Full Service Proposal Support - PW Communications -

Happy Holidays

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

PW Communications wishes you a very joyful holiday season. As 2011 comes to a close, we look back at another successful year. We are proud to note that our consulting services were essential in securing many major wins for our clients.

We are delighted that Jennifer Joyce has joined our staff as Assistant Marketing Manager. Jennifer joined the PW Communications team in March and is responsible for our marketing endeavors, which include interacting with clients, managing web content and social media, interviewing and vetting potential consultants and providing administrative support. Jennifer is attending the University of Maryland where she is pursuing a B.A. Degree in Communications.

Traditionally, PW Communications makes a point to spread holiday cheer by donating to worthy causes. In strong economic times and weak ones, we remain committed to helping those less fortunate. As has been our practice, we donate to myriad worthy causes. When we do find a need that tugs at our heartstrings or fills a void of comfort and caring for those with less, we are proud to always make our contributions in the name of PW Communications' friends and colleagues.

Please take pride in knowing that through your affiliation with PW Communications you have truly made a difference. Below is a full listing of all of the wonderful charities that we donated to:

Alzheimer's Association www.alz.org

Autism Speaks http://www.autismspeaks.org/

Capital Hospice www.capitalcaring.org

Delaware Food Bank www.fbd.org

Fairfax Hospital for Children www.inova.org

Girl Scout Troop 6244

Maryland Based Jewish Council for the Aging www.accessjca.org

Multiple Sclerosis Foundation http://www.msfocus.org/

S.E.R.V.E www.nvs.org

Salvation Army www.salvationarmy.org

SOME www.some.org

The American Cancer Society www.cancer.org

USO www.usometro.org

Wounded Warriors www.woundedwarriors.com

Hiring Proposal Professionals Out of the Alabama Area

PW Communications has an immediate need for proposal professionals out of the Alabama Area.

Skills include:

Proposal Manager

Deputy Proposal Manager

Volume Lead

Pricing Specialist

IMP/IMS Lead

Technical Editor

Orals Coach

Technical Writer

Graphic Artist

Conceptual Designer

Proposal Coordinator

All interested applicants please visit us at http://www.pwcommunications.com/careers.php.

Hiring TS/SCI Cleared Consultants

PW Communications is looking for TS/SCI cleared proposal professionals. Areas of expertise include:

Proposal Manager
Deputy Proposal Manager
Volume Lead
Pricing Specialist
IMP/IMS Lead
Technical Editor
Production Lead
Production Specialist
Orals Coach
Technical Writer
Graphic Artist
Conceptual Designer
Proposal Coordinator

All interested applicants please visit us at http://www.pwcommunications.com/careers.php

Hiring Local Editors

April 7, 2011

PW Communications has a need for Editors in the DC Metro area.

Minimum Requirements:

4-5 years of federal proposal experience
Superior communication, time management, prioritization, and analytical skills
Comfortable working independently, and with cross-functional teams
Required to work long hours in a deadline driven environment
Must be able to pass a drug test and background check investigation

All applicants please create an online profile with us at http://www.pwcommunications.com/careers.php

PW Communications Receives National Certification as a Women’s Business Enterprise by The Women Presidents' Educational Organization

Bethesda, Maryland - March 30, 2011 - PW Communications, Inc., a business specializing in proposal support services, received national certification as a Women's Business Enterprise by the Women Presidents' Educational Organization DC, a regional certifying partner of the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).

WBENC's national standard of certification implemented by the DC chapter is a meticulous process including an in-depth review of the business and site inspection. The certification process is designed to confirm the business is at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by a woman or women.

By including women-owned businesses among their vendors, corporations, and government agencies demonstrate their commitment to fostering diversity and the continued developmentof their supplier/vendor diversity programs.

PW Communications is based in Bethesda, Maryland, and provides comprehensive proposal support services to a wide range of companies throughout United States. Europe and Australia. Our services range from complete proposal management to unique and very specific needs including writing resumes and past performance, managing production and providing orals writing and coaching. Our clients range from Fortune 50 Companies to small, emerging businesses.

Phyllis Bresler Interview with Leadership Portfolio with Dr. Rebecca Blacksmith

On Tuesday, March 22, 2011, PW Communications President and CEO, Phyllis Bresler, was a guest on the Leaders Portfolio with Dr. Rebecca Blacksmith. Leaders Portfolio is a CEO leadership show that highlights business leaders across the Washington, DC area. Phyllis Bresler was invited to discuss entrepreneurship and the rise of her business PW Communications. To hear the interview live tune into WTNT, AM, 730 on Saturday, April 9th at 11 am. Or visit www.leadersportfolio.com where the audiocast will be available after the airing.

