I.

INTRODUCTION

In todays competitive business environment, acquiring a strong and potential business

idea is the most critical stage that would determine the success and failure of your
business. These business ideas will stem from the suggestions or proposals of either a
person or an agency. In this case, a written business proposal is required.

A business proposal is a written offer to solve a technical problem in a particular way,

under a specified plan of management, for a specified sum of money. A proposal
gathers and puts together the preferences of target buyers in a product or service, then
explains its quality and the capability of the company in satisfying their needs. Simply, it
aims to convince prospective buyers or potential users of a certain product that the
company or person presenting is in a better position and is more qualified to provide
their needed and desired products or services compared to any other companies or
persons. Basically, its purpose is to increase sales to earn more profit.

A business proposal is not necessarily required in all businesses, but usually, most
companies, especially big ones, relies their operations on the basis of their proposal.
Investors and business founders need a solid and strong business proposal before
risking their money because it will help them visualize their goals and the methods in
achieving them. Hence, proposals must be clear, practical, efficient, factual, logical,
persuasive and objective to be useful in making economic decisions.
 II. DISCUSSION

There are many ways to create a successful business or improve an existing business,
one of which is formulating a business proposal that will allure and encourage
customers to purchase a product or service.

The key terms to understand what is a business proposal are written offer to solve
technical problem, specified plan of management, and certain sum of money. These key
terms comprises the elements and corresponding functions of a business proposal.

First, it is a written report to solve a technical problem. Such proposal is called technical
proposal. It provides a detailed discussion of the solution proposed, supported by
alternative plans and designs.

Second, it is a specified plan of management. This is also called as the management

proposal. It explains to the clients how the plan will be undertaken and managed, who
will manage it and suggests a time schedule for the completion of the project.

Third, it is specifies an amount needed for the project. This is called the cost proposal. It
provides the financial report of the proposal such as the cost of labor and all the
materials needed for the operation.

All these three elements must contain a business proposal to effectively satisfy the
needed information of your target clients. Furthermore, the acceptance and rejection of
a business proposal depends on its clarity, practicality and efficiency. That plan or
solution must be discussed clearly and all the details must be present so that it will
leave no doubt in the mind of the clients in how it will be implemented. The solutions
given must also be practical to ensure feasibility in the future and alternative solutions
must be offered. Finally, the proposal must explain what needs to be done and how it
will be done in every stage, together with the things that will be needed.

According to Mills and Walter, there are two types of proposal- solicited proposal and
unsolicited proposal. Solicited proposal is a response to direct invitation. This is also
called as bid request, purchase request or request for proposal. On the other hand,
solicited proposal is a marketing brochure which is made by a company and submitted
to clients in the hope that the idea will attract them to buy the products and services.
They are generic, with no direct connection between customers needs and product
specifications. Hence, they are only use to introduce a product or services and the
possibility of sale is not yet probable.

The writer of a business proposal must bear in mind that the main objective of the
proposal is to communicate the facts about a proposed business plan. In order to initiate
business, the proposal must embody the needs of the clients and it should be able to
convince them that the plan is superior among other proposals. For this matter,
understanding the customer is very important. After taking into account the needs and
wants of the clients, research and only present the most objective information that will
be a source and guide in decision making. The authenticity and objectivity of a proposal
will drive the success of a business in the future.

According to John A. Walter of the University of Texas, a good proposal must consist of
the following stages:1) Preliminary study, 2)drafting a plan or outline, 3)writing a rough
draft and illustrations and lay- out , and 4) review and revision.

PRELIMINARY STUDY

When an individual or a company receives a request for a proposal, its technical staff or
whoever is concerned, must conduct first a study before drafting the final report in order
to devise a satisfactory solution or plan to arrive at an effective presentation of the
proposal. The proposal needs to be more consumeroriented than proponent oriented.

"If you don't understand the client's problem, you certainly can't propose a methodology
that is going to solve the problem," says Shervin Freed, coauthor of Writing Winning
Business Proposals (McGraw-Hill).Writing a winning proposal begins in knowing the
clients problems, needs or wants and other requirements such as deadlines, scope of
proposal, facilities or equipment you can provide and budget limitations. The best way
to understand what the clients need or want is through conducting a background
investigation. Ask people in the organization about their concerns, policies, visions,
missions and goals through conducting surveys or interviews. This way, you will be
able to save your time and effort and can make a proposal that reaches the
expectations of your clients.

DRAFTING THE PLAN OR OUTLINE

After identifying the clients requirement, drafting of the plan should follow using the
information gathered and solutions formulated. The outline is a logical guide in the
preparation of a paper. With an outline, the writer will not miss a single detail about the
report. The draft includes the objectives, qualifications, and the methods used in solving
the problem.

Most proposals contain an introduction; list of items and services to be supplied; general
description of equipment to be supplied; technical discussion or detailed description of
the proposed equipment; section on packaging or other considerations and a
conclusion. However, supplementary materials like diagrams, mathematical analyses,
list of facilities, company information and facilities should be part of the appendices.

WRITING THE ROUGH DRAFT AND PLANNING ILLUSTRATIONS AND LAY- OUTS

After drafting, completing the drafted outline is the next step. With the use of the outline,
put together all the information gathered and evaluate them to complete the content of
the proposal. Beginning outright with a detailed discussion of the problem and followed
by the explanation of the proposed solution. However, a report full of texts is not always
effective to all clients. Illustrations and lay- outs are also important means of presenting
information and are ways of enhancing the text. It could be diagrams, tables, or figures
that are understandable to the readers. What is important is for the writer to create a
strong and favorable impression on the reader to have an edge among other
presenters.

