How to Make Your Tender Response Really Stand Out
Tenders can be gnarly little beasts and in a highly competitive and increasingly sophisticated bidding world, it’s important to make a good first impression on the tender evaluation panel. This requires a combination of careful preparation, a compelling presentation, and a focus on addressing the specific needs of the tender issuer.
Where to find the best tender opportunities for your business
I first wrote this blog waaayyyy back in January 2017. A lot has changed since then - we’ve experienced a pandemic that caused loads of people to lose their jobs and many businesses to close, bushfires have been raging across the globe - and Donald Trump came and went. And the tendering world has changed dramatically (but not because of Donald Trump!).
It's Time to Have a Chat About Cover Letters
Cover letters. They should be the last thing you think about when you’re completing your tender - but your cover letter will probably be the first thing that the evaluation panel reads when they start looking at your tender. It can really help to set the scene about your business and why you are a good fit for the tender requirements. And in a sea of competitive bids, it may well also be another reason for the tender team to keep reading.
Is story telling important in tender response writing?
When it comes to tenders, what you say in your response is obviously incredibly important. But there are good ways and not-so-good ways to create a convincing submission. The pretty ordinary way is to state a whole pile of facts without embellishment or putting them into context. But the awesome way to do it is to tell an interesting story about your business.
Tender Responses Traps That Can Catch You Out If You're Not On The Ball
I’ve written hundreds of tender responses and one thing I’ve learned over the years is that there are plenty of tender traps that can catch you out if you’re not on the ball. These usually come in the form of information requests that are hidden in the guts of the tender documentation, but not explicitly included in the tender response schedules.
How long does it take to know if your bid submission succeeded?
Waiting to find out if you’ve won that tender can be a painfully slow process. Some tenders will get evaluated and the successful tender (or tenderers in some cases) will be notified in just a few weeks while others can take months….and months.
TenderWise is ranked in the top 20 tender writing blogs in the world!
Pinching myself to find out that I made it on Feedpost’s top 40 list for tender blogs globally! I made it to number 16 in the world - so it’s time to get busy writing more blogs so I can make it into single digits and maybe even claim the top spot!
Didn’t win that tender submission? Ask for feedback!
None of us like to lose, especially when you’ve put lots of time and effort (not to mention bucks if you’ve paid for professional help) into creating a tender response submission. As hard as it is to miss out though, this is a golden opportunity to seek feedback so you can get some clues as to what you could do better next time.
Key Cairns Tenders Take Outs from my Recent Visit Worth Sharing
I spent 8 days in beautiful Cairns and Douglas Shire recently where I was able to check out the local tender scene, catch up with tradies, meet local business owners at networking events and attend the FNQ Major Projects forum. Here’s what I learnt.
How to jazz up your tender submission for success
When it comes to winning tenders, content and price are both obviously critically important components. But in a crowded marketplace, you need to do more than just write a compelling tender response - you need to really stand out from your competitors.
8 reasons why you need professional resumes for your key staff
don’t think I’ve ever worked on a tender submission that hasn’t wanted to know all about the skills and experience of the management team and key staff members who will be responsible for the delivery of the contract requirements and the quality of the outcomes. It’s not always necessary, but it’s becoming increasingly common for tenders to ask for copies of resumes for key staff to be included with the tender response submission.
7 Top Tender Tips for Tradies You Should Not Miss
When it comes to writing winning tender submissions for electricians, plumbers, carpenters, builders, painters, HVAC technicians, plasterers, fencers, concreters, and just about any other tradie, there are a few golden principles to keep in mind
Does the location of my tender writer matter?
It can be a little bit scary when faced with the prospect of parting with your hard-earned money and working with a complete stranger on your tender response. So does the location of your tender writer matter? The answer is no - and yes.
Can a good Capability Statement help me to win tenders?
A Capability Statement is an important business tool - it tells the story of who you are, what you do (what your core competencies are). who your core team are, and what you’ve done. It can be used for many purposes, including as part of a business pitch, a downloaded document on your website, a printable brochure and as part of a tender response.
Thinking of engaging a tender writer? Here's what to expect
Tender writing is a specialised technical skill - it can be hard work and laborious and many businesses choose to take the DIY route. But if you’re thinking of engaging a professional tender writer, here’s what you should expect from them.