PIE Presents: Tales from the Pitch

The Post RFWIN Episode - Behind the Scenes at Camp PIE 2025

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/ 

RFWin Teaser - The AI + Tiered Support Crossover

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/

RFWIN2025 Teaser - Olivia Hazelwood and Amanda Haven - Consulting Tips

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/

AI, Arrows & Aliens — Still Chasing the Perfect Proposal Graphic

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

Consulting, AI, and RFP Chaos — Featuring Kevin Thompson

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

RFWIN Teaser - Donald Silwick and Jeremiah Williams

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/

From Conference Chaos to AI Creep — What’s Next in Proposals?

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

RFWIN Teaser 2 - Ana Berkovich, Anne Walker - Storytelling & Change Management

🎙️ 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
 

Data Dreams and AI Schemes — Can We Predict Procurement?

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

RFWIN Teaser - Exploring the Future of Bid Writing with Leonie Thomas ✍️

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/