Hiring TS/SCI Consultants

February 17, 2011

PW Communications has an immediate need for TS/SCI cleared proposal professionals. Areas of expertise include:

Proposal Manager
Deputy Proposal Manager
Book Boss/Volume Lead
Pricing Specialist
IMP/IMS Lead
Technical Editor
Production Lead
Production Specialist
Orals Coach
Technical Writer
Graphic Artist
Conceptual Designer
Proposal Coordinator
Strategist

Please apply by visiting http://pwcommunications.com/careers.php.

Happy Holidays from PW Communications

December 16, 2010

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

PW Communications wishes you a very joyful holiday season. We are excited to share with you that 2010 was another successful year. We continue to provide outstanding proposal support to our valued customers and note that our consulting services were essential in securing many major wins for our clients.

We are so pleased that Holly Beville has joined our staff as Assistant Marketing Manager. Holly is a recent Florida State University MBA graduate and brings a dynamic marketing and business operations outlook. Holly joined the PW Communications team in July and is responsible for PW Communications' marketing endeavors, which include interacting with clients, managing web content and social media, interviewing and vetting potential consultants, and providing administrative support. If you haven't done so, please check out our updated website at www.PWCommunications.com and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Our ongoing commitment to helping those less fortunate remains strong. As has been our practice over the years, when we do find a need that tugs at our heartstrings or fills a void of comfort and caring for those with less, we are proud to always make our contributions in the name of our friends and colleagues of PW Communications. This year, on your behalf we directed generous donations to:

Please take pride in knowing that through your affiliation with PW Communications you have truly made a difference. We have hyperlinked the name of each organization so you can familiarize yourself with the commendable services offered by these non-profits. Please click on the names of the organizations listed to visit their website and read more.

Thank you for your continued support. We wish all of you and your family a very happy, healthy and prosperous 2011.

Phyllis Bresler Discusses Entrepreneurship at Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business

November 2, 2010

On Wednesday, November 3, 2010, PW Communications' President and CEO, Phyllis Bresler, greeted eager business students from Professor William Finnerty's Entrepreneurship Course. In efforts to supplement textbook knowledge with insight gained from real-world experience, Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business invited Phyllis Bresler to serve as a guest speaker on entrepreneurship and lessons learned. Unlike past graduating classes, 2010's approaching graduates were faced with lower hiring rates and what seemed like endless economic uncertainty. The students of Mr. Finnerty's entrepreneurship class, looking to combat unemployment and take control on their future, were thrilled to hear Ms. Bresler speak.

With over 20 years of professional experience and 14 years of operating a tremendously successful full-service proposal writing company, Ms. Bresler was happy to lend a hand. With complete candor she described her personal experiences launching a company, which, unlike many entrepreneurs, was impressively accompanied by raising three children. Being sure to mention the good, bad, and the ugly sides of business, Ms. Bresler avoided rehashing sterile business jargon. Instead, she discussed the often overlooked framework of most stable, thriving companies: forecasting accounts payable realistically, having financial backing, possessing true product differentiation, being there for your clients, making sure to fully commit to your business, protecting legal interests through contracts and nondisclosure agreements, surrounding yourself with good people, understanding that building a successful business takes time, and keeping greed at bay. Perhaps the biggest surprise to the students was Ms. Bresler's comment on knowing when to say no to clients.

Enlightened by the discussion, a young man from the audience asked Ms. Bresler if she thought that her fearlessness was a major component of her success. She told him "It's not that I'm not scared. I'm just not anxious." With a new view on graduation the students left the lecture hall feeling surprisingly more positive about their future. For Ms. Bresler it was just another job well done.

Now Offering Comprehensive Audit of Proposal Support Operations Capabilities

September 15, 2010

As a full-service proposal support company, conducting proposal operation audits/assessments is one of our many skills. Our breadth of proposal capabilities spans the entire spectrum and includes strategy, management, writing, editing, graphics and production. Since we understand how to manage, write and produce winning proposals, it's a natural line extension for us to evaluate a company's proposal operations and independently assess its strengths and weaknesses.

Approach. Our approach to conducting a proposal operations audit starts by working with you and your business development team to identify the problems you perceive and articulate the questions you will need to think through. The PW Communications team will then gather information about your current proposal operations by interviewing current employees and reviewing documents, such as previously submitted proposals. Drawing on our experience and insights, we will analyze all of this information and provide several options for your company to consider, including cost/benefit analysis.

Process. Whether your audit requirements are complex or simple, we follow the same logical, proven process for providing you with sound, reasonable data and insights for decision-making.

Timeline. Once the assessment/audit begins, we expect your company to assist on a timely basis. Without any true sense of the current environment it's difficult to determine a timeline. We will strive to complete the review as quickly as possible.

Deliverables. At the end of the audit process, we will provide you with the following two deliverables:

An Audit Report. We will provide a full report of our analysis and recommendations, plus copies of the source material we used to develop our recommendations.
Excel files of scenario spreadsheets. We will provide the Excel spreadsheets that we used in developing our report, so you can work through additional "what-if" scenarios as required.

