, you want the best. You need someone who can not only handle your problems but also elevate your business to new heights. It's important to have a dependable partner, one that you can proudly showcase on the show floor.

While having an ideal partner with all these traits isn't always possible, when it does happen, it underscores the importance of your RFP process. Do you really need to stick to the same old approach?

In episode five, we explored the dos and don'ts of crafting an RFP for your next tradeshow booth. It was such a hit that we couldn't resist a part two! We've invited Mollie Stahl, Senior Account Executive at Rockway Exhibits + Events, a trusted resource, to join us again.

This time, she and Matt talk about:

- Why a typical RFP just isn’t cutting it anymore
- Key questions to consider when crafting your RFP
- What you should be thinking about when going out to RFP
- Ideal process and biggest pet peeves

Start rethinking RFPs so you can get the best results. You do not want to miss out!

Connect with Mollie:

On her LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/molliestahl/   

Connect with Me:

On my LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-kleinrock-9613b22b/ 
On my Company: https://rockwayexhibits.com/   

🚨 Register for the show here: https://tinyurl.com/EventMarketingRedefined 

Before you can build a house, you need a strong foundation. The same is true when building a compliant and easily evaluated proposal response. The solicitation provides instructions, yet this activity tends to be the most contentious part of proposal development. Why? Because people overcomplicate this critical step. The Pulse will walk you through the four main considerations of shredding a solicitation.

Meet Connie: The Entrepreneurial Force Behind Complete Bookkeeping Solutions

In this episode, we have the pleasure of introducing you to Connie, the owner and leader of Complete Bookkeeping Solutions. Connie's journey is deeply rooted in a business-oriented family, and her entrepreneurial spirit started blooming at a young age when she launched her first business at just 22 years old.

🔍 Meet Connie, committed to a lifelong learning and professional development. Trusted and valued advisor to numerous businesses.

💡 Dive deep into Connie's mastery of essential accounting tools. Furthermore, during her 20-year tenure with the Sage Partner Program, Connie earned the prestigious title of Sage 50 Platinum Certified Consultant.

📚 Explore Connie's significant contributions as the Edmonton Regional Network Chair/Regional Developer for over nine years and served as a Board Member for six years.

💬 Gain unique insights into Connie's solace and adventure in the great outdoors. Most weekends during the summer, you'll discover her exploring the mountains, often riding her motorcycle to reach her destination. Living an active, healthy lifestyle is a core value for Connie, and she cherishes spending quality time with her family and friends.

🎓 Learn how Connie's passion for business, and her commitment to helping others navigate the world of bookkeeping and finance. It's an inspiring conversation with a true business leader and adventurer.

Get to know Connie Sparks visit
Website: www.wadecobusinesscenter.com

#BusinessAdvisorConnie #AccountingMastery #AdventureDrivenEntrepreneur
#AccountingExpertise #BusinessLeadership #OutdoorAdventures
#BusinessChallengesSolved #AccountingExpertSolutions #NavigatingFinance

CONNECT WITH ME!
https://www.jimboparis.com

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**myBurbank Talks Presents:**  
*"The Week That Was and That Will Be"* for August 21.

**Hosted by:**  
Craig Sherwood, Craig Durling, and Ross Benson – bringing their unique insights, expertise, and years of experience covering Burbank's stories.

**Episode Highlights:**

1. **Wednesday, 8/16:**  
   - **Catalytic Converter Theft Epidemic:** Dive into the troubling increase of these thefts in Burbank and broader California. Uncover why suspects are fetching up to $1000 in the stolen market.
   - **Protection Measures:** Discover how seven local stations, including Precision Motorsports and Burbank Auto Doctor, are aiding residents by etching VIN numbers.
   - **Vehicles at Risk:** Find out why Prius and Toyota Tacoma owners should be especially vigilant.  
   - **Law Enforcement's Response:** Hear about the city attorney's push for lawmakers to enforce existing laws more rigorously.

2. **Thursday, 8/17:**  
   - **"Sniff Bandit's" Short-lived Freedom:** Dive deep into this criminal's revolving-door journey from jail to freedom and back again due to oversight and overcrowding issues.

