The Electra Business and Innovation Awards: A Journey of Growth for BidABLE On October 10th, we celebrated the Electra Business and Innovation Awards, where BidABLE was a finalist in the Professional and Business Services or Technology category. While we didn't take home the top prize, the journey has been incredible—opening doors to new connections, customers, and exciting opportunities. Reflections on Being a Finalist
Being recognised as a finalist, especially as a relatively new business, is a major achievement. This experience has truly highlighted the power of persistence, innovation, and the value of community. Key Lessons Learned: Creativity and Embracing Change
When I began writing our award application, I realised how much the process pushed us to think critically about our business. I advise anyone considering entering do not be intimidated by the questions. They challenge you to consider what your business stands for today and where it could grow tomorrow. Even if you believe, “We don’t do any innovation,” think again. For BidABLE, innovation has been about how we network, how we simplify the bid process for clients, and how we’ve embraced AI to create cost-effective ways to win business. The Finalist Journey: Pitching and New Connections
After submitting our application, it was time to prepare for the Entrants Event. Crafting my elevator pitch was key, and the feedback was incredible. I even heard, “I didn’t know people like you existed,” which led to collecting a few new business cards! Then came the exciting call—I was a finalist! Considering that BidABLE consists of me and a handful of subcontractors, this was a monumental moment for us. It has truly been a highlight of 2024, especially following a slower 2023. Meeting the Judges and Embracing Opportunities
Despite battling nerves and a new health regime that had me off-balance on the day of my meeting with the judges, I pushed through and made it happen. I delivered a refined pitch and received some fantastic advice that I have been implementing ever since. New Experiences: From Radio to Recognition
One of the unexpected highlights was a radio interview with Nikki Carroll from Coast Access Radio—my first of its kind! Once I got past the initial nerves, I found myself enjoying the conversation and could have kept talking for much longer. You can listen to the interview here. Networking Magic: Building the BidABLE Brand
This entire experience has reinforced how valuable it is to step outside your comfort zone and engage with new people. Through the awards, I have grown BidABLE by trying new things, making new connections, and confidently discussing my business. As I often tell my clients—answer the questions directly in your proposals, avoid the fluff, and plan your presentations carefully—this time, I got to follow my own advice. Looking Ahead: Giving Back to the Community
This journey has sparked new ideas, including offering training to small businesses (with fewer than 20 staff) new to tendering. If you are interested in learning more, I would love to connect! Thank you to Electra, the organisers, and the judges for the support, advice, and opportunities. For me, it was about building the BidABLE brand—and we have certainly achieved that. I am excited to see how we continue to grow in the coming year.
