Follow client's process, or risk blowing up the deal?

Hello there Sales Savages,


TLDR: Share proposal with manager who says they have a process, or hold it back until executive team agrees to join a presentation meeting, at risk of blowing up deal?


Long version:

I'm the founder of a startup that has recently completed a free Proof of Concept phase for a client (10 day trial) on 20% of staff of a 300 person bank.


Our SaaS has generated super powerful insights about Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats for this client. (Our platform focuses on internal feedback from across all employees to figure out how the company can improve)


So far, all collaboration has been synchronised through a division head. On our post trial debrief, he asked us to share the proposal, and also introduced a last minute scope creep (Whitelabel customer feedback, which has never been mentioned till now). I did have a chance to speak to the president twice, and he said his team is in charge of this collaboration.


The proposal requires quite some work, and I don't want to just send it to a black hole without clearly knowing who will decide to buy and presenting our software and results to them.


This is the first big deal for our company and would be a gamechanger.


What would you do?

👑 Sales Strategy
📈 Closing
☁️ Software Tech
2
PragmaticMoron
Personal Narrative
1
CEO
Oh man - the lose/lose/win/win deal. You're too green to lean back on your history, track-record or brand name but can't risk NOT getting the client. Being from a startup myself you gotta send the proposal. You're too new to risk blowing up the deal. Can you create the proposal but then schedule a date/time to "review it" with everyone at the same time? That would give you control over the process. But my vote is - gotta send the proposal. 
moeb
Fire Starter
0
Founder
Thanks! Very pragmatic View, you earned your username 👍

I'm gonna invite them to a review meeting and tell them they'll receive the proposal after the review meeting.
PragmaticMoron
Personal Narrative
0
CEO
Just remember - I'm also a moron! LOL
classicrunningman
Good Citizen
-5
Enterprise Business Development Representative
COOL!
1nbatopshotfan
Politicker
0
Sales
Before you send the proposal get the client to agree to some sorts of joint execution plan to come to signature. Our responsibilities to bring the deal in, clients responsibilities, who is handling each for the client, their timelines etc. get them to spend time on this to fully align. 
moeb
Fire Starter
0
Founder
Thank you. I did clarify this with them on last call, I asked them to run me through the exact steps till we formally close.

All clear, proposal needs to be sent along with commercial terms, we'll negotiate then go live.
1nbatopshotfan
Politicker
0
Sales
I’d recommend getting the steps on paper, in a PowerPoint or presentation so that you and the client can both reference them in the future. 
classicrunningman
Good Citizen
-1
Enterprise Business Development Representative
COOL!
classicrunningman
Good Citizen
-1
Enterprise Business Development Representative
COOL!
classicrunningman
Good Citizen
-2
Enterprise Business Development Representative
V
Ace
Arsonist
0
CEO
I say follow the process but if its taking too long then start capping your engagement time with them
classicrunningman
Good Citizen
-3
Enterprise Business Development Representative
COOL!
Coffeesforclosers
Notable Contributor
-1
Director Sales and Market Development
Gotta be a little quid, quo, pro. We all have our needs and need to deliver on them. If it is a one sided relationship youre not gonna win the deal anyways as someone is already leading if there is no flex in procedure if its a level playing field
moeb
Fire Starter
0
Founder
Makes sense, I agree. I always seek to ensure we have some level of initiative.
One sided waiting around will never get you the deal, as you say.
classicrunningman
Good Citizen
-1
Enterprise Business Development Representative
COOL!

classicrunningman
Good Citizen
-2
Enterprise Business Development Representative
COOL!
classicrunningman
Good Citizen
-3
Enterprise Business Development Representative
NO ONE READ THIS FULL POST 
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