3 Critical Inputs of a Business Proposal

A business proposal is a formal means of establishing a business relationship between parties. In most cases, it is the first means of communication between the parties that can be documented and referred to in later stages of the business relationship as it serves a s a guiding reference with respect to the item of business they are getting into. Here are the three critical inputs that must be present in any business proposals.

There are different types of business proposals and in most cases the emphasis on each will depend on the nature of the business, the need and the service you intend providing.

However, almost all business proposals will have certain inputs. We want to look at three of such critical inputs in a business proposal.

1. Your Services

A business proposal must be very detailed about the service you will be providing. It is obvious that the company or the other party wants something and everyone submitting a proposal to that effect would be aware of what the company or individual wants. Yet everyone submitting a proposal to that effect will not just say they will deliver the service required or clearly stated out. If they do this they will basically be a clone of each other. That is, if the company or individual says they want X, Y & Z to be accomplished, writing a proposal saying you will do X, Y & Z and leaving it at that might not just do to convince your clients.

SEE ALSO: How To Create Multiple Options In A Business Proposal

Therefore, the service you provide must accomplish those things and at the same time, deliver more in one form or the other. The person that wants to stand out must draw up a proposal that will present his or her service in such a way that it will compel the other party to select them over others who are also aware of what the other party is looking to have accomplished.

What you will do for the company must present the best option for them to follow in order for them to consider your proposal above others. A lot depends on how you are able to communicate your service. It may not necessarily mean that you will do more than what they want but you could present a way of doing it in the most cost effective manner.

You can also decide to emphasize on speed of delivery if you know that they are more interested in meeting a deadline than the cost. Hence, the amount you will be charging might be higher than what others would demand but your time of delivery, which you would emphasize on would be short enough for them to consider you above others.

2. Your Qualifications

Your qualification should be presented in such a way that it would serve as proof that you can deliver on the service you intend providing. Your qualification should be anchored in solid references, clearly stating projects you have undertaken that are similar to the service you will be providing. You qualification should underscore your capabilities, which should in turn be connected to the service you will be providing.

It is not advisable that you include things that are not related to the case at hand. Your qualification should simply backup your claim that you are the right person for the job and you have the capacity to handle their project. Going beyond what they are particularly invested in is something that can come up at the next stage where they might want to parley with you.

SEE ALSO: Tips To Drawing Up Big Budget Proposal

At times, you will be asked a direct question to that regard and you should be ready to impress. Aside from an oral presentation as such it would help your cause if you come with documents that showcases other unrelated projects and they should have references.

3. Your Charges

What you are charging is another critical input. It is not just about stating what your service would cost them but justifying it and presenting it in such a manner that it would convince them to go with you. Your charge should reasonably follow the methodologies you have outline in the service you want to provide. It should not be something that they will read and start asking themselves why or feel that there is a disconnect between what you are charging and the service you will be providing.

This is why you should have what you are charging in mind when outlining your service and how you would go about providing that service. If you can breakdown your charge to the different stages of the service as previously outlined, do it because it will show that you are being pragmatic every step of the way.

SEE ALSO: The Importance Of Using References in Business Proposal

Another thing about charging is that you can present options that will give them a choice. This also means that you should provide more than one way you would be delivering the service and attach a price to each way. This is a great way of presenting a compelling proposal.

The three critical inputs can make or mar your proposal. You can see that the services you will be providing, your qualifications and what you will be charging are all linked. This is the hallmark of a compelling business proposal.