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      - Bob Dylan, The Times They Are A-Changin’

 

Today, an article written in the WSJ titled "Why Email No Longer Rules…" was written and is getting a fair amount of buzz in the blogosphere.  As the author points out, one of the big changes now that we don’t have an online/offline relationship with the Internet is that email is taking a back seat to more real-time services like Facebook and Twitter.  As MG points out on TechCrunch, this has been going on for a while and also extends to services like Skype, IM, and Google’s Wave.

 

I would also argue that other micro-services and collaborative platforms that are helping the independent professional succeed are part of the new ruling class.  At Mavenlink, we think that it’s time to extend this model to the old, tired, worn-out proposal.  In the ‘80’s, it was "mail me your proposal."  In the ‘90’s, it was "FAX me your proposal."  In the last decade, it has been "email me your proposal."

 

There have been 2 problems with all of these old approaches: 1) you need another meeting to walk through the proposal and 2) usually they get filed away with the rest of your clients mail/email.  All the proposal does is allows the consultant to show their client that they were listening, they have a handle on the problem, and they are ready to get started on an agreement.  Doesn’t that sound perfect for some new collaboration tools?  Maybe even some tools that help you achieve mutual agreement, get contracts in place, and help you get the work done?  As our product guy, I’m really excited to show you what we have in the works.  In the meantime, please share with me your war stories.

 

If I may paraphrase Bob: if your client’s time is worth savin’, then you better start swimmin’…