Still riding the high from RFWIN 2025? So are we! In this special post-event edition of Thursday Temperature Check (aka Tales from the Pitch), Rachelle Ray is joined by a dynamic trio of camp counselors—Beth Fiset, Lauren Leulu, and Kevin Thompson—who helped make this year’s event one for the PIE history books. From favorite sessions to unexpected insights, this episode is a heartfelt, funny, and inspiring debrief of what went into curating one of the highest-rated RFWIN events to date (a 9.5 out of 10!). Expect camp-themed reflections, tech tools worth digging into (hello, InDesign and AI!), and a few callouts for future procurement problem-solvers—especially those brave enough to tackle the portal chaos. Highlights include: 🔐 Portal pain points and calls for secure, streamlined solutions ✨ Graphic design magic behind the camp visuals 🧠 Memorable takeaways from sessions on value propositions, oral prep, and going solo 💬 A community-driven look at what’s working and what still needs fixing in proposals and procurement Whether you attended or missed it, this episode captures the spirit and substance of RFWIN 2025. Grab your canteen and join us by the proverbial campfire. 🎧 Like what you hear? Join the PIE community for free: https://www.proposalindustryexperts.com/ Beth Fiset https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethfiset/  Lauren Leulu https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenleulu/ Kevin Thompson https://www.linkedin.com/in/kpthomps00/ Missing Counsellor - Christina Carter  https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinagcarter/ 

Welcome to Tales from the Pitch, your Thursday temperature check from Proposal Industry Experts. In this RFWIN countdown episode, Ben Klein sits down with two powerhouse speakers from the upcoming conference: Harpreet Singh, co-founder of Thalamus AI, and Patty White, global proposal leader at Plante Moran. Harpreet unpacks the world of Agentic AI—where digital assistants don't just help, they learn, coordinate, and scale like a colony of proposal-savvy ants. Meanwhile, Patty shares how her firm protects team sanity through tiered proposal support, treating every bid like the strategic snowflake it is. From human-in-the-loop vs. human-on-the-loop debates to a proposal title that almost went out with “PIMP” in the signature block—this episode is as insightful as it is unforgettable. 🎟️ RFWIN is just around the corner (August 7–8). Catch Harpreet and Patty live, or on replay if you're a PIE member. 🔗 Connect with the speakers:Harpreet Singh – https://www.linkedin.com/in/harpreet8014/Patty White – https://www.linkedin.com/in/pbwhite/

In this RFWIN teaser episode of Tales from the Pitch, Ben Klein welcomes two powerhouse consultants in the AEC proposal world: Amanda Haven and Olivia Haselwood. Amanda and Olivia—both speakers at the upcoming RFWIN conference—share their deeply personal and practical journeys from full-time employment to full-blown solopreneurship. From juggling proposal deadlines with field trips and farm chores to navigating tax surprises and setting up LLCs by flashlight, this episode is full of real talk, hard-won lessons, and moments of hilarity. Thinking about going solo? Wondering how to set up your business the right way? Don’t miss this episode—and be sure to catch their session at RFWIN, complete with downloadable worksheets to jumpstart your consulting career. Connect with the speakers:Amanda Haven – https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandahaven/Olivia Hazelwood – https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliviahaselwood/ Grab your RFWIN tickets here https://events.ringcentral.com/events/recipes-for-winning-2025-camp-p-i-e-92776254-ceaa-484c-9168-6208985a741d?code=B3pjZOw1a8Dur5QGdYUuSb42Fhttps://events.ringcentral.com/events/recipes-for-winning-2025-camp-p-i-e-92776254-ceaa-484c-9168-6208985a741d?code=B3pjZOw1a8Dur5QGdYUuSb42F     https://events.ringcentral.com/events/recipes-for-winning-2025-camp-p-i-e-92776254-ceaa-484c-9168-6208985a741d?code=B3pjZOw1a8Dur5QGdYUuSb42Fhttps://events.ringcentral.com/events/recipes-for-winning-2025-camp-p-i-e-92776254-ceaa-484c-9168-6208985a741d?code=B3pjZOw1a8Dur5QGdYUuSb42Fhttps://events.ringcentral.com/events/recipes-for-winning-2025-camp-p-i-e-92776254-ceaa-484c-9168-6208985a741d?code=B3pjZOw1a8Dur5QGdYUuSb42Fhttps://events.ringcentral.com/events/recipes-for-winning-2025-camp-p-i-e-92776254-ceaa-484c-9168-6208985a741d?code=B3pjZOw1a8Dur5QGdYUuSb42Fhttps://events.ringcentral.com/events/recipes-for-winning-2025-camp-p-i-e-92776254-ceaa-484c-9168-6208985a741d?code=B3pjZOw1a8Dur5QGdYUuSb42Fhttps://events.ringcentral.com/events/recipes-for-winning-2025-camp-p-i-e-92776254-ceaa-484c-9168-6208985a741d?code=B3pjZOw1a8Dur5QGdYUuSb42Fhttps://events.ringcentral.com/events/recipes-for-winning-2025-camp-p-i-e-92776254-ceaa-484c-9168-6208985a741d?code=B3pjZOw1a8Dur5QGdYUuSb42Fhttps://events.ringcentral.com/events/recipes-for-winning-2025-camp-p-i-e-92776254-ceaa-484c-9168-6208985a741d?code=B3pjZOw1a8Dur5QGdYUuSb42Fhttps://events.ringcentral.com/events/recipes-for-winning-2025-camp-p-i-e-92776254-ceaa-484c-9168-6208985a741d?code=B3pjZOw1a8Dur5QGdYUuSb42Fhttps://events.ringcentral.com/events/recipes-for-winning-2025-camp-p-i-e-92776254-ceaa-484c-9168-6208985a741d?code=B3pjZOw1a8Dur5QGdYUuSb42Fhttps://events.ringcentral.com/events/recipes-for-winning-2025-camp-p-i-e-92776254-ceaa-484c-9168-6208985a741d?code=B3pjZOw1a8Dur5QGdYUuSb42F https://events.ringcentral.com/events/recipes-for-winning-2025-camp-p-i-e-92776254-ceaa-484c-9168-6208985a741d?code=B3pjZOw1a8Dur5QGdYUuSb42F https://events.ringcentral.com/events/recipes-for-winning-2025-camp-p-i-e-92776254-ceaa-484c-9168-6208985a741d?code=B3pjZOw1a8Dur5QGdYUuSb42F Like this? Join us free at: https://www.proposalindustryexperts.com/

