Recently, CookeCorp UK LTD tendered for the opportunity to design a website for Assembly Contracts LTD. This was a fantastic opportunity, especially considering the involvement of the Foresight Group. Unfortunately, my bid was most likely too high at £#####,##. In my comparative research, I found that their competitors were spending approximately 3% of their annual budget on SEO and social media marketing. Given CookeCorp is a web design and PR company, my bid included everything and was clearly stated as negotiable depending on the client’s needs, starting at £18,000.
Despite this, Mr Webster seemed to take an instant disliking to me and did not want to hear my presentation due to my starting on a negative. I understand that companies don’t want to hear about issues; they just want them solved. However, I believe in full transparency. Meeting someone as esteemed as Mr Webster was great, even though he seemed to take a disliking to me. I’m sure this wasn’t anything personal; he most likely thought I had overvalued myself. Personally, I think it was a fair bid. Unfortunately, my bid was rejected. The company will no doubt continue with its success with or without my help however. I am very certain of it.
What I Learnt
I had only a week to create this presentation to bid for Assembly Contracts project. Rehearsing it correctly was a challenge, primarily because I am legally blind. Presenting the presentation came with challenges such as needing to remember each slide and cue. Here are a few key takeaways from this experience:
- Preparation Time: One week to create and rehearse a comprehensive presentation is quite short, especially when adaptive strategies are required. Next time, I will ensure I allocate more time for preparation and rehearsal.
- Adaptive Equipment: To mitigate the challenges of my visual impairment, I plan to invest in adaptive equipment such as a prompt indicator. This will help me stay on cue and remember the flow of my presentation more effectively.
- Standardised Presentations: While creating a standardised presentation can be useful, it is essential to tailor it to the specific client and context. A one-size-fits-all approach is not always effective, but having a well-rehearsed base presentation can provide a strong foundation.
- Positive Framing: Starting on a negative note can be off-putting for clients. I have learnt the importance of framing challenges as opportunities and focusing on solutions rather than problems right from the start.
- Transparency vs. Perception: While I value full transparency, I understand that how information is presented can significantly impact the perception of my bid. Balancing honesty with strategic communication is crucial.
Moving Forward
Despite the setback, this experience has provided valuable lessons. I am committed to refining my approach and improving my presentation skills. Meeting Mr Webster, even though it didn’t go as planned, was a great experience. I look forward to future opportunities where I can apply these learnings and achieve better outcomes.
The journey of improvement is continuous, and each experience, whether successful or not, contributes to my growth as a professional. CookeCorp UK LTD remains dedicated to delivering exceptional web design and PR services, and I am confident in our ability to succeed in future endeavours.