As a Bid Writer, do you feel that win rate is not an appropriate method to measure success? If so, what other metrics would you use?

Our Deal Management Expert, Alison Gurd has been posed this question via our Ask the Expert forum and offers up a viable alternative.

To view Alison’s response, click here: https://bidsolutions.co.uk/questions/ask-the-expert-performance-management/

To access the forum and pose a question to one of our 20 Experts, click here: https://bidsolutions.co.uk/bid-hub/ask-the-expert/

This week, our Content Management Expert, Kathryn Potter, has been asked what metrics can be used to measure effectiveness and success of prewritten content.

Kathryn’s fantastic response offers up a number of useful suggestions, which you can view here: https://bidsolutions.co.uk/questions/how-do-you-measure-the-success-of-prewritten-content/

To pose a question to any of our 20 Experts, follow this link to our Ask the Expert forum: https://bidsolutions.co.uk/bid-hub/ask-the-expert/

Through our Ask the Expert forum, our Proposal Management and IT Industry Expert, Graham Ablett, has been asked about success rates within bidding. Specifically, he was asked for any statistics or research that explains how success rates are affected by a poor bid / no bid decision-making process.

To view Graham’s response, click here: https://bidsolutions.co.uk/questions/bid-statistics/
To pose a question to any of our 20 Experts, click here: https://bidsolutions.co.uk/bid-hub/ask-the-expert/

Our Content Management Expert, Kathryn Potter, has been asked how to influence SMEs to provide better content.

Kathryn’s brilliant response covers how to influence stakeholders to buy-in to working with bid teams on pre-written content, as well as 3 points that should be considered when creating the content itself.

To see Kathryn’s response, click here: https://bidsolutions.co.uk/questions/how-to-influence-smes-for-better-content/ 

To ask Kathryn (or any one of our 20 Experts) a question, click here: https://bidsolutions.co.uk/bid-hub/ask-the-expert/

Do you Need a Bid Library?

Our Content Management Expert, Kathryn Potter, has been asked whether it is worth investing in a Bid Library.

Kathryn’s fantastic response explains what a bid content library is, how you get one and how you make it work effectively. To read Kathryn’s full response, click here: https://bidsolutions.co.uk/questions/are-bid-content-libraries-really-worth-it/

To ask Kathryn (or any one of our 20 Experts) a question, click here: https://bidsolutions.co.uk/bid-hub/ask-the-expert/

Looking for a new role? Browse our current vacancies here.

Bid Writer News – Bidding Quarterly

At the time of writing, 2019 has significant uncertainty surrounding it. Thankfully, our experts are adept at dealing with such ambiguity. They’ve provided a fantastic set of articles in Issue 5 of Bidding Quarterly, full of great ideas for any bid writer and suggestions to evolve our profession in 2019.

Click here to download your copy.

Articles included cover topics such as hopes for the future of the APMP, our representative body. Will changes to its structure bring more support for bid writers working in the UK? We also look at how the bid writing process could evolve, ensuring that our teams get the support they need to win. Is the process becoming more seller-led? If so, how do we respond to that?

We discuss the important question of certification. With no formal educational route into bid writing, how do we assess the quality of candidates? Bid Writing courses are on offer, but should we be holding out for APMP certification?

Psychologist Rob Stewart offers his insights into the stresses of the bid and tender writing industry. He gives suggestions on how we can take better care of ourselves and each other.  We also look at bid writer recruitment, and how that has changed over recent years. If you’re looking to recruit a bid writer or to find new challenges in 2019 that’s the article to start with.

Whether you’re a freelance bid writer or have a permanent role there is something in the newsletter for everyone to read. We hope it inspires you to think about the future of our industry as we come to the close of 2018 and look forward to next year.

If thinking about 2019 has you considering making a change in your career, then get in touch. We’d be happy to help connect you with the next great opportunity in this fast-paced, fascinating and challenging industry.

Our public sector expert, Andy Haigh, has been asked for advice on how someone new to bidding can justify the need for attending bid writing courses. The person in question has undergone a starter course but feels further training is needed to improve their success rate. To view Andy’s response, click here.

