The No Really Everything’s Fine Podcast

In this episode, we explore how identifying and cultivating insider support can help proposal manager's not only win more deals but also advance their careers, by aligning with internal champions and influencers within client organizations, proposal managers can strengthen their proposals, increase their win rate, and enhance their professional visibility.  With our guest Travis Dobbler we'll cover strategies for building these relationships, understanding key decision makers, and positioning yourself as a trusted partner. Tune in to learn how mastering insider support can elevate both your proposal outcomes and your career trajectory.

In this episode, we explore how effective layout and publishing techniques, as well as tools, can be game changers for proposal managers dealing with tight proposal real estate.  With limited space and strict formatting guidelines, creating a visually appealing, clear, and compelling proposal is a challenging balancing act. We'll discuss best practices for optimizing layout using design to enhance readability, and maximizing content impact without overcrowding.  Join the hosts and tune in to discover how our guest Roxanne Marquez uses strategic publishing to help communicate more effectively and make her proposals stand out - even within the strictest space constraints. 

In this episode, we dive Into the critical role subject matter, experts Smith's play in helping sales teams close deals after submitting a request for proposal R. FP from clarifying complex technical details to addressing client concerns. SMes act as a vital bridge between the sales team and the customer. Join the hosts as we explore with our guest Charles Karstadt, A 20 year cybersecurity veteran how their expertise enhances the proposals value, builds trust with clients and gives the final push needed to secure the win. Whether you're in sales or a technical role. This episode offers actionable insights on leveraging SMEs to close more deals..

Hop into the flaming dumpster with the hosts as we discuss the differences and nuisances of proposal management in the nation of India an emerging market by economic standards.  We welcomed Shruti Khanna a proposal professional to join us to share her experience delivering proposals in this market.     Hosts Ryn Bennett  https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathrynbennettwrites   Nora Foux  https://www.linkedin.com/in/norafoux   Nicole Robinson  https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletherfpqueenrobinson   Guest Shruti Khanna  https://www.linkedin.com/in/shrutikhanna16          

On this episode the hosts welcome Kevin Thompson into the dumpster to talk the crossover between Sales, Business Development and Proposal pros and how the teams work together to develop Proposal strategies.     Hosts Ryn Bennett  https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathrynbennettwrites Nora Foux  https://www.linkedin.com/in/norafoux Nicole Robinson  https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletherfpqueenrobinson     Guest Kevin Thompson  Website: https://thompsonconsulting.us/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kpthomps00/

On this episode of the No, Really Everything's fine, podcast. Join us in the dumpster with our returning guest Ceri Mescall. As we discuss the benefits and considerations proposal, managers need to make when considering making the jump from corporate to consultant.  This episode has some audio issuess. Please increase your volume or rewind.  Hosts Ryn Bennett  https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathrynbennettwrites   Nora Foux  https://www.linkedin.com/in/norafoux   Nicole Robinson  https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletherfpqueenrobinson   Guest https://www.linkedin.com/in/cerimescall    

Join the hosts of the No Really Everything's Fine, podcast for the season 3 launch. Where we discuss, the current state of the proposal management industry and look ahead at the important impacts of automation and certification on proposal managers in 2024.  Hosts Kathryn Bennett  https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathrynbennettwrites Nora Foux  https://www.linkedin.com/in/norafoux Nicole Robinson  https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletherfpqueenrobinson

In this conversation with Liz Kepner, we breakdown how to support our leadership to achieve the overall success of the team and the department.  Being a good second in command provides your leadership with the ability to focus on strategy and planning as opposed to being caught up in the minutiae of day to day operations.  Hosts Kathryn Bennett  https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathrynbennettwrites Nora Foux  https://www.linkedin.com/in/norafoux Nicole Robinson  https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletherfpqueenrobinson Guests Elizabeth Kepner  https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-kepner

Suppose you're a proposal manager who works on a team or a proposal manager looking for ways to write better proposals faster. In that case, this episode featuring our guest, Javier, Escartin of Deeprfp.com, will be the one you want to listen to. Javier takes us through the implications and practical use cases for automation tools within the proposal management writing process. Hosts Kathryn Bennett  https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathrynbennettwrites Nora Foux  https://www.linkedin.com/in/norafoux Nicole Robinson  https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-a-robinson-6223b35a Guest: Javier Escartin  https://www.linkedin.com/in/escartinjavier www.deeprfp.com www.jescartin.com  

To begin our People and Organizational Navigation series, we have invited the awesome, amazing and delightful. Amanda Haven into the dumpster. Amanda shares with our listeners the realities of being a woman and a woman of color in the Proposal management industry discussing the impact, that some interactions can have on the individual.   Hosts Kathryn Bennett  https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathrynbennettwrites Nora Foux  https://www.linkedin.com/in/norafoux Nicole Robinson  https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletherfpqueenrobinson Guests Amanda Haven https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandahaven  

Are you ready to take your Proposal Management skills to the next level? We are in a time when new technologies present opportunities for Proposal Managers to expand their capabilities, potentially increasing the overall effectiveness of their writing and analysis of the competitive landscape.   In this episode, we had the pleasure of chatting with Ben Klein of BKJAMIN Consulting about the incredible potential of large language models like Chat GPT.  If you've spent little time understanding the possibilities of these tools within the context of Proposals, this episode gently introduces how AI and Proposals combine.    Hosts Kathryn Bennett https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathrynbennettwrites/  Nora Foux https://www.linkedin.com/in/norafoux/  Nicole Robinson https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-a-robinson-6223b35a/   Guest: Ben Klein https://www.linkedin.com/in/bkjamin/    

