L2B Blog: The Most Important Tender / Project of your Career

The Most Important Tender / Project of your Career

The Most Important Tender/ Project of your Career

This can be up to interpretation. The most important tender or project could very well be your first tender or project. Being given the responsibility and trusted to compile a project or submit a tender on your own, can be a huge turning point in any career. Regardless of whether it’s a huge failure or a blazing success, the odds are that the lessons you learnt when working on your first are the lessons you carry with you for the rest of your career, and hopefully serve you in good stead.

“It’s fine to celebrate success, but more important to heed the lessons of failure.” — Bill Gates

The argument can be made for the most successful tender or project, being the turning point of a person’s career. It could be a tender or project that’s unique or innovative, and gets the attention of those in your industry or captures the public imagination. Success is measured in many ways and can come in just as many incarnations. The pat-on-the-back job that steers you towards grander goals, can be a stroke of luck or the product of unrelenting perseverance. The stress and pressure of such an endeavour can make or break you. And like all things in life, your attitude towards the success defines the lasting effect of it.

“Don’t aim for perfection. Aim for success.” — Eike Batiste

The most important tender or project could be the one that saves you. Many industries are increasingly under pressure, competitive and quite ruthless. Not all companies survive or go from strength to strength without there being periods of grasping desperation. Whether it’s the new start up or an established company battling to adapt to the changing times; that tender or project could be a lifeline that saves dreams, jobs and spirits. As long as you’re paid within 30 days, right? The most important might be the opportunity to keep hope alive and to carry on.

“Whether you think you can or whether you think you can’t, you’re right.”  — Henry Ford

The lucky dodge. Hell, perhaps you were passed over with regards to a particular tender or project. Perhaps you wanted it really badly and you had worked your butt off to get to be part of the team, and you were left out. Not all tender or project teams are good or experienced. Or honest. Or share your work ethic. It might be that it all looked perfect like the stars aligned and then life happened. There are many horror stories out there, with buildings falling down or the word “collusion” being thrown around. A natural disaster or a bad turn in the economy. Does anyone really want to be associated with any of that when it all hits the fan? Dodging the bullet is the lucky break no one wants at the time, but is thankful for when it all comes to light. Unfortunately, in society people are tainted by association. It’s unfair, but unwaveringly true. “Be careful what you wish for” – the most important tender or project of your career might be the one that does not appear on your resume.

“It’s better to hang out with people better than you. Pick out associates whose behaviour is better than yours and you’ll drift in that direction.” — Warren Buffett

The one you missed, can define your career. The focus might be on the successes, the big payday or the photo opportunities when breaking ground or cutting the opening day ribbon; but none of that compares to the quiet of the missed chance. If you fail; you know. If you succeed; you know. But if you don’t even get a chance to try; you’ll never know. Not to be dramatic, or anything but being in the loop, and knowing what and when is vital for there to be any chance at landing that big payday or that career-defining project. Information is power. The importance of this is not lost on us and is our bread and butter. Get in the know early, and you can reap the reward later.

“The most meaningful way to differentiate your company from your competitors, the best way to put distance between you and the crowd is to do an outstanding job with information. How you gather, manage and use information will determine whether you win or lose.” — Bill Gates

So whether it’s the first go, the shining success story, the dodged bullet or the missed chance; hopefully these all form part of long and enduring careers, with just a few colourful stories to tell.

What do you consider your most important tender or project? Leave a comment below.

 

Source:

https://foundr.com/50-billionaire-tips/

 

L2B Blog: How to make the most of our Tender Leads

Did you Know #DYK – How to search for trending civil tenders?

 

About Claire Donaldson

I started working at Leads 2 Business in February 2005, and have served as Head of Department of Daily Tenders from 2007 until the present. I oversee both the Daily Tenders South Africa and Africa Departments.

