Answer Upon - Business

Is Over Lunch a Good Time to Interview?
Here are my answers -- sometimes - never - maybe - it all depends. You may think that's an indecisive response, but few things have concrete, no diversion, answers, especially when it's your future and financial security.You will assume this is a great time to interview. It begins by thinking about FOOD and knowing it's FREE to you. But there might be a "dark" side too. Both the interviewer and the interviewee have risks in this career game. Since all of us are trying, wanting to win, it has some high stakes for all who get involved in

EOI – remember this is an element of your overall branding and positioning activities.

Purchase your EOI Framework Guide from our website at http://www.globizdev.com/ourproducts.php

This manual is suited to all organisations, small or large. The manual is designed to help you prepare your EOI template, for customisation when each new EOI is called. It is also useful as a capability document that could be sent direct to clients, or as part of a proposal.

In order to be successful in tendering, one must first have the opportunity to tender!

For many activities, there is often a two-step process commencing with the

Beware: Groupthink!
On January 28, 1986, the space shuttle Challenger blasted off from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. Seventy-three seconds later, millions of people watched as the rocket disintegrated in a fiery explosion, and the capsule plunged into the Atlantic Ocean. The death of all seven crew members, and particularly teacher Christa McAuliffe, shocked the world. As we learned in the months that followed, the tragedy could and should have been avoided. The root cause of the disaster was something known as Groupthink.Groupthink did not exist before 1972! Irvi

The Expression of Interest (EOI) is the beginning of the submission processes for many agencies and potential clients of yours.

The purpose of the EOI is to assist the donor/agency/business to compile a shortlist that will be invited to submit a tender for an opportunity.

For you, the purpose of the EOI is simple – get on the shortlist!

As with all aspects of proposal and tender development, the EOI process is not without challenge:

• Often working with limited information

• Understanding EOI timing is important, so you are responding to most up-to- date information, however this can in some cases be easier said that done

• Agency processes vary, so understanding each specific call for EOI is critical

• A shortlist is just that – short. So it is unlikely that you will receive 100% conversion to shortlist. A scattergun approach is not the solution, but ensuring your pipeline is full remains a success factor.

As with every aspect of positioning for business, waiting for a call for EOI is not enough to create success – other profiling and positioning activities need to continue.

Some general principles that are worth considering for each of your EOI submissions:

• What you present needs to demonstrate that you understand the requirements and that you can manage the project

• Your response provides the opportunity to present information that demonstrates success in relevant past activities

• If you have the ‘right’ people for this activity – this is a great opportunity to begin to ‘sell’ them through your submission

• If you anticipate that your implementation model might be in a consortium or partnership – forming it for the EOI is worth considering

• If the EOI call remains open longer than anticipated, and new information comes to light about the project – consider submitting updated information.

Ask yourself some questions as part of your EOI preparation:

• What do you know?

• What don’t you know?

• Where can you find additional information?

• Who might your competition be, and how does this influence your content?

• What will your EOI look like:

- Cover page?

- Headings?

- Length?

• How might you demonstrate capacity and capability?

• What level of detail can you provide?

• Are there any points of compliance?

While there are many factors external to the EOI writing activity that are likely to contribute to a high strike-rate for you, your success is likely to be enhanced where your EOI:

• Demonstrates understanding of project, region, agency, stakeholders etc

• Demonstrates project management capacity – no risk in hiring you

• Highlights indicative and appropriate personnel

• Responds to specifics where asked.

While processes vary, and timelines can often creep up on you, consider always submitting a hard copy of your EOI – remember this is an element of your overall branding and positioning activities.

Purchase your EOI Framework Guide from our website at http://www.globizdev.com/ourproducts.php

In order to be successful in tendering, one must first have the opportunity to tender!

For many activities, there is often a two-step process commencing with the

Can I Do It All Myself?
Sometimes we feel that we are handling everything just fine. You’re a business owner and your list of clients is growing leaps and bounds as you hoped it would. The money is coming in and you may even enjoy spending an extra hour or two at the office to get caught up at the end of the day or early in the morning before the phone begins to ring. This is how you wanted it but if only you had those one or two extra hours every day. The new blackberry is fine but you know you need a back up at the office 'just in case'. Your growing stack of business cards is

critical