Required involvement by your company. To be effective, our audit process requires involvement of your business development team, to:

Participate in identifying and validating the scope of the audit and its output
Participate in the interviewing process
Provide specific data as required by the PW Communications Team
Review and comment on one draft version of the final report

Typically, this involvement will represent 20 to 30 hours of total effort by your business development team. The amount of time may vary depending on the complexity of the audit that you request. Please contact us at 301.231.7233 or info@pwcommunications.com to learn more.

The Washington Post: To get ahead took going it alone for founder of proposal-writing firm

By Thomas Heath
Monday, March 22, 2010; A13

Phyllis Bresler first told me about her company a year ago when I met her at a Rockville charity event. And to be honest, when she told me she owned a firm that helps companies win government contracts, it was like hitting the snooze button.

I realized I had the snooze on too long when I saw Phyllis at another fundraiser last week and asked her how the company was doing.

She had me at "$7 million in revenues last year."

That's what PW Communications (the PW stands for "proposal writing") grossed by helping defense industry powerhouses such as Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin, and technology biggies such as SAIC, make billions in government contracts.

Bresler, 53, is a born entrepreneur. I know, because like most entrepreneurs, she is driven by a desire to run her own show. It's less about money, although she makes a lot: Her take is in the mid-six figures. She tools around in a snazzy, company-paid Jaguar.

"I encourage entrepreneurship for everybody," she said. "You make your own destiny."

But it's not easy. She frequently works 90-hour weeks, meets a $300,000-to-$400,000-a-month payroll and occasionally must hammer on clients to get paid.

The 1978 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania learned her proposal-writing skills during 3 years at General Electric's information services division in the 1980s. She got the GE job through contacts at the American Bankers Association, where she worked on an invention called the automated teller machine. She also co-authored a book on the effects of technology on the financial services industry.

GE was seeking business by doing the back-office work for banks and other financial services companies. Bresler was assigned to write GE's responses to companies looking to hire someone to process zillions of transactions such as deposits, withdrawals, check-processing and other nitty-gritty.

After three years, "I decided the only way up at GE is out," said Bresler, who at the time was 30 and making about $40,000.

She went to work as a marketer for Centel, a telecommunications firm, but ended up writing all their contract proposals. After Centel disbanded its commercial work in 1990 to pursue federal contracts, Bresler was laid off with six weeks' severance pay.

Then came an opportunity. A friend told her about consultant companies that sold proposal-writing expertise to corporations trying to get government contracts. She called a firm, went for an interview and within days was working as an independent contractor for a consultant. The pay was somewhere between $35 and $50 an hour.

"I absolutely fell in love with it. You were independent," she said.

Soon, the government contractors she was working with approached Bresler. If she started her own firm, they told her, they would probably give her business.

PW Communications was born in 1996 out of the basement of her North Bethesda home. Bresler dove in with only credit cards and contacts to get her going. Her husband, Sid, a lawyer, helped her do the legal paperwork. With the help of word of mouth, Bresler had $1 million in revenue the first year.

And she learned very quickly that cash flow was all-important.

"What one does not realize is that when you start working with big companies, it is very hard to get paid," she said. "If all your T's are not crossed, a 30-day wait [for payment] is a 90-day wait. You have got to stay on it."

Bresler said the lessons she had learned as an independent consultant prepared her for life on her own.

For example, Bresler said she suggested that a security company offer to have its guards arrive at a government building nearly half an hour early, so that a shift change would go smoothly. With that leg up, Bresler's client won the contract and booted the incumbent security firm.

Bresler has several pieces of advice for would-be proposal writers. Most important, she said, is to hand in the proposal on time.

"The document represents your company, and it has to be done professionally," she said. "If it's shoddy, they are going to think your work will be shoddy."

Proposals can run from 25 pages to, for one satellite contract, 35,000. The big ones can consume several Bresler staff members working at a corporate site for months at a time. She hires people with different talents, including managers, graphic artists, technical writers, strategists, even high-level experts such as former generals, admirals and PhDs.

The rates they charge clients vary between $50 to $200 an hour; PW's profit margin is about 20 percent.

"I am able to contain my costs, and we don't gouge for our margins," she said. Bresler and business partner Wendy Grooms, who owns 25 percent of PW, divide the work. Generally, Grooms handles the back-office administrative duties, including billing and payroll. Bresler handles most of the marketing, meeting with new clients, staffing and hiring. Nearly 100 percent of new business comes through referrals.

Hiring is key. If someone isn't working out, Bresler moves swiftly or it could ruin a contract.

There are three full-timers in the office, and between 20 and 40 employees work on contracts at any one time. There is no health care, but an employee can make a nice living. On an annual basis, a PW employee might draw between $60,000 to $200,000.

"I did this while raising three wonderful kids. That's the biggest takeaway," Bresler said. "Working full-time. Starting a company. It's hard for a working mother. But you can do it."

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