𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐛𝐢𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞 – 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐧-𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞?

Friday’s webinar was packed with insights, experiences, and honest reflections on career moves in bidding. With perspectives from Louise Rowe, Chris Vincent, and Richard W Smith, we explored the realities of staying in-house, stepping into consulting, and navigating the evolving bid job market.

Here are three key takeaways:

📌 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞.

Companies are still balancing in-house teams with consultants, but economic factors, restructures, and tighter budgets mean freelancers must be strategic about where and how they position themselves.

Some sectors, like defence and facilities management are seeing more demand, while others remain cautious.

📌 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐀𝐈 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐛𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐢𝐝 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤, 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐰𝐢𝐧.

AI is being explored, but it’s not yet replacing bid professionals. The best bid pros use AI to enhance their work, not rely on it. Hiring managers are looking for strategic thinkers, great writers, and strong collaborators - skills AI can’t replicate.

📌 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠? 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤.

If you’re making the move, your in-house network won’t necessarily become your client base. Many consultants underestimate this, assuming their old employers will hire them back. The best strategy is to expand your network beyond past colleagues, actively engage on LinkedIn, and be intentional about marketing your expertise.

If you registered for the session, you’ll receive a recording soon.

Big thanks to Louise, Chris, and Richard for sharing their insights and for everyone who contributed to the discussion!