Propeller Studios brochure 2014

www.propeller-studios.co.uk

Call today on: 01462 44 00 77

Propeller01

BID SUBMISSION RESPONSES MADE EASY

www.easypqq.co.uk

BUSINESS OPERATIONS PLATFORM

www.easybop.co.uk


Propeller has won +£10bn worth of work for our clients with organisations including:

BID RESPONSE SOLUTIONS

Bid Launch Workshops Bid Project Management PQQ & Bid Response Writing Graphic Design for Bid Response Bid Writing Training Bid Response Review

SOFTWARE EasyPQQ Bid Submission Software EasyBOP Business Operations Platform

DESIGN & DIGITAL

Programming Website Design & Development Graphic Design for Print & Digital

Propeller specialise in bid response solutions and software applications designed to save you time and money, improve quality and help you win more work.

We specialise in the construction sector, but have applied our expertise to help clients in a wide range of industries, including healthcare service providers, security, transport, recruitment and many more.

Design&Digitalwww.propeller-studios.co.uk

Propeller 02

Andy Hammond, Managing Director

“I recognise from my career as the Chief Executive of a major contracting organisation that winning work, controlling costs, managing processes and finding great people are the greatest challenges that we all face.

I don’t run a recruitment agency so, unfortunately, I cannot help you find full time staff. However, in the other areas that I mentioned, my company can provide you with products and services that will make a difference. We help clients secure work, manage costs and control the way they do things.

We have a retained client base of over 150 organisations. They represent a wide demographic of the service sector, although we do specialise in the construction industry.

As bid response experts, we understand the challenges associated with completing PQQs and tenders.

We provide a comprehensive range of bid response services that are well explained within this document.

In addition to this, we have developed the award-winning EasyPQQ software. This product now supports a worldwide user base, acting as a knowledge hub, search engine and bid management tool. It is used by a wide range of organisations, from multinationals to local SMEs.

More recently, we have developed a further ground-breaking cloud computing solution, EasyBOP. It is an integrated Business Operations Platform that unifies all company processes with one enterprise-level solution.

The purpose of this document is to explain in greater detail what we do, to provide tangible evidence of how our services and products have helped others, and to provide you with good quality information that will allow you to reach an informed decision as to if we can help you.

I wish you the very best in your endeavours and hope that we may be of assistance to your business.

We work with clients of all sizes across a variety of sectors, including:

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Time Saved

Worth in Excess of £1bn

80%

50%

1,575,125User Clicks

Success Rate IncreaseSuccess Rate for Contracts

bn1,Us

Bids Managed 20133352

Success Rate Increase

125ks

anaged 2013352

65%

98% Users ‘Very Satisfied’

EasyPQQ Bid Submission Software is specifically designed to save time, improve quality and help you win more work.

EasyPQQ is the ideal solution for streamlining the processes involved in completing all kinds of PQQs, bids, tenders (ITTs), proposals (RFPs) and RFQs.

Its unique functionality will save you over 50% time per submission, enabling you to focus on the most important aspect of the bid - the quality of the content. Our current clients have reported an average success rate increase of 65%.

EasyPQQ’s Key Advantages include:

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

BID PROCESS MANAGEMENT

SEARCH ENGINE

PREVIOUS ANSWER DATABASE

CV & CASE STUDY LIBRARY

BID & USER STATISTIC REPORTS

DESIGN & BRANDING

PQQs, Bids, Tenders & Proposals

Output for Print or PortalGlobal Bid Managem

ent S

olut

ion

Onlin

e Applic

ationPQQs, Bids, Tenders &

ProposalsO

utputforPrintorPortalGlobalBidManagemen

tSol

utio

nOn

line

Application

talGlobal

50% Time Saved Per Bid

65% Increase In Success Rates


www.easypqq.co.uk

EasyPQQ has enabled us to notably improve our submission success rates.MLM

Thanks to EasyPQQ, our success rates have increased by 50% at least.Oliveti Group

EasyPQQ saves me between 60-80% of time.Ramboll

It makes my job so much easier when coming to completing PQQs.Parker Bromley

EasyPQQ saves time but most importantly the documents look professional.SDC

EasyPQQ increases my department’s productivity and success rate.npower

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MORE WORKWIN

IMPROVEQUALITY

SAVETIME

Email us at: [email protected]

EasyPQQ’s unique functionality has been designed to take

into consideration every step of the bid submission process.

From project management and quality control, to reviewing

and branding, EasyPQQ will save you time and improve the

quality of your submissions to help you win more work.

Save over 50% time per bid response

Manage multiple bids simply and effectively

Search previous submissions

Have multiple people working concurrently

Delegate questions to individuals

Automatically populate standard information

Create a detailed CV and Case Study database

Integrate your company’s branding into responses

Download submissions as PDFs or Word docs

Have a bespoke point-of-entry web page

Unlimited storage on external, secure servers

Sectors EasyPQQ can be utilised by any business that tenders for work, regardless of the sector they are in, including:

Construction

Infrastructure

Environmental Services

Grounds Maintenance

Consultancies

Health & Safety Providers

Security

Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals

Recruitment

Aerospace & Automotive

Industrial & Manufacturing

International OrganisationsEasyPQQ is an effective solution for multinational organisations. We work with many global businesses, and have clients based in Western Europe, USA, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific.

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Call us today on 01462 440077 or visit www.easypqq.co.uk

EasyPQQ offers a host of additional benefits,

ensuring you receive excellent value for

money and an unrivalled service.

When you purchase EasyPQQ, you are guaranteed to

receive exceptional, ongoing customer service from our

dedicated support team, combined with the assurance

that the software will undergo continual improvements

at no additional cost to you.

Flexible costing structure

Simple set up procedure gets you working quickly

Training available for all users

Free telephone support

Undergoes continual development, based on client requests

Bespoke improvements available according

to your specific requirements

Invitation to attend quarterly development meetings

Regular eNewsletter, keeping you up-to-date

with latest developments

Comprehensive security and hosting means no down-time

EasyPQQ Functionality Information Management

Centrally store all your information in one place for easy retrieval, at any time in any place.

Bid Process Management EasyPQQ provides greater clarity of the status of all live bids, whilst giving you total control over the delegation and management of responses.

