Choosing the Right Partner
- Audra Blasdel
- Sep 3
- 2 min read
Why proposals matter—but aren't enough.
What really matters when selecting your project team—and why the best partnerships go beyond what’s on paper.
I’ve been on all sides of the proposal process. As an Owner, I wrote RFPs and RFQs for everything from capital projects to facilities support. Now, at Waypoint Strategies, I often respond to proposals, and I also help Owners write them, review them, and select the right partners for the work ahead.
And if there’s one thing I know with absolute certainty, it’s this: There is so much more to a person, a firm, or a team than what’s written in a proposal.
The truth is, proposals can tell you what someone has done, but not always how they do it. They don’t always reveal whether a team will be collaborative, communicative, or aligned with your values. And they definitely can’t tell you how they’ll show up when a project gets complicated (which it always does).
A polished proposal doesn’t always equal a strong partnership. Of course, proposals matter. They’re important tools. They demonstrate experience, outline an approach, and provide a snapshot of qualifications. But they’re still just one piece of the puzzle.
At Waypoint Strategies, we encourage Owners to dig deeper—to ask:
Who’s actually going to do the work, day to day?
What’s this team like to collaborate with when things get tough?
Do they listen as well as they lead?
Will they make decisions that reflect my goals, or their own?
Because ultimately, the success of a project hinges on more than just technical expertise. It hinges on trust, chemistry, shared accountability, and the ability to work through uncertainty together.
The best teams are built with intention.
That’s one of the things we love helping Owners do. Whether it’s issuing an RFP for construction support, evaluating design teams, or building a facilities maintenance contract, we work side by side with our clients to craft selection processes that look beyond the obvious.
We help:
Write thoughtful scopes and questions that align with project priorities
Facilitate interviews that get past the sales pitch
Surface values and working styles, not just resumes and portfolios
Vet team structures, communication practices, and cultural fit
And when we’re the ones responding to a proposal? We walk the talk. We aim to show up transparently, collaboratively, and with an eye toward long-term partnership, not just short-term wins.
The takeaway?
You’re not just hiring a firm. You’re choosing people. People who will represent you, solve problems for you, and carry your mission into every meeting, every site walk, and every decision.
At Waypoint Strategies, we’ve sat in your seat. And we’ve built our team to be the kind of partner we always loved to have: one who listens, leads with integrity, and shows up ready to work as an extension of your team, not just ours.
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