Powerful Proposals

Do you have power in your proposals?

If you want to impress with your recommendations or proposals try the following:

• Firstly: Outline the problem. Define it, clarify it. Put the problem in the form of question e.g. Why would you waste money (or resources) when there is no need to?
• Offer the solution. Use visuals e.g. Bar charts, Pie charts, Line graphs to highlight cost savings, time savings, perhaps showing the old costs vs the new or perhaps last year’s costs vs your new plan. A picture is worth a 1000 words.
• Use colour visuals
• Highlight key words or phrases. Underline key statements or claims. Attempt to use small words. Longer words are open to misinterpretation. Small words make it easy for the masses to understand your points of view
• Tie in an emotional appeal. Ask questions like, “how would you feel if this saving was achieved?” or perhaps “Why would you waste money in this area when there is no need?”

At the close of your presentation, always offer two choices:

• 1. The cost of your idea.
• 2. The cost of not using it.

There are always two costs in any proposal. The second is rarely sold. If the customer does not buy “1″ he/she has saved themselves the cost of the plan. Show them they are wrong. They’ve just lost the benefits of your plan.