Search Tool Quickly search across your entire database of information for relevant past responses.

Previous AnswersStore and search all previous submissions so you can quickly retrieve the most appropriate answers.

Commonly Used InfoStore commonly used information for easy retrieval and quick population.

CVs & Case StudiesKeep and maintain a database of CVs and Case Studies for use in future submissions.

Branding & DesignCreate professional looking, company-branded bid submissions.

Access & SecurityEasyPQQ offers you strict access management and ensures your information is safe.

Bid User Statistic ReportingRobust data for management reports and reviews.

See the status of each question at a glance

Gauge the success of your bids

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“EasyPQQ allows me to plan, monitor and present our tenders and PQQ’s in a professional manner. It lets me manage!”Magnet Trade

“EasyPQQ is excellent for maintaining standard documents; all our collateral is now grouped together and up-to-date.”Cofely GDF Suez

Fully Manage the Bid ProcessSuccessful bids rely on effective management of the submission process.

EasyPQQ enables you to manage your bid response team by delegating questions, providing real-time answer status, and enabling concurrent users to work on the same bid, eliminating any version control issues.

Easy-to-use dashboard gives real-time bid status.

Simple traffic light system instantly shows answer status.

Allows concurrent users on questions, with one question owner responsible.

Functionality to delegate questions to individuals.

Ability to email delegated contributors with ‘input required‘ notifications.

Answer questions manually by using stock information, or a by replicating exemplar past answers uploaded onto the system.

Fully manage the bid process

Centralised Information ManagementStoring all of your information in a central location, teamed with a powerful search tool and access available from anywhere with an internet connection, means you can save valuable time in collating the information required for a successful bid submission.

Store all collateral (e.g. policies, accreditation certificates, company accounts, insurance documents, CVs, case studies and past responses) in one location, for easy retrieval.

Accessible from anywhere with an internet connection.

Powerful search functionality enables you to easily identify and retrieve relevant information.

For sensitive information, the File Manager functionality enables you to create secure folders that only selected users can view.

Unlimited storage space.

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Powerful Search ToolEasyPQQ’s powerful search engine allows you to quickly search through all previously completed bids for key terms, words, phrases or complete questions.

By assigning a score to all previous answers, you can quickly identify the most relevant, high-scoring responses to help you with your current bid submission.

Produce Branded SubmissionsWhen all other things are equal, the design of your bid can be the difference between winning and losing a project.

Producing an expertly designed bid creates an initial perception of quality and professionalism, whether in print or uploaded to a portal. EasyPQQ enables you to create professional looking, company-branded bid submissions at the click of a button.

Store a range of covers, dividers, headers and footers, all designed with your company’s branding.

Ability to set multiple graphic styles depending on the end-client.

Download bid as a package to desktop, allowing it to be used in InDesign etc.

Download submissions into MS Word, PDFs (email/portal upload and print-ready), HTML and CD ready formats.

Propeller’s talented creative team are also available to produce professionally designed CVs, Case Studies, Covers and Dividers for your business.

Vital to winning any bid is proving you have an excellent track record in delivering similar projects to the one you are tendering for. To raise yourself above the competition and ensure you exceed the client’s expectations, it is essential that you create a robust, up-to-date database of professional-looking CVs and Case Studies.

Store, manage, maintain and retrieve information on any completed project.

Ensure all CVs and Case Studies are current and relevant.

Comprehensive search functionality saves time looking for relevant projects and people.

Customisable fields allow for bespoke information to be stored.

Professionally designed with company branding.

Search all previous answers

Create a CV & Case Study Library

Produce professional looking documentsfrom a library of different Sector Covers

CLIENT NAME SUBMISSION TITLE Date 2012

CLIENT NAME SUBMISSION TITLE Date 2012

EasyPQQ 08


Continuous ImprovementEasyPQQ undergoes continuous improvement, depending on our clients’ requirements and

requests, at no additional cost to you. We always listen to our clients, and aim to develop the

system to best suit their needs. If you have bespoke requirements, our software team are

always happy to discuss the viability of them.

Transparent ReportingGauge the success of your bids and create informative management reports with EasyPQQ’s Bid Statistic Register. Configure the reports to pull data for a range of criteria, including:

Date created Types of work

Type of submission Administrator

Bid value Bid office

Return and decision date Outcome

Sector

The User Statistic Register enables you to quickly retrieve and export to excel a report of user statistics per month, with an annual total, filtered by user and EasyPQQ functionality.

You can also set up monthly reports that will automatically be emailed to any number of users.

Training & SupportWe are passionate about ensuring our clients are maximising the benefits of EasyPQQ through training and ongoing customer support.

Training available for all users.

Simple set up procedures gets you working quickly.

Access to a dedicated support & training team.

Free telephone support.

Invitation to attend quarterly development meetings.

Opportunity to request bespoke software developments.

Regular eNewsletter, keeping you up-to-date with latest developments.

MONTHLYREPORTS

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Information Security At Propeller, we take information security and constant accessibility to the system very seriously.

Mirrored array has been running for 949 consecutive days

Only 1 hour 40 minutes of unscheduled downtime since 2011

Only 2 hours 50 minutes of scheduled maintenance downtime in 2013

Our Data Protection policy is compliant with the Data Protection Act 1998. As cloud computing providers, we are also aligned to the EU’s Data Protection Reforms 2014.

Robust procedures ensure uninterrupted access to the system.

System designed and maintained in such a way that no single point of failure exists within the overall system architecture.

Regularly tested during simulations and fire drills to ensure continuity.

Sufficient processing power and hard storage space to meet our clients’ needs.

Secure against third party attacks.

Backed up through the use of mirrored array, meaning that single component failure neither interrupts the service nor loses data.

Backed up on a daily basis to a further hosting facility as additional insurance against component or hardware failure.

Propeller Studios provides the optimum environment for the custody of its clients’ data and ensures that it remains safe, available and properly managed at all times.

ImplementationEasyPQQ is a cloud application and is accessible from anywhere with an internet connection. As such, no software needs to be installed on your systems, and user access can be set up quickly.

User training is facilitated by a member of our dedicated support team, with additional training and support available throughout your licence agreement.

