WAYS2WIN UNLOCKS BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR

Public sector buyers speak at ways2win event and network with potential suppliers

“Procurement Connection 2009” , held on Thursday 22nd October and organised by Exeter-based tender specialists, Ways2win, brought together top Public Sector buyers from Exeter City Council, Plymouth City Council, Devon County Council, Devon and Cornwall Constabulary, Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue, The Met Office and The University Exeter to meet with over 100 Businesses from across the south west. Business Link were also present to advise businesses.

Wendy Wills, Managing Director of Ways2win commented:

“Increasingly South West suppliers are looking to the public sector to sustain their financial targets, however, for many the process of gaining work from the public sector is daunting. Procurement Connection 2009 has helped breakdown some the perceived barriers for small businesses, and indeed, many small businesses are in a good position to win work on the grounds of environmental and local sustainable issues.”

Each senior public sector buyer gave a short 10 minute presentation on a procurement related subject of their choice including; how tenders are evaluated, the challenges of a procurement department and what the public sector can do to make it easier for suppliers to win work. Following the presentations, a question answer session gave the speakers the opportunity to address points from the assembled businesses.

“It’s a great opportunity for the public sector buyers to get out from behind the desk, meet real businesses and give us a reality check on what we are doing well and what we do badly" Clive Woodley - Product Portfolio Manager - Plymouth City Council

“I can say it was a fantastic opportunity to understand some of the difficulties local companies face when bidding for Public Sector contracts.” Darren Ball - Contracts and Procurement Manager - The Met Office

“The more help that we can give businesses the better as it helps both sides when processes are well understood.” Katherine Parker - Contracts and Procurement Manager - Devon and Cornwall Police Authority

“If we have better relationships then we get better results” John Malloch – Head of Procurement - University of Exeter

For two hours following the presentations businesses and procurement officials stayed to discuss business in and informal setting. Following the event the businesses gave some very positive feedback:

“A fascinating insight into the people and the thoughts of those who write these tenders and use them as a tool to accurately procure goods and services. Made the tendering process seem less impersonal” Mark Dowse, MMAP Design

“Applying for public sectors seemed to be a stuffy and complex process before I attended the event. However, it’s now apparent that the public sector are very keen to be working with local small businesses. Add the skills of Ways2Win to the mix and I can see an approach to applying for public sector tenders. Thanks for the insight.” David Thomas, Bluegrass Computer Services

We would like to thank the speakers for giving up their time to present at the event and our partners for their support – Basepoint Business Centre, Fresha, Stage Electrics, Tim Pestridge Commercial Photography.


Ways2win are specialists in completing tender responses, with particular focus on the public sector.

The services provided are - training on successfully tendering, analysis of tender responses before they are submitted, and tender writing services.