Small Business Can

Hello everyone.

If you've read this far then you already know how vital to your business success writing a proposal or tender is (I've got a ton of free, detailed 'insider' information for you, and it's only a click away).

It's the difference between hot cash flow and being an 'also-ran'.

And as large companies do more of their buying via 'collaborative' processes like tendering (in other words, buying by committee), you need your proposal to be a tireless salesman that goes from department to department, convincing more and more people as it does the rounds.

The situation is even harder when you're selling your business to Government (and it'd be a mistake to think this is the sole domain of 'big companies').

As you'll find out in just one of the video presentations I have for you - Insider Secret number 19 - big companies have a lot of smart people, but tend to act dumb.

This gives the small entrepreneur not only a chance, but an opportunity. And that's music to our ears isn't it?

I have 20 free video presentations for you AND a free e-book (value €51.97) all about proposals and tendering. It's focussed on Government tendering, but if you can sell to the Government, then you can write a proposal for anything, believe me!

You see, I was a government tender evaluator for over 5 years. And last year, I was the Bid Manager for the tender that won the €500million Irish Coast Guard Search and Rescue Helicopter Service Contract that Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey signed only last month.

So I guess you could say I'm a 'gamekeeper turned poacher.'

That's why I call my video presentations on tendering 'Insider Secrets', because in a way, they are. They're all about what I've learned - the hard way - so you don't have to.

And they're yours, for free, at www.winningtenderswithoutconsultants.com/

I hope you enjoy them, and I know you'll get a lot out of them.
Warmly,
Denis

Sounds good Denis and a great way to introduce it all using video.
Just registered so looking forward to hearing what you've got to say as I know from experience tendering can be very a time-consuming minefield.
Just on a technical point - your second video (after you register) seems to have something wrong with the audio as it continually loops over itself repeating the same voice-over on top of the existing voice-over - probably a simple fix.
Look forward to getting the chance to hear all!

Regards
Alan

Thanks Alan for the kind words, and for the heads-up on the thank-you video. I'll get it sorted.

If anyone else has a similar issue then please let me know or, indeed, on any of the videos.

But you're right Alan, tendering is time-consuming, which is what prompted me to share what I know about how to streamline the whole process.

Incidentally I'm running a competition this week via email with my Enterprise Edition tender-development system as a prize. The details are already out via email and I'll update new tender members when they sign up.

Alan, I can see that you have signed up - thank you! - so you will get an update later on this morning.

Thanks again, and enjoy the videos - I deliberately stuffed them full of info that people would normally have to pay for from a consultant or traipse to a training course for, so let me know if you have any questions at all!

the link again is
www.WinningTendersWithoutConsultants.com

See you there!
Denis

Hi Denis

Have just taken an hour out to go through your video series on government tender tips and I must say they are excellent!

What may seem obvious is often overlooked but how they all connect together is invaluable.
I would wholly recommend viewing by anyone who is serious about winning a public sector contract.

The tips on organising teams; bid style, language and content; use of software all priceless - thank you!

I even followed your choice of ties with great interest (video 1-4 gold, 5-7 red stripe, 8-13 blue stripe, 14-20 red spot!)
All videos shot in four ties days! - I'm impressed.

Seriously though, very well put together and if you didn't use autocue, I'm in awe!

Just as a few incidentals - anecdotes / props / examples / coming out from behind the desk (slightly more complex I know) all work well so incorporate more for next time.
Also logos are important! (if I do say so myself so if you want one give me a shout and I'll rattle a few options off for you just as a favour (use to work alot on the creative side and still try to keep my arm in!)

So just to say well done and when you sell loads of your Evince System perhaps you could come back to us and we'll make your next series INTERACTIVE!

Alan
ps - does this qualify me for an entry to your draw?

hello again Alan, I am laughing with you now!

Thank you so much for your kind words and of course this qualifies you for the draw for the Evince System. Would you be open to being quoted as a testimonial in elements of my marketing? For example, Geraldine Daly from Kerry was kind enough to agree (thanks again Geraldine if you're on here) and she now has a proud place on my video page at www.winningtenderswithoutconsultants.com/ .

