Bid writers are an essential part of the success of any business. They are responsible for creating bids and tenders that can help to win new contracts and projects, thus growing a business. However, the job of a bid writer can be a stressful one. Hard deadlines, reacting to changes in requirements, managing multiple complex submissions for clients with varying levels of tendering experience, and the fast-paced nature of the industry are all factors that can lead to burnout.
The wellbeing of bid writers has been a cause for concern for some time, with research indicating that they are far more likely to suffer from mental health issues than those in other professions. APMP UK’s 2018 survey revealed that 88% of bid and tender professionals experienced stress and mental health issues, compared to the general workplace where 59% reported the same.
The fear of retribution and of being seen as weak has meant that burnout has been a taboo subject among proposal professionals, despite it being estimated that it costs organisations $190 billion annually due to lost productivity, absenteeism, lower organisational commitment, and turnover. On an individual level, burnt out employees that disengage cost their employers approximately 34% of their annual salary due to missed worked days and decreased productivity.
Bid burnout can be a very difficult situation to overcome. Preparation and planning are key components to ensuring that the workload is manageable. It is important to speak out if the workload becomes unmanageable and discuss solutions with a bid manager or other senior members of the team. Additionally, it is important to make sure you take the time to relax and destress, as this can help to reduce the feeling of burnout. Taking note of your energisers and stressors can help to identify what activities or situations can help to reduce the feeling of burnout. Overall, taking proactive steps to address bid burnout can help ensure that you are able to manage your workload and reduce the feeling of burnout.
But what if there was a solution that tackled the root cause of issues of burnout and stress for bid writers? What if you had already found the solution on this website?
AutogenAI has been recognised as a powerful tool that revolutionises the bid writing process by harnessing artificial intelligence technology. This new approach brings numerous benefits to the mental health of bid writers by streamlining their work, reducing time spent chasing case studies/ evidence, and increasing the amount of time available for review cycles.
One key advantage of AutogenAI is that it reduces the time spent on writing a first draft, which allows bid writers the time to focus on polishing and enhancing their copy. The platform allows writers to produce a compelling first draft in less than a day, freeing up significant time for editing, reviewing, and differentiating. This reduction in writing time can be as much as 70%, meaning bid writers can focus on more strategic tasks without having to worry about tight deadlines or working long hours. This flexibility helps to mitigate stress and anxiety, promoting better mental health among bid writers. One happy client said to us, “I find that I have increased my productivity with Genny and have felt less burnt out because I can rely on her to help with generating new ideas or establishing context for content”.
AutogenAI also minimises the risk of human error by leveraging commercial large language models to enhance the power of bid writing teams. This means that bid writers can trust in the quality and accuracy of their work, even when they are under pressure.
A user said that our software has made them feel less lonely – all of us who have experienced the midnight panic of a project deadline, or the frustration of a seemingly impossible task, or the confusion of contradictory instructions, know exactly what it is like. The 24/7 availability of AutogenAI also means that bid writers can work at their own pace, allowing companies to scale their volume of bids without overworking their staff, particularly beneficial in preventing burnout among bid writers.
We know that bid and proposal writing is a fast paced, winner takes all discipline. It has been demonstrated that our technology can increase success rates by up to 30%, which brings not only economic benefits but also contributes to a sense of achievement and job satisfaction among bid writers.
In conclusion, AutogenAI plays a crucial role in making the bid writing process more efficient and less stressful, being described by a client as “the most obvious and best application of Generative AI” that they have ever seen. By reducing workload and mitigating pressure, it helps to ensure that the mental health of bid writers remains intact.