BD tips and insights

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. […]

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The 12 bid bugbears of Christmas…

December 5, 2022 | Posted in: Win Tenders Bids Proposals | Tags: ,

A very special Christmas carol dedicated to all the bid managers, tender writers and others giving up their holidays to work on RFTs…   The 12 bid bugbears of Christmas On the first day of Christmas Procurement gave to me An RFT due by end of January… On the second day of Christmas Procurement gave […]

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Tender writing tips for winning tenders – writing tender answers

How to write tender answers – 4 tips to help increase persuasion Part art, part science, nailing the writing of tender answers for a win can be difficult, especially if you don’t do it often. Many tender drafts (and submitted bids) JMA reviews tend to be overwritten, garbled, and full of quaint, flowery language as […]

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Do you really need to do a proposal at this time?

To do a proposal, or not? It may be the perfect time in your burgeoning client relationship to do a proposal to clinch that new business and some paid work. But as one respondent noted in our referrals research study: ‘Personally, I think proposals are an excuse not to have a conversation with our client.’ […]

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How to create value add services for tenders, bids & proposals

Value add services have become de rigueur for B2B services relationships and can be a positive, indeed tender-winning differentiator for your business. ‘Free of charge’ is music to clients’ ears given in the 21st century we’re all being expected to do more with less. And as we know, you have to give in order to […]

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How to write a winning executive summary for tenders, bids & proposals

The executive summary is often the most read and scrutinised section of  tender, bid or proposal submissions. However, in addition to pulling together a fully compliant and compelling bid (and under time pressure), it can be daunting to write an executive summary that helps clinch a ‘win’. This blog sets out some general principles, tips, […]

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Evaluating tender opportunities – is this a client you really want?

Evaluating tender opportunities can be tricky. There’s a real tendency to ‘go for it’ in many organisations at any ‘cost’ once an RFT/P is released. Evaluating tender opportunities – 5 lenses to try This blog shares 5 lenses (or frameworks) to help you think more critically when evaluating tender opportunities. This reduces your organisation’s risk […]

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Another 5 tender trends for the 2020s

As the COVID-19 pandemic enters its third year, JMA has observed some emerging tender trends that are becoming cemented as tender ‘realities’. This blog on another 5 tender trends for the 2020s will ensure that your organisation is prepared. As they say – forewarned is forearmed. TENDER TRENDS # 1 – Government at all levels […]

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Tender writing tips – Nothing is so complex that it cannot be explained simply

September 17, 2021 | Posted in: Win Tenders Bids Proposals | Tags: ,

Remember, nothing is so complex that it cannot be explained simply Albert Einstein was spot-on when he said “nothing is so complex that it cannot be explained simply”. Tenders, bids, proposals, and informal pitches for business are not times to show how clever and capable you are by using legalese (I’m looking at you lawyers), […]

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Tender writing tools and techniques

July 26, 2021 | Posted in: Win Tenders Bids Proposals | Tags: ,

When it comes to the pressure cooker of deadline driven tender writing you often need all the help you can get. In this blog I’ll share some of our tried-and-true tools and techniques which may just help improve your tender writing. Or as the Sound of Music song goes …These Are A Few Of My […]

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Tender readability – tips to improve your tender presentation and some tender presentation no-nos

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. […]