Ask The Expert
With over 40 Bid, Proposal, Capture and Winning Business Professionals on Bid Solutions’ Expert Panel, you are never far from free specialist advice, help and support.
Whether you have a question relating to a particular skill, tool, process, or discipline, or you are bidding into a new or challenging sector and need to tap into specialist industry knowledge, our experts are ready to guide and help. Our Experts will endeavour to publish a response within 10 working days.
Alison Zalecki Ask
- Expertise: Bid & Pitch & Negotiation Expert
- Relevant Skills: MA
- Industry Experience: Real Estate, Professional Services, Construction, Sports and Physical Recreation, Legal Services
Andy Haigh Ask
- Expertise: Public Sector Bidding Expert
- Relevant Skills: CPP APMP, BSc (Hons), CEng, FRSA, MIET, MCMI, Procurement Law, Effective Communications, Winning Bids
- Industry Experience: Government and Public Sector, Computer/IT Services
Anna Maysey-Wells Ask
- Expertise: Legal Services, Operations Expert, Legal Services Bidding, Business Development Operations Expert
- Relevant Skills: Leadership, Project Management, Stakeholder Management, Training, Recruitment Expert, Coaching, BA Hons English Language and Linguistics
- Industry Experience: Legal Services
Ben Hannon Ask
- Expertise: Recruitment Expert
- Relevant Skills: CF APMP, BA Hons, Organisational Design, Salary Benchmarking, Writing Job Specifications
Beth Wallace Ask
- Expertise: Procurement Expert
- Relevant Skills: mCIPS, CogHyp Dip, BA Hons Business Studies
- Industry Experience: Financial Services, Rail
Ceri Mescall Ask
- Expertise: Multi-Vendor/Consortium Proposal Expert
- Relevant Skills: CPP APMP Fellow, CPP CAP APMP, BW-M, ES-M, Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) Level 5 Award in Management, Post Graduate Certificate in Project Management, Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) Award in Integrated Communications
- Industry Experience: Professional Services, Facilities Management
Charlotte Rees Ask
- Expertise: Wellbeing and Inclusion in Bids and Proposals Expert
- Relevant Skills: CPP APMP
- Industry Experience: Computer/IT Services, Telecommunication Services, Facilities Management, Construction, Professional Services, Legal Services
Chloe Dillon Ask
- Expertise: Team Leadership and Stakeholder Management
- Relevant Skills: Strategic Sales Coaching
- Industry Experience: Financial Advisory, Consultancy, Legal Services
Christopher Kälin Ask
- Expertise: Bid Management and APMP Expert
- Relevant Skills: MBA, CPP APMP, APMP Fellow
- Industry Experience: Computer/IT Services, Telecommunication Services, Defence, Logistics & Transport
Dr. Karen Croshaw Ask
- Expertise: Bid & Business Development Lifecycle Expert
- Relevant Skills: PhD, Masters-level Diploma Strategic Leadership and Executive Management, BSc (Hons) Chemistry, CMgr, FCMI, FCILT, MAPM, CP APMP
- Industry Experience: Public Sector, Nuclear, Rail, Highways, Construction - Industrial Facilities and Infrastructure, Defence, Computer/IT Services, Healthcare Services
Holger Garden Ask
- Expertise: Construction Expert and Professional Coach
- Relevant Skills: Euring, CEng, MICE, ICIOB, PhD, MBA, MEng, CP APMP
- Industry Experience: Construction - Industrial Facilities and Infrastructure, Professional Services, Research & Development
Izane Cloete-Hamilton Ask
- Expertise: Proposal and Design Expert - Africa Region
- Relevant Skills: Visual Strategy Development, Presentation Design, Content Libraries, BA Hons Business Studies, CPP APMP, Project Management, Operations
- Industry Experience: Professional Services, Information Technology, Telecomms, Financial Services, Consultancy, Media, Logistics & Transport, Healthcare Services, Manufacturing - Other, Legal Services, Public Sector, Non Profit Charitable Organisations
Jamie Davies Ask
- Expertise: Sales Enablement
- Relevant Skills: ACIB, BA Hons Business Studies
- Industry Experience: Financial Services, Information Technology
Javier Escartin Ask
- Expertise: Artificial intelligence in bidding
- Relevant Skills: AI in Proposals, Proposals Technology, Bid Management
Jeremy Brim Ask
- Expertise: Capture & Bid Expert
- Industry Experience: Professional Services, Outsourcing, Construction - Industrial Facilities and Infrastructure
Joe Riley Ask
- Expertise: Growth Strategy, Capture, Creating high-performance teams, Bid Writing Expert
- Relevant Skills: Work Winning, Leadership, Coaching
- Industry Experience: Public Sector, Management Consulting Services, Communications, Outsourcing, International Development
Jon Darby Ask