In addition, Propeller’s Bid Graphic Design team are available to design you numerous bespoke branded covers, dividers, headers, footers, CVs and Case Study templates, which can be uploaded into the system and integrated into all of your submissions.

Larger businesses which have a multiple divisions or international offices may have specific requirements, which our programming team will be happy to assess the viability of.

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Purchase OptionsEasyPQQ is provided on a licence fee payable every twelve months, with discounts available if you sign-up for long-term contracts.

On average, EasyPQQ is 20% cheaper than its main competitors, and offers a cost effective solution for businesses of all sizes. EasyPQQ’s competitive costing model, teamed with its unrivalled functionality, continuous development and exemplar customer service, means you receive exceptional value for money.

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%Speed of the Internet

Security of the system

Quality ofDocumentsProduced

Value forMoney

Speed Propeller attends to Issues

Support provided by Propeller

Extremley Satisfied Very Satisfied Satisfied

Client KPI’s 2013

“I have used EasyPQQ for two years now and now find it essential to my role in preparing submissions.”Stepnell

EasyPQQ11


Cofely’s International FM division is responsible for co-ordinating all activities relating to new multinational business opportunities, with operational bases throughout EMEA, Asia Pacific, North America and Latin America, and the capability to deliver total FM solutions in over thirty countries.

Juergan was looking for a solution to drive synergy, collaboration and consistency across its bid submissions, to streamline the processes involved and improve overall answer quality. He spent six months travelling to Cofely’s European offices and witnessed the effective way in which Cofely UK managed bids with EasyPQQ, which it had implemented earlier in the year.

With bid contributors based in various international locations, Cofely needed a system that would provide a “one-stop shop” for all tender-related documents,

including past responses and company collateral, which colleagues across the globe could easily access.

The firm wanted to create a bid library, to enable contributors to identify exemplar answers and access relevant case studies and CVs to be utilised in future responses, with the main objective of driving consistency and quality across all its submissions, in all markets.

EasyPQQ proved to be the perfect solution and was implemented in the Cofely International FM division, based in London, at the start of 2013, with plans to roll it out to European divisions in early 2014.

Since implementing EasyPQQ, Cofely’s bid team has found the document management tools offered by the system to be of particular benefit, “EasyPQQ is excellent for maintaining standard documents; all our collateral is now grouped together and up-to-date,” says Cofely Bid Manager Pierre Bardy.

“The CV database is of great value to us - one place, one template, all profiles, all information required. The contract database enables us to put together dedicated reference documents, whilst keeping the same format. It’s very efficient.”

The continuous development that EasyPQQ undergoes is also of great benefit to Cofely, “All innovations provided on the tool are very valuable,” says Pierre, “the additional functionality certainly brings the tool to a very high level.”

Propeller’s ongoing customer service, willingness to consider user suggestions for improvement, and ability to undertake bespoke programming developments, were specifically highlighted by the firm as stand-out benefits of being an EasyPQQ client.

Cofely’s Requirements

Global Collaboration

Improve Overall Bid Quality

Drive Efficiency

Centralised Information Management

Bid Library

CV & Case Study Database

Company Collateral

Bespoke Programming

Group Turnover: £15bn

Group Employees: 77,000

Cofely UK Ltd, a GDF Suez company, is a leading European provider of energy, technical and total facilities services, with fourteen offices and over two thousand employees in the UK and Ireland. In 2012, Cofely GDF Suez’s Director of International Facilities Management, Juergen Kulka, was tasked with greatly improving the bid management and execution process throughout Cofely’s EMEA operations, ahead of the launch of its International FM division.

Client Satisfaction KPIs

BESPOKE PROGRAMMINGCONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENTCUSTOMER SEVICE

Global Collaboration

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Propeller’s Bid Response team managed the Scape/EMPA bid with EasyPQQ, and Oliveti immediately saw the benefit. At the time, the company was looking for a solution to help it with the presentation of its bid submissions. The firm wanted to improve the design of the bids, and develop consistency across all its submissions to reflect the professionalism of the business, and help them to secure more work.

By implementing EasyPQQ, Oliveti has been able to bid for larger contracts – a challenge that they had previously found daunting. “EasyPQQ has made the process of bidding for bigger contracts far more manageable. It really has given us the ‘edge’ over our competition.”

By streamlining the bid process and creating a database of previous submissions and exemplar answers, Oliveti has found that they are better placed to bid for more contracts and higher value projects. In September and

October 2013, the firm submitted fourteen tenders, helped by EasyPQQ’s dedicated customer service, “You can’t put a price on Propeller’s service, and thanks to EasyPQQ and Propeller’s consultancy service, our success rates have increased by 50%, at least.”

In the past five years, Oliveti Group has grown by 89%, and the increase in business won since implementing Propeller’s services has enabled the company to increase its staff numbers by 20%.

Oliveti have found further added value in EasyPQQ by using it to create client presentations, which incorporate the company’s branding at the click of a button. “EasyPQQ is far more than just a ‘question-answering’ package. Our policies are now formalised and the graphic database helps us to present our submissions in a professional looking way.”

Ease of use, flexibility, continuous development and the support the company receives have been highlighted as the key benefits of using EasyPQQ for Oliveti. The team is also reassured by the fact that, as a cloud application, even when the internet goes down in their office, they can access the system from elsewhere, which means bid deadlines are never compromised.

Oliveti are ‘very satisfied’ with the time saved in completing bid submissions and the value for money it receives. The regular EasyPQQ user group meetings and additional training that’s available ensures that Oliveti are always kept up to speed with the latest functionality developments, and ensures that the team are always maximising the full potential of the system.

Oliveti Group’s Requirements

Improve Bid design

Improve Answer Quality

Save Time

Increase Capability

Consistency

Past Response Database

SUCCESS RATEINCREASE

+50%

BUSINESS GROWTH89%

STAFF INCREASE20%Group Turnover: £5M

Oliveti Group, an SME contractor based in Leicestershire that specialises in new builds, reactive maintenance and major refurbishment and extension projects, sought Propeller’s bid response expertise four years ago to help them with a Scape/EMPA Framework bid, which they subsequently won and were the top-scoring contractor.


