Sing with me: “On the first day of bidding, my team gave to me…”
Okay, okay, maybe we won’t sing the whole thing but as the holiday season approaches, let’s look at 12 gifts we all deserve.
On the first day of bidding, my team gave to me…a clear bid strategy
It all starts with a strategy! Like a compass points north, a solid bid strategy keeps your proposal efforts on track. Before you dive in, understand the client’s needs, your key differentiators and how you’ll win.
On the second day of bidding, my team gave to me…win themes
No bid is complete without strong win themes. These big ideas set your proposal apart and address your customer’s pain points. Use them to guide everything from the executive summary to your solution.
On the third day of bidding, my team gave to me…proof points
Client testimonials, case studies or statistics – evidence to show why you’re the best choice. These trust-builders turn your proposal from ‘meh’ to ‘must-have’.
On the fourth day of bidding, my team gave to me…collaboration tools
Successful proposals don’t happen in isolation. From Slack to MS Teams, there are plenty of tools to help your team stay connected and on the same page.
On the fifth day of bidding, my team gave to me…gold standards
Ah, the heart of every proposal – the content. What are your gold standards for content? Think clarity, customer focus, conciseness, compliance and consistency.
On the sixth day of bidding, my team gave to me…discriminators
What makes you stand out? It’s not just about being good – it’s about being better. Your discriminators explain why you’re the best choice.
On the seventh day of bidding, my team gave to me…brilliant SMEs
Your subject matter experts are the heart and soul of your proposal content. A team of trained SMEs will provide the insight and expertise needed to craft a compelling solution.
On the eighth day of bidding, my team gave to me…templates ready to go
Templates save time and ensure consistency, which breeds trust. From executive summaries to pricing tables, have these ready to keep the bid process running smoothly.
On the ninth day of bidding, my team gave to me…compliance checkpoints
Compliance is key. Whether it’s meeting the client’s specifications or following government regulations, a compliance matrix ensures nothing slips through the cracks.
On the tenth day of bidding, my team gave to me…winning graphics
A picture is worth a thousand words, especially in a proposal. Graphics help visualise your solution, break up text and make your bid stand out.
On the eleventh day of bidding, my team gave to me…reviews
Review, review, and review again – the win strategy, executive summary, pricing and final document. Ensure you have touchpoints where your bid is scrutinised, improved and polished to perfection.
On the twelfth day of bidding, my team gave to me…a proposal present
The best part of the bid? The final product – compliant, compelling, and ready to go! Like the perfect Christmas present, it’s all wrapped up with care. No last-minute rush, just a proposal that shines like the star on top of the tree.
Izane Cloete-Hamilton
Izane is the Master of Inspiration at nFold, a strategic proposal consultancy in South Africa. She is a compassionate leader with a rare and innate ability to develop people. She has held various senior management positions in business development, marketing, and bid management for over 20 years. Izane joined nFold as a partner in 2021, where she continues to inspire success in others through thought leadership, training and strategy development.