Featured Project: Mzizima Towers, Tanzania – Offices

Mzizima Towers, Tanzania – Offices

Mzizima Towers, Tanzania - Offices

 

Description:

Construction of the office component for the Mzizima Towers in Tanzania, East Africa. The development will have 2 towers consisting of Office & Residential with 3 storeys allocated to Shopping Malls. Each tower will have 2 level basement parking & 5 storeys parking above the shopping malls

Mzizima Towers, Tanzania - Offices
Featured Project: Mzizima Towers, Tanzania – Offices

 

Status:

Underway

 

Category:

Building

 

Industry:

Office & Commercial

 

Sector:

Public

Region:

Tanzania

 

Value:

R 100 million+

 

Timing:

Completion due in 201

 

Class:

EPCM

 

If you are a valued Projects subscriber, you can find more details for this Project here

 

f you are interested in becoming one of our subscribers, please visit our website.

To view notes with screenshots on how to use our website, please visit our Wiki site.

To view more articles, please visit our blog.

Featured Tender: Compilation of a GRAP and MSCOA compliant immovable asset register

Compilation of a GRAP and MSCOA compliant immovable asset register

Compilation of a GRAP and MSCOA compliant immovable asset register

Contract Number:

TN005/2018 – Dawid Kruiper Municipality

Description:

Tenders are invited for: Compilation of a GRAP and MSCOA compliant immovable asset register. Name of Institution: Dawid Kruiper Municipality. Place where goods, works or services are required: Dawid Kruiper Municipal Office.

Category:

Consultants

Industries:

Institutional

Region:

Northern Cape

Site Inspection:

No Details

Closing Date:

23 February 2018 at 14:00

Restrictions:

No late tenders will be accepted.

 

If you are a valued Tender subscriber, Click here for more information on this Tender.

If you are interested in becoming one of our subscribers, please visit our website.

To view notes with screenshots on how to use our website, please visit our Wiki site.

About Claire Donaldson

I started working at Leads 2 Business in February 2005, and have served as Head of Department of Daily Tenders from 2007 until the present. I oversee both the Daily Tenders South Africa and Africa Departments.

Did you Know #DYK: CPD Points and how it works

posted in: Did You Know 0

CPD Points and how it works

In order to understand what CPD is and what CPD is meant to achieve, we should ask ourselves the important question: “when does day to day learning and development for qualified professionals come to an end?”

CPD stands for Continuous Professional Development and as the name implies, it means that a professional’s development and learning is continuous (never-ending). The modern-day view holds that CPD is of such fundamental value to our society that it has now been embedded into law.

The law states that each registered professional, in each profession, invest part of their time every year towards developing themselves as professionals – failure to earn the required amount of CPD points per an annum, and the professional may stand to lose their license to practice! The strict adherence to CPD that the law requires is designed to ensure that all industry professionals remain on the cutting edge of the latest technological developments, information and trends, and take their development and learning very seriously.

Consider this – Would you feel comfortable to pay for a consultation with a medical doctor who has not invested in their own professional development and is not abreast of the latest information, new medications or treatments within the medical industry?

This same example cuts across all professions. It is just as important for all professionals to provide their clients with the best professional services and advice as it is for the medical doctor to provide you with the best healthcare advice.

Clients, using professionals in all spheres of commerce should feel safe in the knowledge that professional service providers such as doctors, lawyers, quantity surveyors, etc are continuously learning and evolving in lockstep with their profession.

In order to ensure that all professionals comply with the mandatory CPD regulations, the Act provides for the establishment of a Professional Council overseeing each profession. Part of the Councils duties involves performing a regulatory role that ensures that each practising professional submits evidence of their CPD. All professional Councils are empowered to police their own profession and ensure compliance with (all aspects of) the Act – this obviously includes compliance with the CPD obligations that each professional is required to achieve on an annual basis.

 

Mr. Larry Feinberg

For more information on ASAQS please visit:
Website: http://www.asaqs.co.za/
Facebook: The Association of South African Quantity Surveyors

 

If you are interested in becoming one of our subscribers, please visit our website.

