Where Does a Bids Manager Add the Most Value?
Right, let's get straight to the point: where does a Bids Manager truly add the most value? As an experienced bid professional, I can confidently tell you that a Bids Manager's worth is measured by their ability to secure new business and drive the organisation's growth. This is a combination of winning contracts but critically driving performance - so winning more or scoring higher!
A Bids Manager adds value by:
- Strategically planning and coordinating the bid process
- Developing high-quality, persuasive/ highly convincing content
- Providing strong leadership and team management
- Engaging clients and effectively presenting proposals
- Proactively managing risks
- Continuously improving processes and strategies
A good Bid Manager adds loads of value through their strategic planning - by understanding what wins. This involves research, competitor analysis and a drive and commitment to the business and project. They will monitor previous feedback and ensure mistakes from previous bids aren't repeated. They will also feed into the wider bid team information with regards to competitors pricing.
Their expertise in content development and quality assurance and control is invaluable! They of course oversee, or directly complete, the writing and editing of the business proposal.
Leadership and team management and development can't be overlooked. A Bids Manager will lead a team of bid writers, analysts, and technical experts, providing direction and motivation to ensure that all team members are aligned with the bid strategy. This often includes mentoring, coaching and training in bid management, writing, research and project management, for example. Our bid team has a monthly team wide CPD session to focus on a specific area - whether design, better use of win themes or improvements in our tendering process.
Additionally, a Bid Manager's proactive approach to risk management ensures that potential issues are addressed before they impact the bid's success. Risk and mitigation efforts also being quite a handy tool for your bid, providing further evidence and assurance that you are experts and taking the opportunity seriously.
领英推è
Where do they add the most value?
It will depend on their actual role of course, and this can differ from business to business - but for me, it is in developing, coaching and leading the team responsible for submitting the very best tender response possible. This means rolling your sleeves up - writing, managing, researching, challenging etc. But educating and capacity building!
If you are looking for freelance bid roles take a look at - https://www.rfpverse.com/bidtalentconnect
Looking for a permanent bid role or to recruit one? Contact our Bid Resource division
If you need a bid writing partner to drive your bidding performance - contact us on hello@thorntonandlowe.com