Friday, November 21, 2008

Business Proposals that Work

By Craig Calvin

People in the business world usually dread business proposals. That being said, they will also admit their necessity. Writing a good business proposal is usually the difference between failures and successes. You should be able to master the technique, since it is fairly simple.

Step one in creating a business proposal is deciding precisely what the competition desires. You can sometimes ask them, but sometimes you need to figure it out on your own. Providing the customer with what they need, whether they asked for it or not, can mean you will come out with the sale.

The second step is to assess the competition. If there is a lot of competition, this deal may require more energy or, conversely, not be worth a whole lot of time and effort. While you should make every effort to remain competitive, avoid situations that may turn into bidding wars. Most businesses will not benefit from undercutting the competition rather than focusing on product. However, you need to remain competitive, especially if you are in a field with a lot of competition.

Step three is to ask pertinent questions. More customers are willing to provide information than you may think. Asking the right questions can clue you to their needs. A lot of people think they know what the customer wants, but if a customer doesn't feel understood, they will find someone who does.

Keeping in mind these tips should help ease your business proposal writing process. Drafting a business proposal that is effective will usher in work as well as distinguish you as an expert. If you have the information needed, you should easily be able to create an effective proposal. - 15275

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