Are you a proposal manager looking to enhance your submissions? Do you have a passion for graphic design? Then you won't want to miss this episode!  Join us for an informative conversation with Roxanne Marquez from Red Queen Creative, an experienced proposal leader with advanced InDesign and graphic design skills. Roxanne shares actionable advice on using graphics to make your proposals stand out. We'll cover tips to help you start with graphic design and explore ways to incorporate it into your proposal submissions.   Hosts Kathryn Bennett https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathrynbennettwrites/  Nora Foux https://www.linkedin.com/in/norafoux/  Nicole Robinson https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-a-robinson-6223b35a/   Guest: Roxanne Marquez https://www.linkedin.com/in/roxanne-marquez/  https://www.redqueencreative.me/  

As a Proposal Manager, it can be challenging to establish a strong personal brand to advance in your career. You may feel unsure how to differentiate yourself and stand out in the industry. That's why we invite you to join us in the dumpster for a valuable and fun conversation with Uniqueka Walcott, host of Career Conversations, an experienced proposal industry leader with a healthy obsession with Personal Branding. She shares actionable advice on developing and promoting your personal brand so that you can achieve your professional goals.   Hosts Kathryn Bennett https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathrynbennettwrites/  Nora Foux https://www.linkedin.com/in/norafoux/  Nicole Robinson https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-a-robinson-6223b35a/   Guest: Uniqueka Walcott https://www.linkedin.com/in/uniquekawalcott/      

As proposal professionals, we don't always know how to get to that next level in our careers to become managers. For new managers it's not always clear how to get the resources you need for your team to be successful. Join us for an insightful discussion with the venerable Lisa Puckrin, CF APMP, a 17 year veteran manager of the proposal industry who shares with us some very actionable tips on how to get your seat at the leadership table. Hosts Kathryn Bennett https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathrynbennettwrites/  Nora Foux https://www.linkedin.com/in/norafoux/  Nicole Robinson https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-a-robinson-6223b35a/   Guest: Lisa Puckrin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisapuckrin/     

We all know there's no degree track for working in proposals. Realistically, the vast majority of folks who work in proposals fall into the profession - so did we! Join us for an incredible discussion with the amazing Ceri Mescall, CAP CPP ES-M APMP Fellow, about how to become a leader in the proposal space. In this episode we talk with Ceri about the importance of mentors, candid (possibly challenging) feedback, and how to establish yourself as a leader even if you aren't a leader of people or haven't been through official leadership training.

Do you recognize when your normal, daily proposal stress is crossing over into burnout territory? Have you ever struggled like we have to express that you're starting to feel burned out without sounding like you're complaining? Join us for the very first episode of our second season as we chat with burnout expert Rachelle Ray about some easily missed early burnout warning signs, and get some actionable tips about effectively communicating when you're burning out.

In the world of proposals Sales Enablement may be a function that is separated in your organization.  On this episode the hosts chat with the amazing Steph White a Sales Enablement professional who is here to educate our listeners on the benefits of having Sales Enablement synced with Proposal Management.  

There are many disciplines that compliment and contribute to the overall success of Proposal Managers; and Digital Marketing is certainly one.  In this conversation with Digital Marketing expert Lindsay Diven of Marketer's Take Flight the hosts lean into the conversation about how the two can work together to improve organizational visibility and support cross functional activities for each practice.  

The go no go conversation from a SME's perspective. How can the SME support the decision making to start a proposal response or stop! Hosts Katherine, Chris and Nora host Andrew Peloso aka. Mr. SME in a conversation about the Go No Go process and the importance of SME buy in to support the decision.  

So you're interested in proposal management or you've just started in proposals and you're not sure what can come next? This is the episode for you, on this episode the hosts discuss how they each fell into this career, what were some of the other career choices they've made, how they dealt with possibly changing careers, and the benefits of industry accreditation.  Finally, gain some insight into how to use proposal management to advance a career outside of proposals.

Those who work in proposals know that it's not uncommon to work evenings and/or weekends to meet a prospect's deadline. And while there is a risk to the business for not meeting the prospect's deadline, there is a human capital risk for putting employees in a situation where they constantly work longer-than-normal work schedules. Listen to hosts Chris La Fountain, Nora Foux and Kathryn Bennett as they host the formidable and wonderful Rachelle Ray from RMR Consulting and discuss this highly problematic issue within the industry.  

In Episode 4 the hosts discuss what happens when the focus of the submission review gets derailed because of a fixation on small changes that will in essence not win the business.  The hosts provide their thoughts on this and how they go about getting passed the quagmire that sometimes halts a bid in its tracks.  

SME's are integral to the RFP response process, but they have their own perspective, this episode helps to shed light on that subject. Join hosts Kathryn Bennet, Nora Foux, Chris LaFountain, and Nicole Robinson as they discuss the ins and outs of the SME relationship with special guest Andrew Pelloso. 

"It takes a village" describes the need for a community to work together for success, but sometimes the community comprises people that are unresponsive, unfriendly, uninspired, or all three. Listen to how the team has gone beyond just "playing nice" to engage with virtually anyone to get what's needed.

Our inaugural episode tackles a common proposal concern - overcapacity. While working on many proposals at once is not that unusual, it can lead to lower work quality and higher employee turnover. Tune in as hosts; Kathryn Bennett, Nora Foux, Chris LaFountain, and Nicole Robinson address how they've dealt with this issue and hear some ideas on you can handle this within your organization.