How to respond to an e-tender – online procurement portal tips
The last decade has seen an increase in the use of online procurement portals or e-procurement systems to manage competitive selection processes (e-Tendering), especially by large consumers of complex services. From an evaluator and procurement perspective e-procurement and e-tenders makes it easier to rank suppliers based on data and dollars. However, there’s usually little facility […]
Continue ReadingWhat is a tender ? Answers to tender questions you were too embarrassed to ask
If you’re new to the world of tenders (or were just curious about the meaning of some common ‘tender’ terms) this is the tender definitions blog for you! What is a ‘tender’? Tender has a few meanings of course (it can mean ‘sensitive’ for instance), but in a commercial context ‘tender’ means preparing and submitting […]
Continue Reading5 more tender trends for the 2020s
As the first year of the 2020s approaches its conclusion against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic; JMA has pinpointed 5 more tender trends your business should not only be aware of, but be ready for. TENDER TRENDS #1: SUBMITTING & THEN ‘PITCHING’ YOUR BID ON THE SAME DAY JMA recently supported a client in […]
Continue ReadingHow to manage a bid remotely – Part 5 – a centralised bid content library
It’s the dream of many a bid team – a single repository of bid content that is up to date, quick to access and ready to go at your fingertips. Really when it comes to helpful tools for winning bids it’s the ultimate – access to a comprehensive bid content library that is. Remote or […]
Continue ReadingHow to manage a bid remotely – Part 4 – effective bid file and document management
Some organisations were already well equipped prior to COVID-19 to have their entire workforce work remotely with full access to all their usual systems. For many others however, it’s a brave new world, with a steep learning curve along with technology teething problems. These problems can become especially apparent when it comes to managing a […]
Continue ReadingHow to manage a bid remotely – Part 3 – managing key bid decisions
In Part 1 of this series we discussed the importance of focussed and consistent communication with your remote bid team – setting agendas, regular meetings and consistent tools or channels. In Part 2 we covered-off managing less formal interactions and the importance of keeping up remote bid team morale. Now, in Part 3 of How […]
Continue ReadingHow to manage a bid remotely – Part 2 – keeping up remote bid team morale
In Part 1 of How to manage a bid remotely we discussed the importance of setting clear and consistent communication protocols to drive effective bid collaboration. However, in these uncertain times it’s a very good idea to look beyond ‘formal’ bid communication and take time to regularly check-in on your remote bid team’s welfare. While […]
Continue ReadingHow to manage a bid remotely – Part 1 – effective collaboration at a distance
In the wake of the ‘new normal’ COVID-19 has brought we are all learning new techniques and trialling different approaches to managing tenders, bids and proposals. Many bid teams who would normally work alongside each other have had to drastically adjust as the old onsite collaboration model has (for now) been turned on its head. […]
Continue ReadingEducating is selling
Educating may be the pinnacle of selling. Educating the world at large, your target market, referral sources, clients, and prospective clients about why they need what you can expertly do for them is the highest and purest form of marketing. An education approach really helps with need recognition. If your market doesn’t know it has […]
Continue ReadingMore tips on nailing the sale – doing your best in pitch meetings and during shortlisting interviews
No matter how clever a professional or a ‘natural’ you are or how beautifully presented your tender or bid was, you’ll put in a far better performance – at a pitch, prospective client meeting, shortlisting interview or beauty parade, or whatever – with a little preparation. Maybe you’re great on your feet, maybe you enjoy […]
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Feature article
Tender readability – tips to improve your tender presentation and some tender presentation no-nos
Tender readability remains a problem for some in the 21st century. I still see submission documents that cling to a handful of really old hat tender presentation and formatting techniques. I suspect this is because some of these ‘rules’ are viewed as being more appropriate to a ‘formal’ style of document such as a tender. […]