I'm interested in why you feel a logo is so important. I don't disagree, but I'm keen to hear your thoughts on that, because perhaps I am missing something.

And I hear your advice about coming out from behind the desk more, I was waiting to move house (which I did last week) and am looking at putting a chromakey in there to play around with. I'm saving up for macbook pro as well!

Really interested in the interactive side of things too. I'm using GoToMeeting for my webinar, which, by the way, is available now and is free and anyone who wants it can email me and let me know at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

It's called "The 5 Most Dangerous Trends Facing Companies in the Irish Public Procurement Market Today"

Now I know what you're thinking... you're thinking "My God he really needs to get a snappier title than that", and you'd be absolutely right. But you may also be thinking that maybe I better find out what the man with 4 ties knows. And let me tell you, there are some insights I've discovered which will shock you.

So thanks again Alan for your kind words and, of course, you advice. I value it enormously, so again, thank you.
Warmly,
Denis

Alan...you'll do anything to get into a free draw!!! Great video denis...and great marketing...ive just received your ezine with alan's endorsement...

Fionan - you've got me to a T! Use to be worse though. I think when Granny was sold for an entry to win a years subscription to Marketing Weekly was the turning point! I still have counselling!!!

Thanks Denis - and yes feel free to use my testamonial as much as you like - i'm honoured, and thank you for the mention in your ezine.

With regards to logo - apart from all the usual stuff - adding professionalism; enhancing differentiation; embuing personality; evoking emotion; reinforcing positioning and targeting etc

It comes down to recall - 'a picture speaks a thousand words'.

Our brains store pictures, shapes and colours much more easily than words and numbers. How many times have you said - I know their face but dammed if I can remember their name!

Also, strange as it may seem, the mind has an easier time remembering two items linked together than separately and a logo is exactly that - a name which is also an image.

And recall is where it's at - 'top-of-the-mind awareness' in marketing/branding speak.

Not knowing why you chose the name, which incidentally I think is a good choice as it is a proper word with a meaning (give expression to), which all helps in recall, differentiation, positioning, adding personality etc - it also evokes a sense of the word 'convince' which reinforces your product USP - also helpful.

But it is not a commonly used term or expression! (no pun intended) and therefore the meaning of it would not be as well known - some may think it is invented even.

Using invented names is a type of naming strategy (there are four types - functional or descriptive / invented / experiential / evocative) that although are easier to trademark / secure domains around etc can be devoid of imagery and marketing energy making it harder to get that to that position of 'top-of-mind'.

Therefore I feel that to add 'the picture' element (make it a logo) will add another dimension to the name and give the whole Evince Systems offer some 'oomph!'

FREE is also good!!

Alan

Thanks Alan, yes I chose Evince for 2 reasons. Number 1 was what it means, of course, as you spotted, and number 2 was because I was thinking of Prince 2 project management at the time.

This is project management for tenders, although it isn't a rip-off of Prince because - shhh! - I haven't trained with Prince!

But you're right about it not being a common word, and it shows the dangers of choosing names like this. Why? I keep having to spell it and a lot of people think it's an electronic version of some bloke called vince!

But really I chose it because of how the verb relates to the task in hand - to show clearly, to prove, to convince. Now if you can come up with an evocative logo for that, then you are clearly a master of your art! (next time, I'm going to sell cars or something)

And thanks for the explanation about a logo, BTW. When I decide to get one, you have a customer sir.

have a great weekend!

warmly,
Denis

Thanks Denis - yes difficult as it may seem there is always a solution!
Not sure whether I could master (possibly!) but I could surely muster (definitely!).
Great marketing copy BTW.

Alan

thanks Alan. Nice of you to say so!

Copy writing is my core activity, so if you need words to paint pleasing pictures in your own prospects' heads then you know where to come!

Yes definitely
It is something that most businesses fail to realise how important it is - and you have definitely cracked it. I'll keep you in mind.

Alan