therisano

What is the value of reviewing your tenders?

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:32:34 GMT

It is one of the BEST ways to ensure you stand out!

Not sure if having your tender or grant application reviewed before submission is necessary or worth the time and financial investment?

It is one of the BEST ways to ensure you stand out!

I've reviewed a number of pre-submission responses recently and have identified several potential issues:

Non-compliance owing to missing or incomplete information
Incomplete responses where the written content did not answer all of the requirements
Oversized response where the word/character limit had not been adhered to
Poor quality writing with obvious ChatGPT, typos and grammatical errors
Lack of clarity and cohesion in response narrative

Having your response reviewed by an experienced bid and tendering professional can be a worthwhile investment to stand out from the crowd.

Pirate vs Navy

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:20:22 GMT

"It's more fun to be a pirate than to join the Navy." – Steve Jobs

This quote has come up in a few conversations recently, both with clients and at home. Pirates are bold, daring and undeniably cool. They challenge the status quo and keep us thinking outside the box. Let's be honest — most of us like the idea of being pirates and swashbuckling around.

But here's the catch: even the best pirates need a bit of Navy to stay on course. Structure, strategy and discipline are what turn wild ideas into lasting success. Without it, the ship runs aground or everyone nicks off in different directions with pieces of treasure.

This balance plays out in my own life. I'm Navy — methodical, strategic and focused on long-term goals. I like lists. My husband? A full-on Pirate — creative, agile, risk-taking and always ready to jump into the unknown. Not a fan of lists.

The magic lies in the mix, same as for great teams. Most need both: pirates to challenge and innovate, and navies to ground and execute. And sometimes, we need to borrow from the other's playbook — whether it's the Navy embracing creative risks or pirates learning the value of strategy and coordination.

Pirates may TRY and steal the spotlight, but without a bit of Navy, the ship doesn't sail. So, which one are you? Pirate, Navy — or maybe a hybrid with a foot in both worlds?

Owning the use of AI in our bids and tender work

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:18:08 GMT

I was asked by a new client if I use AI in my bids and tenders work. My answer – you bet I do!

With so many tools and AI agents available today, even for small businesses like me, you'd be mad not to be getting your fingers into AI. It doesn't mean I am compromising on quality or originality.

I use AI tools to do research, organise information, compile compliance matrices, draw out requirements, brainstorm initial drafts and perform repetitive tasks.

For example, I used an AI tool to create a graphic with ONE BUTTON CLICK. While corny, it illustrates my point. If I need to, I have full flexibility to edit and adapt something like this to suit my narrative and can then have a designer elevate it to the next level.

The result of using AI tools the right way? Sharper strategic content and proposals that stand out. AI is a tool, not the driver — human expertise ensures the magic happens.