Bid pros get it done: the Sarah Connors of business growth
Ever noticed how, when a bid wins, the credit often lands with the sales or business development lead? Meanwhile, the person holding everything together (the bid professional), stays in the background.
It’s the bid team herding cats, keeping the client top of mind, ensuring win themes are clear, enforcing strategy, chasing reviews, compiling attachments, following up unclear inputs, and managing last-minute updates.
Yet, when the deal closes, the spotlight naturally falls on the sales lead.
Let’s be clear: sales leads absolutely play an important role, and credit where credit is due. What we’re saying is - so do bid professionals.
It’s the classic ‘unsung hero’ dynamic. Call it:
The project manager paradox: those doing the coordination, thinking, and grunt work rarely get the glory.
The Cinderella effect: the bid team does all the work, and the sales lead waltzes in at the last minute to claim the glass slipper.
The orchestra conductor v lead singer: while one person makes sure everything runs smoothly, the spotlight always lands on the performer.
The Sarah Connor syndrome: Bid professionals do the essential behind-the-scenes grunt work - planning, problem-solving, and firefighting - while the Terminator (aka the sales lead) arrives in their dark sunglasses and leather boots, looking like the hero.
It’s time to change that.
Bid management isn’t an admin function, it’s a leadership role.
It’s the backbone of every successful deal.
If we want the recognition our profession deserves, we must start claiming our space as the strategic force behind winning bids.
So how do we change the narrative?
It starts with us. It’s time to step up and own our impact because if we don’t, who will?
✨ Share your wins
💬 Celebrate your colleagues
📢 Advocate for bid professionals both in and outside your organisation (or freelance community).
There’s a shift coming in how we talk about bids and tenders, and it starts here.
Let’s stop waiting for recognition and start making it happen.
We see you, and we’re just getting started.