- Expertise: Bidding quality assurance standards, Bid reviewing and scoring, Bid strategies, Pre-mortems, Bid Training, Business growth transformation, Capture Management
- Relevant Skills: CPP CAP APMP, APMP ATO, ITIL Foundation, Collaborative Business Relationships
- Industry Experience: Public Sector, Aerospace and Defence, Healthcare Services, Computer/IT Services, Blue-light
Jon Williams Ask
- Expertise: Proposal Management & APMP Training Expert
- Relevant Skills: CPP APMP Fellow
Kat Wyon Ask
- Expertise: Proposal Management Expert
- Relevant Skills: APMP Fellow, CP APMP, Professional Research
- Industry Experience: Information Technology, Telecomms, Financial Services
Kate Cummins Ask
- Expertise: Bid Strategy, Business Development, Project Management, Team Leadership, Creation of High-Performance Bid Teams, Shared Service Creation, Bid Consultancy, Change Management
- Relevant Skills: CF APMP, Media and Management BA HONS, Shipley, Change Management
- Industry Experience: Information Technology, Telecomms, Software as a Service, Fintech
Kathryn Potter Ask
- Expertise: Content Management
- Relevant Skills: BA Hons
- Industry Experience: Information Technology, Financial Services, Rail
Larissa Cornelius Ask
- Expertise: Win Strategist & Proposal Management Expert – African Region
- Relevant Skills: CPP APMP, APMP Certification Training, Proposal Writing, Project Management, Operations
- Industry Experience: Professional Services, Information Technology, Telecommunication Services, Financial Services, Engineering Services, Construction - Industrial Facilities and Infrastructure, Media, Logistics & Transport, Healthcare Services, Legal Services, Energy and Utilities, Public Sector
Lisa Readman Ask
- Expertise: Content Evaluator
- Relevant Skills: Proofreading
- Industry Experience: Manufacturing - Other
Lorraine Baird Ask
- Expertise: Bid and Proposal Specialist
- Relevant Skills: CPP APMP, CPP CAP APMP, Winning Bids
- Industry Experience: Financial Services, Banking and Consumer Lending, Energy and Utilities
Martin Smith Ask
- Expertise: Organisational Design and Recuitment Expert
- Relevant Skills: CF APMP, MBA, BSc
Michael Brown Ask
- Expertise: International Bidding Expert
- Relevant Skills: MA, Proposal Design, Proposal Writing, Built Environment, Negotiation, Prince 2
- Industry Experience: Construction - Industrial Facilities and Infrastructure, Management Consulting Services, Construction - Residential & Commercial / Office
Mike Parkinson Ask
- Expertise: Global Authority on Bid and Proposal Graphics
- Relevant Skills: CPP APMP Fellow, 1 of 36 Microsoft PowerPoint MVPs in the world, Persuasive Writing, Graphic Design, Marketing, Sales, Author, Training, Facilitator, Keynotes
- Industry Experience: Government and Public Sector, Information Technology, Professional Services, Engineering Services, Healthcare Services, Aerospace and Defence, Construction - Industrial Facilities and Infrastructure, Legal Services, Logistics & Transport, Telecomms, Media, Energy and Utilities, Facilities Management, Charity / Not for Profit, Manufacturing
Mike Reader Ask
- Expertise: Leadership and Team Design / Development
- Relevant Skills: MSc, BEng (Hons), CP APMP
- Industry Experience: Construction - Industrial Facilities and Infrastructure, Consultancy, Facilities Management
Nigel Dennis Ask
- Expertise: Australia / New Zealand Region Expert
- Relevant Skills: APMP Fellow, CPP APMP, MBA, BEng (Hons), GAICD, APMP Certification Training
- Industry Experience: Engineering Services, Marketing Communications
Nigel Hudson Ask
- Expertise: Professional Development Expert
- Relevant Skills: CPP APMP, MA, FCIM, F.APS
- Industry Experience: Financial Services, Telecomms, Consultancy, Academia
Olivia Hardy Ask
- Expertise: Proposal and Content Management Software Expert
- Relevant Skills: CF APMP, B.Com Information Systems, AIIM Certified Information Professional, AIIM BPM Specialist, Microsoft 365, SharePoint Online, Software Implementations
- Industry Experience: Information Technology, Professional Services
Peter McPartland Ask
- Expertise: Bid Team Leadership & Innovation
- Relevant Skills: CPP APMP, CIM Chartered Marketer
- Industry Experience: Professional Services
Peter Waggott Ask
- Expertise: Sales Enabler and Professional Coach
- Relevant Skills: CF APMP, Dip in Executive Coaching, Executive Coach (Neurodiversity)
- Industry Experience: Automotive and Parts Mfg, Energy and Utilities, Defence, Public Sector
Pippa Birch Ask
- Expertise: Highways & Civil Engineering Expert
- Relevant Skills: BEd (Hons), CPP CAP APMP
