The executive summary is, in effect, a sales pitch and must contain certain key elements:
- A description of the customer’s primary objectives
- Your key solutions elements
- Compelling elements of your commercial model
- Examination of your key win themes
- Key value/benefits highlighted with quantification
- Reference to particularly compelling evidence you are providing
- What happens in the next steps, should you be awarded the contract
As well as the above, you should also be using a narrative style that talks to the customer and is focused on the them. A good tip is to start by writing a paragraph about their business and not your own.
An executive summary is typically two to four pages in length but a good rule is try to build a document that is about one page for every forty pages of bid. You can download our free guide to writing an executive summary here (http://www.bidperfect.com/en/bid-training/free-downloads/)
If you would like us to review an executive summary you have written, please contact us and we will give you advice on how it could be improved (unless of course it is perfect already!)
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Marcus was lively, challenging and we all left feeling energised and enthused, and with a revised style of writing which we felt contributed greatly to our success in winning the tender. We subsequently brought Bid Perfect back to run a couple of day courses for colleagues in the wider voluntary sector about 'writing winning bids', and we had enthusiastic and excellent feedback from course participants.
Julia Baron, Shropshire RCC
I am delighted to report that we have won the bid we were going for, in all areas, coming top in the marking process. We believe the influence of Bid Perfect had much to do with this. We will have no hesitation in enthusiastically recommending their services or employing them again ourselves.
Newsome Vaughan LLP Solictors
We were successful in obtaining an award, to supply all the Lots out for Tender for the BBC
This is due in no small part, to the efforts of the Bid Perfect Team and in particular, Alison Reeves who managed to get us through the Pre-qualification Questionnaire (PPQ) and Helena Bissett who managed us through the Invitation to Tender (ITT).
Barry Measure, Take 2 Films
I just wanted to let you know that we received the Hyundai contract back yesterday! Obviously we're thrilled and I just wanted to update you guys at Bid Perfect and say thanks for your help. We'll obviously be in touch next time we get a RFP over!
Gemma Storkey, Sales Manager, Market Makers
Bid Perfect were thoroughly professional and compelling in their approach to the training.
Our team thoroughly enjoyed the two days and the course was very good value. I am sure that we will improve our future bid responses and win rate as a direct result of this training.
I have no hesitation in recommending Bid Perfect for training and we also hope to use them on a consultancy basis for future relevant tenders.
Anne Johnston - Business Development Manager, Eve Trakway
Bid Perfect have worked with us for five years and have always been responsive, flexible and throughly professional. They have been our default bid training organisation and also a supplier of talented bid support personnel. I am very happy to recommend Bid Perfect.
Liza Beukes, Sales Retention Director, Compass Group PLC