2 Responses

1. Tendering for work
   I have tendered for work on a few occasions during the last 12 years.In some cases I won the tender but often in the early days my inexperience in this area showed and the first few I did tender for I never got butI continued as I thought this might be the case.Now I’m happy to tender fro work and go up against the big boys.

2. Tendering
   Tracy
   I have a fair bit of experience of tendering, and have been on the other side too. I have also written guides on this.
   My personal view is that tendering is not the best way to buy training, and I will keep plugging away at that. But, as tendering is a part of the mix, especially if you want bigger contracts, then you have to get good at it.
   I think it has been hard in the past to pitch against the bigger providers but that is changing. Take a look at the OGC web site for an example: http://www.ogc.gov.uk/About_OGC_press_office_4204.asp
   Smaller providers can compete well on personalised service, specialist expertise (in your area would that be H&S?) and, crucially, on price. It may be harder, however, to be convincing on scale, flexibility, contingencies, quality systems, financial security and reputation. And in putting together a truely polished tender document. But, if you can address these issues, you should be in with a good chance.
   I’d suggest targetting your effort on just a few bids and going all out to win them. In your field, in the North East, focussing on both public and private sectors, I think you should be aiming to win at least 1 in 8. Get feedback on those you miss out on but don’t lose heart. Contracts, like buses, sometimes come all at once or not at all.
   Best of luck
   Graham