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Does humility have a place in tendering?
‘Oh Lord it’s hard to be humble, when you’re perfect in every way…’ sang Mac Davis back in 1980. In a few recent bid strategy development sessions I have come to wonder if the spirit of Mac is alive and well… given the prevalent and almost unassailable C-suite view that tenders are primarily an opportunity to harp on about benefits, expertise and ‘value’.
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Soccer, Bidding and Eating Frogs
Ever wondered how applying a fundamental soccer strategy can ensure you maintain momentum when writing a winning bid? Lillian Curthoys explains the peculiar, yet pertinent similarities she draws between a high stakes soccer game and a complex bid writing scenario, plus whether ‘eating a frog’ might help or hinder the process.
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Different Strokes for Different Folks
Although there are strong parallels between law and bid consulting, no two things are ever truly the same. Jack Lio reveals how his former law career has helped with his role as a bid consultant. He also suggests a few things his previous profession could learn from his current and often misunderstood one.
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A lesson on trust from my grandmother
Many underestimate the important role trust plays in the tendering process. But what does trust really mean and how can we build it? Weaving a personal tale and recent HBR research, Rob Cook explores the three drivers of trust and shows how they can be used as a work winning checklist across different levels of the tendering process.
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Time Zone Challenges – Can They Actually Benefit Proposal Staff?
In one of 20 international contributions to this edition of Bidding Quarterly, arranged around the theme of Father Time, Nigel Dennis explores the challenges posed when working across multiple time zones, offering a number of practical suggestions to protect staff well-being – a very important topic given the upheaval of the last 18 months.
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A Pragmatist’s View on Executive Summaries
It’s ironic that executive summaries are one of the first items read by tender evaluators. Yet contrary to best practice guidance, we often find that it’s one of the last submission items written. David Lunn explores the interplay between theory and practice, offering a number of practical solutions to ensure that your next executive summary is as effective as possible.
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Tender and Proposal Management. What does post COVID-19 promise?
As 2021 gets underway, it’s a good time to consider what to expect for those who rely on winning work through the competitive sourcing process. In our latest contribution to Barrett’s 12th Sales Trends publication, David Lunn explores procurement led changes accelerated by COVID-19 and what bidding professionals should stop, start and keep doing in response.
News
BidWrite shines a light on the proposal profession in the Defence Industry
BidWrite is proud to have been named Consultancy of the Year at the Australian Defence Industry Awards. BidWrite Principal Rodger Manning was also recognised as one of the industry’s leading consultants, winning Consultant of the Year. Our success is enabled by having fantastic Defence clients who trust us to help them win important contracts.
Tips
How to make your story more than your price
How can you make sure the non-price related elements of your submission are relatable, believable and persuasive, rather than bland compliant answers that guarantee price will dictate the final award decision?
The answer is as old as the hills – storytelling.
News
BidWrite shortlisted for two Defence Industry Awards
BidWrite has been acknowledged once again through the annual Australian Defence Industry Awards, being shortlisted as a category finalist for Consultancy of the Year.
At an individual level, Principal Rodger Manning has also been shortlisted for Consultant of the Year.
