Month: March 2018

The Best Way to Find Cleaning Tenders in the UK & ROI

The best way to find cleaning tenders in the UK & ROI
Posted on by Amy Madden

The cleaning market can be incredibly competitive and, depending on where you are based in the UK or Ireland, it can be hard for a start-up or micro business to win commercial cleaning contracts. This alone should be enough to convince your small business to look into public sector cleaning tenders.

Find out how we can help your business find cleaning areas in your local area, across the UK or Ireland!

 

Business is booming

It turns out that the UK is home to some very messy people (are you surprised?). The cleaning industry contributes over £24 billion to the UK economy and it is one of the most active industries in the UK.

A recent study by AMA Research* has shown that maintenance and cleaning represent two of the most commonly outsourced facilities management services within the healthcare industry alone.

That said, it’s not just hospitals that need cleaned and maintained, the public sector requires all kinds of cleaning services, everything from window cleaning to industrial deep cleans to maintain buildings like schools, offices, leisure centres, prisons and police stations – which explains why cleaning services constantly stay in demand.

This proves that cleaning tenders are out there, but how can you find them?

 

Finders Keepers!

A micro business should not expect customers to fall in its lap – you need to start looking for them. Finding cleaning tenders before your competition should be at the top of your small businesses priority list.

The best way to find cleaning tenders is by signing up to a tender alerts service. Searching for cleaning tender opportunities can be time consuming – time a small business often doesn’t have.

Cleaning tender alerts can be extremely valuable to a micro business with little resource. It removes the need for a member of your team to sift through different portals across the UK and Ireland.

 

Cleaning Tender Alerts

Supply2Gov covers all areas across the UK & Ireland – we posted 4195 cleaning tenders last year. Whether you are looking to start small and branch out or aim for work out of the UK, we offer packages that cover:

  • Local Area (free to sign up to!)
  • Home Country
  • UK Wide
  • UK & ROI

Wherever you are looking for cleaning tenders, we can help you get started.

Sign up to Supply2Gov today.

 

* The ‘Facilities Management Outsourcing – Health & Education Market Report – UK 2018-2022’ report is published by AMA Research.

www.amaresearch.co.uk

 

Learn how your micro business can find and win niche tenders

Learn how your micro business can find and win niche tenders
Posted on by Amy Madden

Public procurement is changing. The UK Government is now proactively thinking about the needs of the digital future and how to stay ahead of the times and it is investing heavily in technology and innovation.

During the Autumn Budget Speech 2017 Philip Hammond said that the Government would “invest to secure that bright future for Britain.” This is great news for businesses that provide niche solutions and want to get started with procurement.

Find out how you can find niche opportunities in public procurement below.

 

Niche Tender Opportunities

It’s simple. If your micro business is looking for public procurement opportunities, the first thing you should do is identify the market you want to work with, find its niche and supply a service or product that buyers are looking for.

Principal PASS Procurement Consultant Eddie Regan says that “If you are a new online stationary business, your chances of working with the public sector in the first 3 or four years is slim as it is a market that is full of other, more experienced businesses”.

This should not put your business off, however, as the Government is looking to work with small business that offer innovative solutions. Eddie Regan says that:

“If your micro business is a specialised tech company, providing technology that the NHS or MOD want, there is potential for your business to succeed even six months in as there are opportunities in the market”.

 

Consultancy Tenders

Consultancy tendering is another option that your micro business should consider when you are looking to start working with the public sector.

If you are an expert and are recognised for what you do in your field, there is a strong chance that you could win work with the public sector. There are some scenarios where the person running the business is the sellable aspect, not what the business does.

In the past, small consultancy firms that employ a specialist in a certain field have attracted public sector buyers because of the experience or innovation that they offer.

Whether the business is a start-up or not it doesn’t matter – the person themselves could be enough to persuade buyers to work with them.

 

Get ahead of competitors

After you have found niche tenders that are suited to your micro business, the next step is winning contract opportunities.

Cost is one factor that public sector buyers will consider when they are granting contract awards. For every penny public sector buyers spend, they must be certain that they are investing in the suppliers that will offer the best value. This is where competitor analysis comes in.