We’ve done it again—another AI image tool test, and the results are better than ever (but still kind of weird). In this episode, Ben Klein and Rachelle Ray revisit their quest to generate a usable business graphic using the latest AI platforms. Using a single prompt, they run tests across Canva, Google Gemini, Adobe Firefly, and ChatGPT to see who delivers the cleanest, clearest image for a proposal deck. Spoiler: we’re getting close, but not quite there yet. They also touch on: Generative video and the marketing disruption ahead Ethics of replacing creative professionals A wish for universal basic income (seriously) Upcoming PIE events including RFWin and the Baker’s Dozen call for voices 🔗 Like what you hear? Join us at https://www.proposalindustryexperts.com/📢 Share this episode and help us crowdsource better tools (and better graphics).🎧 Subscribe: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pie-presents-tales-from-the-pitch/id1702968476

In this episode of Tales from the Pitch, Ben Klein is joined by Kevin Thompson of Thompson Consulting for a consultant-to-consultant chat about what’s really happening in the proposal space right now. They explore: Federal vs. commercial client work Small business AI adoption (or lack thereof) The myth of perfect proposal software Managing the ebb and flow of client demand And the hunt for scalable, ethical swag (yes, really) Plus, Ben shares a Tale from the Pitch about delivering a bid across the U.S. border—and the customs headache that followed. 🔗 Like what you hear? Join us at https://www.proposalindustryexperts.com/📢 Share this episode with your network and help us keep the conversation going.🎧 Subscribe: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pie-presents-tales-from-the-pitch/id1702968476

In this RFWIN teaser episode of Tales from the Pitch, Ben Klein and Rachelle Ray welcome two standout voices from the upcoming RFWIN conference: Donald Silwick and Jeremiah Williams. Donald, a Sales Operations Manager at Jacobs, shares insights from his world of global defense proposals and federal pursuits, while Jeremiah, a proposal strategist at Schmidt Associates, discusses the power of structured strategy—making the case that even creatives can lead competitive, winning proposals. With a title inspired by Survivor, Jeremiah’s session promises real-world tools you can apply tomorrow to boost your win rate, get team buy-in, and lead with clarity. From proposal horror stories to the hustle of managing win rates and influencing go/no-go decisions, this episode gives you a taste of the practical and passionate expertise coming to RFWIN this August. 🔗 Connect with the speakers:Donald Silwick – https://www.linkedin.com/in/donaldsilwick/Jeremiah Williams – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremiah317/ Like what you hear? Join us for free at https://www.proposalindustryexperts.com/

