Issue 4 - The Hidden Costs of Bidding

An elastic band can stretch to a point and always returns to its original shape. You can repeatedly take this action and it will remain fully functional. However, over time it will lose elasticity, or if you stretch it too far, it will break. Now, some elastic bands are more resilient than others and it will take more for them to snap. However, they all have a breaking point. I think you can see where I’m going with this.

Wellbeing is a very personal emotion. Everyone has their own threshold for stress (and indeed different kinds of stress) and everyone has their own coping mechanisms. It’s often a common interview question, ‘how do you cope with stress?’ which is an odd one to ask because there is no real ‘right’ answer. It’s so personal.

Thankfully in our office we have an environment that promotes personal wellbeing and actively discourages running yourself into the ground. Working tirelessly to close a deal can have short term benefits, however it can be seriously damaging in the long term. Our work is never-ending, so we are encouraged to manage our own wellbeing and work efficiently, not endlessly.

Within the highly competitive and deadline driven world of bidding, it’s no surprise that personal wellbeing can be put at risk.

How often do we hear the term ‘must-win’ when referring to key bids? This, by its very nature, suggests that you must do whatever it takes to win; give everything you have to get the deal over the line; and be better than your competitors. If you aren’t working, they are – and they’re winning. The phrase ‘must-win’ itself feels passive aggressive. It begs the question, ‘will I lose my job if I don’t win this deal?’ So you stretch yourself a little further and sacrifice yourself to win.

But what happens when you give too much? Once you’ve worked yourself into the ground to submit your winning proposal, how do you pick yourself up and go again?

Bidding is relentless, so regularly evaluating your wellbeing is important. Does the word ‘deadline’ make you anxious? Do you feel annoyed when an unexpected RFP lands? Do you constantly feel exhausted? If so, bidding might not be for you. At the very least, it sounds like your current working conditions need changing.

When taking on a new recruitment opportunity, if I’m told there is a culture of leaving the office on time, it’s a huge benefit and a great selling point. It’s because unfortunately within bidding, this is unusual rather than the norm. The desire for a greater work / life balance is frequently cited as a reason why people look to move on from their current role. It’s also why we are inundated with applications whenever we have a home-based opportunity advertised on our website. People want to work in an environment that is good for their own wellbeing.

No one wants to reach breaking point. So how do you add slack to your rubber band?

Unfortunately there is no one-size-fits-all solution to this problem. In this issue of Bidding Quarterly, our Experts have provided a great selection of stories and suggestions, some of which are breathtakingly honest. It is our hope that as we become more comfortable with talking about these issues, there will be a greater emphasis placed on personal wellbeing. While we certainly don’t claim to have all the answers, we hope to generate discussion on such an important topic.

In the meantime take stock of your own happiness, enjoy what you are doing and whenever possible, leave early!

Ben Hannon CF APMP
Recruitment Director