Anne Farr
Collaboration
Getting multiple inputs to a bid in time for a submission deadline was difficult enough when people worked in the same office, but now that most people are working remotely and there are no face-to-face conversations, it has become even harder. To overcome this, it is important to have an easily accessible register of files … Read more..
Reviewers’ Tips
As a bid reviewer, it is important that you add value to the document and invest your own time wisely. There is no point in just looking for typos or critiquing the quality of graphics if the underlying content is weak or sections have been omitted. It is always worth preparing for a review by … Read more..
Starting Point
It can be very tempting to simply re-use text which was given good feedback in a previous tender. While the old text might contain relevant information, it is unlikely that it will fully answer the question in the context of the contract you are now tendering. A better approach is to start with an outline … Read more..
Bid Burnout
In the run-up to a submission deadline, bid writers often work long hours and experience high levels of pressure. The responsibility for producing a winning bid should be shared within a company and not all left with the person or people who compile it. Acknowledging the shared roles can help avoid people becoming stressed and … Read more..
Bid / No Bid Decision
With an avalanche of opportunities and limited resources, it is vital that you take informed bid / no bid decisions. Rather than bidding for anything you ‘can do’, you should ensure you target the ones you ‘can win’. The process for deciding what is winnable should be developed based on your own company experience.
Pitch Preparation
Virtual presentations are more tricky than in-person ones and will likely require more preparation time. Think carefully about the handovers between speakers because normal visual cues and body language will not be possible. Also consider how you will deal with general discussion to avoid appearing to interrupt each other.