To view notes with screenshots on how to use our website, please visit our Wiki site.

To view more articles, please visit our blog.

About

Larry Feinberg’s strong executive and project management experience and track record in successfully managing large and complex professional member-based organisations led him to become the Executive Directors of the Association of South African Quantity Surveyors in 2011. He is currently responsible for the development and tactical implementation of the ASAQS board strategy and policies, as well as being ultimately accountable for the oversight and smooth operational management of the entire organisation. Larry’s experience includes collaborating with local government, interfacing with industry stakeholders, providing educational opportunities, and developing professional industry specification documentation and products aimed at delivering value for ASAQS members.

Industry Event: KZN Construction Expo 2018

KZN Construction Expo

KZN Construction Expo

Leads 2 Business exhibited at the KZN Construction Expo held at the Durban Exhibition Centre over the last couple of days.

KZN Constuction Expo

It was a great opportunity to meet and interact with a variety of industry related companies.

KZN Construction Expo

The KZN Construction Expo is the only multi-disciplinary show for Kwazulu-Natal’s built environment focusing on buyer and seller engagements through free-to-attend content and face-to-face interactions under one roof.

With thousands of attendees ranging from small contractors through to architects, quantity surveyors, property developers, government and industry associations this is an unprecedented opportunity to access KZN’s building and construction value chain from project owner to contractor in a unique setting allowing for prestigious visibility, interactive networking and on-site demonstrations.

Recent developments in Kwazulu-Natal include R576 million being set aside by the eThekwini Municipality for infrastructure repair.   KZN’s construction sector currently contributes 4.5% to the provincial GDP on an annual basis and the province has allocated a budget of R350 million to award tenders for maintenance, storm damage, school fencing programme, water and sanitation, repairs and renovations to emerging contractors.

 

Sources:

https://www.kzn-construction.co.za/

Industry Events: Events to look forward to in 2018

If you are interested in becoming one of our subscribers, please visit our website.

To view notes with screenshots on how to use our website, please visit our Wiki site.

To view more articles, please visit our blog.

 

 

About George Harris

I started my incredible journey at Leads 2 Business in 2006. I am the Content Director, custodian of an amazing research team responsible for unearthing hidden gems of information.

L2B Blog: CIDB Grading (How it works)

CIDB Grading (How it works)

CIDB Grading (How it works)

 

Today, I will be chatting about CIDB and how it works. Yes, I know…CIDB, what? Let me assure you that when I first started at Leads 2 Business I had no clue what CIDB was, what it stood for or how it even worked. Rest assured though, I will go slow.

 

Definition: CIDB

Construction Industry Development Board. Big words, I know, but all it means Construction companies that are required to be registered to CIDB for numerous types of construction work. That is correct. So if you are an owner of a Construction Company and you are applying for tenders, you need to be registered under the Construction Industry Development Board in order to qualify for the necessary requirements for a tender.

 

Many times in the Construction Industry, when Municipalities are advertising tenders, one of the requirements are being registered under CIDB.

Alright, now that we know what CIDB is, let us have a look at the CIDB Class of Construction works that fall under CIDB. There are about twenty different Classes of Construction Works. Do not worry…I will not bore you with all the details. I am simply going to list them:

Class of Construction Works:
  1. GB – General Building
  2. CE – Civil Engineering
  3. EB – Electrical Engineering Works – Building
  4. EP – Electrical Engineering Works – Infrastructure
  5. ME – Mechanical Engineering
  6. SB – Asphalt Works (Supply and Lay)
  7. SC – Building Excavations, shaft sinking, lateral earth ear support
  8. SD – Corrosion Protection (cathodic, anodic and electrolytic)
  9. SE – Demolition and Blasting
  10. SF – Fire prevention and Protective systems
  11. SG – Glazing, curtain walls and shoplifts
  12. SH – Landscaping, irrigation and horticulture works
  13. SI – Lifts, escalators and travellators (installation, commissioning and maintenance)
  14. SJ – Piling and Specialised foundations for buildings and structures
  15. SK – Road marking and signage
  16. SL – Structural steelwork fabrication and erection
  17. SM – Timber buildings and structures
  18. SN – Waterproofing of basements, roofs and walls using specialised systems
  19. SO – Water Supply and drainage for building (wet services, plumbing)
  20. SQ – Steel security fencing or precast concrete

 

Now we are going to take a look at the Values of the Rating for CIDB gradings.

