Let’s Talk About Why RFPs Suck

Well....yesterday i lost yet another RFP!

i know....i know...i said that i was never doing another RFP, they were a waste of time, but this one was for a friend of a friend and so i was convinced to make an exception.

First, let me share a couple stats:

✅ My win rate on new leads is 90% over a 10 year period.

👎 RFPs over the same period? A big, fat ZERO. Yup, i have yet to win a single RFP i have participated in.

5 years ago, after seeing how much time was being spent on RFPs and obvious how little return was being generated, i instituted a "NO RFPs" policy at 33 Sticks. As mentioned, i've allowed us to break this rule a few times because the RFP was being run by an industry friend or someone we worked with in the past - but the experience was still the same though, a bit shady and highly negative, regardless if the RFP was from a friend or a complete stranger.

And look, i'm open to me being absolute shit at playing the RFP game, that is very much a possibility. But, me being incapable of winning RFPs aside, it's important to understand the ugly truth about most RFPs.

How do i know? Because i was once on the other side of this game, i know EXACTLY what RFPs are designed for and how they work.

When you're part of an RFP, you're either:

1️⃣ An incumbent or preferred vendor—Here, the RFP is a tool to beat you up on contract terms.

2️⃣ A seat filler—You're just there to give the illusion of a fair selection process.

Why the RFP Doesn't Align with 33 Sticks

At 33 Sticks, we're all about people—real, breathing humans, not corporate NPCs. We value honesty and transparency. RFPs? They're the antithesis of everything we stand for.

Enough's Enough!

Peace, love, and no more RFPs ✌️💛🚫