REVIEW AND REVISSION

In reviewing the content of the report, the writer should take careful observation on the
technical content, textual illustration, textual error and the consistency of style. The text
and illustrations must coincide with each other and information should be arranged in a
logical manner. Proper presentation should also be followed and grammatical errors
and erroneous spellings should be corrected. The language and tone used must be
business- like but enthusiastic and persuasive at the same time.

The proposal document contains the overall point of the project. It is structured
according to the following:

Title page. It contains the name of the proposed project which describes the scope of
activity in concise and clear terms, the person or agency proposing the project and the
person or organization for which the proposal is made.

Cover letter. It provides the readers an overview of what is to follow, such as the
purpose of writing, what the writing is all about, importance of the proposal, and other
basic information.

Table of contents. Provides an alphabetical list of the terms used in the proposal.
Though, it is not really necessary especially to shorter proposals, it is a very helpful
means of rapidly guiding the readers.

List of illustrations. A list of all the illustrations, such as graphs, figures and tables,
together with their corresponding page number.

Abstract. A brief summary or overview about the proposal.

Introduction. It identifies the nature of the proposal and states the purpose of the
document. It begins with the discussion of the problem, the objectives and goals of the
project and proposed approach in solving the problem. It does not need to be discussed
fully because the details will be left to the methodology. However, it must present the
strategic elements of the proposal. The methodology is a set of methods, rules or ideas
of the formulated solution. It develops the detail on how the project will be carried out.

Facilities and equipment. It is a detailed discussion about the location of the project,
facilities and materials needed and the equipment required for the operation.

Schedule and benchmark. It is the span of time allotted for the completion of the project.
Benchmarks are also identified to indicate successful accomplishment of the objectives.

Personnel and Budget. It is a report of the human and financial resources needed for
the project.

Conclusion/ recommendation. A summary of the key points of a proposal, it contains

concrete features of the proposed project to create a lasting and favorable to the
readers. It restates the problem, solutions and benefits to be derived.

Appendices. It is a section of extra information added at the end of the proposal.

Sometimes, one or more appendices may be needed for the charts, maps, graphs and
photographs.

Glossary. An alphabetical list of all the terms used in the proposal.

References. It is a list of reading materials and web sites cited on the proposal.

Some project proposal makers adopt the format below:

Project Profile

Title of the project. The specific name of the project.

Proponents. The name of researchers who plan to undergo the project.

Implementing unit. The unit or department who will administer the project.

Project site. The location of the project.

Project duration. The amount of time allotted for the project.

Total project cost. Total amount needed for the project.

Brief executive summary of the project.

PROJECT PROPOSAL PROPER

Introduction. Contains the benefits that could be derive from the project.

Rationale. Background of the project.

 Project description. Vital information of the project, such as its purpose, nature
and beneficiaries.

Objectives. Contains the short and long term goals of the project.

Significance. States the importance of the project.

Project component/ strategies of implementation. Contains the major activities

and methodology of the project.

Implementing schedule. A list of all the activities and there corresponding time
frame.

Estimated budget. A detailed breakdown of the budget and the financial work
plan of the project.

III. SAMPLE ILLUSTRATION

IV. PERSONAL OVERVIEW

In todays generation in which market competition is increasing as time passes, a lot of

individual is now capable of producing innovative and creative business ideas that might
catch the interest of consumers. Hence, the only chance of winning is to how a person
writes and presents his ideas accordingly.

A business proposal is a written document that offers a particular product or service to

specified target consumers. A winning business proposal must contain a problem
statement that will become the focus of the entire report, a proposed solution that
embodies the whole research and evaluation stage and pricing information which will
perhaps determine whether the client will accept or reject your proposal. Moreover, it
can be presented simply or complexly, depending on the requirements of the client.
What matters most is that it will persuade them to invest in your proposed project.

Some business proposal might contain identical information and similar presentation but
it is more important to make every part as unique and special as they can be. Though
they might look alike, but there is something that makes it different among other
proposals. The most vital thing to remember is that a business proposal is made to be
useful to the clients and to your own company.

A business is a very important document especially to businessmen and investors

because it will help them visualize their goals and the methods on how they are going to
attain them. With such document, it is easier for them to make effective decisions
regarding a certain economic matter. Thus, aside from being clear, practical and
efficient, it also needs to be objective, factual and informative.
 V. REFERENCES

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Publishing House.

Igoy, J., Salosagool, N. & Saymo, A. 2001. Enhancing technical writing skills. Makati
City: Grandwater Publications and research corporation.

Alcantara R. & Espina, F. 2003. Technical writing for Filipino students. (2 nd ed.). Makati
City: Katha Publishing Co., Inc.

Nem Singh, R. & Calixihan, J. 1994. Fundamentals of technical writing. Manila City: MG
Reprographics.

Vicente, C., Soria, W., Mogol, E.& Sumanga, G. 2004. Technical writing. Quezon City:
UNI-ED Incorporated.

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http://www.slideshare.net/xanderlangley/relevance-of-business-proposal

Clayton, S. (1996, February 1). 7 steps to a winning business proposal. Retrieve from
https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/21834

Xaxx, J. (2011, August 25). What objectives should be used in a business proposal?.
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Proposal (business). (2016, November 10). Retrieve from

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proposal_(business)
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http://www.inc.com/encyclopedia/business-proposals.html