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Interview with New Member Sandra Draper

Sandra Draper
Textual Images LLC
Atlanta, GA

     (Joined APMP December 2009)

APMP Question.
 How long have you been a proposal manager/specialist/
writer?

Sandra:  I was first introduced to proposal writing in a graduate course in the Master of Technical and Professional Writing program at Northeastern University (1992), although I spent several years thereafter writing software and systems documentation in the IT industry (1993-1999). For several years prior to graduate school, I wrote legal briefs and other memoranda at law firms, mastering the art of persuasive argument (1986-1991). For the last 10 years, I have negotiated IT contracts and monitored contract compliance. I am currently writing proposal and compliance documents, and managing the proposal process at a government consulting firm that assists small businesses in their efforts to win government procurement contracts.

APMP Question.
How did you become involved
 with proposals?

Sandra:  I was a freelance writer looking for my next assignment and met the partners of a government consulting firm who needed a proposal writer.

APMP Question.
Do you work in a “corporate office” or “home office” environment? 

What do you like best and least about working in your current environment? 

Sandra:  Both. I am a small business owner who works out of my home office, but I also maintain office space with some clients. I appreciate the ability to control the environment in my home office when working to meet a deadline, but the office environment facilitates the required collaboration and synergy between the proposal and project management teams.

APMP Question.
What do you feel is the most challenging aspect of your job?

Sandra:  My current challenge is developing templates to capture some client content during the pre-solicitation stage in an effort to streamline the overall proposal preparation process once a bid becomes public.

APMP Question.
What shortcuts or helpful best practices about working with proposal teams could you share?

Sandra:  I am new to the proposal preparation process.

APMP Question.
When did you join APMP?

Sandra:  Two weeks ago but I’m excited about the opportunity to collaborate with other proposal professionals.

APMP Question.
What is your method for successfully working with your proposal teams?

Sandra:  I am new to the proposal process and will be in a better position to answer this question in six months. But my planned approach is to COMMUNICATE, COMMUNICATE, COMMUNICATE.

APMP Question.
Which type of proposals do you do most? Commercial or government?

Sandra:  Government