Here they are:

CIDB 1: R 0 – R 200.000

CIDB 2: R 200.00 – R 650.00

CIDB 3: R650.00 – R 2 Million

CIDB 4: R 2 Million – R 4 Million

CIDB 5: R 4 Million – R 6.5 Million

CIDB 6: R 6.5 Million – R 13 Million

CIDB 7: R 13 Million – R 40 Million

CIDB 8: R 40 Million – R 130 Million

CIDB 9: R130 Million Plus

Okay, that was quite a mouthful. The Class of Construction works is basically an indication of what your business does.

Now we will take a look at how your company determines their grading. This is called the Grading Designation Calculator and can be done on the CIDB Website. All that is required of your business is the financial documents. Well, you are looking at your Profit and Loss for the Financial Year, the largest contract value that was awarded to your company and you will also need the capital value of the business.

Below is an example of a how a Grading Designartion Calculator is done. Trust me, it really simple and just takes a few minutes:

 

 

Please note that the CIDB is only for Construction Companies that do Construction work for non–residential areas. That would be your Office Buildings, General Building and Maintenace of government property (Hospitals, Fire Stations, Municipal Buildings, etc).

Construction companies that deal with Residential areas, your company has to be registered under the National Home Building Council (NHBRC). The NHBRC is very different from CIDB in the sense that, the Construction Company has to prove to the NHBRC the number of houses they have built to date.

To register on CIDB, it is very simple. All you need to do is submit an application and select the applicable Grade. The construction company also needs to indicate the maximum value of work permissible in their registered grading level. There are different requirements for track record and financial capability depending on the grades and classes. The application criteria need to meet both the requirements in order to satisfy the grading assessment criteria. The CIDB Provincial Offices offer free help desk support to contractors.

The application only takes 21 working days to be registered. The 21 day waiting period is the turnaround time for applications that are complete and compliant with the requirements of the grade the contractor is applying for. Grade 1 applicants only take 48 hours to be processed and for registration to reflect on CIDB. Once the 21 working days have passed and the contractor is compliant, the contractor is then registered on the CIDB website and now have access to tender opportunities that are in their CIDB grading. In order to register you can go to the CIDB Website:

 

Note: Your registration expires after 3 years

 

CIDB also publishes tenders that have been awarded on the system. That would mean if a contractor has applied for a specific tender, and once that tender has been awarded, one of the first places it gets published is on the CIDB website. Here, the name of the Awarded Company has listed as well as the contract value and the contract period. Below is an example of what the Award Information looks like:

 

 

Alright, so that concludes my discussion for the day. I must admit that it was quite fun sharing my information with you today. I can only hope that somewhere out there, a subscriber has learned something new today, I know I did.

 

Sources:

http://registers.cidb.org.za/PublicContractors/GradingDesignationCalc

http://registers.cidb.org.za/PublicTenders/TenderSearch

http://www.cidb.org.za/publications/Pages/Application-Forms.aspx

 

 

If you are interested in becoming one of our subscribers, please visit our website.

To view notes with screenshots on how to use our website, please visit our Wiki site.

To view more articles, please visit our blog.

 

About Lauren Davids

I am a Content Researcher for the Western Cape Region in the Tenders South Africa Department.

