Right there in front of me
We had an interesting pitch experience this week. We received an RFQ from a non-profit we're interested in working with. It didn't actually require a response beyond coming in for a meeting, it was more of a program brief, which was unusual but I asked about this and they confirmed. It was a good meeting, we made some recommendations to restructure the project that would get them more value for their money, and they seemed to appreciate them. We found out today we didn't get it, and they went with a guy who did a full analysis of their site (something we usually charge for) and they liked him because he went the extra mile. Which is how it should be. I seriously have no hard feelings.
Except. Except that it makes me realize that we're not the hungry, young firm that we used to be. (I've known this before, but I think I forgot during the dry months of quarter one!) Three years ago we were the firm that prepared elaborate presentations, did all sorts of free analysis and design, and poured our hearts into every proposal. We still do that for the really big important jobs, but our business model dictates that we fill in the gaps with the smaller projects, so these are important, too.
This was just another reminder that we really need to hire. I really want to fill in our staff with the creative situations like we have with our analytics expert and we used to have with our usability expert (before she had her baby), but those situations are once in a blue moon and I have to move forward. I'm not satisfied with the contractor we're using for some services right now sinceI don't think we're working toward complementary goals.
But what was I just saying in that last post? Get creative. Brainstorm. I was coaching a friend the other day to talk to everyone she knows and ask for help. I've been doing that, but without purpose or direction. I really haven't asked for help with my plan, I've been asking someone else to make the plan for me. That's not where I'm supposed to be at this point.
And that's what it is. I need to get clarity on the plan. I've known this for weeks but I've been avoiding it. It's like what I was saying yesterday: the answers are usually right there in front of you, you just need someone else to point them out for you.
Except. Except that it makes me realize that we're not the hungry, young firm that we used to be. (I've known this before, but I think I forgot during the dry months of quarter one!) Three years ago we were the firm that prepared elaborate presentations, did all sorts of free analysis and design, and poured our hearts into every proposal. We still do that for the really big important jobs, but our business model dictates that we fill in the gaps with the smaller projects, so these are important, too.
This was just another reminder that we really need to hire. I really want to fill in our staff with the creative situations like we have with our analytics expert and we used to have with our usability expert (before she had her baby), but those situations are once in a blue moon and I have to move forward. I'm not satisfied with the contractor we're using for some services right now sinceI don't think we're working toward complementary goals.
But what was I just saying in that last post? Get creative. Brainstorm. I was coaching a friend the other day to talk to everyone she knows and ask for help. I've been doing that, but without purpose or direction. I really haven't asked for help with my plan, I've been asking someone else to make the plan for me. That's not where I'm supposed to be at this point.
And that's what it is. I need to get clarity on the plan. I've known this for weeks but I've been avoiding it. It's like what I was saying yesterday: the answers are usually right there in front of you, you just need someone else to point them out for you.
posted by Katherine Gray @ 5:47 PM
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