Look at who is already in the market and what their procurement track record is. Competitor Insight is important when you are writing bids. If you have spotted something that your business offers as part of your services that your competitor does not, you must include this in the “added value” section of your tender application.

Buyers are looking for the best value overall and something that may seem like a small addition to your business could be a buyer deal maker.

 

Tender Alerts

Find tender opportunities before your competition with tender alerts.

If you are looking for niche opportunities, tender alerts will be your best friend going forward! Tender alerts select and notify you of any opportunities that match what you are looking for, saving you time when you go to look for tender opportunities that are relevant to your micro or small business.

 

Sign up to Supply2Gov

Supply2Gov offers all customers free local area tender alerts.

We monitor over 3000 different sources of contracts. Simply complete your Supplier Profile to let us know the type of contracts you want to win and we can help your business find and win opportunities with public sector bodies in your area or across the UK.

 

Get Started

 

 

 

 

 

Spring into action with Tech and IT tenders

IT tenders post spring statement
Posted on by Amy Madden

The Government is investing in IT and technology – this is good news if your business is looking for low value IT tenders.

During the Autumn Budget 2017, Philip Hammond said that he would “help our tech start-ups”. He published an Action Plan that unlocked over £20 billion of new investment in UK scale-up businesses.

Last week the Spring Statement was announced and it was more good news for IT and tech companies as the Chancellor of the Exchequer encouraged the public and private sector to “embrace the new technologies of the future”.

Find out more about the Spring Statement 2018 and the opportunities it could bring for micro and small businesses.

Spring Statement 2018

Philip Hammond is extremely proud that a “new tech business is founded in Britain every hour”, so much so he wants to double that to “every half an hour”.

In a Spring Statement which has been described as “tech-positive”, many potential IT tender opportunities were mentioned.

Full Fibre Broadband Networks

During the Statement, it was revealed that the Government has assigned £95m to full fibre broadband networks.  Thirteen areas across the UK will benefit from this project.

This is only the first wave of spending, allocated from the £190m local full fibre network fund that was launched after the Autumn Budget 2017.

Manchester, North Yorkshire and Belfast are just three of the cities which will be involved in the project.

IT & Tech Training

Philip Hammond wants to “prepare the British people for a better future ahead.” He plans to do this through investment in IT and technology training.

This includes a £50m fund which will help employers roll out the student placements required for the new T-levels for post-16 technical education.

T-levels are set to be developed and phased in between 2018 and 2022. The Government has said that the scheme will be “biggest overhaul of post-school education in 70 years”.

Digital Payment Methods

The Chancellor is keen to expand the UK’s use of digital payments “while ensuring cash remains available to those who need it” and has called for evidence on how best to achieve this.

The Government is keen to hear ideas on digital payments in the new economy. This would be a great initiative for any small digital business to take part in and could help them to begin conversations with public sector buyers.

Opportunities for Small Businesses

In the past, public sector buyers were extremely focused on experience, leading them to award many contracts to larger, well-established businesses. However, the public sector now recognises that micro and small businesses are a central part of its efforts to improve technology across the board.

Micro businesses should take advantage of lucrative opportunities that are designed for businesses that provide niche information technology products or services.

On the Supply2Gov portal we publish low value IT tenders that sole traders and micro businesses can access. We help you get started off find more IT tender opportunities.

Find out more

IT Tenders

Investing in IT procurement will be extremely valuable to your business. If you would like to work with the Government as it invests into connectivity, digital and training, now is the perfect time to sign up for a free Supply2Gov subscription.

 

Register for free

 

 

Procurement Events: The Supply2Gov Spring Calendar

Public sector procurement events bringing buyers and suppliers together
Posted on by Amy Madden

 

Spring events season has arrived and we at Supply2Gov will be making our debut at some of the UK and Ireland’s most popular procurement events.

The Supply2Gov team are looking forward to meeting delegates, exhibitors over the next few months – we hope to see you there!

 

Why procurement events are important for small businesses

One word. Networking!

Procurement events across the UK bring together the key organisations that your micro business wants to work with.  If your small business wants to win work with the public sector then it must engage with a wider community.

