5 tips for remote work on a tender
Zoe Webber, Tender Specialist (Brisbane)
Flexible work arrangements and working from home have become the new norm for many organisations, particularly in tendering where hours can be long or disjointed. Remote work oftentimes creates a better work-life balance, allowing working parents to be home with their children – or, in my case, a very needy doggo – reducing the need to commute every day and enabling everyone to create work hours that best suit different schedules. However, working remotely can come with its challenges, so it’s important to set clear work boundaries, something we as tender consultants struggle to do at the best of times!
With personnel across Brisbane, Sydney and Perth, the Tender Plus team maintains a flexible work culture, and we’ve become experts at working remotely. Here are five strategies for ensuring you stay productive and avoid the isolation that can sometimes come with working from home.
1. Regularly communicate and check in with your team
It’s important to maintain clear lines of communication with your coworkers when working from home. Set up regular check-ins and meetings in your diary, as this can be a great opportunity to let them know what your day or week looks like, ensuring they’re aware of your workload and where they can assist.
It can also be incredibly isolating when things go wrong on a tender when you’re working remotely, and it’s easy to feel like you’re on your own when problems crop up. Be sure to lean on your team for support and don’t be afraid to ask for help. A quick Teams message and a supportive thumbs up have done wonders to alleviate my stress and anxiety when I’m feeling overwhelmed!
2. Have a structured routine
Particularly with the nature of tendering can be easy to fall into the trap of answering one quick email at 7 pm or jumping on for an extra hour when your computer is right there, but this can quickly snowball and slowly eat away at your personal time if you let it. Create clear and structured work hours and be sure to communicate your availability with your team and others working on the tender so that there are no expectations that you will be working outside of these times or overextending yourself.
3. Block out your time
As tenderers, it’s not rare to have several spinning plates in the air at once, and it can be hard with conflicting priorities to get to certain tasks especially when working remotely. Figuring out what items are of most importance and blocking out periods of time during your day is a great tool to work through your to-do list and minimise distractions. Having a time limit can also be an excellent motivator, especially if it’s a task you’ve been putting off or pushing to the wayside.
4. Create a space you want to work in
Have you ever had that one pen on your desk that makes taking notes more fun? Okay, maybe that’s just me… But creating a home office environment that is not only fit-for-purpose, functional, AND also enjoyable to be in can do just the same for your work, making it more exciting to go to your office and get stuck in.
5. Separate from your desk
If eating lunch at your desk was a crime, I, and many other tender writers and tender coordinators, would be guilty as charged. Of course, sometimes it is unavoidable, but it’s also extremely important to take an opportunity for time away from your desk.
Don’t be afraid to take 20 minutes to recharge; grab something to eat, take a walk outside, or even doom scroll if that’s something you enjoy! At the end of your work day, close the office door and create a clear separation between work and home. This can do wonders for your mental health and give you a fresh set of eyes on what you’re working on when you jump back in.
Embracing flexible work arrangements can significantly enhance productivity and work-life balance for tender writers. By maintaining clear communication, establishing structured routines, managing time effectively, and taking regular breaks, you can combat the isolation and stress that sometimes come with working from home. Implementing these strategies not only supports own wellbeing but fosters a collaborative and supportive team environment, leading to successful tender outcomes.
Tender Plus offers tender support consulting services to assist you to pursue and win competitive business. We not only strategically position and communicate tenders, we foster a culture conducive to success. Find out more about our services here.