In Salesforce, it’s common to receive Requests for Proposal (RFPs).
Open RFPs are when a client allows anyone to submit their candidacy for a potential project. Closed RFPs are when the client has a shortlist of vendors and only approaches them.
Either way, submitting a generic response to an RFP will show a lack of interest. Submitting a large and highly-customized response takes lots of work. However it’s also true that most vendors are not chosen.
So the question becomes, how much effort should you put into an RFP knowing you’re most likely not to be selected?
This feels similar to street performers. They want to work as little as possible while getting the most amount of donations possible. The trick is knowing where the tipping point is.
Some consultants refuse to even respond to RFPs, as they feel it’s never worth the effort. And others get most of their income from them.
The takeaway
What’s your take on RFPs? Good, bad, a necessary evil?