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Using Empathy and Self Reflection to Create Success and Get Wins - with Deb Zahn - EP092

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Manage episode 407486249 series 3561036
Content provided by Lisa Rehurek. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Lisa Rehurek or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

Crafting your #RFP to get a win is a large and technical undertaking. But telling the story of why your business is going to do something wonderful for this world can be the key to getting on your reviewer’s good side. How can you make sure you are doing everything you can to get your RFP approved? Does taking a moment to step back and reflect on your mistakes help you get ahead as an entrepreneur?

Deb Zahn is the Founder and CEO of Craft of Consulting, a firm dedicated to helping accomplished professionals start, build and grow their own consulting businesses. A practicing consultant herself, Deb has earned a reputation for getting high-value contracts with hard-to-get clients, turning them into her biggest fans and best marketers. Deb also has 25 years of experience with RFPS, yielding over $100M in business for her clients.

On this episode of The RFP Success Show, Deb dives in to what it’s like to work on an RFP from a reviewer's perspective. And why this perspective is necessary to think about when crafting your reports. She also lays out some of the biggest mistakes she has seen in RFPs, reviewers, and consultants.

Deb lays out why crafting a gripping narrative throughout an RFP will benefit a client more than technical writing. She also offers advice for every entrepreneur on how to achieve growth by reflecting on your mistakes.

Listen in to learn more about how being a great reviewer and entrepreneur revolves more around empathy and self-reflection than just getting the technical aspects down. And how not taking the time to cultivate those true feelings will get in the way of your success.

Key Takeaways

Continuing the conversation with Deb about being a consultant

What the biggest mistakes responders make in their RFP responses and how to avoid them

Deb's reviewer horror story and why writing thoughtful RFP responses will not only help your reviewer but your request

How to make sure you actually answer the questions in your RFP

How using your narrative throughout your request is crucial to getting a win

Why empathy and self-reflection are the number one thing every consultant and entrepreneur needs to be successful

Why recognizing your mistakes is a key to success as an entrepreneur

Connect with Deb

Craft of Consulting

Craft of Consulting Podcast

Craft of Consulting on Instagram

Craft of Consulting on LinkedIn

Deb on LinkedIn

Connect with Lisa

Lisa’s Website

Lisa on Twitter

Lisa on Facebook

Lisa on LinkedIn

The RFP Success Company on YouTube

The RFP Success Company on LinkedIn

Subscribe on iTunes

Email [email protected]

Resources

Deb’s Prospects to Proposal Blog

The RFP Success Book by Lisa Rehurek

The RPF Success Institute

  continue reading

142 episodes

Artwork
iconShare
 
Manage episode 407486249 series 3561036
Content provided by Lisa Rehurek. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Lisa Rehurek or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

Crafting your #RFP to get a win is a large and technical undertaking. But telling the story of why your business is going to do something wonderful for this world can be the key to getting on your reviewer’s good side. How can you make sure you are doing everything you can to get your RFP approved? Does taking a moment to step back and reflect on your mistakes help you get ahead as an entrepreneur?

Deb Zahn is the Founder and CEO of Craft of Consulting, a firm dedicated to helping accomplished professionals start, build and grow their own consulting businesses. A practicing consultant herself, Deb has earned a reputation for getting high-value contracts with hard-to-get clients, turning them into her biggest fans and best marketers. Deb also has 25 years of experience with RFPS, yielding over $100M in business for her clients.

On this episode of The RFP Success Show, Deb dives in to what it’s like to work on an RFP from a reviewer's perspective. And why this perspective is necessary to think about when crafting your reports. She also lays out some of the biggest mistakes she has seen in RFPs, reviewers, and consultants.

Deb lays out why crafting a gripping narrative throughout an RFP will benefit a client more than technical writing. She also offers advice for every entrepreneur on how to achieve growth by reflecting on your mistakes.

Listen in to learn more about how being a great reviewer and entrepreneur revolves more around empathy and self-reflection than just getting the technical aspects down. And how not taking the time to cultivate those true feelings will get in the way of your success.

Key Takeaways

Continuing the conversation with Deb about being a consultant

What the biggest mistakes responders make in their RFP responses and how to avoid them

Deb's reviewer horror story and why writing thoughtful RFP responses will not only help your reviewer but your request

How to make sure you actually answer the questions in your RFP

How using your narrative throughout your request is crucial to getting a win

Why empathy and self-reflection are the number one thing every consultant and entrepreneur needs to be successful

Why recognizing your mistakes is a key to success as an entrepreneur

Connect with Deb

Craft of Consulting

Craft of Consulting Podcast

Craft of Consulting on Instagram

Craft of Consulting on LinkedIn

Deb on LinkedIn

Connect with Lisa

Lisa’s Website

Lisa on Twitter

Lisa on Facebook

Lisa on LinkedIn

The RFP Success Company on YouTube

The RFP Success Company on LinkedIn

Subscribe on iTunes

Email [email protected]

Resources

Deb’s Prospects to Proposal Blog

The RFP Success Book by Lisa Rehurek

The RPF Success Institute

  continue reading

142 episodes

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