In this episode of Innovators in Business, host Lisa Edge sits down with Vicky Poole, founder of Tender Response, to delve into the world of tenders and bid writing.
Vicky shares her inspiring journey from working in telecoms at Cable & Wireless and Vodafone to building a successful tender consultancy.
She discusses the complexities of navigating public sector bids, the importance of sustainability in business, and the innovative tools her company offers to help clients secure contracts.

Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this episode offers actionable insights on winning tenders, building sustainable practices, and balancing career with personal priorities.

Vicky’s Journey into Bid Writing

1. Transitioning from telecoms into bid writing.
2. Founding Tender Response after experiencing corporate burnout and personal loss.
3. The satisfaction of working in the SME space and winning high-stakes contracts.

The Evolution of Tender Response:

1. Starting as a freelance bid writer and growing into a 14-person team.
2. Navigating bids for SMEs and helping businesses secure public sector contracts.
3. The proactive approach of using the Tender Analytics tool to predict future tenders.

Sustainability in Bids:

1. How businesses must comply with increasing sustainability and carbon reduction regulations.
2. Vicky's development of the “Green Response” to help clients meet government sustainability standards.

Balancing Business Growth with Personal Life:

1. Vicky’s realization after her mother’s death that life is short and needs to be lived with passion.
2. The flexibility of running a business, and the challenges of balancing work and family life.

Collaboration with GB Shared:

1. Vicky’s role in feeding tenders into GB Shared’s platform to help local businesses find opportunities.
2. The importance of local, ethical, and sustainable business practices in securing public sector contracts.

Tools and Support for Tender Success:

1. How Tender Response helps businesses with the "find, qualify, and respond" approach to tenders.
2. The benefits of using tools like Tender Analytics and working with experts in carbon emission reporting.

"My job’s not just to write the bid—it's to help the client win." – Vicky Poole

Tender Response Website: www.tenderresponse.co.uk

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