Kevin Watts – BWL Group’s Bid Consultant

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Meet Kevin Watts, bid expert and dad to two, he shares his love for coffee, checklists, and Iron Maiden. Kevin is a member of our Professional Bid Services team and manages the bid process from end-to-end for our clients. 

By Kevin Watts, Bid Consultant at BWL Group

How long have you worked at BWL Group?

I started in July 2022.

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

As a Bid Consultant, I manage bids on behalf of our clients, ensuring that the bid is delivered to the highest quality standards and in line with the timescales allowed. Every bid is different, so activities and responsibilities vary from bid to bid but generally, I create and manage the bid plan and coordinate resources to make sure the bid is completed on time.

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

I work from home in London.

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

I wake at 5:30 and have 2-3 coffees before starting work. I usually work to the bid plan with activities and tasks planned in my calendar, but I also close down any incoming emails before I get my head into my current bid.

What is on your agenda for today?

I am currently completing 10 quality responses for bids with a water company, covering H&S, Design, Programme Management, and Environmental Management.

We’re preparing the responses for red review and are coordinating SMEs to complete the red reviews by the end of the week.

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

Time management is always the most challenging part of the job. Things often turn out to be easier or more complex than originally thought, and that impacts the time spent/required.

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

I use a lot of plans, checklists, and notes to navigate my way through the bid and keep on track with activities and priority tasks. A bid plan is essential for knowing where each aspect of the bid is and knowing who is responsible for each part.

How do you best collaborate with other team members?

As a remote worker, I use Teams for most communications. I work well with lists and plans and use that as the best way to collaborate with other team members. I enjoy working with colleagues on bids and using people’s strengths to enhance the bid process.

How do you best collaborate with clients?

I find meetings the best way to communicate key points, but I also use bid plans and checklists to show my approach and facilitate collaboration on tasks.

How do you balance work with home life?

I try not to worry about work when I’m not at work, and I don’t work at weekends, so time spent with my family is focused on them. I try to be as organised as I can be, and work extra time at the start of a bid to make sure I’m ahead and things run smoothly.

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

Working with a small building firm in North Wales that were bidding for a large framework, we worked hard on getting concise and evidenced responses that had lots of project examples and added value. They were a great business to work with and the final result reflected their key strengths and highlighted their industry knowledge and capabilities in the sector.

What do you find most rewarding about working in bidding?

Helping a business grow and providing sustainable employment to their staff.

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

Be organised and allow enough time for both.

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

Be prepared to read everything, take notes, and get organised.

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

Trust your initiative and be nice to people.

What is your favourite thing to do outside of work?

Listening to Iron Maiden and playing Dark Souls once the kids are in bed.

You can read more about Kevin’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 enquires@bwlgroup.co.uk.