How to write an RFP for hospital marketing services

Using an RFP to hire a hospital marketing agency? Think again.

Here at Smith & Jones, we use research to inform pretty much everything we do. What does the research regarding the use of RFPs to hire professional service firms like ad agencies, management consultants, architects and law firms tell us? Don’t waste your time and money.

The fact is, RFPs have proven to be a terrible way to choose a professional service consultant. The data is so compelling that the federal government stopped using RFPs for this purpose way back in 1972.

So, if not an RFP, what’s a hospital to do? It’s called Qualifications Based Selection or QBS. In the TEDx Talk below, Cal Harrison explains why RFPs are bad and how QBS works. If you’re getting ready to hire a new ad agency or marketing firm, then watch this video. It is well worth the 18 minutes of your time.