The key to writing a good tender is to be specific and detail how your capabilities match the client’s exact requirements.

You don’t have to be arrogant to sell your firm. Never kick off the tender by saying how great you are. Instead, show that you’ve listened to the client’s needs and found them the right solution. The way to do this is to identify and concentrate on the ‘win themes’ – the issues the client is most concerned with. Hopefully, you will have had an opportunity to ask them about these (see Preparing to write a tender). But invitations to tender usually give you clues about what they are and often state them directly (‘tenderers must have …’).

Win themes could include things like:

• completing the job within a tight time schedule
• attracting quality subcontractors
• project-management skills
• guarantees to stay on schedule
• health and safety procedures.

To some extent, most tenders should cover all these issues – among others. But make sure you focus more on the ones your client is particularly interested in. And then show how your firm can meet their needs.

One way of doing this with more complex tenders is to draw up a compliance matrix to make sure you’ve got a solution for everything the tender asks for.

This could give you the edge if you include it in the tender document itself.

Some people in the construction industry argue that tenders are usually won on price alone. No-one can dispute how important price is, and sometimes it may be the main factor (making it a win theme, of course). But never ignore the fact that whoever is in charge of the tendering process is also very interested in your firm – and what you can deliver over and above your competitors. Focus on these and you may well reduce the client’s sensitivity to price.

Unique selling points

This doesn’t mean you should slate your competitors in your tender – far from it. But it does mean you should have a clear idea of what your firm’s USPs (unique selling points) are. Some examples might include:

• quality of finish and ability to deal with snagging quickly
• getting the job done within a tight timeframe and budget (without jeopardising quality)
• regular progress reports and updates to client
• client-satisfaction record and percentage of repeat business.

Make it clear why they should choose you. Don’t just make vague and clichéd claims such as ‘we deliver high- quality work within tight schedules’ or ‘we have considerable experience in the management of new office fit outs and refurbishments’. You need to substantiate these kinds of claims with supporting evidence. For example, ‘We have delivered 90 per cent of our jobs within budget and 60 per cent or our business comes from existing clients’.

Include a breakdown of all the various aspects of the work involved in the project. And don’t leave out things because you’re not sure if the client wants them or because you can’t price them accurately at this stage; it will look as though you’ve overlooked them. If necessary, put them in with a ‘tbc’. Don’t make assumptions. Just because the client or person managing the tender knows you, that doesn’t mean you can leave out vital information about your firm. What if there are some other crucial ‘influencers’ reading your tender who know nothing about you?

Finally, always go through your tender face to face if the tender process allows it. That way you can sort out any sticking points.