Issue 9 - Necessity Is The Mother of Invention

“Welcome to Bidding Quarterly, the thought leadership publication for the bid and proposal profession.” There, I’ve said it. I have hoisted aloft BQ’s colours for all to see and envy. And I did it proudly, in my first paragraph, as your guest editor.

Ooh? A guest editor for Bidding Quarterly? Yes, it’s true. Martin asked me a while back if I’d like to edit the magazine, to weave a narrative through the contributions and connect the dots using the professional development lens for which I’m best known. There would be key learning points and practical tips to be highlighted, educational themes to identify and ‘sweet nuggets of truth’ to celebrate. And, given that this is a publication for bidding folk, I would be able to apply the “So what?” rule to ensure the publication delivers the value you seek. Yes, editing BQ would be my dream job. So why did it take me so long to accept Martin’s offer? Simple: there are labels attached to being an editor.

When he wasn’t writing some of the 20th century’s most critically acclaimed poems, famed writer and editor T.S. Eliot said, “Some editors are failed writers, but so are most writers.” I wondered what effect being BQ’s editor would have on my reputation for success. Eventually I agreed to the role knowing that, as a writer and editor in my spare time, I had a pretty good grasp of Ernest Hemingway’s advice: “The most essential gift for a good writer is a built-in, shockproof, shit detector.” Wise words for anyone working in proposals; I bet it’s an opinion shared by most procurement people, too.

I needn’t have had any concerns about editing BQ. As soon as I saw the articles submitted by our experts, I realised that they needed minimal or no correction and had been written in a way that highlighted their educational value. Bid and proposal people really do live, breathe and obsess about persuasive communication. The copy from our experts was crisp and the messages were clear. No wonder they’re such respected thought leaders.

There I go again. Thought leader. I really do mean it. Our BQ team are doing what they do best: sharing their knowledge, their discoveries, experiences, ideas, reflections and their learning, to help you to succeed. And they do it in an honest, down-to-earth and accessible way. This is not the Ego Express. It’s a thought leadership publication for your benefit.

In this edition, our experts have spoken honestly about how they’re adapting to more challenging times; how they’ve overcome adversity; how truth, empathy, simplicity and consistency are central to success; and how inventiveness can help us to see ‘better’ as we inch forward into an uncertain future. Subliminally they have addressed our desire to ‘survive and thrive’ during (and beyond) the restrictions of lockdown and the inevitable constraints of a recession, when ways of working and the definition of ‘workplace’ are changing. But it’s not all ‘restriction’ and ‘constraint’, however awkward or titillating that might be. As we know, change presents an opportunity for us to shape things for the better.

Talking of change, there are some exciting and radical developments coming in BQ10. But that’s three months away. For now, I’m proud to be the one holding aloft the last ‘single digit’ edition. It rebelliously defies the pressures placed upon us, including the dogmas and outdated processes that might otherwise constrain our ability to embrace fresh new ideas when they are most needed. That’s what thought leadership is about. It’s about inspiring actions that create positive change.

Nigel Hudson
Editor