VALUE FOR MONEYTIME SAVEDCUSTOMER SEVICE

EasyPQQ13


Caswell Group’s Director, Lee Caswell, chose EasyPQQ as the solution. Not only could he instantly see the benefits that EasyPQQ would bring to the business, but could also see the value in selecting a software provider with specific industry experience in Caswell’s sector. As construction bid response experts, Propeller were able to offer Caswell additional industry insight and advice on how to approach its PQQ and bid submissions.

Cost also played a part in the buying decision; the predicted increase in success rates, and subsequent increase in company turnover, meant that EasyPQQ was an affordable solution.

Caswell Group submits ten to fifteen PQQs and bid submissions a month. Following attendance at Propeller’s Bid Writing training course, the company now implements Propeller’s recommended Bid/No

Bid decision process. This, combined with the many improvements EasyPQQ has made to its submission process, has resulted in the firm’s success rate improving between 50% - 60%, and its turnover is steadily increasing.

Lee believes the increase in successful PQQs and tenders is due, in part, to the time saved by managing the process with EasyPQQ, “We now have more time to think about the quality of our answers. Everything is stored in one place and the search tool on EasyPQQ makes it so quick and easy to find relevant past responses, so we’re not re-inventing the wheel with every submission.”

Since implementing EasyPQQ, Caswell have saved money on outsourcing design work for its company collateral, “When we implemented EasyPQQ, Propeller’s

creative team designed us a set of branded covers, dividers, headers, footers. All of our collateral, CVs and case studies now have consistent, professional-looking branding, which we can pull into our submissions at the click of a button.” By being able to make its submissions and company profiles look professionally designed in-house, Caswell Group have saved money on having to outsource design work.

Caswell also uses EasyPQQ to create handover files to be delivered to its end clients at project conclusion, “We use the system to create Completion Reports and Health & Safety Files to deliver to our clients. Not only do they look professional, but we can produce them quickly, which reflects the efficiency and competency of our business.”

Caswell Group’s Requirements


Improve Answer Quality

Save Time

Improve Collaboration

Drive Efficiency

Cost Savings


+50%

TIME SAVED+50%

Caswell Group, an asbestos removal and decontamination firm, needed a solution to better organise its bid submissions. Without a centralised system for storing all bid information, time was being wasted searching for and collating relevant information from previous submissions. The company identified that by increasing collaboration across the team, it could save time and improve the quality of its bid submissions.


VALUE FOR MONEYQUALITYTIME SAVED

Group Turnover: £9m

Group Employees: 90

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With no information management system in place, the firm was struggling with the organisation of its data, which was having a negative impact on its PQQ and bid success rates. Bryan Casemore, ARJ’s Business Development Manager, had experience of using EasyPQQ in his previous appointment at Kier, and knew what a positive difference it would make to ARJ.

On average, ARJ complete four PQQs and bids a month. With EasyPQQ, it now has a centralised system for managing all bid-related information. The powerful search engine within the software enables the bid team to efficiently identify all relevant past responses when working on a submission, eliminating the previous data management issues. By associating a score to all previous answers, the team can quickly identify the exemplar answers and replicate them in future bids.

Bryan has found the creation of a library of relevant case studies and CVs, all professionally formatted with the company’s branding, particularly useful. Providing relevant evidence of previous projects is integral to successful bids. Having an up-to-date database of case studies and CVs, teamed with EasyPQQ’s information management improvements, has resulted in ARJ successfully winning contracts, including the refurbishment of Anglia Ruskin University’s Faculty of Health, Social Care & Education, Guild House.

The robust bid reporting module gives the company a clear view of the outcomes of all the PQQs and bids managed within the system, which can be easily integrated into management reports. This gives the business a clear view of the number of bids per month, bid values, return and decision dates, sectors, types of

work, and the overall outcome. Going forward, these reports can help ARJ assess the success rates of its bids, and help steer future tender strategies.

In our latest set of KPIs, ARJ gave EasyPQQ top marks for the security of the system and speed on the internet, and were ‘very satisfied’ with the value for money it receives, the customer support Propeller provides and the time saved during the lifespan of projects managed with EasyPQQ.

ARJ Group’s Requirements


Case Studies & CV Database

Bid Reporting

Save Time

Consistency

Past Response Database


+50%

TIME SAVED50%

ARJ Construction Ltd, based in Hertfordshire, is a privately owned principal contractor which delivers new-build and refurbishment construction projects to the public and private sector.


VALUE FOR MONEYSPEEDSECURITY

Group Turnover: £30m

Group Employees: 50

EasyPQQ15


EasyPQQ has significantly improved and streamlined our bid process. The documents we are now able to produce are enabling us to notably improve our submission success rates. MLM, Engineering and Environmental Consultancy

EasyPQQ saves me between 60 and 80% of time. It makes it much easier to store standard information for the business to use and find answers and for me to manage the bid information as a whole. RAMBOLL Group

We have won more PQQs since having this system because of how well the system keeps all the information needed all together. The end result is brilliant. It makes my job so much easier when coming to completing PQQs. PARKER BROMLEY, Building Services Contractors

EasyPQQ allows for very accurate management of document content that results in a comprehensive, professional final document. It also greatly improves efficiency in collating information, which allows for more time to concentrate on quality control when numerous tight deadlines are rapidly approaching. CONCRETE REPAIRS LTD, Multi-disciplined Structual Renovation

EasyPQQ allows the bid team to collaborate on PQQ and tender questions easily and produce professional looking submissions every time. Any system that smooths the task of pre-qualifying and tendering is of benefit to the company as a whole. STEPNELL, Building and Civil Engineering Contractor

Expert Consultancy Service

Project Manag

emen

t

Expert ConsultancyService

rojectManagem

ent

Proj

Bid Facilitation Workshops

PQQ

& Te

nder Writing

Can I just say on behalf of all of us, thank you again for your support, assistance, guidance and total commitment to this project. We are thrilled with the outcome.Thomas Vale

Working with Propeller has provided us with the ability to compete against major contractors with confidence. Not only have we secured more work through our engagement with Andy and his team, we have changed the way in which we manage our business. Highly recommended.Oliveti Group

All questions were fully answered and achieved very high scores. The overall score was the highest of all bidders.End Client

The contract has now been awarded and it is with no little thanks to you and your team that have supported us throughout the bid process.United House

Propeller took an average looking tender and transformed it into a creative and quality publication. Their overall service is second to none and we will certainly be working with them again.BAM

Bid Launch Workshops

Organised and structured bid launch workshops focus all participants’ attention on their role in compiling a winning submission.

