AboutEric Hofer Expertise Can answer questions related to the systems implementation, integration with SAP, training in processes, data conversion, design of processes for in-field operators to improve effectiveness. Areas I specifically know are: Pre-Sell, Tele-Sell, Route-Sell (Ex-Van), Vending, Settlement, Inventory, Invoicing, Credit Management, Marketing Equipment (Tracking, Service, Return on Investment), Despatch, Management Reporting, Systems Delivery)
Experience Designed, delivered and implemented several system for multi-nationals (such as Pepsi, Frito-Lay, Walkers, Matutano) for the Back Office and In-Field (Customer Reps and Route staff).
Have worked internationally for 20 years (Europe, Asia, and South America).
Education/Credentials State University of New York
NYU/Courant Institute of Mathematics
Question kindly help me with short, concise valuable points that i need to have to develop a bidding document for consultancy in providing a Human Resource system to a newly opened company.what ideas will I include under the headings background, key issues to address, proposed approach, team of experts, work plan and the estimated cost for the whole consultancy exercise?
Answer This is a little outside of the "topic", but I'm happy to give you 5 minutes worth of thoughts...
There are many styles and structures for presenting a bid. As I don't know your full situation (and don't want to), it's a challenge to imagine pertinent "key ideas" that should be in your various sections... It's your proposal, your prospect, and you did the original work to learn about the account ... so really, its up to you to apply the thoughts below...
A bid needs to get across the following points:-
- you can do the job, you have the resources, experience and dedication
- you can be trusted to supply without runaway costs
- your company is large enough to withstand changes in market conditions
- the service can be provided in time
- you have (an) idea(s) as to how to approach the work
- the buyer can work with you; that you can establish a means to report progress, issues, etc.
- that you can manage your resources and the client.
Towards these ends, your document will both directly and indirectly communicate all of the above. So something, for example, that is disorganized, poorly formatted, poorly written, etc. communicates that you cannot be trusted to deliver. Lacking elements, such as a methodology or approach, communicates that you don't know how you're going to deliver, lack the experience required for the tender, etc.
The structure of the bid has to flow. The reader should know what to expect from the outset and should be able to navigate the document.
Given that you're answering the above questions, as you noted, you've got to give answers. For us, our bids tend to be:-
- Description of the problem(s), service(s) etc. It's sometimes referred to as the needs.
.. demonstrates that you have done your homework
.. shows you can use the prospective client's language
.. demarks the scope of what you'll undertake
- Scope
.. goes deeper to define the boundaries of the services that you'll provide
- Approach
.. shows that you've thought about how you're going to supply the service
.. mentions inter-relationships between tasks
.. illustrates that you know the area
.. this is a high level; the actual work and costs come later... this softens the audience up to the inevitable costs
- Resources that you can provide
.. highlights the skills you have; their background and experience
.. demonstrate that there are physical bodies to do the work.
- Company background
.. proven track record; market resilience
- Work plan
.. differs from the approach... The approach lays out the conceptual scaffolding, while this sets the delivery dates.
.. provides timescales, resource requirements, client participation
.. check points, reviews, etc.
- costs
.. for the services
.. for work outside of scope
.. charges for late payment
.. duration that the offer remains valid
You should also have a cover letter. In that you'd take the opportunity to:-
- stress why you're the obvious choice among other bidders for the work (what are your unique selling points)
- reinforce the human side of the bid, using the names of the people you'd met with, the times you'd met, etc.
- courtesy - thanking for the opportunity, etc. demonstrating respect and your valuing of the time of others.
