The Bid Clinic

Not all tenders are what they seem, and sometimes, pursuing the wrong ones can lead you straight into a race to the bottom. It may look good on the surface, but hidden elements can bite back. 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨: You spot a tender where price accounts for 80% of the scoring, and technical expertise only 20%. On the surface, it might seem worth pursuing, but is it? Let’s peel back the disguise: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐭 ✅ Opportunity is Opportunity: Even if price dominates, a win still adds revenue and builds your track record. ✅ Competitive Advantage: If your business operates efficiently, you might still offer a competitive price without sacrificing too much margin. ✅ Future Potential: Winning, even on a tight margin, could open doors to more strategic opportunities with the same buyer down the line. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐀𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐭 ❌ The Hidden Race to the Bottom: Tenders heavily weighted towards price often prioritise cost over quality. It erodes margins and undervalues your expertise. ❌ Misaligned Priorities: If technical capability barely matters, your strengths might not even get noticed. You’re being judged on price alone — not your value. ❌ Wasted Resources: Tendering takes time, effort, and resources. Chasing these "sheep" could leave you vulnerable to better opportunities slipping by. 𝐒𝐨, 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫? The key is to assess the tender carefully — what’s behind the disguise? Does it align with your business strengths, values, and goals? If price is king and quality barely counts, are you ready to compete without compromising your bottom line? Sometimes, the smartest move is to pass and focus on opportunities where your technical expertise, innovation, and quality are properly valued. Don’t fall into the trap of chasing every opportunity — especially ones that lead to a race to the bottom. Have you ever felt like you were bidding on a "wolf in sheep’s clothing"? Let’s talk about it below! 👇 #TenderingTips #RaceToTheBottom #WolfInSheepsClothing #StrategicBidding #WinningStrategies #ProcurementInsights

🚨 Struggling with tenders? Let’s change that! 🚨 Winning tenders, especially in public healthcare, doesn’t have to feel like solving a mystery. With the right strategies, you can confidently craft winning bids that stand out. 💡 Ready to peel back the layers and master the tendering game? Let’s connect and uncover the secrets to consistent bid success! 💼✨ #Tendering #PublicProcurement #PublicSector #HealthcareTenders #WinningBids #BusinessGrowth

💬 Feedback Doesn’t Matter if You Lose ❌ In reality, feedback is a game-changer. It’s your chance to learn where your bid could be stronger, whether it’s about improving clarity, addressing compliance issues, or showcasing your value more effectively. I always say: The feedback from a lost bid can be the secret to winning the next one. It’s like a free coaching session — make sure you take full advantage of it! 🏆 What’s the most valuable piece of feedback you’ve received from a tender process? #Tenders #Feedback #GameChanger #Win #ContinuousImprovement #TenderFeedback #LearnAndWin #EverydayIsASchoolDay

Did you know not submitting a tender can still work wonders for your business? Sometimes just downloading those documents is like a sneak peek behind the 🔮 Wizard of Oz’s curtain—revealing exactly what buyers want and where your business stands. This article shows how exploring tenders (even without bidding) can uncover market trends, highlight gaps, and give you the confidence to click "submit" next time. No ruby slippers required. 👠 👠 #tenders #bidding #businessgrowth #growyourbusiness #market #expectations #grow #win #lose #experience #essential #desirable #dorothy #wizardofoz

🍀 There's no such thing as luck. Luck is when preparation meets opportunity! 💥 Yes the process can be complex, but it’s also incredibly rewarding when you get it right. I’ve seen businesses transform through a single tender win! #Preparation #Opportunity #Process #Reward #Win #Tender #Bid #Demystify #BusinessGrowth

The Process is Too Complicated to Bother With 🏗️ Many believe that the tendering process is overly complex, filled with jargon and red tape. But here’s the truth: it’s not as daunting as it seems once you understand the structure. Yes, it can feel overwhelming at first, but the process is designed to ensure fairness and clarity. With the right approach and some guidance, you can navigate it smoothly — and the rewards are well worth the effort. Think of it like applying for a grant or planning a big community project. It takes preparation, but once you break it down step by step, it becomes much more manageable. So don’t let fear of the unknown hold you back. You’ve got this! 💪 #Growyourbusiness #Bidding #Tendering #PublicSector #Jargon #Complexities #Growthmindset #Heretohelp #Partnerships #Contracts #Wins