Andy is an expert in bidding and tendering, specialising in competitive formal bids into EU Public Sector organisations. Andy is an authority on EU procurement legislation and can bring all these capabilities together to initiate and drive major complex bids through to successful completion. He assists in optimising the strategic direction of the bid and directing, managing and supporting the bid activity as required.

To ask Andy a question, click here: https://bidsolutions.co.uk/experts/andy-haigh/

In addition to Andy, we have 19 other Experts, all with different areas of specialism. To find an Expert and ask a question, click here: https://bidsolutions.co.uk/bid-hub/ask-the-expert/

Bid Writing Courses

To learn more about our bid writing courses, click here.

In the drive to write a winning bid, have you ever stopped to think how different your proposal documents would look if you treated them like adverts?

If the honest answer is no, don’t worry – not many have. That’s exactly why, when we found ourselves with a blank page in the printed version of BQ magazine and a looming deadline, we called on Simon Wellstead.

Simon is creative director at SMSW Media, the ad agency for bids. Yes, you read that right, an ad agency for bids.

How SMSW Craft a Winning Bid

SMSW’s approach is fuelled by the belief that the magical simplicity of messaging from the golden era of advertising (50s and 60s) should be applied to every bid and sales campaign. Simon and his team have been surprising and exciting clients for over 10 years by highlighting business differences through compelling, captivating and creatively intelligent winning bid campaigns.

Simon is an exceptional storyteller and his work nods to some of the finest ad men including Ogilvy, Bernbach, Lois, and Arden.

Getting back to that blank page in BQ magazine, it didn’t take long for Simon to transform the space into a self-promoting ode to the creatives of old.

The ad didn’t appear in Bidding Quarterly‘s digital version so we wanted to share it here for anyone who missed it to enjoy.
Click Here

If you haven’t spoken to Simon yet and are tasked with improving bid quality and win rates, or want to inject first-class creativity into your bids or pitches, we would highly recommend getting in contact. He’s always happy to offer valuable tips and advice (stolen from the masters of course).

If you enjoyed this content, then you might also get something from our, ‘Ask the Expert‘ series of articles where industry leaders share their knowledge and answer your questions.

Senior Bid Manager

We have a great opportunity for a Senior Bid Manager to join a growing team in Kent that is undergoing significant investment. The role will be split between managing live deals, developing and amending existing bid processes and line managing a Bid Coordinator. If you are a Bid Manager local to the area and want a new, rewarding challenge, please review the job details here: https://bidsolutions.co.uk/jobs/?keywords=VAC-16873

Our latest Permanent Opportunities this week include: 

Senior Bid Manager Opportunity working for a major global legal practice based in London. Salary is competitive – https://bidsolutions.co.uk/jobs/?keywords=VAC-16950

Proposal Manager Position in Wembley working for a construction and civil engineering firm. Salary is up to £50k + Car Allowance – https://bidsolutions.co.uk/jobs/?keywords=VAC-16948

Bid Manager Vacancy in Manchester working for a leading law firm. Salary is competitive – https://bidsolutions.co.uk/jobs/?keywords=VAC-16945

Senior Bid Writer Position for a major security firm, with time split between London and home. Salary is competitive – https://bidsolutions.co.uk/jobs/?keywords=VAC-16954

Bid Coordinator (French or German Speaking) Position with a global material handling manufacturer based in Frimley. Salary up to £37k – https://bidsolutions.co.uk/jobs/?keywords=VAC-16907

Bid Executive Vacancy in Manchester working for a leading law firm. Salary is competitive – https://bidsolutions.co.uk/jobs/?keywords=VAC-16947

Bid Specialist Opportunity working for a leading logistics firm based in Uxbridge. Salary up to £33k – https://bidsolutions.co.uk/jobs/?keywords=VAC-16918

Bid / Submission Coordinator Role in Wembley working for a construction and civil engineering firm. Salary is up to c.£30k – https://bidsolutions.co.uk/jobs/?keywords=VAC-16949

More Bid Manager Vacancies

For a full list of current job opportunities please visit: https://bidsolutions.co.uk/jobs