proposal writing tips

The Ultimate Business Proposal Template

September 28, 2015

Any business that desires maximum profitability must be able to write a high quality business proposal. It is crucial in increasing sales volumes and growth to any business concern. It is a written document which offers a particular product or service and is submitted to a potential buyer in the hope of getting a contract. Whether it is a solicited or unsolicited business proposal, it must be able to attract the interest of the client for it to be effective. A fantastic business proposal template must include the problem statement, the proposed solution (or solutions), and finally the pricing information.

The problem statement clearly and plainly states the real and not the perceived problems faced by the potential client. Therefore, it is of uttermost importance to understand your potential client together with his needs and wants. This calls for a thorough research of the would-be client and understand every aspect of his business. It is also good to know your competitors who are offering the same products and services to have a comprehensive overview of the situation. Your problem statement might look something like this:

The increased reduction of calling rates by major mobile telephony companies has led to a rapid reduction of airtime sales volumes of Starmix Ltd company.

Their unusually high rates in the market have remained unchanged despite the dominant trend by other mobile service providers of reducing calling rates to attract more subscribers. This has seen a shift by most of Starmix subscribers to other companies and this has greatly affected the performance of Starmix in this competitive field of mobile telephony.

The proposed solution will be in line with the problem statement and aims at giving clear solutions to the problem at hand. The solution should be as detailed as possible and be able to address pertinent issues as presented by the problem statement. The recommended solution might look something like this:

The recommended solution for Starmix company is to look critically at their pricing criteria to be in line with those currently in the market. The prices should not only compare favorably with those of the competitors but also have an advantageous edge over all the others.

A market research should be undertaken to be able to find out the best pricing options for Starmix and how to win more subscribers and should be based, not only on the price factor but also, on the provision of better and improved services.

After recommending possible solutions, the pricing information should be included based on the solutions provided. This is very crucial as it will definitely decide whether the offered services or products will be accepted or denied. A fee summary is acceptable for short-term solutions while fee schedule is more appropriate for long term solutions. These are the basic requirements which make a business proposal stand out. Apart from researching about your would-be clients' needs, it is also imperative to to put yourself in his shoe in order to be able to handle all his burning concerns regarding your products or services.

You should therefore be able to preempt all their burning issues regarding your company and be able to convince them of your suitability in terms of the goods and services that you will provide. You should stand out from your competitors by your special features, your experience and expertise.

In order to create the ultimate business proposal template all these factors must be considered and followed to the letter. Here is the ultimate business proposal template.

The Ultimate Business Proposal Template

Purpose

The purpose to guide you to state concisely the sales proposal for would-be clients.

An effective proposal will clearly show a total knowledge of the customers' needs, the price and delivery time frame.

(insert your logo)

Business Proposal

(insert date)

Company Name

Company Address 1

Company Address 2

Phone Number

Fax Number

Website Address

Table of contents

1. Executive summary

2. Our Understanding

2.1 Your Company

2.2 Your Needs

2.3 Decision Criteria

3. Our Approach

3.1 Our company

3.2 Our Solution

3.2.1 Key product/ Service Offered

3.2.2 Professional Services

3.2.3 Service level Agreement

3.2.4 Project Delivery Time lines

3.3 Action Plan

4. Pricing and Terms

4.1 Prices

4.2 Terms

5. Contact Information

5.1 Headquarters

5.2 Account Manager

5.3 VP Sales

6. Appendix

6.1 Additional Information.

Executive Summary

Outline in brief the shortcomings that will be experienced by the potential client and how your firm can be of use. Give a brief summary of your solution’s key services, project desired prices, time frame and any additional information to interest the company's decision makers..

2. Our Understanding

2.1 Your Company

Paraphrase prospect’s corporate summary from their website.

2.2 Your Needs

Give a concise view of the prospect’s requirements. Use a bulleted format of the needs based on priority and value addition.

Needs should be prioritized:

Need 1Need 2Need 3

2.3 Decision Criteria

Decisions that involve professional services, agreements, warranties deliveries etc,

Key Decision Criteria

Based on level of importance

Agreement involving services

High.

Pricing Med

Available before a particular deadline.

3. Our Approach

3.1 Our Company

offer a brief summary of your organization that includes the market edge or

differentiation from key competitors

3.2 Our Solution

Give a comprehensive solution that fits with the client's decision criteria

involving professional services, agreements, the products or services etc.

3.2.1 Essential Product/Service Offered

Outline the most salient features of your products and relate the features pertaining to what the client wants to show value.

3.2.2 Professional Services

Show how you will be able to implement the service..

3.2.3 Service Level Agreement

Insert your standard agreement as relating to the service provided.

3.2.4 Project Delivery Time lines

Give a schedule including time frames, deliverables, milestones, and

checkpoints.

3.3 Action Plan

Create an Action Plan that shows how your solution will be

implemented. Fit with the client's purchasing process.

4. Pricing and Terms

4.1 Price

Give out details about the prices and the options available and incorporate with other expenses like professional services and travel.

4.2 Terms

Spell out the terms and conditions for the transaction.

5. Contact Information

5.1 Headquarters

Give out the contact details for your head office.

5.2 Account Manager

Give out details as concerning the Account Manager

5.3 VP Sales

give out contact information in relation to the VP Sales.

6. Appendix

6.1 Additional Information

Give out any other information such as testimonial, customer guarantees etc.

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If you want your business proposals, quotes, and contracts to stand out and give you the best chance at winning new clients, use ClientPoint Business Proposal Software. It makes creating and formatting professional business proposals, quotes, and contracts fast and easy.

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