3. **Friday, 8/18:**  
   - **Love Catering's Grand Ceremony:** Relish the rich flavors of Burbank as we recount the scrumptious offerings from Love Catering. Get an inside scoop on their specialties and why they're a top recommendation.

4. **Weekend, 8/19-20:**  
   - **Hurricane Hillary's Havoc:** Explore the significant climate event shaking Burbank. Analyze how 2022's rainfall compares to previous years and the implications of such drastic weather changes.
   - **Ojai's Earthquake:** 

5. **Commercial Break**

6. **Monday, 8/21:**  
   - **Meeting Overdose:** Probe into the city's sudden surge in Board and Commission meetings. Is there a hidden agenda or just poor scheduling?
   - **Safety and Sustainability:** Delve into the topics discussed – from single-use plastics to improving pedestrian safety.

7. **Tuesday, 8/22:**  
   - **City Council Highlights:** 
     - An in-depth discussion on restoring public comments.
     - Exploring the financial implications of affiliations with Warner Bros.
     - Unpacking plans for improved signals and street revamping.
     - Investigating property sales and the Tournament of Roses float's significance.
     - *Controversy Alert:* Join us as we shed light on the Burbank Center Stage RFP debacle – a topic stirring the community.

8. **Wednesday, 8/23:**  
   - **Civic Engagements:** Anticipate the Senior Citizens Board's agenda and understand the complexities behind the shift to district-based City Council elections.

9. **Thursday, 8/24:**  
   - **City's Financial Health:** An expert breakdown of the city's investment portfolio.
   - **Agenda Mysteries:** Why are some boards meeting when there's little to discuss?

10. **Friday, 8/25:**  
   - **Music & Culinary Delights:** Dive into the city's vibrant music scene with Run Out Groove Records' inauguration and savor the taste of Magnolia Park's Food Truck Night.

11. **Weekend, 8/26-27:**  
   - **Golden State Walking Tour:** Walk with us as we discuss the existing residential neighborhoods' future and the aspirations the community holds.

12. **Ross’s Rant:**  
   - **Signal Frustrations:** Ross passionately unravels the issue of waiting times at nighttime signals.

Join us for a riveting, detailed dive into Burbank's week. With an expert trio of hosts, get ready for a mix of facts, analysis, controversies, and recommendations – all under one podcast. This is one e

Are you prepared to navigate the complexities of the Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasures Plan (SPCC)? Well, you're in luck! SPCC expert Shannon Oelkers is ready to guide you through the maze of this federal regulation applicable to all facilities storing over 1,320 gallons of petroleum oil or lubricants. Join us as we review why an updated SPCC is a legal requirement and a shield against additional violations during inspections.   

We'll get into the nitty-gritty of how to audit your own SPCC and spot when it's due for an update, with Shannon generously sharing her checklist. We'll also confront common gaps in SPCCs, like outdated transfer procedures, missing tanks, and incorrect container volumes. This is particularly crucial if your business grapples with high volumes of petroleum oil and lubricants. For those dealing with over 10,000 gallons, we have a special segment discussing additional requirements. So gear up and get ready to master your SPCC compliance!

Additional Resources:
Teir I/II Template Link
SPCC Checklist
SPCC Regional Guidance

intro/outro created with GarageBand

"Everyone's hungry’ everybody is out there trying to catch those leads. We've seen a ton of RFPs go out recently, and one thing we're seeing is that a lot of clients are not going right back with the incumbent. We've been invited to a lot of dances where the incumbents weren't part of the equation or were eliminated quickly because they're looking for new blood. So that really tells you that the RFP process is going to become more and more competitive." - Lauren Minors

The finer details of this episode:

• The slow pipeline and increased competition
•  Retaining clients vs attracting new ones
• Tracking success in RFPs and client feedback 

Episode resources:

• Summit Virtual CFO by Anders website – summitcpa.net
• Email us with questions or if you’d like to be a guest on the show – vcpasuccessshow@anderscpa.com
• Home (reasononeinc.com)
• Lauren Minors | LinkedIn

Dive into the complex world of RFPs and why they fail for CRMs. The conversation is a deep dive into why businesses choose RFPs, where they fail when it comes to CRMs, and suggestions for rethinking the approach. Doug emphasizes moving away from only focusing on technical requirements and points to a more business processes-focused approach.