Why should you trust me to give advice about bidding and tendering? Over the last 25+ years, I’ve dedicated my career to sales, marketing, and, more recently, focusing solely on bids and tenders. I’ve learned the art of winning contracts, not just through process and compliance but by writing proposals that truly stand out and make an impact. Here are the highlights of my journey: ✅ Proven Experience: 25+ years in the business world, with the latter focused exclusively on bidding. I’ve been there — writing, refining, and submitting tenders. I know the highs of winning and the lessons learned from losing. ✅ Major Wins: I’ve secured contracts ranging from tens of thousands to millions, including a £25M+ NHS tender. T ✅ Track Record of Growth: At LINET, I helped drive business growth from £4.6M to £18M in just five years. Tendering played a huge part in achieving that success. ✅ High Success Rate: With high tendering win rates, I’ve honed my approach to blend creativity, compliance, and clear communication — key ingredients for any successful bid. ✅ Collaborative Leadership: I’ve led teams through high-pressure deadlines, developed strategies tailored to diverse industries, and worked closely with internal and external stakeholders to ensure every bid reflects the best offer. Through years of experience, I’ve come to believe that tendering is about more than ticking boxes. It’s about understanding your audience, telling a compelling story, and building trust through every word you write. So, why trust me? Because I’ve been there — navigating the complexities, learning the hard lessons, and delivering results that speak for themselves. #businessgrowth #whoamI #whytrustme #bidding #tendering #winning #highvalue #contracts #newbusiness #opportunities #workexperience #trust #experience #hardlessons

Are you using Contracts Finder and Find a Tender to grow your business? If not, you’re missing out on some incredible opportunities! Let’s break it down: 🔍 Contracts Finder: This platform lists public sector contracts valued over £12,000 (including VAT). It’s a fantastic starting point for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) looking to secure contracts across local councils, schools, and public services. 💼 Find a Tender: This is where you’ll find the higher-value contracts, typically worth over £139,688 (including VAT). These tenders are often for nationwide projects or more complex services, making it a great platform for businesses ready to take on larger opportunities. 📈 The Key Difference: Contracts Finder is perfect for finding smaller, accessible opportunities for SMEs. Find a Tender, on the other hand, offers access to high-value contracts that can help you scale your business. The best part? Both platforms are free to use and provide an equal playing field for businesses of all sizes. So why not explore them today and start uncovering new opportunities? https://lnkd.in/grEvTm9 https://lnkd.in/g3nqPe2 #businessgrowth #contracts #growyourbusiness #publicsector #government #gevernmentcontracts #bidding #tendering #millions #SME #opportunities

Why Does Bidding and Tendering Matter? 🏆 You might be thinking, "Why should I care about bidding and tendering?" Well, here’s why it matters: 1️⃣ Opportunity: For businesses, winning a tender can open the door to huge contracts — often worth millions. It's a chance to grow and showcase your expertise on a big stage. 2️⃣ Transparency & Fairness: In public procurement, the process is designed to be fair. It ensures that contracts are awarded based on quality and value, not just who you know. 3️⃣ Driving Innovation: Tenders often come with specific requirements and challenges. This pushes suppliers to come up with innovative solutions, driving industry progress. What do you think? Have you seen the impact of a successful tender in your industry? #PublicProcurement #BusinessGrowth #ImpactfulBidding #Winning #Tenders #Bids #Contracts #NewPartnerships #HugeGrowth

"It’s All About the Lowest Price" 💸 One of the biggest misconceptions in bidding and tendering is that the lowest price always wins. It’s simply NOT TRUE! While cost is a factor, public sector buyers (like local councils or government departments) focus heavily on quality, compliance, and overall value. They want a solution that meets their needs and offers the best long-term benefits — not just the cheapest option. Think of it like choosing a contractor to repair your roof. You wouldn’t pick the one who offers the lowest price if their work is known to be unreliable. Quality and value are key! 🗝 Have you encountered this myth before? #BiddingMyths #ValueOverPrice #ProcurementTruths #Win #Tenders #Bids #Contracts #Quality #Price #Procurement #PublicMoney