Teamwork makes the dream work
Rachael Davies, Tender Specialist (Sydney)
I recently attended a workshop that reminded me of something we often overlook in the race to meet deadlines: How we work together is just as important as writing that perfect tender response. We’re all guilty of diving headfirst into the bid chaos, but if the team’s running on fumes and confusion, even the most persuasive content won’t land.
So, here’s my reflection on what makes a bid team tick (and not combust).
1. Set Ways of Working Early
There’s nothing worse than leaving a bid kick-off more confused than when you walked in. Who’s doing what? Where’s the client requirements saved? What template are we using? Who’s the lead?
Set the tone from day one. Define how the team will collaborate, communicate, and deliver. And yes, make sure everyone knows who’s who in the zoo.
2. Align on Team Priorities and Values
Before diving into deliverables, take a breath to understand what matters to your team. What values will guide how you work together? Team values could include clear communication, open collaboration, mutual respect.
Define your top three priorities and what they mean in practice. You’ll get clearer outputs, fewer crossed wires, and a team that work harmoniously.
3. Assign Roles and Responsibilities
Be explicit. Who’s leading? Who’s reviewing? Who’s wrangling Subject Matter Experts (SMEs)?
Define each role, set expectations, make sure everyone knows what role they’re playing and assign the right tasks to the right people. Clarity leads to calm and prevents duplication of effort in the form of multiple people rewriting the same executive summary or forgetting a returnable schedule entirely.
See How to tender without giving up your day job for some extra tips on how to juggle the day job and fulfil your win work obligations.
4. Lead with Visibility
Keep your tender management plan visible and your milestones clear. Distribute tasks to the right people, and confirm they know they’ve got them.
Strong leadership reduces overwhelm and eliminates surprises. People stop asking “What’s next?” and start saying “I’ve got this.”
5. Check In, regularly!
Schedule regular touchpoints, even just a 15-minute virtual coffee break. And not just for progress updates, offer a platform where the team can discuss their issues or concerns.
These moments keep engagement high and create space for the “I’m drowning, help!” confessions. Because let’s be honest, two heads (or five) are better than one when the deadline looms.
6. Just Breathe!
Build rapport. Share the load. Give your team permission to vent. Internal therapy is underrated and sometimes a good rant is the most productive thing you can do.
Final Thoughts
We can’t do everything in isolation. The best bids come from teams that trust each other, communicate clearly, and know when to laugh through the chaos.
What does a good bid team look like for you? We would love to your thoughts.
If you think you could benefit with support with telling that winning story, we are always happy to help. Whether it be support with building your strategy, tender management or writing, we have your back. Check out 5 signs you need tender support to help identify where you may need tender support get that tender over the line and where we can help out.