- Industry Experience: Highways, Civil Engineering
Rick Harris Ask
- Expertise: CEO APMP
- Relevant Skills: CF APMP, American Society of Association Executives - Member, Event Production and Management, Public Speaking, Patience & Positivity
Rita Mascia Ask
- Expertise: Linguistic and Cultural Expert
- Relevant Skills: Language & Communication, Account Management, EU Project Evaluation, Public Relations, Partnerships, Networking, CPP CAP APMP
- Industry Experience: Logistics & Transport, Rail, Manufacturing - Other, Charity / Not for Profit, Healthcare Services
Samantha Burns Ask
- Expertise: Innovation, Bid Strategy, Technology
- Relevant Skills: CP APMP, BA Creative Writing, Master of Arts - Creative Writing, Project Management, Bid Management, Bid Writing, Prompt Engineering, Change Management
- Industry Experience: Public Sector Procurement, Private Sector procurement, Social Value Delivery Lead, Bid Consultancy, In-house Team Management
Sarah Hinchliffe Ask
- Expertise: Bid and Social Value Expert
- Relevant Skills: BA Hons, FF.ISP, CPP APMP, Bid Management, Sales Enablement, Sales Management, Proposal Writing, Reviewing, Social Value
- Industry Experience: Information Technology, Computer Software, Goverment and Public Sector, Professional Services
Simon Wellstead Ask
- Expertise: Advertising and Marketing Expert
- Relevant Skills: Branding, Value Proposition Development, Proposal Design, Campaign Management
- Industry Experience: Aerospace and Defence, Retail, Telecomms, Media, Computer/IT Services, Outsourcing
Recently Submitted Questions
Emerging technologies in bidding – friend or foe?!
Hi Sam
Curious to hear your views on the impact of AI in bidding, and how this can be harnessed in bid strategy, writing and contract ...
Inclusion, transparency, collaboration, and teamworking in Bid Teams
Hi Christopher
I am creating a concise presentation for senior management demonstrating that isolating a bid manager/lead from the costing process (or any part of the ...
Landing a first job following a career as a Construction Writer
Hi, Holger –
Firstly, thanks for taking the time to be part of this service!
I am a 47-year-old freelance content writer and journalist with significant construction ...
Win rate
Hi Izane
I’m doing some research on behalf of my company regarding ‘what is a good win’ rate; we currently have 51%, up from around 30% ...
Staring at a blank screen….
Hi Lorraine,
Do you have any advice or tips for how to start writing a tender response, I find that the hardest part of bid writing ...
How to use active language while still making the customer the subject of the proposal
Jon,
I use your Proposal Essentials book on a daily basis and absolutely love it.
One of the guidelines is using the customer’s name/You/Your etc on the ...
RFP Question
Hi Peter,
What would you expect a sales team to be doing before an RFP drops?
Regards
Steven
...We secured a place on a framework – is it really a win?
Public sector frameworks: what to do when you manage to get on a major framework but you are near the bottom suppliers due to price? ...
Optimising software to manage the flow of information
Hi Olivia
My company is in the process of migrating onto Microsoft 365, for the latest apps for Word , Excel etc. I am wondering how ...
Do we need dedicated staff to run proposal software?
Hi there,
We’re a rapidly growing company, and don’t have a dedicated function or person responsible for responding to RFIs and creating proposals, nor do we ...
Fees
We submit a tender, get selected for presentation, then learn we are the preferred choice. At this point, a client will try to chip us ...
Getting good operational information to enable you to answer questions.
How do you ensure the operations responses give you enough information to answer the questions?
...Answering the Client’s Questions
What is the best way to ensure we answer all elements of a client’s questions in PQQs and tender responses to attract the highest scores ...
Bidding for Large Public Sector Opportunities
I have recently taken up a position as the Senior Bid Manager in a new business division and we are targeting some large Public Sector ...
Digital Marketplace – Getting through the first round
Hi Sarah,
We occasionally respond to DOS opportunities on the Digital Marketplace, but have never got through the first round. Is there a magic formula for ...
Framework Agreement (panel of contractors)
What is the best practice, protocol and governance in relation to contract variations, more specifically:
- When a panel of contractors have been appointed and one contractor ...
