5 Ways to Win Global Bids

THE STARGAZY GAZETTE

Hello, stargazers. The proposal world doesn’t slow down when holiday season comes around, and I know a few of us are already thinking about 2026. I’ll be writing the next few issues on how to organize our teams, content, and processes around the latest data, so we’re ready when the near year begins.

In today’s Stargazy Gazette:

• 5 tips from the global bidding expert, Priscilla, on how to excel at global bids

• The Proposal Win Rate Report will shock you; it’s going live on the 4th

• Why AI isn’t enough to win AEC and ProServe bids. Edouard Reinach, of Trampoline CEO fame, gives us the rundown in this week’s The Stargazy Brief

• The stargazy hub got tactical, talking about SMEs ghosting, AI telling you when it doesn’t have answers, and if AI is as bad as The Library of Alexandria burning?!

BIDDING ACROSS BORDERS

BIDDING ACROSS BORDERS: THE NEW LANGUAGE OF GLOBAL PROPOSALS

In today’s interconnected world, bidding across borders is not just a strategic advantage but a necessity.

The global proposal management software market is growing rapidly, valued at USD 2.33 billion in 2022, projected to grow at a 12.2% CAGR through 2030.

Globalisation, digital transformation, and increasing competition are driving a shift toward smarter, more efficient proposal strategies.

What Changes When You Bid Across Borders?

Bidding globally involves adapting to diverse geographies, regulations, and expectations. Here’s a quick comparison between local and global bids:

The goal is to tailor your approach to local nuances while maintaining a globally consistent high standard.

The New “Language” of Global Proposals

What does it take to speak the "new" global proposal language? Here are the top five concepts to master:

1. Localization Over Translation

It’s about more than just translating text, adapted context, metrics, and value propositions to the local environment. A "global" bid includes localized case studies, region-specific partners, and market-relevant data points.

2. Partnering and  Ecosystem Fluency

Building partnerships with local vendors or representatives strengthens your proposal and shows you are committed to the region. Include partner references, regulatory compliance, and local expertise in your submissions.

3. Risk and Currency Clarity

Global bidding is exposed to foreign currency fluctuations and regulatory changes. Address logistics risks, import/export duties, and local labor laws in your bid to show preparedness.

4. Value Proposition Adapted to Local Context

What works in one country might not in another. Highlight how your solution fits specific market conditions, local workforce demands, or regional infrastructure challenges. Focus on local pain points.

5. Data, Metrics and  Proof Points That Cross Borders

Use global benchmarks but always tie them to local specifics. As an example for the African market, “We achieved a 25% cost-saving in Europe, applying this model in Africa, we project a 20% cost-saving due to local wage differences.”

Key Stats and Trends to Keep in Mind

Here are some key statistics to help guide your strategy:

• AI-powered workflows are reducing proposal response time by 50%, improving accuracy and consistency. (Source: Heyiris)

• The proposal management software market will grow from USD 2.33 billion in 2022 to USD 5.81 billion by 2030. (Source: Fortune Business Insights)

• Global bid management solution market is valued at USD 2.5 billion in 2023, projected to grow to USD 4 billion by 2028 at 12% CAGR. (Source: Archive Market Research)

• Global RFP win-rates are steadily improving; 45% of proposals now win globally (up from 43% in 2024). (Source: Loopio)

These stats signal that process optimisation and technology adoption are crucial for global bid success.

Practical Roadmap: Winning Global Bids

To make “global bidding” a core capability in your team or business, take a look at this actionable roadmap:

1. Set a Global Go/No-Go Framework: Define regional criteria such as currency risk, local partner presence, and regulatory complexity. Make decisions early to avoid wasting resources on low-fit opportunities.

2. Create a Global Proposal Playbook: Build templates, checklists, and localized proposal elements. Include region-specific information (language preferences, case studies, and risk management).

3. Use Technology and Automation: Use AI and automation tools to streamline content versioning, local translation workflows, and partner evaluations. Cutting down response time by 50% can make a huge difference in competitive bids.

