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?
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.