They provide a structured approach to planning, initiate collaboration, and allow a mutually agreed timetable to be established to produce a polished and professional response.

We engage with clients early in the tendering process in order to prepare for the Bid Launch Workshop. In advance of the workshop, we undertake research on the ultimate client to assess their value drivers and prepare skeleton response documents to help the bid team keep on-track during the draft.

Using our own extensive experience as bid response writers, we produce a bid strategy, response plan and realistic programme to achieve the submission milestones.

During the workshops themselves, we work in collaboration with the bid team to critically review all of our pre-prepared material, in order to reach consensus on the way that the project moves forward. We also brainstorm the collation of evidence in support of the submission. As a consequence, we ensure a unified and consolidated approach that is reflected within the completed draft.

Where requested, we extend the role of planning and facilitating Bid Launch Workshops to act as Project Managers, Graphic Designers and Bid Response Writers for the wider project.

Within 48 hours of the meeting all of the participants are issued with:

Agreed Response Strategy

Skeleton response document to be followed within the draft

Response plan, including the identity of lead compilers and supporters

Detailed programme indicating deadlines for drafts, graphics, evidence and reviews

Bid Response Solutions 16

Assessment of ultimate clients’ Value Drivers and Ethos

Production of Skeleton Responses

Bid Strategy

Response Plans

Tender Programmes

Bid Workshop Facilitation

Project Managers

Graphic Design

Bid Response Writing

£50mCONTRACT WIN



Bid Project Management

Specialist bid project management enables bid response teams to focus on creating winning PQQ and tender submissions.

Effective bid project management incorporates bid process planning, detailed task scheduling, and co-ordinating the exchange of information and documentation in order to ensure that all submission preparation is completed ahead of bid review deadlines.

Project management by one of our experienced PQQ and tender response experts makes the whole bid preparation process more efficient. It allows each member of the bid response team to concentrate fully on their allocated areas of the submission.

This approach optimises the quality and thoroughness of bid responses, which in turn increases rates of submission success.

Management of the entire bid process

Bid/no bid decision making guidance

Planning and resource scheduling

On-time delivery of compliant bid responses

Development and management of bid responses

Document and information flow coordination

Input into the written content of the bid response

Utilisation of our EasyPQQ Bid Submission software to manage the submission

Answer reviews

With the benefit of knowledge and expertise of our experienced bid writing consultants, we’re able to provide detailed and objective feedback on the content of bid submissions and offer constructive advice on where improvements can be made. These will be made at the pre-agreed milestones with all stakeholders.

“Can I just say on behalf of Thomas Vale thank you again for your support, assistance, guidance and total commitment to this project. We are thrilled with the outcome and look forward to working again with you very soon on the next big project.”

Sarah Morgan Thomas Vale Construction. £180m West Midlands Framework.

Bid Response Solutions17

Call us today on 01462 440077 or visit www.propeller-studios.co.uk

£3bnVALUE OF

FRAMEWORK

WIN



“All questions were fully answered and achieved very high scores. The overall score for this question and answer section was the highest of all bidders.”

End Client, Decent Homes Framework Bid

Bid Response Writing Writing winning bid responses is what we do.

Our team of highly-experienced bid response consultants have a long track-record of success in writing winning PQQ and tender submissions. Sometimes, we are appointed to focus on particular sections of a bid, but more typically we’re retained by clients to write, design and produce submissions in their entirety.

Working collaboratively with clients from the initial bid launch workshop to the final submission, our winning approach defines what differentiates their business in those areas where the marks really count. Priority is given to critical sections on design, value for money, corporate social responsibility, health & safety, innovation and continuous improvement.

Every assertion in our bid responses is supported by evidence drawn from the client’s past and current contracts, and is written in a way that comprehensively demonstrates their ability to fulfil the requirements of the contract being tendered.

One-stop draft of the entire document

Informative and compelling responses

Intimate knowledge of the construction process

Proactively develop a network of subject matter experts

Identify and re-work existing pre-written content

Lead interactive storyboard sessions with the bid team

Utilisation of our EasyPQQ Bid Submission software to manage the submission

“I can’t thank Propeller enough for all the hard work and commitment they have shown during the design and production of our recent tender. They took an average looking document and transformed it into a creative and quality publication. Their overall service is second to none and we will certainly be working with them again.”

Darren Birch BAM. £75m Network Rail Framework

Graphic Design for Bid DesignPerception is everything. The design and presentation of your bid response submissions communicates your professionalism and capability to deliver the contract.

Our experienced graphic design team will apply their creative flair to ensure your bid submission stands out from the competition. We will engage your client using clever design and positioning, giving you a more cohesive submission story.

Specialist Bid Branding and Layout

We will create an engaging brand for the bid that encapsulates the ethos of your company and reassures the client about your professionalism and competence. These attributes are key to achieving high marks.

Bid Artworking

Bid response content is designed to ensure the overall layout and individual graphic elements are as clear and informative as possible. We will work with you to create the most appealing and engaging page layout, that guides the marker quickly through the answer. This extends to re-working CVs, case studies, organisation charts, and many other graphical elements included in all winning bid submissions.

Specialist Infographics

We will translate wordy content and rough sketches into interesting, engaging and, most importantly, informative graphics that readers can easily interpret and understand. The graphics will support the text and allow the marker to get the information they require quickly and easily.

24/7 Digital Printing Facility

We recognise the touch and feel of the finished submission document is extremely important, therefore every bid we produce is digitally printed to the highest standards. Our printers work 24/7 on tender submissions to ensure deadlines are always met.

High Quality Bespoke Binders

Our binders are the best in the UK. We only use the most rigid and robustly constructed binders to ensure the quality theme is constantly reinforced throughout the entire bid submission, from content through to design and delivery.