Not to mention this HOT TAKE🔥from Doug: The best that RFPs fail is when they make it too complicated and you end up not making a decision.

Topics and Questions Covered: 

• Why do RFPs exist?
• Why do RFPs for CRMs often fail? 
• What's wrong with technical requirements? 
• Why don't we throw out the RFP?

If you like the show, please subscribe and share it with your friends and/or coworkers. Follow us on Twitter: @dougdavidoff, @JessDCardenas & @demandcreator to receive updates on when new episodes publish or to get other great insights. You can also watch the video version of the show on our page. Thanks for watching and remember you can't solve your upstream problems, downstream.

In this re-release episode:

Sean discusses his personal history with the company, different projects the LSI teams have worked on over the years, key business lessons he has learned, and the future of LSI. 

50 EPISODES!! Thanks for following along so far - and we hope you keep tuning in! We have more great content coming your way in the following weeks! Let us know if you have any questions or comments and reach out to us at social@lsiwins.com.

Follow along on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook!

Connect with the LSI team by following us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, or by finding us at LSIWINS.com!  

E&I Host: David Manz, Business Partnerships Manager, Facilities & Interiors
Guest: Tammy Rimes, MPA, Executive Director of NCPP

Join David for Part 2 of this two-part episode featuring Tammy Rimes, Executive Director of National Cooperative Procurement Partners. In this episode, we discuss what to look for when choosing a cooperative to partner with, trends and best practices, and ultimately how to make the most out of cooperative purchasing for your organization.

Relevant Links:

• Download | Make the Choice: Bid or Cooperative Contract?
• Download | Roadmap to a Cooperative Procurement Strategy
• National Cooperative Procurement Partners (NCPP) Website

Cooperatively Speaking is hosted by E&I Cooperative Services, the only member-owned, non-profit procurement cooperative exclusively focused on serving the needs of education. Visit our website at www.eandi.org/podcast.

Our E&I Hosts

• David Manz, Business Partnerships Manager, Facilities & Interiors
• Saul Alvarado, Vice President, Business Partnerships Manager
• Joe Castelluccio, Director, Business Development
• Titus Martin, Executive Director, Supplier Diversity

Contact Us
Have questions, comments, or ideas for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you! Contact Cooperatively Speaking at podcast@eandi.org.

This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host(s) or E&I Cooperative Services.

In this episode: 

LSI's fearless Chief Operating Officer, Sarah Bertagnolli, is back to talk about grant capture and proposal development. Right now, our team is offering free consultations and $1000 off our grant writing services. We’ll talk more about it in the episode, along with Sarah’s expertise on different areas of capture and proposal work and her thoughts on the future of grant capture.

Learn more about our free consultation and grant capture and proposal work at LSIWINS.com! Keep in touch by following along on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook!

Connect with the LSI team by following us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, or by finding us at LSIWINS.com!  

לדף הפודקאסט בבלוג

במגזר העסקים הקטנים והבינוניים בחירה של מערכת דיוור או אוטומציה שיווקית נעשית לרוב כתהליך קצר וחפוז.

טעות בבחירה בעסק קטן קל לתקן. אבל טעות בבחירה של מערכת דיוור ואוט' באנטרפרייז היא קטסטרופלית.

אם אתם סקרנים לדעת כיצד ארגוני אנטרפרייז בוחרים מערכות דיוור (ESP) ואוטומציה שיווקית (Marketing Automation), הנה קטע וידאו קצר מראיון שבפודקאסט, עם Chris Marriott מנכ"ל Email Connect המלווה חברות ענק בארצות הברית בתהליכי RFP כבדים על מנת שחברות אלה יוכלו לקבל את ההחלטה הנכונה עבורם מבין שחקניות המרקטינג אוטומיישן והאימייל מרקטינג הגדולות.

בפודקאסט כריס משתף מנסיונו הרב ונותן גם טיפים לבחירת מערכת דיוור או אוטומציה שיווקית שיכולים להתאים לעסקים קטנים ובינוניים.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode:

Sean discusses his personal history with the company, different projects the LSI teams have worked on over the years, key business lessons he has learned, and the future of LSI. 

50 EPISODES!! Thanks for following along so far - and we hope you keep tuning in! We have more great content coming your way in the following weeks! Let us know if you have any questions or comments and reach out to us at social@lsiwins.com.

