Quality assurance - Bid Manager

Well, my primary goal is to support the sales team in winning business. This means creating a high-quality bid that addresses the customer’s needs, is fully deliverable, mitigates risks and maximizes margins. I spend a lot of time working across teams and coordinating everyone's input – one day I'm speaking to commercial, the next to finance or technical... === And where does quality fit in here? [[2]] That must be hard work! How do you ensure that proposals are competitive, realistic, and aligned with both our strategic goals and the client's expectations? [[3a]]

Quality in bid management means adhering to best practices and guidelines throughout the bidding process, and also taking a lot of care to meet the client’s specifications, requirements and deadlines, and exceeding them if we can. === That must be hard work! How do you ensure that proposals are competitive, realistic, and aligned with both our strategic goals and the client's expectations? [[3]]

Not only that, no. Quality in bid management does mean adhering to best practices and guidelines throughout the bidding process. But it's also about taking a lot of care to meet the client’s specifications, requirements and deadlines, and exceeding them if we can. === Sounds good! What's an example of poor quality? [[4]]

By focusing on quality. For me, this means deeply understanding the client's needs, objectives, and expectations. In this way, our solutions are well-aligned with the client’s goals, which increases our chances of winning the bid and delivering successful outcomes. === Sounds good! What's an example of poor quality? [[4]]

By focusing on quality, which for me means deeply understanding the client's needs, objectives, and expectations. In this way, our solutions are well-aligned with the client’s goals, which increases our chances of winning the bid and delivering successful outcomes. === So quality for you is not just about adhering to standards? [[2a]]

I'd say using outdated, standard bid responses as a quick solution to complete a tender response. This can be very problematic. It could mean we have to bring in additional resources late in the bid cycle to correct and improve the submission. === I can see how that would be a problem. [[5]]

It really is. A reactive approach like this can lead to inefficiencies, rushed work, and potentially compromise quality, ultimately impacting the bid’s competitiveness and our ability to fully address the client’s specific needs and expectations. It's better to get it right from the beginning. === It's what customers would expect! Tell me more about how quality impacts customer satisfaction in your role? [[6]] Do regulatory standards help? [[7a]]

Securing repeat business from a client is the best example of how quality makes a significant impact. When we consistently deliver high-quality products and exceptional customer service, we not only increase revenue but also strengthen our reputation as a reliable partner. This can turn a one-time sale into a long-term partnership. === This is how high quality can lead to referrals and open up additional business opportunities, right? [[7]]

Securing repeat business from a client is the best example of how quality makes a significant impact. When we consistently deliver high-quality products and exceptional customer service, we not only increase revenue but also strengthen our reputation as a reliable partner. This can turn a one-time sale into a long-term partnership. === Which would be a clear marker of success! And what do you do internally? [[8]]

Right! It's maybe easiest to see in the submission of public tenders, where we need an ISO-9001 certification, the ISO for Quality Management Systems. This demonstrates our commitment to quality and also means we can participate in a wider range of tenders... === ...which further enhances our competitive edge! And what do you do internally? [[8]]

They do! It's maybe easiest to see in the submission of public tenders, where we need an ISO-9001 certification, the ISO for Quality Management Systems. This demonstrates our commitment to quality and also means we can participate in a wider range of tenders which further enhances our competitive edge. === That's important! For you, in what other ways does quality impact customer satisfaction? [[6a]]

Well, it depends on the deal and situation, but there are several - I've written some down for you as the letters can get confusing! === Great, that's so helpful to see them all in one place. Thanks for your time, Gabriel! I must move on now. [[terminate]]

Character holds a tablet showing these: OQ - Opportunity Qualification SA - Solution Alignment BnB - Bid no Bid PQC - Peer Quality Check DRW - Deliverability & RAID Workshop BAR - Bid Authorisation Review CRC - Contract Readiness Check CAR - Contract Authorisation Review

Hello, how are you? I'm Gabriel and I'm a Bid Manager so I oversee the entire process of preparing and submitting bids or proposals for contracts, projects, or tenders. === Hi Gabriel. What does that mean for your day-to-day work? [[1]]

It was my pleasure, I hope to see you again soon. You know where I am if you need me!