PIE Presents: Tales from the Pitch

UX in Proposals: Reimagining How We Communicate with Clients

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/

Growth Ignition Launch

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/

Christina Carter - Taking a Seat at the Table

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/

Posted Late - Proposal Graphics, GPT Agents, and Holiday Deadline Chaos

It’s the most wonderful (and stressful) time of the year—at least for proposal professionals! In this episode of Tales from the Pitch, Ben Klein and Rachelle Ray dive into the classic end-of-year crunch, swapping stories about last-minute procurements, unrealistic deadlines, and the hidden toll of "holiday bids."
But it's not all doom and deadlines. The duo also explores how proposal professionals can level up their game with AI. From using Midjourney to enhance proposal graphics to creating a custom ChatGPT assistant, this episode is packed with practical tips and laughs. Ben and Rachelle walk through building a "recruiting proposal consultant" GPT, share holiday travel vibes, and tease OpenAI's latest contender in the image game.
Plus, PIE is hosting its first-ever Town Hall in January, and you're invited! Tune in to find out how you can help shape the next RFWin and make your voice heard in the proposal community.
Like what you hear? Join the PIE community: https://www.proposalindustryexperts.comFollow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/proposal-industry-expertsWatch more episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@ProposalIndustryExperts

Beating Burnout: Boundaries and Balance

 📌 Summary:In this episode of Thursday Temperature Check, hosts Ben Klein and Rachelle Ray get real about burnout and how it intensifies during the holiday season. They share personal stories, practical strategies, and tips for setting boundaries, managing guilt, and finding moments of rest amidst the chaos.
🚩 Highlights:
Recognizing the signs of burnout before it’s too late.
Why incremental self-care beats all-or-nothing approaches.
Setting boundaries at work and learning to say “no.”
How to reframe rest as productivity.
🎯 Takeaway:Burnout isn’t inevitable—small changes and supportive networks can make a big difference.
💬 Join the Conversation:How do you tackle burnout? Share your tips in the comments or our community forum at https://proposalindustryexperts.com

The build a chatgpt 'GPT' episode

This is better watched on youtube.
In this special 'Tales from the Pitch' episode, Rachelle Ray steps into the role of Tech Expert, guiding co-host Ben Klein through the process of creating a GPT agent. Dive into an educational and fun-filled session where complex AI concepts are broken down into practical steps anyone can follow. Whether you're curious about leveraging AI for proposal work or just looking for an engaging tech chat, this episode has something for you. Join Rachelle and Ben as they explore the world of GPT agents, sharing insights, tips, and a few laughs along the way. Don’t miss this hands-on learning adventure!
Like what we are doing, come join us free at www.proposalindustryexperts.com

Ben Johns on Competitive Insights of Metadata in Proposals

 
In this episode of Tales from the Pitch, Rachelle Ray, Ben Klein, and special guest Ben Johns (SME) discuss harnessing the power of metadata to gain competitive insights from proposal documents. The conversation delves into strategies for turning data into actionable intelligence, offering listeners practical advice for staying ahead in the competitive proposal landscape.
Like what you hear: Come join us free at www.proposalindustryexperts.com
Find Ben Johns in the community or online at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bsjohns/

Community Updates

Welcome to 'Tales from the Pitch,' brought to you by Proposal Industry Experts. In this episode, hosts Ben Klein and Rachelle Ray share an unexpected twist—coming to you from the same location but separated by a few technical challenges. As they settle into a snowy New Mexico backdrop, they offer listeners a unique blend of relatable moments and insightful discussions. We are in our annual planning and tease out some of the things we want to do for the community in 2025. Tune in for a mix of proposal tips, real-life stories, and the camaraderie that makes every episode feel like a conversation with friends. Get ready for an entertaining temperature check that proves even tech mishaps can lead to great stories.
Want to join the community, it's free www.proposalindustryexperts.com

Navigating from a response tool.

In this episode of 'Tales from the Pitch,' Ben Klein and Rachelle Ray tackle a topic that resonates with many in the proposal world: transitioning away from a response tool. With humor and practical advice, they share their experiences, discuss the challenges of migration, and outline steps to ensure a smooth switch to new systems. If you've ever struggled with adapting to change or wondered how to effectively manage such a shift, this episode is packed with insights and relatable moments. Tune in to hear tips, strategies, and a few laughs along the way as the hosts guide you through the complexities of moving on from your trusted response tool.
Enjoying this show, come join us for free at www.proposalindustryexperts.com

Writing - Community Challenges to AI Editing: Tales from the Pitch

Join Ben Klein and Rachelle Ray on this episode of 'Proposal Industry Experts' as they explore the power of community and creativity in proposal writing. They dive into their latest community writing challenge, highlighting why strong writing skills are crucial in the proposal industry. The hosts also discuss the benefits of using AI tools like ChatGPT as an editor to elevate your writing game. Wrapping up the episode, they share an engaging 'Tales from the Pitch' segment, filled with real-life stories and lessons learned. Whether you're a seasoned proposal pro or just starting out, this episode offers practical insights and a touch of humor that you won't want to miss.
Like what you hear, come join us at www.proposalindustryexperts.com