4. Build Local Partnerships and Presence: Partner with credible local organizations to strengthen your proposal and ensure compliance with regional regulations. Propose joint ventures enhance credibility.

5. Tailor the Value Proposition: Adapt your solution to local market conditions and focus on what each region cares about. A successful global proposal speaks to local concerns while demonstrating global expertise.

6. Use Data and Metrics: Make your bids data-driven. Show evidence of your success in similar regions or highlight global standards like ISO compliance, local certifications, or sustainability efforts.

Global bidding requires an open mind, a deep understanding of diverse regions, and the right tools. With these insights, you will be speaking  the language of global proposals and win more international opportunities.

Call to Action!
Want to know more about how to win global bids? Connect with Priscilla on LinkedIn. You can also hire her as your proposal consultant, helping in all things RFPs.

THE PROPOSAL WIN RATE REPORT RELEASE

DATA YOU’VE NEVER SEEN IS GOING LIVE 04 DECEMBER

I’ve worked in proposals for a long time. I’m old, ok. So I don’t often run into proposal data that shocks me.

I am shocked by the latest data, though. Seriously.

I’ve literally started re-writing the playbook I use for clients because of this data.

Of the 100 teams that responded, many of them were from stargazers. You.

We analyzed real-world bid data across industries, volumes, deal sizes, team structures, and AI adoption. What emerged had me staring at the wall for a few minutes, trying to process what it all meant.

Come and join Jasper Cooper and I on a live webinar, where we’ll discuss what this report means for us in our daily work.

You’ll leave with:
✹ A clear understanding of the new win-rate drivers for 2026
✹ Practical tactics you can apply the same day
✹ A benchmark you can bring to leadership
✹ Early access to the full report before your competitors see it

If you lead bids, proposals, sales, or revenue, this is the briefing you want to attend live. Jasper and I will have a Q&A at the end, too.

Reserve your spot and get the 2026 advantage before everyone else.

Date & Time: Dec 4, 2025 03:00 PM GMT / 10:00 AM EST

THE PODCAST

WHY AI ISN’T ENOUGH TO WIN RFPS

Edouard Reinach, CEO of Trampoline AI, pulled back the curtain on how proposal teams actually win in AEC and professional services, and why most AI-for-proposals advice misses the real point.

The conversation covered:

• How procurement really evaluates proposals.

• Why AEC firms struggle with AI tools built for generic bids.

• How to work with SMEs to get answers. Edouard got tactical and into the psychology of getting them to help when needed.

• Where win-rate claims from AI software companies fall apart.

• The “Save the Cat” principle for proposal storytelling.

• The rise of AI-assisted procurement, and what it means for how you structure, justify, and defend your responses going into 2026.

Edouard made the case that proposal teams win when they stop acting like content factories and start acting like decision accelerators, pairing judgment, structure, and data with AI that understands complex bids.

🎧 Listen: On Spotify & YouTube
📺 Watch: Full video episode
💬 Join the AMA with Ed Reinach

THE COMMUNITY

THE COSMIC CHRONICLE

SME Heart-sink: How to Win Over the Unwilling
Ashleigh Applegate took us into the heart of every bid manager's (very common) dread. The SME no-show. Her chronicle of persistence, diplomacy, and re-framing a “no” into a “maybe” turned into a rich thread of tactics, from Arthur Runno’s “I’ll meet you at 2AM if I must” strategy, to a suggestion to sneak in managerial accountability early. A reminder that sometimes the hardest part is coaxing SMEs to participate.
Join the thread and share your own de-escalation tactics →

The Library of Alexandria (Re)Burning?
Kathleen V. dropped a philosophical firework with a question that’s been haunting her commute: are we on the brink of a knowledge collapse, where AI learns from AI until it forgets the humans entirely? A scary thought indeed. And a compelling call for preserving original, expert content in the age of generated summaries.
Add your voice to the debate →

When AI Refuses to Hallucinate
Arthur Runno shared a true revolution in proposal tech, that AI that knows what not to generate. His firm’s AI proposal tool declined to conjure names, quals, or federal experience it hadn’t been fed, proving that the best output may be what’s left unsaid.
See what responsible AI looks like in action →