The Winning Line - Gaining external perspective - Issue 24

Welcome to The Winning Line.

Your weekly dose of insights, advice, and updates to help you win more work through tenders.

I am at an event today which is focused on Business Growth and Success. There are a range of speakers which have their own specialisms and collectively are a powerhouse of resources for business success.

Attending events outside of my usual day to day environment is great for helping me think outside the box, plan differently and consider input I wouldn't have normally been exposed to.

I have already made some game-changing notes for our own business and strategy in 2025 around clarity of offering, connecting services with the challenges and problems they solve - even a plan to start creating more video content and 'how to' guides on YouTube - watch this space!

It has made me change my plan on what I wanted to share with you today and that is: the importance of external perspective.

Why External Input Matters

When we work in isolation, we can sometimes fall into a pattern of thinking that’s too insular. We start to see the world only through our own lens, which can limit our ability to address broader perceptions and client needs.

In bidding, this is a critical risk. Without fresh perspectives, our responses can feel narrow, misaligned, or disconnected from what evaluators are looking for. Here’s how external input can elevate your bid efforts:

·???????? New Ideas: External voices often spot opportunities or propose solutions we may overlook.

·???????? Broader Perception: Understanding how others perceive our work helps us present our strengths effectively.

·???????? Expert Guidance: Insights from experienced professionals ensure our responses meet industry standards and best practices.

Our bid writing and review service for over 10 years has provided clients with exactly that.

We want to make our advice, support and guidance accessible to more people and open up what we do to those who are keen to do their own bids - but just want some external support, advice and guidance along the way.

In our monthly membership The Bid Club, we aim to provide that invaluable external perspective through tailored support, expert-led training, and ongoing personal development opportunities.

How The Bid Club Keeps You Ahead

·???????? Monthly Training Workshops: Focused on developing key bid skills.

·???????? Twice-Monthly Q&A Clinics: Drop-in sessions to tackle your most pressing bid questions.

·???????? Accountability & Development Planning: Dedicated sessions to keep you on track with your personal and professional goals.

And it’s not just us! Alongside Rob and I (with our 40+ years of combined bidding experience), we’re excited to welcome expert guest speakers in the coming months:

·???????? January: How to create a Carbon Reduction Plan.

·???????? February: Creating Powerful not just Pretty Graphics.

·???????? March: EDI (Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion) and its growing role in bids.

·???????? April: Social Value—understanding its impact and how to showcase it effectively.

Be open to Feedback

One of the best ways to embrace external perspectives is to actively seek feedback—whether on your bid strategies, individual responses, or presentation style.

1.?? Ask the Right Questions: Be specific—ask for clarity, ideas, or critiques on particular areas of your bid. We see a lot of 'reviews' which are just proofreads. Get someone to review your bid for its content, messaging and overall solution.

2.?? Be Open to Change: Feedback might challenge your initial approach, but that’s where growth happens.

3.?? Implement Incrementally: Apply new ideas step by step to refine your process without overwhelming yourself.

Join Us at The Bid Club!

Our next member-exclusive session is coming up soon:

?? November Personal & Business Development Planning Session ?? Tuesday, 21st November, 10 AM (Online)

Create a plan for development of not only your bid skills but also the business strategy for ensuring you win more work through tenders.

Membership is just ￡120 + VAT per month (or ￡1,200 + VAT annually), giving you access to unparalleled support and resources to win more work through tenders.

If you’d like to join or learn more, reply to this email—we’d love to have you on board!

Here’s to widening your perspective and creating winning bids!

The Bid Club Membership?￡144.00 / month

Are you looking to elevate your bidding skills, gain confidence in supporting your organisation, and access world-class... Read more

I hope you have a productive and successful end to your week.

Best regards,

Katy