Posted by Jon
I mentioned before that BJ and I approached our proposal careers from different angles: I started in purchasing; he came from journalism and management.
We were chatting about some course material recently, and it reminded me that our different backgrounds are often what make us work successfully together. We instinctively agree on 80% of the topics we discuss (especially as we’ve worked on proposals together for eight years or so, now). We’ll debate the rest, and find that we quickly reach agreement on a further 10%.
I mentioned before that BJ and I approached our proposal careers from different angles: I started in purchasing; he came from journalism and management.
We were chatting about some course material recently, and it reminded me that our different backgrounds are often what make us work successfully together. We instinctively agree on 80% of the topics we discuss (especially as we’ve worked on proposals together for eight years or so, now). We’ll debate the rest, and find that we quickly reach agreement on a further 10%.
And then we’ll still disagree. Clients with whom we work are often surprised when we set off on long walks, shaking our heads at each other having spent the previous quarter-hour tussling over the flipchart pens and crossing out the other’s work – only to return, smiling and laughing an hour later, problem resolved. And usually, it comes down to our backgrounds, meaning that we approach the topic at hand from different perspectives. Once we’ve listened and understood, we can usually find a way through. Actually, it’s often these debates that lead to some of the real magic in terms of new techniques and fresh thinking.
(Then, of course, there are the 2% of issues on which we have never agreed, and never will. As I say to BJ, I can accept that he’s wrong 2% of the time… and at least I know he feels the same about me!).
Who do you have who approaches proposals from a different angle? Who’s your sounding board? Perhaps APMP can help? Is there someone in your business or outside to whom you turn to as a trusted adviser?
(Then, of course, there are the 2% of issues on which we have never agreed, and never will. As I say to BJ, I can accept that he’s wrong 2% of the time… and at least I know he feels the same about me!).
Who do you have who approaches proposals from a different angle? Who’s your sounding board? Perhaps APMP can help? Is there someone in your business or outside to whom you turn to as a trusted adviser?
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