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The Unsung Heroes of Tendering: Celebrating Bid Managers on Bosses Day 2024

Writer's picture: DebbieDebbie

As Bosses Day 2024 rolls around, we'd like to shine a spotlight on a particular breed of manager who often gets a bad rap: the bid manager. You know that person who's always chasing you for your input, setting seemingly impossible deadlines, and sending countless reminder emails. But before you roll your eyes, let's take a moment to appreciate these unsung heroes of the tendering world.


The Bid Manager's Balancing Act

Imagine juggling chainsaws while riding a unicycle on a tightrope. Now, add in a few dozen stakeholders pulling that rope in different directions, a ticking clock, and the pressure of securing a multi-million-pound contract for the future of the company. That's just another day in the life of a bid manager!


These intrepid professionals are tasked with corralling a diverse team of experts, each with their own priorities and schedules, to create a cohesive, compelling bid that will knock the socks off the evaluators.



Bid management can be like herding cats ...


Masters of the Deadline

We've all been there – it's 11:59 PM, and the bid submission deadline is at midnight. While most of us are biting our nails, the bid manager remains cool as a cucumber, calmly uploading documents and double-checking every detail. Their ability to work under pressure and meet seemingly impossible deadlines is nothing short of superhuman.


The Diplomats of the Business World

Bid managers are the ultimate peacekeepers. They navigate the treacherous waters of interdepartmental politics, soothing ruffled feathers and mediating disputes with the finesse of a seasoned diplomat. Whether it's convincing the finance team to revise their pricing strategy or persuading the technical experts to explain their solution in plain English, bid managers are the glue that holds the entire process together.


Translators of Jargon

Ever tried reading a technical specification that seems to be written in an alien language? Bid managers are the Rosetta Stone of the business world. They have the uncanny ability to translate complex technical jargon into compelling prose that even your grandmother could understand. This skill is crucial in crafting bids that not only meet the requirements of the specification, but also tell a story that resonates with the evaluators and wins hearts and minds alike.


The Guardians of Quality

While we might grumble about their perfectionism, bid managers are the last line of defence against embarrassing typos, inconsistencies, and non-compliant submissions. Their eagle eyes and attention to detail ensure that every 'i' is dotted, every 't' is crossed, and every requirement is addressed. Without them, we'd be submitting bids full of Lorem Ipsum text and mismatched fonts.


The Strategists Behind the Scenes

Beyond the day-to-day firefighting, bid managers are the strategic minds shaping our approach to winning business. They analyse win/loss data, keep abreast of market trends, and continuously refine our bidding processes and strategies to keep us on the ‘straight-and-narrow’ tightrope of bidding. Their insights and experience are invaluable in helping us target the right opportunities and craft winning strategies.


The Cheerleaders We Need

When the going gets tough, and team morale is flagging, it's the bid manager who rallies the troops. Armed with an endless supply of caffeine and motivational quotes, they keep us focused on the prize and remind us why our work matters. Their enthusiasm is infectious, even in the face of the most daunting bid requirements.


So, this Bosses Day, let's raise a toast to the bid managers out there. They may nag us, push us, and drive us a bit mad at times, but without them, we'd be lost in a sea of PINs, EOIs, RFPs, SQs and ITTs. To all the bid managers: we see you, we appreciate you, and we promise to get our contributions in on time (well, maybe).


And to everyone else: the next time your bid manager sends you that "gentle reminder" email, remember that behind every successful bid is a dedicated professional working tirelessly to help us all succeed. Maybe send them a thank you note – or better yet, submit your section ahead of deadline. Now that would be a real Bosses Day gift!

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