How 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. Keeping […]
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 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 […]
Continue ReadingIs this tender, bid or proposal rigged?
It’s widely known that public sector procurement rules generally have certain dollar thresholds where a need to ‘approach the market’ and obtain at least three bids will kick in. It might be for services or projects valued at over $80,000; or for even lower amounts (especially for local government bids). Given the obligation of public […]
Continue ReadingClosed or invitation only tenders, bids and proposals
Firstly, what are closed or invitation only tenders, bids and proposals? In addition to the generally well-understood terms ‘tender’, ‘bid’ and ‘proposal’, there are ‘open’ and ‘closed’ processes, and then variations within each that can apply to professional services procurement. Open or public tenders, bids and proposals An open tender is just that, open to […]
Continue ReadingHow to run a kick-off meeting for your tender, bid or proposal
As we have discussed before, the difference between a winning tender, bid or proposal and a loser frequently comes down to what you know before you write a single word … not what you find out after you’ve written the document. An effective way to know more about a client is to gather your team […]
Continue ReadingWhy firms keep bidding on losers and what you can do about it
A crap ‘win rate’ or lack of bidding success is usually a direct result of bidding on too many losers, aka inappropriate ‘opportunities’. Too often, professional services firms are tempted by the potential boost in revenue, and go all out pursuing speculative tender and proposal opportunities. Generally these firms have no consistently applied or objective ‘bid-or-no-bid’ […]
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Feature article
Fortune 500 CEOs on COVID-19 driven business transformation what it means for B2B sales
How are Fortune 500 companies dealing with the coronavirus pandemic? Although there is still a great deal of economic ‘crystal balling’ going on at present, some fascinating research has just been released by FORTUNE following a survey of FORTUNE 500 CEOs. Some of the more interesting and telling findings include: 52% of CEOs are […]
