RFP-a-palooza
March 7th, 2007
As I received our umpteenth (enter long string of expletives here) RFP this year, I couldn’t help but notice a lot of the same language and requests in this one that we’ve seen before.
So I said to myself, “Self, I wonder if there is some sort of template these people use and just plug in their company name.” So I Googled “RFP marketing template.”
And there are 726,000 results.
There are free downloadable templates. There are programs that you can buy that write the RFP for you. There are tips. There are do’s and don’ts. And there are a lot of people and companies giving advice on how to issue RFPs and, of course, how to answer them.
We’ve already established that RFPs are evil. And spec work is a waste of time (not to mention a terrible idea). But why, oh why, is this archaic practice not being questioned more often – especially on the CMO side of the world? Am I missing something? Or is “because that’s the way we’ve always done it” gonna rule the day? As long as they dangle that freakin’ carrot out there in front of agencies with the slightest sliver of a chance that they might “award” you (don’t get me started on using the word “award”) their fat, juicy budget, then there will be weak-willed agencies that dance for them. The alternative is going to have to come from both sides.
Hey, we’re guilty of takin’ the bait, too. But we’re workin’ on it. And for every one we do end up answering (which is more of an RFQ than RFP), there are 20 that we turn away.
Ah. I feel better now. Thanks for letting me vent.
Other posts by Spike.
Cord Silverstein says:
Spike,
Preach on my brother. The RFP is one of the most outdated and useless documents in our business today. I believe the larger issue is that many companies today do not even know the questions let alone having the answers of what they are looking to accomplish.
More importantly, other than the very largest agencies, completing RFP’s can be incredibly time consuming and you need to walk that balance between new business to the business you already have in house. Though unfortunately, I do not see this changing anytime soon. Thanks!
March 7th, 2007 at 9:22 amAndy Woolard says:
I think - in addition to the wasted time - RFPs, as you’ve said, skew the respect meter. Good relationships rarely start by establishing a hierarchy or engaging one party in a prove-yourself dance.
From my short agency experience, my favorite client relationships have always been constructed out of level-ground starts and mutual respect/admiration. It sounds corny, but it works.
Oh, and make sure you all are recycling that paper.
March 7th, 2007 at 10:46 amScourings… at Beanstalk Talk says:
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March 14th, 2007 at 7:50 amGenie Caroselli says:
Those who issue an RFP are the least creative of all. They need you the most. What can YOU do to change the way THEY do business? What can YOU do to change the way YOU do business. Challenge: Take one lame RFP a year and turn it inside out. Who knows, you may just change the industry.
March 18th, 2007 at 6:22 pm