I believe two key markers define an industry’s maturity: the existence of widespread standardised best practices and global scale collaboration and knowledge sharing across verticals.
If we reflect on the state of bidding and proposals, the best practices are there and already well-known by most. That doesn’t mean they’re always applied consistently, but the foundation is there. I think the professional associations in our space have done a great job making that happen.
For the knowledge-sharing factor, though, the associations were always limited because of the very nature of the membership and sponsorship business – an issue across many industries, not just ours. Publications helped, and some (like this one) played a major role in pushing our profession forward.
However, the real shift came with professional social media and the rise of independent proposal content creators. Peers are sharing insights on an unprecedented scale. The collaboration and knowledge sharing across industries is now stronger than ever. Even procurement is hearing us more! Today, I consider that second maturity factor accomplished.
If this were pre-2022, I’d confidently say, “RFPs, bidding, and proposals is a full grown-up profession.” But something happened in late 2022.
Yes, you guessed it, ChatGPT was released. The artificial intelligence technology wave has impacted every business area in many ways, from efficiency gains to whole rebuilds. AI has forced every profession – including ours – into a new adolescence. What we once considered best practices must now be questioned.
The fundamentals will likely stay, and the global knowledge sharing is already there, so it’s not like we have to start over. But it’s now a time to question every practice and update workflows when necessary.
For this to happen in a positive way, we all have a role to play – vendors, associations and, most importantly, every bidding and proposal professional. The temptation to keep the status quo is real, but only by participating in the change will we ensure this amazing technology works for (and not against) us.
We often look back at our early years with nostalgia, wondering what we’d do differently. Well, professionally, we now have that chance. We can be back in our teens and redesign our future.
Who wouldn’t take that opportunity?
Javier Escartin
Javier is an aerospace engineer who has climbed the corporate ladder from engineering to business development. He is a full-time freelance Proposal Manager and has recently launched a business to make our work easier with artificial intelligence. He is the founder of DeepRFP.com, runs the proposals newsletter jescartin.com, and manages proposals for worldwide technology companies as a consultant.