When we interviewed Principal PASS Procurement Consultant Eddie Regan, he touched on the importance of face-to-face communication in procurement:

“Attending events is a fantastic way to get your name out there and will give you the chance to start conversations with public sector buyers.”

Training Opportunities

These events have lots to offer sole traders and micro businesses that are just getting started with procurement. For example, the Procurex events provide a space where the private sector and public sector can meet to collaborate.

Throughout the day there are guest speakers who will discuss the most crucial factors for public sector buyers and suppliers – something your business will struggle to find via internet search.

It is important that your micro business does some research before you bid. Procurement events allow you to find out about the issues affecting the public sector so you can reflect them in your bids. The training sessions at events like Procurex are the perfect place to place to find out what the public sector expects and how to make your bid stand out.

For many training sessions, you will be able to turn up on the day and attend, however, in some cases you may have to book.

If you are interested in a one-to-one session or a specific workshop that is on at a procurement event, the best thing to do is to contact the event organiser before the event.

What events are Supply2Gov attending?

First up is Procurex England South tomorrow at Olympia London!

Stop by our stand in the Procurement Advice Hub to discuss how we can help your small business find the right tendering opportunities in the UK and Republic of Ireland.

We will be attending events across the UK & Ireland. Find out more about dates and venues below.

 

Procurex England South – Olympia London

15 March

Procurex England South

 

 P4H Scotland – EICC Edinburgh

20 March

P4H scotland

 

Procurex England North – Manchester Central

24 April

Procurex North

 

UK Infrastructure Show – NEC Birmingham

17 April

 

Procurex Ireland – RDS Dublin

26 April

Procurex Ireland

 

Tickets are available for many of the events that we are attending. These exhibitions are designed to provide procurement beginners with the skills, contacts and knowledge that they need to work with the public sector and its supply chain.

Find out more

Stay in the loop

We post weekly procurement updates and tips frequently on the Supply2Gov website.

Our service is designed for start-ups, sole traders and micro businesses. Our users can gain access to free tender alerts for the local area of their choice.

Get started

Spring Statement – What your small business needs to know

Spring statement 2018 small business
Posted on by Amy Madden

During the Spring Statement announcement on 13 March 2018, the Chancellor of the Exchequer said that the current government is “the champions of small business and the entrepreneur”.

This was the first Spring Statement since the Budget was moved to the autumn by Philip Hammond in 2016. The Spring Statement now provides an overview of any progress that has been made since the Autumn Budget 2017 as well as an update on the overall health of the UK economy.

In last year’s Autumn Budget Philip Hammond said that this Government would support the backbone of the nation, its 5.5 million small businesses. Many sole traders, micro and small businesses have waited in anticipation to see if the Government has committed to its promise.

Spring Statement 2018

“Light at the end of the tunnel” is what Phillip Hammond promised the UK public and businesses during the Spring Statement 2018.

If you missed the Spring Statement, here are the key highlights for small businesses. 

 

Investment in Innovation

The Government plans to “embrace the new technologies of the future” and in doing this they will continue to back British enterprises. During the Spring Statement Phillip Hammond said that the Government would

“Champion those who create the jobs and the wealth on which our prosperity and our public services both depend. Not to demonise them.”

The Government is looking to support innovation in dealing with plastic waste with £20 million being made available to universities and business to stimulate new thinking and innovation in this important area.

In support of British businesses, the Government is reducing business rates by over £10 billion and is bringing forward the next business rates revaluation to 2021.

Apprenticeship Schemes

During the Spring Statement Philip Hammond stated that Government is committed to delivering 3 million apprenticeship starts by 2020.

He said that the Government understands the challenges that small businesses looking to employ apprentices face and that the Education Secretary will release up to £80 million of funding to support those small businesses that invest in apprentices.

Late Payments

Philip Hammond says that the Government will force larger companies to pay their bills on time. After the collapse of Carillion, the Government is under pressure from small businesses to “eliminate the continuing scourge of late payments.”

Philip Hammond will show “leadership” on this, after a survey by the group of 1,512 companies revealed that more than 4/5 businesses reported being paid late.

Public Services

One thing that was clear was that the Government will invest in public services. Philip Hammond said that the Government will continue to focus on reducing the national debt because it:

“Wants to see taxpayers’ money funding our schools and hospitals, not wasted on debt interest”.

