Tom Sheppard – Three Months In

It has been three months since I joined Executive Compass® as a bid writer and it’s time for an update on my progress.

I joined the company after working as a paralegal in a legal aid law firm for over six years. Applying the skills I learned there such as attention to detail and working to a tight brief, has helped me develop as a bid writer. Although, combining the appropriate content and language consistently is a skill that will take time to master.

Hardest Part

The hardest part of the job has been changing my writing style to a professional yet informal style and working within far shorter timescales than I have previously experienced. The transition from paralegal to bid writer is tough but with the support and training I have had from Neil and the team, the learning curve has not been as steep as it first appeared!

So far I have worked on PQQs and ITTs in the areas of domiciliary care, security and facilities management. Working with a diverse range of companies and finding out how they work has already taught me much about the world of business and procurement and the variety of factors we have to consider when submitting bids.

Continuous Improvement

The drive for continuous improvement motivates me to produce the highest standards of work, especially when I know how much a successful bid can help a business. Accuracy is the key to being a successful bid writer and having my work checked and proofread ensures that clients receive only the highest quality work.

As well as working in the office I have accompanied Neil to interviews with clients. Listening to clients talk about their business has given me first-hand experience of the bid management process and the positive impact that a professional bid writer can have.

It has been a steady start for me at Executive Compass®. I hope to build on this and improve my skills further over the next few years. Wish me luck!