Committed Courier Service

We use a courier service that understands the importance of deadlines on tender submissions. They will pick up at any time day or night and drive direct to the destination to ensure no deadlines are ever missed.





Bid Writing Training Learn how to approach, manage and improve your PQQs and Tenders.

Facilitated by Propeller’s Managing Director, Andy Hammond, who has over 30 years’ experience in the construction industry at senior director level, the course uses real-life examples and offers practical advice for improvement.

Courses take place quarterly around the UK, or we offer bespoke one and two day intensive workshops for your bid writing teams, at your offices.

Aimed at bid managers and all those involved in writing submissions, the course will set out the principles needed to improve your company’s performance in this vital aspect of business operations:

Pre-Bid Analysis

Bid/No Bid – how to assess the probability of achieving pre-qualification

Defining the pre-tender requirements

Importance of Client information

Understanding the Client’s requirements

Collating company information, experience and examples of best practice

Preparing the Submission

Maximising tender launch meetings

How to develop a winning bid strategy

Establishing team responsibilities

Scheduling tender deliverables and quality answer plans

Writing the Submission

Ensure 100% compliance in Quality, H&S, Environmental, Equal Opportunities and Business Continuity

Tactics of constructing compelling responses

How to create the differentiator in your response

Improving the Submission

Formatting – the importance of design

Editing and reviewing procedures

Continuous Improvement Processes

Learning from mistakes to improve future submissions

£150mVALUE OF

FRAMEWORK

WINVery relevant and useful tips for improving our submissions. Andy’s experienced, unbiased view and advice of the correct bidding process is invaluable.

The course was very relevant and helped me pinpoint areas of improvement, I now have lots of ideas to take and action.

I now have a greater understanding and awareness of structuring a more detailed quality response.



Bid Response ReviewPQQ and bid response reviews ensure best practice is followed and maximise the chance of submissions achieving a successful outcome.

With the benefit of the knowledge and expertise of our experienced bid writing consultants, we’re able to provide detailed and objective feedback on the content of PQQ and tender submissions, and offer advice on where improvements can be made.

Our bid response review service ensures that questions are answered correctly and in such a way that they score the maximum marks available.

In addition to reviewing written responses, we also review the graphic design and overall presentation style of bid submissions, and can provide a comprehensive copywriting and proof-reading service when required.

Reviewing and re-writing content

Detailed objective feedback

Copywriting and proofreading

Review of supporting documentation

“Andy, as always it is a pleasure to work with you. The contract has now been awarded and it is with no little thanks to you and your team that have supported us throughout the bid process. Looking forward to the next one!”

Mark AllumUnited House. £450m Islington Street Properties PFI Pathfinder 2

£93mVALUE OF

CONTRACT

WIN

£13mVALUE OF

CONTRACT

WIN



On occasions, the success of a bid is more than just securing workload, it is vital to maintaining jobs. Our client had engaged our services on a number of successful projects and contacted us with respect to the Constructing West Midlands Framework, formerly contracted under the Birmingham Construction Partnership.

Our client was one of the three incumbent contractors and the workload from the framework provided work for over 700 of their directly employed staff. Bearing in mind the significance of winning the new framework opportunity, they engaged our services as soon as they became aware of the OJEU notice. The anticipated spend within the framework period was in excess of £1 billion.

The list of services provided by Propeller, at both at PQQ and ITT stage included:

Tender launch workshop and evidence gathering session in order to define the deliverables, allocate

responders, plan strategy and agree the delivery programme;

Developing a governance model that would satisfy the requirement of the Framework and match the clients method of administration;

Drafting of a skeleton submission and review of this with each individual compiler;

Drafting the tender document, including re-writing the client’s directly employed staff submissions;

Creating a series of information graphics, defining the client’s process management techniques and including these within the key sections of the document;

Managing the tender process, including facilitation of red and final review meetings;

Creating detailed ESP based upon current best practice;

Creating innovative and highly informative organograms;

Designing and producing the graphical look and feel of the final submission.

The outcome of the process was securing a 100% mark for the quality submission and being the only incumbent contractor to be retained on the new framework.

Services Provided:

Bid Writing

Bid Workshops

Bid Writing Training


Bid Graphic Design

EasyPQQ Bid Submission Software

Client testimonial

We have just received confirmation that our tender submission for the above framework has been successful and we are now one of three contractors who have gone forward on the new framework.

Can I just say on behalf of all of us, thank you again for your support, assistance, guidance and total commitment to this project. We are thrilled with the outcome and look forward to working again with you very soon on the next big project.

£1BWIN

Quality Score100%

Turnover £250m

Midlands Contractor

One of our specialities is representing smaller organisations on large frameworks. Our client contacted us to discuss the probability of succeeding in securing a place on the Scape EMPA Framework. The Framework involved the delivery of planned and responsive repairs services to a range of government organisations in the East Midlands.

Initially, we were concerned with regard to the size of the organisation and the value of work available to successful companies under the Framework. After initial discussions, it was agreed that the best way to approach this project would be to form a consortium with other local organisations and limiting the geographical spread of the application.

Throughout the project, we provided consultancy services which covered a broad range of activities, including:

Advice on setting up the Consortia and the range of management tasks that it would be responsible for;

Developing a governance model that would satisfy the requirement of the Scape EMPA Framework;

Drafting the pre-qualification document and subsequent tender document;

Briefing the presentation team on answering the points raised during the meeting;

Completing the final solution document and advising on the financial submission;

Producing the employment & skills development plan;

Creating the Consortia brand, designing every submission document, printing them and delivering them to time.

The project spanned the six month period and resulted in the award of the Framework, with a potential for up to £20million of construction work on an annual basis. Our client achieved third place on the financial aspect of the tender and received the top quality mark. This meant that overall they provided the best value bid.

Subsequently, we have assisted our client on many occasions and our collaborative relationship has resulted in them establishing themselves as a

contractor of choice in Leicestershire, with major contracts secured for both City and County Council.

On a recent decent homes framework bid, their client said of a Propeller completed submission: “All questions were fully answered and achieved very high scores. The overall score for this question and answer section was the highest of all bidders.

