Jonathan Boyce – BWL Group’s Senior Bid Writer

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Meet Jonathan Boyce, cricket fan and dad to two, he shares his recent successes, morning routine, and his top tools for managing tasks. Jonathan is a member of our Professional Bid Services team and supports clients with his expert bid writing skills.

By Jonathan Boyce, Senior Bid Writer at BWL Group

How long have you worked at BWL Group?

Since November 2022, so nearly 18 months!

Can you describe your role within the Professional Bid Services team at BWL Group?

I’m a Senior Bid Writer – I support clients across multiple sectors, assisting them with bid writing. This involves working with their key contacts to extract information, and also managing the quality elements of a bid.

Where do you work for the majority of the working week?

I currently work from my home in Birmingham, approximately 6 miles south of the city centre.

How do you start your day, and how does it set the tone for what follows?

Working from home allows me to take my eldest son (3.5 years old) to nursery every morning. It’s something I really cherish, and I know I’m fortunate for the time we get together.

Once back home, I take a brisk walk for some fresh air, followed by a cup of freshly ground coffee in my home office. Establishing a routine has become increasingly important to me as I’ve grown older, as it promotes good habits and sets a positive tone for the day ahead.

What is on your agenda for today?

I completed a client review (the last day of a three-day project) this morning. I then had a really positive call with BWL management regarding our updated training and development rollout. I’ve spent this afternoon completing some admin tasks and will move onto a new client project tomorrow.

What are the most challenging aspects of your job, and how do you navigate them?

The fact that I get to work with an array of colleagues is both rewarding and challenging. We aim for a day’s downtime between bids; however, this isn’t always possible. So, you could finish for an M&E client on a Wednesday and start with an Environmental specialist on a Thursday.

Internal handovers are robust (thanks to our Commercial Director, Sean). I take time on the first day of a new project to review specifications, T&Cs and bid guidance to fully understand requirements. By lunchtime, I am usually immersed in the new bid and raring to go!

What tools or processes/approaches do you rely on most in your day-to-day work?

• A to-do-list
• MS Teams (for speedy collaboration with clients and colleagues)
• Dual screen for easy navigation and enhanced productivity
• An easy-listening Spotify playlist to maintain focus and motivation.

How do you best collaborate with other team members?

Teams is our most used collaboration too. I like to think I’m approachable, listen to others, give good honest feedback, and I’m transparent in my methodology.  I was recently voted to become a board member, which is a great honour.

How do you best collaborate with clients?

Again, using Teams. I take the time to understand client requirements, the requirements of the bid and who I need to collaborate with from their organisation to best achieve objectives.

How do you balance work with home life?

Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is crucial to me, and I’ve developed a few habits to make sure my family receives the attention they deserve, such as:

• Setting boundaries, such as having a dedicated workspace and refraining from bringing work downstairs.
• Shutting away my phone and laptop during the dinner and bedtime routine (5pm – 7pm)
• Minimising or eliminating weekend work.

Fortunately, the supportive culture at BWL encourages and promotes these practices.

Can you share a recent success story or a project you’re particularly proud of?

I worked with an Arboriculture client in Autumn 2023 on a large bid into a public sector entity. We recently found out that they had won the tender, finishing first on quality on all of the Lots we supported them with. Furthermore, I have developed a good relationship with the CEO, and we recently spent time mapping out their 12-month business development pipeline, which I’ll be delighted to support them with.

What do you find most rewarding about working in bidding?

When a solution you’ve helped to craft is part of a winning bid. I also enjoy receiving client feedback, particularly from smaller businesses that really benefit from our expertise in the absence of an internal bid function.

How do you balance the pressures of tight deadlines against the need for high-quality work?

Strict planning and organisation are key fundamentals. I review the requirements and the timeframes and plan accordingly.

What advice would you give to someone interested in pursuing a career in bidding?

Go for it! It’s a career that you can get plenty out of…as long as you are willing to put the work in. It gives you a good, rounded knowledge of various business departments and the opportunity to hone your skills.

If you could skip back 10 years in your career, what advice would you give to yourself?

Listen, listen, and listen more. Be a sponge to incoming information…even if you don’t think it’s relevant to you.

What is your favourite thing to do outside of work?

I spend time with my family, go to the gym, and play cricket.

You can read more about Jonathan’s professional experience on our website here.

If you’d like to know more about our services our team offers, please contact us, and we’ll be in touch. Alternatively, email us at enquiries@bwlgroup.co.uk.