Rachelle’s back from the road! After a whirlwind month of travel, conferences, and tech summits, she joins Ben Klein to unpack what’s trending in the proposal world. Spoiler: we’re still struggling with SMEs, AI is speeding ahead, and yes—Monday deadlines are still a villain. In this episode, the hosts swap lessons from both sides of the procurement table, talk about how AI is reshaping proposal workflows, and reflect on the future of proposal roles in a rapidly automating world. Stick around for a classic Tale from the Pitch—a simulated public engagement bid gone sideways (and theatrical). 🔗 Like what you hear? Join us at https://www.proposalindustryexperts.com/📢 Share this episode with your network and help us keep the conversation going.🎧 Subscribe: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pie-presents-tales-from-the-pitch/id1702968476

🎙️ Audio Note: Heads up—there are some audio hiccups during Ana Berkovich’s segment. Hang tight! Her insights on storytelling are worth the extra effort. This episode of the Thursday Temperature Check offers a sneak peek into two exciting RFWIN Camp PIE sessions. Host Ben Klein is joined by Ana Berkovich and Anne Walker—two professionals bringing fresh, honest perspectives on the challenges of modern proposal work. 💬 Meet Ana Berkovich – With three years of experience in commercial banking proposals, Ana knows the world of long, regulated responses all too well. She's taking the stage at RFWIN to talk about storytelling—how to bring proposals to life in industries that often feel anything but inspiring. Her take? Make your content human, engaging, and clear—even when you're dealing with complex financial products. 🔧 Meet Anne Walker – AEC marketer by way of sociology and social work, Anne has spent a decade fine-tuning proposal processes in engineering firms. Her RFWIN session tackles the reality of change management—not the theory. She's breaking down how to assess your firm’s culture honestly, work with real people (not ideal scenarios), and implement systems that stick. No more one-size-fits-all solutions that fizzle after a shiny rollout. Expect candid conversation, technical glitches (it’s PIE, after all), and a closing Tale from the Pitch that reminds us all why we love this weird and wonderful industry. 💡 Like what you hear? Join us for free at https://www.proposalindustryexperts.com/🔔 Subscribe to our channel for more smart and funny takes on procurement life.📣 Share this episode with your network to spread the wisdom—and the laughs. Anne Walker: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-e-walker/ Ana Berkovich: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ana-berkovich/ #ProposalManagement #StorytellingInProposals #ChangeManagement #RFWin #ProcurementHumor #TalesFromThePitch #AECMarketing #PIE #LinkedInLive  

In this solo episode of Tales from the Pitch, Ben Klein explores the intersection of procurement data, political trends, and new AI tools that just might help us make sense of it all. With access to 50 years of tender data from Canada, the U.S., and the U.K., Ben lays out a plan to analyze procurement patterns around key economic events—housing crashes, pandemics, and political shifts. He's got the data and a new AI tool to crunch it. Now, he's calling on the PIE community to join the project. From LLM limitations to future-focused forecasting, this episode invites listeners into the early stages of something big. Want in? 🔗 Like what you hear? Join us at https://www.proposalindustryexperts.com/📢 Share this episode with your network to build something great—together.🎧 Subscribe: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pie-presents-tales-from-the-pitch/id1702968476

In this episode of Thursday Temperature Check, Ben Klein is joined by UK-based bid writing consultant Leonie Thomas, a featured speaker at this year's RFWin and Camp PIE (August 7–8). With Rachelle Ray on the road, Ben dives into a fascinating conversation with Leonie about the evolving role of the bid writer—especially in an era increasingly influenced by AI. 🚧 Leonie shares her journey in the construction and infrastructure engineering space, her commitment to bid writing as a specialty (not a stepping stone), and her views on how AI is reshaping the bid communication process. From the importance of capturing reader attention to preparing junior bid writers in an AI-driven landscape, this episode covers it all—with a dash of humor, lemon curd love, and practical insight. 🎯 Key Topics Covered: The maturing profession of bid writing AI's impact on proposal workflows Strategies for training future bid writers Public vs. private sector bidding trends Why pre-bid content is the new gold 💡 A must-listen for proposal professionals looking to stay ahead in a changing industry! 📅 Don’t miss Leonie’s full session at Camp PIE this August! 🔗 Like what you hear? Join us for free at https://www.proposalindustryexperts.com 👥 Connect with Leonie Thomas https://www.linkedin.com/in/leoniewritesbids/ 

In this solo episode of Tales from the Pitch, Ben Klein steps in without a guest to take a moment for reflection. With recent legal decisions in the news, Ben pauses to consider how larger societal shifts impact the vulnerable and us all. He shares updates on the PIE community and revisits PIE’s core values of inclusivity, awareness, and support. From a Canadian perspective, Ben unpacks the ripple effects of U.S. policy decisions and what they might signal for professionals across North America. This isn’t just about politics—it’s about staying aware, grounded, and intentional in the spaces we create for each other. Whether you're here for community updates or thoughtful industry reflection, this episode offers a chance to reset and reconnect. 🔗 Like what you hear? Join us for free at proposalindustryexperts.com📢 Share this episode with your team or network to keep the conversation going.

