Proposal Disruptors VS. Control Freaks
We’ve come back in fashion again. 
I’ve read three articles this month about “Disruptors” in the workplace and the vital role we play in driving positive change in organizations. Examples of “disruption” include new opportunities identified in time to capture them ahead of the competition, and problems avoided by identifying them in time to cure ahead of the customer becoming dismayed.
Proposals attract folks who want to make a difference.
This can be tough for a manager who just wants someone to “do the work” and has the misfortune to oversee proposal production.
Sometimes I find proposal professionals who are off track a bit and have become control freaks instead of Proposal Disruptors.
Control Freak: The most important thing is whether the “rules” are followed.
Proposal Disruptor: The most important thing is whether the proposal won.
Control Freak: My rules are based on the English grammar textbooks I have from college.
Proposal Disruptor: My process has rules developed by winning proposal managers, and experts in complex sales, with some help from the English grammar textbooks I have from college.
Control Freak: I like to see a shelf of our proposals because they are all identical and look tidy on the shelf.
Proposal Disruptor: Our proposals represent our best ability to attract attention. My shelf of proposals looks most like a bookshelf at Barnes and Noble, with a variety of items vying for attention.
So which are you?
Reader (RSS)
Email