PIE Presents: Tales from the Pitch

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
 

AI Fumbles, Vacation Juggles, and a Printed Bid Nightmare

In this episode of Tales from the Pitch, Ben and Rachelle from Proposal Industry Experts dive into the lighter and more challenging sides of proposal management. First, they discuss the amusing and often frustrating limitations of AI in understanding proposal meeting notes, offering some laughs and insights into the evolving role of technology in the industry. Then, Rachelle shares her recent return from vacation and the unique stress that proposal managers face when trying to unplug, only to return to a mountain of work. Finally, they close with a cautionary tale about a printed bid gone horribly wrong—one of those pitch nightmares you’ll want to avoid! Join us for this fun and relatable conversation filled with practical tips and proposal industry wisdom.
 
Come join us for free for even more conversation at https://www.proposalindustryexperts.com

Navigating People Pleasing in Proposal Management with Steven Alvarez

In this episode of Tales from the Pitch, Ben Klein of Proposal Industry Experts (PIE) is joined by Steven Alvarez, a member of the customer advisory board (Bakers Dozen), to delve into the challenge of people pleasing in the proposal response industry. Steven offers his unique insights on how trying to satisfy everyone can lead to miscommunication, overpromising, and process breakdowns.
Together, Ben and Steven explore strategies for managing expectations while maintaining the integrity of the proposal process. Whether you're a proposal manager or part of a response team, you'll learn valuable tips on setting boundaries, staying focused, and delivering high-quality proposals without falling into the people-pleasing trap.
Want more Steven Alvarez: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenralvarez/
Want more conversation: Join us free at https://proposalindustryexperts.com

The Proposal-Product Connection: Lessons from the Field with Lauren Styczynski

Join hosts Ben Klein and Rachelle Ray, founders of Proposal Industry Experts (PIE), as they sit down with Lauren Styczynski from their customer advisory board to explore the powerful connection between product management and proposal management. In this episode, Lauren shares practical insights on how adopting a product management mindset can revolutionize the way proposals are managed, leading to improved workflows and career satisfaction. Stick around until the end for a fun, unexpected story from Lauren about a memorable pitch that’s sure to entertain and inspire. Whether you're in product management or proposal management, this episode has something for you!
Connect with Lauren - https://laurenstyczynski.weebly.com/ linkedin.com/in/lauren-styczynski / 
 
Want more great insights.. come join us free at https://proposalindustryexperts.com