Featured Project: Kathu Solar Park

Kathu Solar Park

Kathu Solar Park
Kathu Solar Park

 

Description:

Construction of a 100MW plant with parabolic troughs and a thermal energy storage capacity of 4.5 hours and will be located in the town of Kathu, near Upington, in Northern Cape Province. The project is situated on Farm Kathu No. 465, Kuruman RD. The property is situated approximately 3km to the north of Kathu (town). The access turns off to the property is situated approximately 11km from the Kathu town centre (via the N14 national road).

 

Status:

Underway

 

Category:

Infrastructure

 

Industry:

Power Grid

 

Sector:

Private

Region:

Kathu

 

Value:

R 100 million+

 

Timing:

May 2016 – September 2018

 

Class:

Invited / Negotiated / Turnkey

 

If you are a valued Projects subscriber, you can find more details about this Project here

f you are interested in becoming one of our subscribers, please visit our website.

To view notes with screenshots on how to use our website, please visit our Wiki site.

To view more articles, please visit our blog

About Carmen Barends

Social Media adventurer exploring new frontiers and learning how to survive. Tongue in cheek and mischief are the order of any good day topped with a sprinkling of laughter.

Featured Tender: Water Conservation and Water Demand Management Strategy

Water Conservation and Water Demand Management Strategy
Water Conservation and Water Demand Management Strategy

Contract Number:

SK8/3/1-33/2017/18 – Sekhukhune District Municipality

Description:

Sekhukhune District Municipality invites bids from suitably qualified service providers to supply and deliver the following: Request for Proposals for Water Conservation and Water Demand Management Strategy.

Category:

Consultants

Industries:

Institutional

Region:

Groblersdal

Site Inspection:

Groblersdal, Fire Station on 12 February 2018 at 12:00

Closing Date:

20 February 2018 at 11:00

Restrictions:

Duly completed Bid documents must be deposited In the bid box available at Groblersdal Fire Station, Groblersdal. The district municipality Is not obliged to appoint the tenderer with the lowest price and reserves the right not to make an appointment. Please note: Late bids, telegraphic bids or faxed bids will not be considered. Attachment of Valid Tax Clearance Certificate is compulsory. Certified Copies of Company Registration Documents are compulsory. Certified copy of BBBEE Verification Certificate.

 

If you are a valued Tender subscriber, Click here for more information on this Tender.

If you are interested in becoming one of our subscribers, please visit our website.

To view notes with screenshots on how to use our website, please visit our Wiki site.

To view more articles, please visit our blog.

About Sonet van Wygaard

I started working at Leads 2 Business in 2014. I was part of the Tenders Africa team and have now recently moved to Private Projects. I love every second of it!

Did you Know #DYK: What is an API?

posted in: Did You Know 0

What is an API

What is an API?

What exactly is an API? You make mention of this at a dinner party and you are likely to hear a pin drop! This is strongly contrasted in tech circles and management meetings where APIs are valuable and possess a positive impact for businesses. So, what is the real definition of an API?

An API stands for Application Programming Interface.

An API is a software intermediary that allows two applications to talk to each other. Think of the API as a messenger that delivers your request to the provider that you’re requesting it from. Then it delivers the reply back to you. What is important about this process is that the API defines functionalities that are independent of their respective implementations. This allows those implementations and definitions to vary without compromising each other.

Wow, technical overload! So for those of us who are computer scientists or programmers, what on earth does that mouthful mean?

Here is an API Illustration most of us can relate to:

API Call Back from RequestConsider your mobile phone, each of us have the ability to make a phone call request irrespective of the kind of phone we own. When we make a call request we get a response from our service provider that connects us to our friend. Your phone model doesn’t really matter. The phone we use is related to what we need the device to do in correlation to our tasks.

In our example, the phone we use has the screen layouts we prefer based on our business needs. On a website this means we can change the “look” or how the numbers display on our phones. However, we are accessing the same information or performing the same task – making a call.  All without affecting how another persons phone works.

It does present an interesting business choice, do you buy an existing phone model off of the shelf? Or design your own because of a unique business need such as integration with a company CRM or Sales database?

