I’ve always thrived in high-pressure environments
What are the Tender Plus team members really like? Well, we asked them to fill you in.
Meet Callie Tripodi, Tender Specialist (Sydney)
What's the most rewarding part of consulting as a specialist on tenders?
The most rewarding part of being a tender specialist is being able to help our clients. There have been some instances when our clients’ team members have never worked on tenders before. This gives us an opportunity to help them with understanding how a tender works and also how to frame an answer in the most effective way.
It’s an amazing feeling and very rewarding when a bid has been submitted, and the client is so appreciative of the work we’ve done, while also exposing their team members to future job possibilities they may not have previously thought of, such as tendering.
How do you adapt to the different subject matter that you deal with on a day-to-day basis?
I’ve found that by listening to my colleagues and clients and making notes of their requests, it’s easier for me to adapt to changing circumstances. As humans, mistakes will happen but by listening to the details and making specific notes we can minimise errors. Another aspect of listening is also asking questions when something doesn’t make sense. This approach has helped me adapt when dealing with diverse subject matter and allows me to work autonomously once a request has been made.
What's the best tip a mentor or colleague in the field has given you about tendering and why?
One piece of advice that has always stuck with me is to never put generic information into a tender. When I review a tender response I aways ensure we’ve included information that is specific and tailored to the current tender.
Coffee or tea? (Discuss)
Definitely tea. Coming from a family of passionate coffee drinkers, I’m the odd one out who will always reach for the tea. I love the smell of coffee, it’s the taste that doesn’t appeal to me. Curling up on the couch with a warm cup of tea on a cold day always gives me a cosy feeling.
What's the most important quality that you think you bring to the bids that you work on? Why?
The most important quality I believe I bring to bids is my ability to get on with the task at hand. I don’t procrastinate and am very strict when it comes to delivering to the given deadline, which is so important when working on a tender.
What's it like being part of the Tender Plus team?
It’s wonderful being part of the Tender Plus team! Everyone has their own skills and expertise they bring to bids, so we are always learning from each other. The friendly and supportive culture that Tender Plus fosters creates an amazing environment where we can continue to grow professionally.
If you could immediately change one thing about tendering that would make the discipline better for everyone, what would it be?
I’d like clear instructions from the beginning of a tender. There have been times where addenda have come through, adding further requirements to a tender, only to be removed again weeks later. This adds to a tender team’s workload unnecessarily, which can be frustrating, especially on a large-scale bid.
What are the top three tips you would give to a client about writing a tender?
Refrain from direct copy and pasting of entire passages from previous tender submissions. Referring to previous tender responses is never a bad thing, in fact it can provide some insight as to how you want to frame your current response. However, directly copying and pasting information may lead to you not answering the question that’s being asked, missing key and relevant information, errors being copied over, irrelevant or generic information being placed, or having an inconsistent voice.
Ensure you remain within the specified word limit. This a guaranteed way of submitting a compliant tender and keeping the evaluators engaged with your response.
Communication is key within tendering. It is imperative that you have clear communication between your team and the consultants so that each party is on the same page to deliver a successful outcome.
What's the funniest word, phrase, or acronym you have seen in a tender?
At the moment nothing comes to mind. I guess I’m still searching for “the one” that will stick with me for the rest of my career.
"We came a close second." Thoughts?
Yes, losing a bid isn’t the best feeling especially when you’ve just missed out. However, I take these moments as an opportunity to improve so that next time, there is a better chance of success. Coming in second place is not all bad because there clearly was enough impactful information to come so close to being the successful tenderer.
What's the word you never want to see used in a tender again?
Definitely BOCC. Not because of what the abbreviation stands for, but for how it was being written. BOCC stands for backup Operations Control Centre. For the entire length of the bid in which this was being used, I had to ensure I wrote it as per the client’s request and not as Backup Operations Control Centre which made more sense in my mind.
What is your favourite sector to tender in? Why?
The majority of my experience falls under facilities management focusing on soft services, such as cleaning and hospitality services. I enjoy working within this sector as I’m comfortable with the content required, and the types of questions usually asked. However I am enjoying working within other sectors and expanding my knowledge.
Cat person, dog person or other? If other what?
I’m not really an animal person in general but if I had to choose it would be dogs. They’re so loveable and entertaining. I did however grow up with two turtles as pets who still to this day love swimming around and eating everything in their sight.
How do you describe what you do for a career? (Serious or funny)
My first question when asked about what I do for a living is, “Do you know what a tender is?” It’s usually met with “no”, so I then explain. I’ve found the easiest way to describe a tender is to relate it back to something we are all familiar with – school assignments. I explain that, just like an assignment or exam, a tender has specific questions that need to be answered. The organisation or government body who issues the tender awards the contract to the company with the highest marks. Following this, I explain that it is my role to assist clients with their tenders which helps them win new contracts.
Why do you think that you thrive under pressure? What make you so resilient?
For as long as I can remember I’ve always thrived in high-pressure environments especially ones with a deadline. As early as when I was in school, and throughout my career, it’s been apparent that my time management skills were effective. I will always begin a new project by outlining what the highest priority is and ensuring I meet all deadlines, whether personal or professional. Additionally, I have a trait of always needing to finish what I start, even if it’s as simple as finishing a book I’m reading. This need to finish what I have started and not quit has definitely played a large part in why I thrive under pressure.
"It's all about the price." Thoughts?
I’ve seen time and time again how price is a large factor when it comes to being awarded a contract. I don’t believe it makes up 100% of the decision to award a contract but it definitely plays a part. This is unfortunate especially when a company’s tender submission meets all the evaluation criteria and adheres to all requirements, but they lose out on price.
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