This month we’re celebrating a milestone as Complete Tenders turns 10! A whole decade of working alongside SMEs to help them find opportunities, write winning bids, and grow their businesses.
When we think back to our very first tender and fast-forward to today, the journey has been full of challenges, surprises, and proud moments. But most importantly, it’s been packed with lessons. Not just about tendering, but about people, resilience, and what it takes to keep moving forward.
So we thought we’d mark this milestone by sharing some of the bigger things we’ve learned along the way.
1. Winning means more than a signature on a contract
Every win for us is a win for our clients. We’ve helped businesses grow from small, local providers into regional names because of the contracts they’ve secured. It’s a reminder that a tender isn’t just series of answers to questions, it can be the stepping- stone to something transformational.
And, behind every successful tender, there’s a bigger story - new jobs created, services expanded, communities supported. Seeing the ripple effect has been one of the most rewarding parts of our journey.
2. SMEs are powerhouses
We’ve always known SMEs were resourceful, but working with them day in and day out has shown us just how resilient, ambitious and innovative they really are.
We’ve supported businesses with just a handful of staff, who’ve gone up against household names and won! The passion and determination SMEs bring to the table proves that it’s not the size of your business that counts, but the strength of your offer and the clarity of your story.
3. Growth happens outside comfort zones
Whether it’s taking on a bigger contract than expected, entering a new market, or simply trying tendering for the first time, the biggest leaps forward have come when businesses (and we, as a company) have stepped outside the familiarity of day-to-day operations.
For us, it’s been about adapting, growing the team, and learning new ways to support clients. It’s not always easy, but we’ve seen time and again that those bold steps bring the biggest rewards.
4. Collaboration wins every time
Tendering is never just about words on a page. It’s about collaboration between us and our clients, and often across their teams too.
Some of the strongest bids we’ve worked on have come together when finance, operations, and delivery teams all share their knowledge and ideas. Those collaborations don’t just produce a stronger tender, they often spark new or better ways of working within the business itself.
5. Relationships matter
Contracts may be awarded on paper, but success is always about people. The trust we’ve built with clients, and the relationships they’ve subsequently built with buyers, have been at the heart of every long-term success.
It’s been a privilege to become a trusted partner to so many SMEs over the years. For us, success is about much more than winning tenders, it’s about building lasting partnerships that help businesses keep growing.
6. You never stop learning
No two tenders are the same, no two buyers are the same, and no two clients are the same. Ten years in, and we’re still learning - about industries, about people and about how to keep improving what we do. And that’s exactly how we like it.
That constant learning keeps us sharp. It’s why we still get excited about every new opportunity that comes through the door.
Ten years is a big milestone, but it’s also just the beginning. We’re incredibly proud of our journey so far - the people we’ve worked with, the businesses we’ve supported, and the wins we’ve shared.
But more than looking back, we’re excited about our future.The next decade will bring new opportunities, new challenges, and new lessons to learn. And we’ll be right here, helping SMEs turn opportunities into wins.
Here’s to the next 10 years.
If we can ever help you grow your business, don't hesitate to get in touch. In the meantime, our website is full of lots of useful blogs and guides to help you get started.
