Consultant Spotlight: Eric Spillman

Favorite part of being a consultant?

I get to do something different almost every day…keeps the job interesting. I also enjoy working with different clients and seeing tangible results of my work when a proposal goes out the door.

What is the secret to managing a successful proposal?

Flexibility and a sense of humor – nothing ever, ever goes as planned in a proposal. Once you accept that fact, you just figure out how to adjust on the fly to get the job done. And, just as importantly, keep your sense of humor and don’t panic under the pressure of the deadline.

Any tips for writing a winning proposal?

Shorter sentences, plainer language, and white space on the page. It’s sometimes hard to do because they ask for more information than they give page count.

Biggest proposal pet peeve?

Too many reviewers and not enough writers.

Where was your last vacation and what was the highlight of the trip?

New York City – We met my wife’s brother and his family there and did a lot of sightseeing. I would have to say the highlight for me was the Statue of Liberty. We didn’t go up to the crown, but the pedestal view and boat ride out and back was great.

Do you have any hidden talents?

My family all knows that I have an eye for interior decorating.

If you could meet anyone in the world (dead or alive) who would it be and why?

John James Audubon. I am a birdwatcher and I would have loved to meet him, talked to him about birds, and then just watched him sketch/paint.