API Big Value for Business

An API presents long term benefits for companies. Specifically those who need to track end to end processes under one software solution.

At Leads 2 Business we offer an API service. Allowing your business to design their own interface to access our Project and Tender information. Get your tech team to contact us and we can connect you. We also offer our off the shelf service. It has our interface that we have designed as part of our normal subscription.


API Information dressed for your business.

To illustrate the concept of an API a little further we would like you to meet Data-Bob. He represents the data that we as a company provide to your organisation through our API. Your development team then designs the interface so that it fits with your corporate requirements.

What is an API?

API can be customised to your business

API Off the shelf Alternative


If you are still feeling lost as to the practical implementation of an API? Here’s real world example:

API Air line

The next time you book a flight you will have “front row seats” to interacting with an API! Whether you search from the airlines website or an online travel service that collates the information from multiple airlines, you will need access the airline’s database to see if there are any seats available, what the subsequent cost might be based on the date, flight time and popularity of your destination.

To obtain the information you need to book your flight, the application has to interact with the airline’s API. Then in turn takes the airline’s response to your request and delivers right back to the travel application you’re using. Through each step, it is aided by the interaction between the application and the airline’s API. Enabling you to perform everything from seat selection, to payment and booking.


How is API information delivered?

When you connect to our API, you will need a username and password. The data is delivered in an XML format. XML is a marked up version of plain text that is easy to access by computers. A comparison can be drawn between information that is obtained in comma separated value or .csv files. When you open the file it appears as a long string of values, however when you import it into excel, the values neatly populate columns and rows depending on the comma sequencing. A similar function occurs when an XML file is pulled. The mark up tags in the file allow your development team to populate the various rows or columns of information within your CRM package, creating a seamlessly integrated solution for your company. It’s an exciting approach and it offers streamlined processes and optimal efficiency for companies.

 

Where to from here?

I hope that this has assisted your understanding of what an API is, as well as how it can work for your business.
If you require any further information, please feel most welcome to contact us on 033-3431130 or email our IT team on Support@L2B.co.za

 

 

About Taryn Duckham

I am a lover of marketing, customer centricity and the art of influence. Being able to effect this through analysis, content and front end design is part of my work, my great love of creatively solving problems that reach across as many parts of Leads 2 Business as I can.

Industry Events: Africa Energy Indaba 2018 + NSBC Summit 2018

1. Event:

Africa Energy Indaba 2018

Date:

20 February 2018 – 21 February 2018

Event location:

Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg

Event Description:

The Africa Energy Indaba Exhibition is highly relevant to companies actively involved in all areas relating to showcasing solutions for the benefit of Africa. This extends to services for major energy projects on the continent, rural energy solutions, urbanization and energy needs and the renewable & sustainable energy industry and the management thereof. By participating as an exhibitor you have an opportunity to promote your company to business counterparts, international investors, buyers and governments worldwide. This showcase will provide a platform for companies to demonstrate their commitment to provide the much needed solutions and services that will enable the African continent to embrace the challenges arising from current and future energy demands.

Contact Details:

Tel: 011 463 9184

Event Website:

Africa Energy Indaba 2018

 

2. Event:

NSBC Summit 2018

Date:

21 February 2018 – 22 February 2018

Event location:

Gallagher Convention Centre, Johannesburg

Event Description:

World Famous Events in association with the NSBC, brings you My Business Expo: South Africa 2018 – Africa’s largest business expo, conference and networking event for anyone serious about starting or growing a business.

Contact Details:

Tel: 0861 726 722

E-mail: Events@nsbc.org.za

Event Website:

NSBC Summit 2018

 

If you are interested in becoming one of our subscribers, please visit our website.

To view notes with screenshots on how to use our website, please visit our Wiki site.

To view more articles, please visit our blog.

About Eldary Carpenter

I have been with Leads 2 Business for 5 years and absolutely love working for such a dynamic company. I started off as a Content Researcher in the Tenders Department before being promoted to Customer Relations.

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