The Government wants to invest in Britain’s future and is giving £9 billion extra to the NHS and social care system.

This is great news for small businesses that want to invest in public procurement. An increase in spending for public services means more tender opportunities for sole traders and micro and small businesses.

How can Supply2Gov help?

If you would like to find out how you can start to win government tenders, visit our website. We offer free advice and local tender alerts to small businesses across the UK and ROI.

Get started for free today.

Five vital things your business should never be ‘too busy’ to do

Man writing at desk with laptop and coffee
Posted on by Amy Madden

SMEs are vital to the UK economy.

They’re dynamic, innovative, full of ideas and open for business.

They’re also busy. TOO BUSY.

A recent study showed that 1 in 3 SMEs (including small and micro businesses) said they were ‘too busy’ to properly design a business growth strategy.

As a result, businesses are neglecting important elements of their business that are too often seen as being ‘non-essential’ to day-to-day business activities.

Things like social media, staff development and market analysis.

If you’ve ever put any of the above on the back burner because your To Do List is already a mile long, you could end up stifling your company’s future growth potential.

In this blog, we explore 5 things which can easily get lost in the shuffle and explain how you can put them back on the agenda.

Train

If you’re fighting against the tide of an ever-increasing to do list, planning some skills and development training for yourself or your staff might be at the back of your mind, especially if it means a day out of the office or an afternoon spent in the training room.

However, training is a great opportunity to expand the knowledge base of your employees, bring new skills into your teams and boost overall performance.

It’s also an opportunity to plan for the future. By training, developing and upskilling employees, your firm can be ready for the next stage in your company’s growth, the next big market development or the next business opportunity which you can win.

Promote

Marketing is key to the success of any business, but it’s no longer enough to send email campaigns and hope for the best.

Social media gives businesses a voice in a crowded market and a way to engage with customers and clients, build relationships and establish brand awareness and loyalty, but it’s amazing how many organisations can’t find the time to maintain a solid presence on social media.

In today’s market, social media marketing and effective online customer engagement is no longer a ‘nice to have’ – it’s a cornerstone of a successful business growth strategy.

Manage

For big businesses, managing internal processes is straightforward. There’s the finance team, the admin team, the HR team, the customer services team and so on.

For smaller businesses, there may not be teams to handle each of these key areas. In fact, many of these internal processes could be tasked to a single member of staff.

As a result, finding time to file taxes, manage payroll, deal with HR queries and keep accounts in order can be an uphill struggle.

However, these activities are vital to the smooth running of any business, and your firm must be able to manage time effectively and invest in these areas to ensure they are well staffed and fully equipped to keep the firm running at a high standard.

Reflect

It can happen so easily. You finish one project and already the next deadline is looming. It’s constantly full steam ahead and you never get time to catch your breath.

But a crucial part of any effective business is the ability to reflect on what you’ve achieved, examine your last project and learn from your successes and failures. Otherwise you run the risk of repeating old mistakes and never improving your product or service.

Understanding where you went wrong, looking at the market, analysing your competitors and planning ahead are all crucial in developing a sound business strategy. The more you know about your market and your place within it, the better placed you’ll be to grow.

Grow

Which brings us to the final thing too many businesses simply don’t have time to do: Grow.

With your workload piling up around you and your eyes fixed on the computer screen, it’s difficult to look to the future of your business and move forward.

For small and even medium sized businesses, much of the difficulty in fully investing in the crucial business practices outlined above is a lack of time.

With limited staff and a lack of resources, every hour is critical, and businesses can’t afford to waste any time while sourcing new work, chasing dead leads or gathering vital market intelligence.

You need to put your time to better use if you want to realise your business potential.

Find, win and grow

Supply2Gov Tenders lets you manage your time better, so you can focus on the business processes all too often put to one side by businesses with big ambitions.

We find business opportunities from over 3000 sources and put them in one place, saving you valuable time and resources better spent on building a strategy for success.

In addition, we only deliver the contracts relevant to you, so you know that every contract is a real growth opportunity.

Sign up to a Supply2Gov coverage area that suits your business’ ambitions, with local, and UK wide packages available.

REGISTER FOR FREE