10 Common Mistakes Businesses Make with Social Value in Bids: Why You Need a Bid Writing Consultant in Northern Ireland

Social value is no longer a side note in public procurement. In Northern Ireland and across the UK, it is now a central element of tender evaluations, often accounting for a significant percentage of the overall score. Despite its importance, many businesses still struggle to articulate their social value commitments effectively in bids. The result? Lost opportunities, missed contracts, and reputations that fail to shine.

Bill Atkinson of Black Sheep Consulting has worked with countless organisations to improve their bid responses and unlock better outcomes. As a trusted bid writing consultant in Northern Ireland, he has seen the most common mistakes businesses make when tackling social value — and more importantly, he knows how to fix them.

Here are some of the key mistakes which businesses have made over the last 5 years which Bill has seen:

Mistake 1: Treating Social Value as an Afterthought

One of the biggest pitfalls is leaving social value to the last minute. Too often, businesses pour their energy into pricing or technical responses and then cobble together a few lines on social value just before submission. Evaluators can spot this instantly. Bill has seen this time and time again with past tender submissions which local NI companies show him.

A skilled bid writing consultant in Northern Ireland like Bill will ensure that social value is woven into the bid strategy from the very start. This makes it easier to demonstrate alignment with buyer priorities and deliver a cohesive, persuasive response.

Mistake 2: Offering Vague or Generic Promises

Statements like “we will support the local community” or “we care about sustainability” might sound good, but they lack substance. Without specifics, evaluators cannot measure credibility.

Instead, businesses should commit to tangible, measurable actions — such as creating apprenticeships for local people or sourcing materials from regional suppliers. A social value bid writing consultant helps organisations translate their intentions into clear, detailed commitments that buyers in Northern Ireland can trust.

Mistake 3: Failing to Link Social Value to the Contract

A common mistake is making commitments that have nothing to do with the contract being tendered. For example, promising to run community events might be admirable, but if the tender is for IT services, evaluators may view it as irrelevant.

The strongest responses tie social value directly to the scope of the contract. Bill Atkinson works with businesses to ensure their actions are not just meaningful but also highly relevant to the buyer’s objectives.

Mistake 4: Ignoring Local Priorities

Social value expectations can differ depending on region. In Northern Ireland, procurement bodies often prioritise local employment, community development, and sustainability. Businesses that ignore these themes risk losing marks, even if their overall response is well written. And this can come down to losing the tender.

A social value bid writing consultant understands these local nuances. Bill Atkinson ensures clients tailor their responses to reflect the unique priorities of public bodies in the region, giving them a crucial edge over competitors.

Mistake 5: Overpromising and Underdelivering

It can be tempting to make ambitious commitments to score higher marks. However, buyers expect delivery, and unfulfilled promises can damage future opportunities. Overpromising is a short-term tactic that almost always backfires.

Black Sheep Consulting helps clients strike the right balance between ambition and realism. By setting achievable targets and outlining how they will be measured, businesses earn both higher scores and long-term credibility.

Mistake 6: Poor Evidence and Measurement

Without evidence, even the best social value initiatives can seem hollow. Buyers want to see proof of past delivery and clear metrics for future performance. Simply saying “we will reduce carbon emissions” is not enough; businesses must show how and by how much.

Bill supports clients in presenting robust data and measurable outcomes, strengthening the credibility of their bids.

Mistake 7: Forgetting the “Why”

Social value is not just about ticking boxes; it’s about demonstrating genuine impact. Many businesses focus on what they will do, but forget to explain why it matters. For example, offering apprenticeships is good, but explaining how this tackles youth unemployment in Northern Ireland is even better.

By articulating both the “what” and the “why,” businesses show evaluators that they understand the bigger picture.

Mistake 8: Not Embedding Social Value in Business Strategy

Some organisations only think about social value when a tender asks for it. This reactive approach often results in weak, unconvincing responses. Buyers prefer suppliers who have embedded social value into their everyday operations, not just those who treat it as a contractual obligation.

Bill Atkinson encourages clients to integrate social value into their broader business model, making it easier to demonstrate long-term commitment and sustainability in bids.

Mistake 9: Weak Presentation of Responses

Even when businesses have strong initiatives, they can lose marks if responses are poorly structured, wordy, or confusing. Evaluators read dozens of bids, and clarity is key.

A professional bid writing consultant in Northern Ireland ensures that responses are concise, well-structured, and written in the language evaluators expect. This improves readability and maximises scores.

Mistake 10: Missing the Chance to Differentiate

Social value is not just about meeting minimum requirements; it’s an opportunity to stand out. Too many businesses play it safe, offering only the basics. Those who innovate — for example, by collaborating with charities, launching community programmes, or adopting advanced sustainability practices — often win higher scores and reputational benefits.

Black Sheep Consulting works with clients to uncover unique strengths and present them in a way that differentiates them from competitors.

Why Businesses Need Expert Support & why a bid writing consultation from Black Sheep Consulting Northern Ireland can help you!

The pressure to demonstrate credible social value in tenders will only increase in the coming years. For many businesses, especially SMEs, the challenge lies not in delivering value but in articulating it persuasively within tight word counts and strict formats.

That is why engaging a bid writing consultant in Northern Ireland can be transformative. With his expertise, Bill Atkinson helps organisations avoid the common mistakes above, craft compelling responses, and ultimately improve their chances of winning contracts.

To Sum Up……

Social value is far too important to treat as an afterthought. From vague promises to irrelevant commitments, the mistakes businesses make in this area can cost them valuable opportunities. By recognising these pitfalls and seeking expert guidance, organisations can not only score higher in tenders but also build stronger reputations and long-term impact.

Bill Atkinson and Black Sheep Consulting have a proven track record of helping businesses in Northern Ireland achieve exactly that. With the support of a trusted bid writing consultant, companies across Northern Ireland can move beyond compliance, demonstrate real impact, and secure the contracts that drive sustainable growth.

Why not pick up the phone and chat to Bill today. Click here to contact him and of course you can also follow him on LinkedIn.

10 Common Mistakes Businesses Make with Social Value in Bids: Why You Need a Bid Writing Consultant in Northern Ireland | Blacksheep Consulting 2025