Comments on: RFPs are still evil http://brainsonfire.com/blog/2007/05/21/rfps-are-still-evil/ Fascinating, Inspiring, Rewarding and Engaging kinded spirits. Mon, 08 Sep 2008 16:44:38 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Jono Fisher - Photographer (blog pages) » RFP’s and competitive bids… http://brainsonfire.com/blog/2007/05/21/rfps-are-still-evil/#comment-65197 Jono Fisher - Photographer (blog pages) » RFP’s and competitive bids… Tue, 29 May 2007 21:04:40 +0000 http://brainsonfire.com/blog/rfps-are-still-evil/#comment-65197 [...] RFP’s are bad. I agree with Spike’s post. Could not help thinking of some of the competitive bids that I refused to get involved in (almost an extension of the RFP process as if by way of passing on the disrespect to the photographer). This is interesting stuff, because a lot of this is changing, or has changed already, and organizations are using smarter methods to build business relationships with their marketing and advertising professionals. My guess is that some of the big brands that Spike mentions in his post behave in this deplorable manner out of desperation. The times have changed and they have perhaps not changed with it. [...] [...] RFP’s are bad. I agree with Spike’s post. Could not help thinking of some of the competitive bids that I refused to get involved in (almost an extension of the RFP process as if by way of passing on the disrespect to the photographer). This is interesting stuff, because a lot of this is changing, or has changed already, and organizations are using smarter methods to build business relationships with their marketing and advertising professionals. My guess is that some of the big brands that Spike mentions in his post behave in this deplorable manner out of desperation. The times have changed and they have perhaps not changed with it. [...]

]]> By: Spike http://brainsonfire.com/blog/2007/05/21/rfps-are-still-evil/#comment-62311 Spike Tue, 22 May 2007 12:57:54 +0000 http://brainsonfire.com/blog/rfps-are-still-evil/#comment-62311 Good question, Danny. The long and short of it is that we don't answer RFPs. And we've set up similar policies that help us maintain our own respect and integrity. Sometimes it's hard to turn down an invite from a Fortune 50, but in the long run, it's worth it. When a potential client makes an unreasonable demand, we try to get to the reason they are making that demand and then offer an alternative. If one can't be reached, then it's a nice, big red flag early on in the relationship that tells us that pursuing that account or project isn't going to be worth it - no matter the name or the payday attached to it. Good question, Danny.

The long and short of it is that we don’t answer RFPs. And we’ve set up similar policies that help us maintain our own respect and integrity. Sometimes it’s hard to turn down an invite from a Fortune 50, but in the long run, it’s worth it.

When a potential client makes an unreasonable demand, we try to get to the reason they are making that demand and then offer an alternative. If one can’t be reached, then it’s a nice, big red flag early on in the relationship that tells us that pursuing that account or project isn’t going to be worth it - no matter the name or the payday attached to it.

]]> By: Danny G http://brainsonfire.com/blog/2007/05/21/rfps-are-still-evil/#comment-62269 Danny G Tue, 22 May 2007 11:18:36 +0000 http://brainsonfire.com/blog/rfps-are-still-evil/#comment-62269 So how do y'all at BOF handle it when clients (or prospective clients) make unreasonable demands like that? So how do y’all at BOF handle it when clients (or prospective clients) make unreasonable demands like that?

]]> By: Roger Anderson http://brainsonfire.com/blog/2007/05/21/rfps-are-still-evil/#comment-62132 Roger Anderson Tue, 22 May 2007 03:00:28 +0000 http://brainsonfire.com/blog/rfps-are-still-evil/#comment-62132 The same thing happens when you don't sign the paper. It happens all the time. At least Kraft is trying to be upfront about it. "We're going to steal your idea. Please sigh here." IS that worse than a CDA or NDA that is violated before you leave the premises? Ethics is a class that few take, fewer pass, and even fewer seem to recall later in life. This kind of burn and churn behavior is even easier today because they have a whole world of potential applicants. The solution: Learn to say no before it's too late. The same thing happens when you don’t sign the paper. It happens all the time. At least Kraft is trying to be upfront about it. “We’re going to steal your idea. Please sigh here.” IS that worse than a CDA or NDA that is violated before you leave the premises?
Ethics is a class that few take, fewer pass, and even fewer seem to recall later in life.
This kind of burn and churn behavior is even easier today because they have a whole world of potential applicants.

The solution: Learn to say no before it’s too late.

]]> By: Bryan http://brainsonfire.com/blog/2007/05/21/rfps-are-still-evil/#comment-61931 Bryan Mon, 21 May 2007 15:57:09 +0000 http://brainsonfire.com/blog/rfps-are-still-evil/#comment-61931 Amazing that these degrading practices are still around! Even more amazing that there are still agencies accepting them and taking part. Sad. Very Sad. Amazing that these degrading practices are still around! Even more amazing that there are still agencies accepting them and taking part. Sad. Very Sad.

]]> By: Christy http://brainsonfire.com/blog/2007/05/21/rfps-are-still-evil/#comment-61925 Christy Mon, 21 May 2007 15:47:53 +0000 http://brainsonfire.com/blog/rfps-are-still-evil/#comment-61925 Wow. You're actually calm about this. Bravo for stating this so clearly, and without venom. We have a long way to go. Wow. You’re actually calm about this. Bravo for stating this so clearly, and without venom.

We have a long way to go.

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