Chapter 11

Proposals,
Business Plans,
and Special
Reports
 Proposal

A persuasive message that

analyzes a problem and
recommends a solution
 Proposal Types

• Informal or formal

• Internal or external

• Unsolicited or solicited
 Request for Proposal (RFP)

• Describes a project, product, or

service need
• Invites potential suppliers to
propose solutions
 RFP Content

• Introduction
• Project/Product/Service description
• Vendor requirements
• Restrictions
• Proposal guidelines
• Evaluation criteria
• Confidentiality statement
• Submission and contact information
 Qualities of a Successful
Proposal
• Purpose is clearly stated
• Problem is defined clearly
• Solution is innovative and convincing
• Benefits outweigh costs
• Personnel are qualified
• Solution can be achieved on a timely basis
• Content is honest, factual, realistic, and
objective
• Presentation is professional and attractive
Elements of a Formal Proposal
• Cover letter or memo
• Title page or cover
• Reference to authorization
• Table of contents
• List of illustrations
• Proposal summary
• Purpose
• Problem or need
• Background
 Elements, continued
• Benefits of the proposal
• Description of the solution
• Evaluation plan
• Qualifications of personnel
• Time schedule
• Cost
• Glossary
• Appendixes
• Reference list
Writing a Proposal

• Plan

• Draft

• Finalize
 Business Plan

A special type of proposal, one

designed to persuade a financial
institution or private party to
invest money to support a
particular venture.
 Business Plan Elements
• Executive summary
• Ownership/management/staffing
description
• Product/service/market identification
• Administration/production factors
• Growth and development potential
and plans
• Financial information
• Appendixes
 Special Reports

• Policies

• News releases

• Performance appraisals
 Policies

• Provide guidelines for

employees, customers, or others
to follow.
• Are written in the third person
• Provide clear, concise, and
complete information
 News Releases
• Are special business reports
containing information of interest
to the public.
• Report newsworthy information
in an accurate, timely, concise,
and positive manner
• Are written in the inverted
pyramid format
 Performance Appraisals
• Are a supervisor’s evaluation of an employee’s
job performance.
• Should help employees improve their
performance.
• Should contain concise, clear, and concrete
statements.
• Follow the direct plan when the evaluation is
positive or neutral.
• Follow the indirect plan when the evaluation is
negative.
• Should be discussed with and signed by the
worker.