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In a tight economic climate, it’s difficult to enter into a bidding war when there is a possibility that your services will not be the chosen ones. In the instance of call center furniture, or really, furniture layout, this can be a difficult fact to take into consideration since a lot of time, planning, and hours go into making a bid. All of that translates to lost revenue.

Customers on the receiving end of bids naturally do not want to spend money on an initial consultation regardless of the work, because for them, that is also revenue not generated.

Somewhere in the middle, a balance has to be made. What, exactly, is the balance?

Interior Concepts highlights the example of going to bid when it comes to school equipment, like desks, chairs, and other furniture. Much like the its call center furniture counterpart, the layout and type of furniture used in schools and classrooms is essential for the comfort of faculty and students. It’s not just about the desk itself, but the layout and design of the room that will affect how students learn, how teachers teach, and the overall experience.

Going to bid with schools when budgets are already locked and strict is a gamble for any business, but Interior Concepts discusses that, what makes any company stand out is how you present your value to the customer.

By defining your processes up front, you can approach your customers regarding the value and costs when it comes to their specific project. Conversely, laying all of this out early on will also help the bidder be better prepared than having it all come out on bid day, lest they feel total defeat for nothing.

“If you are starting to feel used or you are having a “gut feeling” that the customer is going to simply go low bid you will have the ability to stop the process and redefine the value of your service,” writes Darby Straw of Interior Concepts, emphasizing that outlining everything early on is an integral part of the bidding process.

Furniture is a big expenditure for education, as it is the #1 non-residential buildings market for both new construction and renovation projects.

Knowing this, going to bid prepared and with confidence can lead to successful business relationships and revenue if your value is outlined, defined and brought to the table from the very beginning.