Follow along on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook!

Connect with the LSI team by following us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, or by finding us at LSIWINS.com!  

In this episode, we’re talking with Michael Thompson, Vice President of Strategic Communications at Nuveen, who puts together RFPs; and Bethany Potter, Senior Manager, Growth & Administration at Proscenium Events who responds to them. This episode is chock full or actionable advice about the entire RFP process from both sides of the table. So hit the download button, screw your headphones on tight, and get ready to take notes.

Michael Thompson joined the Global Media Relations team at Nuveen, a TIAA Company, in December of 2020 as Vice President of Strategic Communications with responsibility for executive communications and supporting strategic messaging for the firm’s leadership, brand, and business priorities.

Michael joined the firm after two years as Assistant Vice President for Executive Communications and Content Syndication at LPL Financial, where he was responsible for strategic message development and executive speechwriting for more than 20 advisor-facing conferences throughout the year. Prior to his tenure at LPL, he spent eight years as Executive Communications Manager at Lowe’s Companies, Inc., writing speeches for C-Suite executives and creating messaging for major sales and leadership meetings. This followed a 13-year career in professional sports, including 11 seasons with two different National Basketball Association franchises as Director of Corporate Communications and other community relations and game operations roles.

Bethany Potter joined the Production team at Proscenium in 2016, working on events for brands like HEINEKEN USA, Harley-Davidson, Lowe’s, and Ortho Clinical Diagnostics. She also managed many of Proscenium responses to RFPs. She has expanded her role from Production to Business Development Manager, to her current role of Senior Manager of Growth and Administration (and ProCast Producer!) where she manages almost all of Proscenium’s RFP responses.

CREDITS
Hosted and Written by Jeremy Dobrish
Produced by Bethany Potter
Theme Music by Mike Mancini
Logo design by Shraddha Maharjan
Special thanks to Dossie McCraw

WHERE TO FIND US
Proscenium Website
LinkedIn
Instagram
Twitter
Facebook

Ganesh Shankar started RFPIO scratching his own itch along with A J Sunder(Co-founder & CPO) and Sankar Lagudu (Co-founder & COO). During his stint as a product manager Ganesh had to fill out responses to the RFPs which ended up as a time consuming and frustrating process. When the trio looked out for solutions they found out that it’s a broken process and that there are no solid solutions existing in the market which got them to start RFPIO.  

What started as a niche product addressing one particular process later goes on to become a category leader in RFP management used by 250k+ users.

Tune in to the episode with  Suresh and Ganesh to take a journey on RFPIOs growth from serving SMBs to Enterprises, No Concentration Strategy, leveraging Customer Advisory Board, a peek into the interesting culture at RFPIO which includes GTTTD, S4, GIT and the like, and how all these comes into play in building a category leader

Key take aways

5:51 - Genesis of RFPIO

9:57 - Founding team formation

11:48 - Deciding who to be the CEO

15:57 - Product pricing

19:51 - GTM approach

22:05 - ICP & Outbound sales

23:51 - Funds raised

26:46 - Org structure

27:36 - Hiring scene in US & India

28:08 - Customer funded business

33:16 - Getting the first customers, the journey from SMB to Enterprise, price evolution

35:42 - No concentration strategy

36:52 - GTDDD

37:26 - Sales team’s influence on other teams

37:59 - Sales team compensation structure changes

41:14 - Customer advisory board

45:26 - Sales and implementation partners

47:32 - Culture building

52:15 - Inputs to founders on networking and fundraising

54:24 - One of the top mistakes done

Happy listening!

In this episode:

Sissi's varied professional and personal background, her study of the Great Salt Lake birds, her experiences teaching university level courses, and tapping into our creative minds. Then, some of Sissi's inspirations, building artwork for campaigns or proposals, and transforming complex issues into digestible illustrations. 

Start winning with LSI today by reaching out to social@lsiwins.com!

Follow LSI on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for more exciting updates!

A Big Thank You To Our Sponsors!

Want to rub shoulders with Utah's state elected officials, business owners and leaders, and company executives? Join us at the @OneUtahSummit on May 10, 2022 at the Grand America Hotel! 

Connect with the LSI team by following us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, or by finding us at LSIWINS.com!