Social value is no longer just a "nice-to-have" in bidding - it's a game-changer. But how do you overcome the hurdles to truly deliver on it?
Delivering social value in bids can be challenging, especially for organisations new to this concept. In a recent briefing to the SP team, Laurence Higgens shared his experiences and strategies for overcoming these challenges. This blog delves into his insights and offers practical advice for bid and proposal managers.
Common challenges
Laurence identified several common challenges that organisations face when delivering social value:
Lack of understanding:
Many organisations struggle to understand what social value entails and how to incorporate it into their bids.
Resource constraints:
Smaller organisations often lack the resources to deliver significant social value, making it difficult to compete with larger companies.
Measurement difficulties:
Measuring social value can be complex, and organisations may not have the tools or expertise to do so effectively.
Routes tomarket:
Many organisations struggle to unlock valuable partnerships due to the hidden and often unclear pathways into the social value market.
Three strategies for overcoming the challenges
Education and training:
Laurence emphasised the importance of educating your bid and proposal team about social value. This can involve training sessions, workshops, and engaging with social value experts. These can be internally or externally delivered – contact us for more on how we're helping bidders.
Leveraging partnerships:
Collaborating with other organisations can help pool resources and expertise, making it easier to deliver meaningful social value. Finding the right partners can take time, even though there are many small charities and VCSFE organisations set up to deliver significant impacts. You just need to know where to look.
Using frameworks:
Navigating the maze of reporting frameworks can be a headache. Which is the right one? What's available? Who should we be speaking to? Laurence recommended taking the time to explore these resources to find the best fit for you. Not sure where to start? Speak to Laurence to dive deeper.
To learn more about how to incorporate social value into your bids and improve your chances of winning contracts via our free-of-charge assessment, get in touch via our contact form and we'll take you through how we can help you maximise your social value impact. Visit our training area here for more information and to elevate your communication prowess.
Don't forget to check out our other related blogs in the resources section of our website.
The growing importance of social value in bids
Did you know that by improving your social value score, you could add significant margin to your contracts? Discover tips and takeaways to help you win while making a difference.
The role of social value in government contracts
Social value is transforming the landscape of government contracts, becoming a pivotal consideration in the bidding process.
To find out more about the key skills and tools necessary to develop powerful, compelling proposals contact our experts on 0800 009 6800 or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
