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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www.gbshared.co.uk

In this episode, host Lisa sits down with entrepreneur and innovator Lauren Davis, the founder of VetRelieve.
Lauren shares her remarkable journey from veterinary medicine to human healthcare, and eventually to launching her own innovative company in the veterinary space.
Starting her career as a vet, Lauren transitioned into the NHS, supplying mattresses and beds, and later ventured into private equity.
Her combined experience in veterinary care and human healthcare led her to a lightbulb moment – applying NHS-level care standards to animal beds and recovery products.

Lauren discusses her inspiration behind VetRelieve, a company dedicated to designing orthopedic beds and mattresses for dogs in both veterinary practices and homes. With a passion for improving the quality of life for animals, Lauren highlights the importance of sleep quality in recovery and pain management, which is often overlooked in veterinary care.

Throughout the episode, Lauren offers valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs, especially in the field of innovation. She emphasizes the importance of asking the right questions, building strong industry connections, and persevering through the prototyping process.

Lauren also shares her thoughts on the challenges female entrepreneurs face in securing investment and the need for greater support and resources.

Key Takeaways:

• Lauren’s journey from vet to entrepreneur and how her unique career path led to the creation of VetRelieve.
• The importance of sleep quality in both human and animal healthcare, and how Lauren’s products address this gap in veterinary care.
• Tips for entrepreneurs on navigating the prototyping process and securing support from the right partners.
• The challenges of being a female entrepreneur in the innovation space and the need for more investment opportunities for women.

Resources Mentioned:

• VetRelieve: vetrelieve.com
• Peak Converters: Lauren’s local foam supplier supporting innovation.
• GB Shared petition advocating for more investment in female-led businesses.

vetrelieve.com

www.gbshared.co.uk

In this inaugural episode of Innovators in Business, Lisa Edge from GB Shared and Podcast expert Kath Lord-Green introduce the exciting collaboration between GB Shared and Voice It Podcast Agency. Together, they’ll be exploring innovative business success stories from across the UK, focusing on sustainability, collaboration, and innovation.

Key Highlights:

• Lisa explains the origins and mission of GB Shared, the UK's first sustainable marketplace and supply chain register.
• How GB Shared supports local businesses by centralising opportunities like funding, jobs, and tenders while rewarding sustainable business practices with "green points."
• The platform’s growth from Lancashire to national expansion, and how businesses are adopting this innovative solution.
• Discussion on the challenges faced by unique, innovative businesses and how GB Shared is building an ecosystem that encourages collaboration and sustainable growth.

GB Shared Overview: A sustainable marketplace for businesses to connect, share opportunities, and grow while supporting local economies.
Innovative Features: Members benefit from green points, a Google-optimised webpage, talent pools, and access to job opportunities and tenders - It's all about sharing!
Membership Options: Free access available with the ability to upgrade to an annual membership for more features.
Sustainability Focus: Learn how businesses are rewarded for responsible practices that lead to global sustainable accreditation.

Tune in every fortnight for more inspiring stories of innovation and business success! Subscribe, share, and start innovating today.

www.gbshared.co.uk
www.voiceitpodcastagency.co.uk

www.gbshared.co.uk