This week on "Tales from the Pitch," Ben holds down the fort while Rachelle travels for SMPS, delivering a solo update session packed with insights and community news. From announcing the new “Camp” theme for RFWIN 2025 to breaking down the transition to the Disco platform, Ben keeps the PIE community in the loop. He talks accessibility for new speakers, community conversations about branded swag, and offers humorous reflections on caffeine dependency in the world of proposals. You'll also hear musings on procurement response times, member marketplace ideas, and the joys of swapping platforms (hello login issues). Whether you're prepping a submission or sipping your Tim Hortons, this episode is full of warmth, wit, and a dose of PIE updates. 💡 Key Topics: Speaker application tips Disco platform quirks PIE swag and Shopify plans RFX response time patterns Caffeine confessions and community banter 📢 Share this episode with your network to keep the conversation going! 👉 Join us for free: https://www.proposalindustryexperts.com/🔗 Follow PIE on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/proposal-industry-experts/📺 Catch our latest on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ProposalIndustryExperts

Ben Klein is back from Japan and rejoining Rachelle Ray in this jam-packed episode of Tales from the Pitch! The two swap stories, dive into updates from PIE's ever-evolving platform migration, and recap two standout webinars: Brianna Carter’s UX panel and Jeremy Brim’s Growth Ignition session. Inside the episode: The wild ride of switching platforms mid-webinar 🎥 Updates on PIE’s move to Disco (spoiler: mobile app included!) Call for Camp PIE (RFWin 2024) speaker applications How global procurement practices vary—Ben’s Japan trip sparked a big idea 💡 Which is it—NAICS or “Nakes”? The community weighs in! 🎙️ And to close: a Tale from the Pitch featuring the ultimate portal nightmare—an RFP drops, but the portal says no access... for five days. Cue stress.   🌐 Join PIE / Official Website: https://www.proposalindustryexperts.com 📺 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ProposalIndustryExperts 💼 Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/proposal-industry-experts/

In this special solo episode of Tales from the Pitch, Rachelle Ray flies solo (and maybe streams on the wrong platform?) to deliver a full rundown of what’s happening inside Proposal Industry Experts. From Pi Day celebrations and AI-powered proposal panels to PIE’s new community platform and upcoming webinars, Rachelle covers: Sneak peeks at two new webinars: UX in Proposals (March 14) and Career Growth in Bids (March 19) Details on the new Growth Ignition training partnership Why PIE is moving to a sleek new home on Disco A shout-out to RFP 101 and the launch of premium content Industry trends in GovCon vs. SLED and how AI is shifting expectations And of course, it wouldn’t be Tales from the Pitch without a story. Rachelle closes with a toner disaster of magenta proportions in this unforgettable printer fail meets proposal deadline moment. 🌐 Join PIE / Official Website: https://www.proposalindustryexperts.com 📺 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ProposalIndustryExperts 💼 Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/proposal-industry-experts/

In this episode of Tales from the Pitch, Rachelle Ray is joined by proposal tech nerds and consultants Ceri Mescall and Chris Basilla to tackle a real challenge in the industry: choosing the right AI tool in a market that’s flooded with options. They break down: Why tech adoption fails (and how to avoid it) How to spot vendor bias and shiny object syndrome The danger of building AI tools on broken processes How to think strategically about team buy-in and empathy What 400+ hours of market research taught them about tool viability Plus, they unveil My Proposal Pathway—a 3-step service to help teams cut through the noise and find tools that actually fit their workflows, budgets, and proposal environments. And you don’t want to miss Kerry’s Tale from the Pitch: a sticky situation involving wet paint, orals coaching, and the world’s most reluctant presenter. 📍 Learn more at: https://www.myproposalpathway.com💼 Connect with Chris & Carrie on LinkedIn 🌐 Join PIE / Official Website: https://www.proposalindustryexperts.com 📺 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ProposalIndustryExperts 💼 Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/proposal-industry-experts/