“Despite the significant difference between your score and the highest score for the pricing model, you actually achieved the second highest mark, leaving you in a very strong position for the final interview stage. As the only bidder to provide a written presentation at interview stage, you immediately demonstrated a level of professionalism over and above fellow bidders.”



Services Provided:

Bid Writing

Bid Workshops

Bid Writing Training


Bid Graphic Design


Client testimonial

Working with Propeller has provided us with the ability to compete against major contractors with confidence. Not only have we secured more work through our engagement with Andy and his team, we have changed the way in which we manage our business. Highly recommended.

Quality Score100%

Turnover £7m

New Build, Reactive Maintenance and Major Refurbishment & Extensions Contractor

+£20mWIN



Since contracting Propeller’s Bid Response services, this client has achieved a success rate average of 71%. Propeller has worked proactively with this client to ensure it tenders for the right projects, and the company has now embraced Bid/No Bid procedures to ensure it only targets projects where it can demonstrate specific experience. As a result of this new philosophy, the client saw its PQQ success rate increase to 91% in 2013.

Significant projects that Propeller helped win for this client in 2013 include:

A high profile office refurbishment in Leeds City Centre worth £5m;

Winning a third project with a key University client to build a new innovation centre;

Pre-qualified for two regional frameworks.

Methods of Working

We manage this client’s submissions with our EasyPQQ Bid Submission software, and over the past eighteen months, have developed a comprehensive database of case studies and past responses that can be utilised in future submissions.

The Bid Response team typically assists this client with selected quality elements of the PQQ. The client sets up the submission on EasyPQQ and forwards the supporting contract documentation to us. We review this to determine the precise project requirements, and to understand the ethos and expectations of the end client. We then facilitate workshops with the executive, pre-construction and delivery teams.

Based on this, and the responses to be provided, we issue an Information Request to identify case studies to be used, but also make recommendations based

on our own knowledge of the client’s current customers, and an analysis of the specific requirements of the project.

Responses are then completed for the client to review and amend as required, with the addition of information which we have recommended and highlighted in our response.

As with all PQQs undertaken, we follow PAS-91 Pre-qualification Standards.

Services Provided:

Bid Writing

Bid Workshops


Bid Graphic Design


The Propeller Bid Response team has worked with this Nottingham-based contractor for over eighteen months, and has developed an in-depth understanding of the operation and ethos of the company. We work in close collaboration with this client’s Business Development team, and complete an average of three PQQs a month for contracts typically worth between £2 to £10m.

Turnover £43.4m

New Build & Refurbishment Contractor

Completedin 2013

+35PQQS

91%PQQ Success Rate in 2013



Since contracting Propeller to undertake the writing and management of its bids, this client has seen its annual turnover increase a staggering 60%, with contract wins and retenders totalling an annual value of £11.6m.

In 2013, we completed eight PQQs and eight tenders for them, for contracts worth between £350,000 and an £3.8m we achieved a PQQ success rate of 89% and an ITT success rate of 70%, two of which scored the highest marks.

Significant project wins include:

Procurement Lincolnshire – three lots were applied for and won, worth a total of £3.8m per annum for five years;

Retaining a key housing trust framework worth £750,000 per annum for two years, previously won in partnership with Propeller. The quality submission scored 57/60, projecting them to first place, despite not being the lowest price;

Securing a new East Midlands-based, five year framework worth £1.5m per annum for a major national housing association.

Method of Working

We manage this client’s submissions with our EasyPQQ Bid Submission software, and over the past three years, have built up an extensive database of case studies and evidence to be used in future submissions.

We follow PAS-91 Pre-qualification Standards and most PQQs are completed on the basis of an Information Request and utilising our extensive database of information, including case studies and previous responses.

Must-win PQQs and complex tenders are supported by workshops with the client’s senior management team to ensure evidence is collected and the approach to each response is collaboratively agreed.

We have a database of standard, branded policies and our Bid Design department creates further policies as required, and produces tables, charts and infographics to support the written submission.

Final review and amends are undertaken by the client, followed by the final sign off of the completed response template and upload/printing and delivery in accordance with instructions.

Annual Value of Contract Wins

Services Provided:

Bid Writing

Bid Workshops


Bid Graphic Design


The Propeller Bid Response team work with a number of loyal clients on a regular basis. One client, a specialist heating services contractor for local authorities and housing associations in East Anglia and the East Midlands, has sought Propeller’s expertise on all PQQs and tenders since 2010.

+£11.6m

Turnover £18.8m

Specialist Heating Services Contractor

+3years

Retained Client

TurnoverIncrease

60%

Manage Work Flow

Mobile Access

Powerful R

epor

ting

Real

Tim

e Costs Manage Work

FlowM

obileAccessPowerfu

lRepor

ting

Real

Tim

e Costs

P

10:30 AM

SAVETIME

10:30 AM

WORKSMARTER

Build flexible Smart Forms

Reduceadministration project costs

Automate & manage standard procedures

SAVEAATIME

AA

WORKSMARTER

BuiBmSmmm


www.easybop.co.uk

CRM

Provides a process to record and manage opportunities and cross references these to staff, suppliers and clients.

Contracts

Maintains a database of all the contracts and projects you undertake.

Smart Forms

Enables you to create the tools to run and manage your business. Virtually all aspects of compliance are achievable.

Documents

An online library, securely storing an unlimited number of documents for instant and easy retrieval.

Notice Boards

A transparent system through which compulsory company information and bulletins can be issued.

Human Resources

Standard functions that reduce the time spent administrating staffing issues, such as annual leave requests, staff absence, training and disciplinary actions.

Invoicing

A central invoicing and basic credit control centre for all contracts undertaken.

Security

Data and processes will be carefully protected against breaches, both of the equipment used to deliver the solution and access provided to your staff.


EasyBOP 22

EasyBOP is a mobile cloud application which incorporates a CRM, Intranet, Supplier Management, Invoicing, Human Resources, Project Costing, Quality Management, Documents and much more.

EasyBOP‘s unique functionality improves internal and external collaboration, reduces costs, increases efficiency and reduces the paper mountain. For less than the cost of an administrator, we can provide a solution that will form the heart of your organisation for years to come.

The flexibility of the system means you can decide whether to purchase its full capability, or just the modules relevant to your business functions, making it a cost effective solution offering exceptional value for money.

