The teams are now in the second stage of the competition, known as the LATER YEARS, when they go 'head to head' in direct competition against each other. With the increased level of competition for new work in the later years, each company needs a successful procurement strategy, and the effectiveness of the decisions and strategies taken in the early years are put to the test. In particular, the marketing decisions assume added significance, and a company can obtain a competitive advantage by finding niche markets, and building strong client relationships to gain repeat business when price is not the only deciding factor in tender awards.

And what a start to the Later Years as the seemingly untouchable leaders for the previous 3 rounds, "TCMR Construction", slipped back to third after winning just one new job in the tougher bidding environment. This opened opened the door for "Botch Jobs Ltd", helped by 3 contract awards, to surge through the field from 5th to top spot with 1,554 pts. They have also opened up a useful lead to "Apex Ltd", who remain second after a solid 4% growth and also 3 new contract awards. Encouragingly despite the increased competition for work every team were able to win at least one new job, and all the management teams will need to remain focused if this trend is to continue.

At the wrong end of the table "Nectaire of Bean Counters Construction" and "Over Budget Construction Ltd" may be cut adrift from the rest of the field, but they are embroiled in their own titanic battle, separated by just 4 points, but they will both be keen to try and win more work in period 10, and put pressure on the teams above them.