In this episode of Tales from the Pitch, Ben Klein and Rachelle Ray reunite in their first shared 2025 Temperature Check—and it’s a whirlwind. Fresh off a live D&D show, SMPS’s Southern Regional Conference, and a whirlwind trip to London, Rachelle shares key insights on creative burnout and why proposal professionals need messy creative space to thrive. Together, she and Ben explore the tension between productivity and innovation, with helpful tips from their own personal creative practices. Plus, big PIE news:🚀 RFP 101 is live! A crash course for newbies and solo-preneurs navigating the proposal world.📱 A sneak peek at PIE’s new learning and community platform, hosted on Disco.🧠 And thoughtful reflection on AI’s impact—what’s hype, what’s real, and why proposal writers are still essential. Stick around for laughs, community shoutouts, and a reminder that PIE is here to support you, whatever stage you’re in. 🌐 Join PIE / Official Website: https://www.proposalindustryexperts.com 📺 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ProposalIndustryExperts 💼 Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/proposal-industry-experts/

In this Tales from the Pitch episode, Ben Klein and Rachelle Ray dig into the freshly released Loopio 2024 Trends Report, unpacking the most telling data points shaping the proposal industry this year. They call out: The ongoing disconnect between leadership and frontline proposal staff Why AI isn’t replacing you yet—but execs think it might The real cost of proposals (spoiler: it's not $900) The importance of go/no-go discipline and the myth of “we can do the work” And of course… yes, we’re still dealing with burnout 😬 From hilarious chart errors to smart insights on selectivity and strategy, Ben and Rachelle don’t just break down the data—they give it context, with real-world commentary you won’t get from a download link. 🌐 Join PIE / Official Website: https://www.proposalindustryexperts.com 📺 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ProposalIndustryExperts 💼 Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/proposal-industry-experts/

This episode of Tales from the Pitch dives into the future of proposals—with a human touch. Ben Klein and Rachelle Ray welcome Brianna Carter, marketing strategist at Page and a member of PIE’s advisory board, to preview her upcoming expert panel on user experience (UX) in proposals. Together, they explore what it means to make proposals more readable, engaging, and accessible—from microsites to multimedia storytelling, from AI integrations to the audacity of actual innovation in procurement. They also dig into the reality of juggling proposals, parenting, and professionalism (spoiler: twins and snow days are involved). Plus, don’t miss Brianna’s Tale from the Pitch, which might be the most relatable work-from-home story in proposal land. 🎉 Her panel drops on Pi Day (March 14)—mark your calendar and register! 🌐 Join PIE / Official Website: https://www.proposalindustryexperts.com 📺 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ProposalIndustryExperts 💼 Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/proposal-industry-experts/

In this episode of Tales from the Pitch, Ben Klein welcomes UK-based bidding powerhouse Jeremy Brim to officially launch Growth Ignition—a new educational partnership with Proposal Industry Experts (PIE). Jeremy brings 25 years of experience in bids, capture, and business development, and he’s worked with everyone from scrappy startups to billion-dollar firms. They dig deep into the strategy behind winning more (and better) work: why capture is the make-or-break phase, how strong sponsorship changes outcomes, and what the future of proposal education should look like. This episode pulls no punches—complete with insights, laughs, and the occasional British swear. Plus, Jeremy shares a Tale from the Pitch that haunts him every time he passes London’s King’s Cross Station. Yes, it involves Google. Yes, it involves senior executives with big egos. And yes, you’ll want to hear it. 🔥 PIE members: keep an eye out for exclusive Growth Ignition discounts and access soon! 🌐 Join PIE / Official Website: https://www.proposalindustryexperts.com 📺 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ProposalIndustryExperts 💼 Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/proposal-industry-experts/

Welcome back to Tales from the Pitch, the podcast where we mix humor, expertise, and a dash of procurement chaos! In this episode, Ben Klein kicks off the first Temperature Check of 2025 solo—well, not really. While Rachelle Ray braves the wilds of Houston for the SMPS conference (and, let’s be honest, probably disrupting the local weather in the process), Ben is joined by none other than the fantastic Christina Carter! Christina, a powerhouse in the proposal world, shares insights from her time with major companies like Zendesk and Amazon Web Services, her experience running her own consultancy, and her role as part of the PIE Baker’s Dozen. The conversation covers proposal processes, bid libraries, and the realities of managing proposals across industries. Plus, Ben and Christina swap stories from their recent meet-up in London—complete with restaurant side-eye from a particularly unimpressed waiter. Stick around for all the laughs, lessons, and of course, a classic Tale from the Pitch. Don’t miss it! 🔗 Like what you hear? Join us for free at Proposal Industry Experts! Want more Chris Carter - Find her in the PIE Community or on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinagcarter/