Consultant Spotlight: Frank Cumberland

Favorite part of being a consultant?

I really like the ability to move often between clients, rather than being part of a company’s stable of proposal people working all the time on the same types of proposals. I think this keeps me fresh and allows me to see how each firm works. Also, being an “outsider” I have no “dog in the fight”, which allows me to give honest responses to my client that I think they may not get internally and they greatly appreciate.

What is the secret to managing a successful proposal?

Communications. Effective communications amongst the team about all aspects of the project are essential and can make things run efficiently with the chances for mistakes, especially with large efforts, greatly reduced.

Any tips for writing a winning proposal?

Know your audience and write to them.

Biggest proposal pet peeve?

Terrible or no solutioning as part of the proposal preparation. Solutioning is so important for outside consultants who don’t know the company we are working with. There is nothing worse than having a writing or management assignment with no clear solutions at the onset for the responses we are providing in the proposal.

Where was your last vacation and what was the highlight of the trip?

Alaska, which if all works out will be my summer home one day… Highlight of the trip? Everything!!! If the winters weren’t so brutal I would move there today.

Do you have any hidden talents?

Nope, none at all. I am an open book.

If you could meet anyone in the world (dead or alive) who would it be and why?

Tough question, as the list would be massive. Though the question I would ask them would probably be the same: “What were you thinking?”