Procurement Connection 2009 was an outstanding success with over 100 businesses in attendance, 9 public sector procurement professionals and 7 speakers in addition to the ways2win team.

Ways2win - Business Tenders

Darren Ball - Contracts and Procurement Manager - The Met Office

"I can say it was a fantastic opportunity to explain the public sector procurement process and to also understand some of the difficulties local companies face when bidding for Public Sector contracts.”

Kathryn Parker - Contracts and Procurement Manager - Devon and Cornwall Police Authority

“We are very happy to be part of the event, the more help that we can give businesses the better as it helps both sides when processes are well understood.”

Simon Richardson -Procurement officer - Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue

“We really appreciate the opportunity to engage with businesses and inform them how public procurement operates."

Clive Woodley - Product Portfolio Manager - Plymouth City Council

"I love initiatives like Ways2win procurement connection, it’s a great opportunity for the public sector buyers to get out from behind the desk, meet real businesses and give us a reality check on what we are doing well and what we do badly"

Paul McCormick - Head of Contracts and Direct Services - Exeter City Council

“Excellent opportunity to meet potential suppliers and tell them what we get up to!”

John Malloch – Head of Procurement - University of Exeter

“it was a great event to be part of - if we have better relationships then we get better results”

Liz Oram - Competitiveness Partnership Manager - Business Link

“Business Link were delighted to be part of the Ways to Win procurement event and very much look forward to working in partnership with businesses wishing to engage in public sector procurement activities"

“Applying for public sectors seemed to be a stuffy and complex process before I attended the event.  However, it’s now apparent that the public sector are very keen to be working with local small businesses.  Add the skills of Ways2Win to the mix and I can see an approach to applying for public sector tenders.  Thanks for the insight.” David Thomas, Bluegrass Computer Services

Ways2win is providing 3 free half-day awareness sessions for businesses who wish to find out more about tendering for business with the public sector, hosted by Business Link.

There are two sessions-

An Introduction to Public Sector and Olympic Procurement

Learn about-

• Advantages of working with the public sector
• The Public Sector Tendering process
• How Business Link can help you prepare for tendering
• Sourcing opportunities
• Why the public sector wants to be supplied by SME's and Social Enterprises
• Understanding and assessing a notification to maximise opportunities
• CPV coding and how to find and use them
• How to work with public sector bodies: Olympics, NHS, MoD, Local authorities, emergency services and educational institutions
• The opportunities presented by LOCOG and CompeteFor

• Getting the basics right when tendering for the public sector and Olympics
• Using the strengths of SME's and Social Enterprises in successful tendering
• Developing your strategies for the best chances of success
• Competitor analysis
• Bidding as a consortium or partnership
• Internal business perperation ahead of implementation
• How Business Link can help you prepare for contract delivery

The slides below are for the benefit of the delegates who have attended the courses and act as memory aid,  your notes from the day will help with understanding the key points of the day.

Morning Session Slides (dowload)

Afternoon Session Slides (download)

If you would like more information or to find out about ways2win training events or ways2win tender services click here or call 01392 248548.

ways2win bridges the gap - Bringing together great businesses and great buyers

Procurement professionals from the public sector are meeting in Exeter with South West businesses on 21st October 2010 to share their insights. There will be presentations from the most influential public sector buyers in the South West.

Public Sector Buyers Attending...

Question and Answer session chaired by:

Richard Bayly

Debuty Director, Economy Growth & Regeneration

Ways2win will also be providing a seminar on winning public sector tenders.

This is a free event and will be held at Sandy Park, Exeter. (Please note there is a non-refunable £10 booking fee)

Please click here to view last years event...

To book your place call: 01392 248 548 or click here to book online...

We look forward to seeing there.

Procurement Connection is supported by:

Press Room

Here are a selection of our recent articles and press releases

July 2010 South West Challengers - 100 South West Business Challengers, Business Link South West

February 2010 An Introduction to Public Sector and Olympic Procurement, Business Link South West

November 2009 Small firms get tips on public sector tenders, Express and Echo

June 2009 Winning ways, SouthWest Business

June 2009 Up to date HR practices, Human Resources magazine

May 2009 Free Guidance to help firms win tenders, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce

May 2009 ... help firms win tenders Learn Direct Business, Scotland

April 2009 In it to win it ... UK Business Insider

April 2009 Hey, big spender ... how do you win? UK Business Insider

3rd April 2009 Free Guidance to help firms win tenders ... HSBC Knowledge centre

30th March 2009 Free Guidance to help firms win tenders ... The Manufacturing Network

27th March 2009 Public Sector work there for the taking ... Express & Echo

25th March 2009 Where there's a will there's... a way... Express & Echo

24th March 2009 Recession is Opportunity for start ups ... Express & Echo

23rd March 2009 Hotbed of entrepreneurial talent ... Express & Echo

20th February 2009 Grab a slice of the tender pie ... Express & Echo

Articles

April 2010 - World Trade News In Brief

April 2010 - Outsourcing On The Rise

April 2010 - The Value Of The Tender Process

March 2010 - Great Acronyms With Impact

July 2009 - How to Beat the Tender Competition

July 2009 - Tender Task Force at Exeter Basepoint

June 2009 - Get tender Fit!