If you want in the design business..roll these dice....

[Mike_Young]

Attached is a request for proposal we received from a club in Latin America.  This might let some of you see how goofy the design world right now.  The club below states " you can see we are serious".....Really?  These types of places...and this is a large club...have zero clue on how to choose a firm...
Think about it...what if the worst two design firms confirm first?  
This is not a joke....

________________________

-

This is emails is sent to you since you have confirmed interest on participating in the selection of a consulting firm that will develop the master plan for XXX.
 
The RFP was recently modified, please see and confirm you received this attach.
 
CGP has decide to evaluate a maximum of 4 consulting firms for this process.  Remember that participating companies must do a coordinated onsite visit to CGP facilities.
- 2 Companies have already been confirmed to be participatingFor your company to participate:
- we need your confirmation on possible dates for your onsite visit to CGP
- the first 2 companies that we can confirm their visit to CGP, will be selected
- If your company is selected on this short list, you’ll receive an email subject “CGP - Confirmation Email - Consulting Firm : [Company Name]”
 
Note:
- Do not book your flight unless your company is confirmed to be on the short list.
 
Contact me if you have any questions regarding this communication.
 
Thanks for attention and interest on this project.
 
Regards.

[Tom_Doak]

Sounds like an easy entree into the business to me ... all you've gotta do is be the early bird, and you've got a 25% chance of getting hired.  And you're not likely to be competing with me for this one!

[Malcolm Mckinnon]

Mike,

Their English is not so good. I would agree that it sounds like they have zero clue.

Since you have already done at least one project in Costa Rica that I am aware of I think you need to develop a sense of who might be worth working with and also who will pay you when you are finished. This project may not meet minimum standards for consideration.

I work in the Textile Industry, manufacturing in upstate SC, want to switch places?

Malcolm

[J Sadowsky]

I wonder if they already know they're going with one of the two "confirmed" bids and this is just for show.  Would put your odds way less than 25%.

[Mike_Young]

Malcolm,
These guys would be fine but not worth the trouble.  Anyone that expects people to pay all of their own travel expenses and has no interest in viewing their work or knows if they have work in the area doesn't grab me as a client I would wish to work with.  But I know what happened.  Initially they had asked me to come on a particular date which did not work for me.  And then in just a few days the word was out and they got inundated with people asking to come see them.  It's not worth the hassle.  

[Mike_Young]

I wonder if they already know they're going with one of the two "confirmed" bids and this is just for show.  Would put your odds way less than 25%.

No....

[Malcolm Mckinnon]

Mike,

Actually, the scenario you describe is what, we in the Textile Industry, have been going through for the past 12 years.

My best analogy is that of a sinking ship where everyone alive is grabbing for anything that floats. The floating objects are pieces of viable and sustainable business and the grabbers are all the suppliers to a shrinking market who are desperately trying to stay in business themselves.

Not much fun.

Malcolm

[Mike_Young]

Mike,

Actually, the scenario you describe is what, we in the Textile Industry, have been going through for the past 12 years.

My best analogy is that of a sinking ship where everyone alive is grabbing for anything that floats. The floating objects are pieces of viable and sustainable business and the grabbers are all the suppliers to a shrinking market who are desperately trying to stay in business themselves.

Not much fun.

Malcolm

The best way to sum up many of the large private clubs in Latin America and South America is by logo.  A power logo for most is a Pickering Shirt from Doral with the stays in the collar.  That says it all.  The golf pros go south to design and they drool all over them.  And while some might think I would piss them off with these comments....the ones I would want to work for know I am correct with these statements.

[Malcolm Mckinnon]

Mike,

I'm not sure I am following you here.

Would I gain respect if I wear some Miami, FL logo golf club shirts while traveling in Central and South America?

And why Doral???

Malcolm

[Bill_McBride]

Mike,

I'm not sure I am following you here.

Would I gain respect if I wear some Miami, FL logo golf club shirts while traveling in Central and South America?

And why Doral???

Malcolm

It's a menthol cigarette.

Nobody knows more about the business of golf in Latin America than Don Mike Young.