Win Rates at Scale
Could you please give me your views on how to increase win rates at scale? We’ve found we can raise win ...
APMP Certification – Do I really need it?
Hi Chris
I am from Pakistan and work as a Tender Manager at Biomedical Firm. I have been in the role for 10 years.
I am writing ...
How should you brand your proposal documentation?
I have long been of the mind that at the bid stage any documentation supplied should be supplier branded rather than the buyer. Excluding any ...
Can bid management / bid work be a career that allows for flexible working?
Can bid management / bid work be a career that allows for flexible working? Given the deadlines and time ...
Performance Management
Hi Alison,
I am a Bid Manager in a global bank based in the UK. I would like to know how you impose measures for success ...
How Do You Measure the Success of Prewritten Content?
I’m a bid library content manager for a large print solutions organisation. We have a well established and regularly used content library to support bids ...
Bid Statistics
Hello Graham,
I’ve recently joined a new organisation as their first Bid Manager, one of my task is to bring some structure to the proposals process ...
How to Change SMEs’ Minds into Creating Content That Matters?
Hi Kathryn,
My role is to create and manage a content library for the company I work in. Collecting and reviewing content has been difficult. However, ...
Are bid content libraries really worth it or just more work for already busy bid teams?
Do bid content libraries/pre-written content actually have a purpose? Does having a central content library actually work any better than just using the last ...
Should I spend my budget on Writers or Proposal Automation Software?
We often encounter clients that have a very real dilemma when it comes to creating and maintaining high quality pre-written. With a limited budget, they ...
Why One Training Course is Not Enough – Justifying the Need for Continuous Development
Good evening,
I work with clients involved in the funding process. One of my clients is new to bid writing and after starter course and a ...
Women in Bids and Proposals – the plan ahead
Hi Charlotte,
Really enjoyed the first event for Women in Bids and Proposals. I’m excited to see what’s in store next. What are your plans for ...
Tony Orr – Care & Repair Manager – Cairn Housing Association
Good afternoon Andrew,
I have some questions around VEAT notices,
At Cairn HA, we like other RSLs provide Care & Repair/Handyperson & Telecare services through a Memorandum ...
Corporate travel bids versus other sectors?
Hi Emma, it’s great to see corporate travel being discussed by the bid & proposal sector.
Business travel and associated expenses are often the second ...
Measuring Bid Team Success
Hi Jon, as we set our objectives for 2018, I am pondering how best to measure bid team success over the course of the coming ...
Calculating the Internal Cost of Bidding?
Hi Pete,
I am trying to calculate what the internal cost of pitching is at my firm to help drive usage of pitch qualification and behaviour ...
Bid presentation preparation and delivery
Hi Holger
I am interested in your particular combined back ground of bid writing and mentoring/coaching.
Making a presentation to Clients and preparing for likely questions is ...
Changes to industry
What changes have you noticed most in the pre-contract world in the last five years?
...What makes a successful bid?
Hi Pippa
In your expert opinion what makes a successful bid the winner from the loser, as it seems doing the actual job on the ground ...
To home base or not to home base
Hi Martin
I am group Bid manager for a Print solutions company currently going through acquisition.
The new company are looking to have all the Bid Team ...
Bid Library Structure and Management
I have been tasked with overhauling our bid library to turn it into a highly functioning asset and for it to contain the right information ...
Bid Consultancy Advice
Hi Nigel,
I am considering setting up as a bid consultant specialising in bid coordination, management, formatting and design.
Please can you provide me with any advice ...
Automated Bid Tracking Software
Hi,
I’ve been keeping an eye out for some time, and am looking again at identifying whether there is any software on the market that can ...
Incorporating Creative Thinking in Tender Responses
What advice would you give to help bid teams think with more originality when developing tender responses?
...Direct Award Options For Unique Services
Hi Peter,
In a situation where a supplier is the sole provider of a unique service that a public sector buyer wishes to procure, are there ...
Bid Team Motivation and Engagement in Times of Change
We’ve had a lot of change in our bid team over the past months – people leaving and joining at all levels. From your experience, do you ...
APMP Training
Good afternoon,
I currently work as a Bid Manager, and as such my CEO has suggested that I look into obtaining APMP training for a foundation level ...
Post Brexit Procurement Regime
Andy – can you opine on:
(1) what the impact of Brexit will be for public sector procurement from now until the exit point?
(2)what sort of ...
Proposal Software Benefits
Given the number of bid proposal software systems on the market these days, what are the key benefits of proposal automation as you see them ...
How do different roles work together?
In your opinion, what is the key difference between a Bid Manager and a Proposal Manager?
...