EasyBOP Business Operations Platform will transform the way you run and manage your business, whilst saving you time and money…

“EasyBOP has improved our financial

and human resources processes,

resulting in accuracy and time savings”


Suppliers

Fully integrated with the Contracts, CRM and Smart Forms modules, Suppliers provides a database of potential and approved sub-contractors, consultants and suppliers.

Virtual Yard

An intuitive and efficient method of administration for the organisation and management of company-owned plant.

Work Planning

An easy-to-use tool that allows the forward allocation of directly employed staff to contracts.

Planned Works

Targeted at those who complete projects of similar content at multiple property locations, such as Decent Homes Improvement or Renewable Energy upgrades. It is based upon our award-winning Flag software product, but is aimed at small to medium sized contractors.

EasyBOP23

Call us today on 01462 440077 or visit www.easybop.co.uk

DUFFY

Engineering your future since 1909

REAL TIME COSTSAn important feature of EasyBOP is its ability to produce real time costs for any current project, allowing users to have a highly realistic vision of expense and value.

Smart Forms have been designed to work on tablets, integrating touch sensitive technologies into daily working practices. Signatures can be captured, sketches completed and images inserted into basic activities, such as variation requests, early warning notices and daily diaries.

NEWSMART FORMS

Build flexible Smart Forms to help manage your business

“We have over 200 staff in 15 countries, so efficient communications and access to consistent and accurate information is vital. EasyBOP means our teams can remain updated at all times”


EasyBOP 24

Provide a ‘one stop shop’ to manage your business operations.

Standardise the way staff undertake business critical tasks.

Provide a real time view of cost and value.

Provide individuals with tools to complete their job more efficiently.

Act as a total quality management system through simple yet effective process management tools.

Integrate departments through a common application.

Provide a single central information storage location.

Produce synergy through joined up thinking and collaborative working.

Allow the power of the system to be shared from any location with an Internet connection.

Allows access from mobile devices such as iPad and tablets, as easily as desk top machines.

Provide comprehensive reporting across your business processes.

Key Benefits:EasyBOP offers a host of additional benefits, ensuring that you receive

excellent value for money and an unrivalled service.

Automate & manage standard procedures; avoid duplication; reduce time filling in forms; analyse and interrogate business performance at the click of a button to identify problems to solve.

Reduce administration costs; robust project costing tool; quickly retrieve business performance information; eliminate the need for multiple business management software solutions.

Build flexible Smart Forms to help manage your business, reducing time and improving efficiency; automate standard business procedures; reduce your paper mountain; promote synergy and improve internal communication.

SAVETIME

WORKSMARTER

Design & Digital25


ONLINE SALES

550%Increase over a

12 month period

Website Design & DevelopmentFrom corporate sites, to B2B and B2C brands, Propeller has helped grow businesses with compelling design, rich functionality and engaging content.

We specialise in helping our construction clients reflect the quality content of their PQQs and bids, to help support their submissions when markers undertake additional research when marking.

Our websites are designed to

display and run smoothly on

iPad and other mobile devices.

INCREASED TURNOVER

£15m

Does your site run smoothly on tablet devices?

ON GOOGLE

PAGE 1

Design & Digital 26

Graphic Design for Print & DigitalCompelling graphic design illuminates your brand with originality and creative flair.

Using a blend of persuasive copywriting with appropriate typography, stunning photography, and engaging illustration, our graphic design expertise is tempered by commercial experience and integrates your brand image across all marketing communications in print and online.

Display advertising

Bid response submissions

Websites and mobile apps

Merchandise and packaging

Product catalogues

Corporate catalogues

Exhibition stands

Email campaigns

Social media campaigns

Sales literature

Presentations

Infographics

Fleet Increase

1-14 Planes

AIR CHARTER | AIRLINE SUB SERVICE | AIRCRAFT LEASING | BESPOKE CHARTER | CARGO CHARTER

Titan Airways Ltd

Enterprise House

Stansted Airport

Essex CM24 1RN

United Kingdom

Tel: 01279 680616 (24 hour)

Fax: 01279 680110 (24 hour)

Email: [email protected]

SITA: STNTACR

CONTACT

King Air 350

BAe146 – 200

Boeing 737 – 300

Boeing 757 – 200

Boeing 767 – 300ER

FLEET

Exceptional Service

Rapid Response Solutions

60 Minutes to Airborne

www.titan-airways.com

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Titan Ad (210x270mm).pdf 10/11/09 11:55:20

ONSITE SUPPORT LTD

S T E P H E N S O N W A Y

THREE BRIDGES, CRAWLEY

WEST SUSSEX RH10 1TN

T: 0800 781 9765

F: 0845 330 1373

E: [email protected]

W: www.onsite-support.co

Registered Address: Stephenson Way, Three Bridges, Crawley, RH10 1TN Company Number: 1530478 VAT Number: GB 284 7568 09

OnSite Support is a dynamic new company, formed by merging three long-established businesses that share decades of industry experience

ONSITE SUPPORT LTD

S T E P H E N S O N W A Y

THREE BRIDGES, CRAWLEY

WEST SUSSEX RH10 1TN

T: 0800 781 9765

F: 0845 330 1373

E: [email protected]

W: www.onsite-support.co

OnSite Support is a dynamic new company, formed by merging three long-established businesses that share decades of industry experience

with compliments

STEPHENSON WAY THREE BRIDGES

CRAWLEY, WEST SUSSEX RH10 1TN

T: 0800 781 9765 Int T: 00 44 1293 744444 F: 0845 330 1373 Int F: 00 44 1293 522934 E: [email protected] W: www.onsite-support.co

RichaRd LynesDIRECTOR

TALK TO US TODAY

Tel: 01462 440077

FOR ALL YOURCONSULTANCY & DESIGN

REQUIREMENTS


Propeller Studios, First Floor

Alexander House Business Centre

40A Wilbury Way, Hitchin

Hertfordshire SG4 0AP

[email protected]

Call us today 01462 440077



www.easypqq.co.uk


www.easybop.co.uk



Design&Digital

Propeller Studios brochure 2014

Documents

Transcript of Propeller Studios brochure 2014