Yesterday evening I was told at the end of presenting a proposal that we’d won the project for a European product launch. There had been a few late nights ‘Sat by the Mac’ pulling ‘stuff’ together – oh, and that is me on the left
– so it was great feeling to get the immediate go ahead…
The journey there
But I nearly didn’t get to the meeting – as my car broke down on the M4 only 10 mins away from getting there! I’m sure you can imagine the colourful language that was exiting my mouth in between inhalations…(!)
Fortunately, the chaps said that they would stay on – ‘phew’
Having to stand on the verge in the rain was not much fun however. But I had a good feeling that everything would be ok – very calming feeling…
Hitching a lift
Then I eyed the recovery vehicle pulling in (they only took an hour to get to me thank you HSBC Recovery
) and I thought to myself “I hope I can convince the driver to load the car on the back and drive me the last 10 mins so that I could get to the meeting…”
And fortunately – again – for me he said yes :0)
Fantastc…!
The meeting
Got to the meeting an hour late – met the chaps and went through the proposal – with findings – and then presented the visuals at the end…
Then, when I saw their faces, I didn’t care what had happened to my car, nor the fact that I was stuck without transport back to Bath or that I hadn’t eaten all day… The feedback and instant notification that we’d won the pitch was nothing short of a ‘perfect moment’
So what was so different about winning this project?
Well, we’d only been asked to take part in the pitch last Friday PM – and although they new it was short notice (Monday PM deadline) they asked if we’d be up for the challenge?
Over to you Churchill …. “Oh yessssss”
So I took the brief over the phone while Polly drove us back down the M6 after our holiday in Cumbria. They emailed the files Friday evening and I started producing on-page/off-page SEO reports for benchmarking. Set up my Radian6 dashboard to monitor the online conversations from the last 30 days and established where they were taking place – then tweaked it over the weekend. I called 6Consulting (UK arm of Radian6) and spoke to Paul to asked for advice on getting the best info we could over a short period of time and he asked Tom & Rhiannon to help out and review the R6 dashboard I’d setup (Dad always told me to measure twice and cut once
) – which saved me so much time (thanks for all your help) so I could carry on writing the proposal and then incorporate benchmarks for SEO and the social media findings.
Yesterday morning we received the remaining files, so I briefed Louise and Simon – two of our designers at m4 – at 10 am; who then worked their magic to make sure that I had concepts to take with me by 3pm (which the client wasn’t expecting to see because of the short notice)
…And finally
What made this win particularly special for me was seeing the look on our new clients faces. Then knowing that I would have the pleasure of letting Louise, Simon, Paul, Tom & Rhiannon know that together we’d won the pitch!
What I truly believe is that there are actually no limits to what can be achieved with the right ‘team’ – internal and/or external – all pulling in the same direction…
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{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow Lee you never cease to amaze me at the sheer speed and velocity at which you work and can pull things together. I feel like a lesser human being for only working 10 hour days!
I dont know how you do it most of the time. Quite frankly Im not surprised you won the pitch there an then after such a monumental effort, and with your presentation skills too, they would be mad not to.
Well done son! Touchdown!
Thanks Robbie ( @robertaward )
But I think I had the easy bit…
80% is pshycological: if you have confidence in the team that you work with, that they can rise to a challenge and they have confidence in you to do the same – the 'bar' naturally will go up…
I feel so fortunate to work with people that can raise their game – which motivates me to raise mine
Its so important to let go and let others, isn't it. If you know the right people to ask, they can do things so much quicker and better. I had no idea we'd be able to find a great venue, sort out a campaign, and get a Scottish Engineer raising money for our hospice in Suffolk (and talking about it on local radio!). All this has happened because people are willing to help _doing what they are good at_.
Congratulations on the win Lee – now get some sleep!!
Thanks Su (@SuButcher ). Letting go is so key – we can only do so much right and you're right that other people who specialise in certain areas should be used … collaborate to innovate sums it up for me
Congrats on the fund raiser is there a link to donate online?
Sleep? What's that lol
Lee once again an inspirational post from you. I echo the words of Roberta & Su. Your work ethic, your character & your personality are exemplary; what is even more inspiring though, is that in the midst of all this going on you still make time to speak/connect with people. Great result my friend, may you have many more!
Lee, congrats a well deserved win. I agree with @robertaward your work-rate is first-class.
I'm not suprised your client was immediately engaged, your approach was comprehensive and savvy right from the start.
Hi Lee The link to donate is http://bit.ly/dkyTEV follow @EACH_Treehouse for updates and use hashtag #treehouseappeal
Hi Su ( @SuButcher )
Thanks for the link to the #treehouseappeal http://bit.ly/dkyTEV
Common peeps can you help?
Thanks Rob. (@robjcameron)
But my Dad deserves the credit for that really: he taught me and continues to inspire
Cheers Paul (@paul_tayloruk) And it's great to partner with you guys at 6Consulting on projects like this… :O)
Your Dad sounds like a great mentor