I was thrilled to see a full room during my session—your energy and engagement made it an incredible experience. Thank you to everyone who attended! Here are 4 key points from my presentation.
1. The AI Revolution: Hype vs. Reality
The AI “gold rush” is well underway, but cutting through the hype is crucial. We need to understand where AI genuinely adds value and where it falls short. In bidding, AI isn’t a magical solution for everything—but it’s brilliant when used strategically. Think of AI like a creative assistant: perfect for generating a quick first draft but less reliable for tasks that require 100% accuracy, like compliance checks. Using AI the right way can save time and spark new ideas, but it’s important to know its limits.
2. Integrating AI into Our Editorial Process
AI is speeding up our content development cycles, helping us get to first drafts faster and allowing more room for experimentation. I talked about how we’ve integrated AI into our editorial workflow—moving from ideation to drafting and refining with AI, before our human experts step in for the final touch. The key to success is this partnership between technology and human expertise, where AI takes care of repetitive work, and our teams focus on perfecting the quality.
3. Getting the Best from AI: Prompting Like a Pro
One of the most practical takeaways for me was about effective prompting—how you ask AI to help matters. The right prompts can turn AI from a generic content creator into a true partner in creative work. Start with a clear outline, add specific context, and don’t forget to adjust for style. Whether it’s extracting key insights, summarizing complex information, or adding a creative flair to content, good prompting makes a world of difference.
4. Keeping AI Secure
Security is often an overlooked aspect of AI integration, especially in fields like government contracting. At BIDx, I stressed the importance of maintaining strict data controls. AI can be an incredible tool, but only when used securely—particularly in environments handling sensitive information. For us, that means making sure our data doesn’t go beyond trusted systems and selecting AI tools that prioritize security.
View My Slides
If you’re curious about my slides or want to continue the discussion, feel free to check them out below.
Highlights from Other Sessions
- Damian Hughes inspired us with a powerful keynote on building a winning mindset, emphasizing the importance of connecting with people to truly succeed in bidding.
- Vicky Hampson and Helen Honisett showed how authenticity in leadership can make a significant difference, reminding us that being real and human resonates more than ever.
- Dominic Colenso delivered an energetic session on presentation skills, challenging us to think about how we want our audience to feel. It was a fantastic reminder that our pitches are not just about conveying information, but also about creating memorable experiences.
- Neil Philipson shared some brilliant insights on making reviews less stressful and more collaborative, a must for anyone who’s ever felt overwhelmed in a proposal review cycle.
Wrapping Up BIDx 2024
Attending BIDx 2024 was an amazing experience. The blend of people, processes, and tools made for a holistic look at how we can all get better in the world of bid management. AI is a powerful tool, but, as this conference emphasized, it’s the combination of human creativity, authentic leadership, and smart processes that truly leads to success.
A big thank you to the organizers, speakers, and all the attendees who made it such an enriching event! If you’d like to continue the conversation, connect with me via LinkedIn.
