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Business Proposal Writing How Writing Training Can Help You Write Better Proposals

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The way in which you write your business proposals can either make or break your business. Writing a solid business proposal is imperative if you want to see some measure of success in your business, or if you want to bring in any business at all! Business proposals are an important aspect of business management and knowing how to write a great business proposal can help in generating more business and income for your company.

There are many writing training courses that can help you write great proposals. If you are a newcomer to the business world, and are looking for tips on how to draft an effective business proposal, then you have come to the right place.

Here are a few effective business proposal writing tips:

Never Confuse the Prospective Readers: A poorly written business proposal can raise more questions instead of clarifying doubts. This is why your first step should be to clearly outline the objectives of the proposal and summarise the points that you want to cover. Make sure your proposal flows smoothly and that the language you use is plain and easy to understand (unless you work in a technical field). Even a layman should be able to understand the contents of your proposal. Clarity is the most important factor in any business proposal, so never compromise it at any cost. Steer clear of vague descriptions that could potentially mislead your readers or encourage them to take their business elsewhere. The way you write your proposals speaks volumes about you as a business person.

Clearly define your Objectives: When writing a business proposal, make sure you know exactly what it is you want to write about in the first place. Identify the key points that you need to put in your proposal and how you will persuade your reader. Your idea should be communicated effectively through your proposal.

Use Flawless Grammar: Always ensure that the grammar you use in your proposals is flawless. Failing to exhibit good writing skills can lead to a lot of rejections. Check to see that your proposal is free of grammar mistakes and typos, and never use jargon. If you do wish to use jargon, then make sure all the terms are well defined. This is one of the first things you’ll learn at any writing training course.

Research: Research plays a very big role when writing your proposal. Make sure you understand completely what your customer needs and what challenges they face so that you can address their problems.

These are just a few tips for a solid business proposal. Never take your business proposal writing lightly, as this could cost you a lot in terms of business.

Useful Phrases For Doing Business In English

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When it comes to English for business youll find there are a number of expressions that you probably wont encounter in casual speech. Here are five expressions that you might hear if you are going to a business meeting or you are in a business situation.

1. Manage expectations

To manage expectations means to ensure that the client has realistic expectations. For example, a company may take an order to deliver a certain amount of products. The client, who does not know how long it takes to manufacture and prepare a product might expect in a week. When you manage their expectations you make sure they know exactly how long it will take and what to expect. In this way, the client is not disappointed, and you are not under increased pressure from an unhappy client.

Example: We need to manage their expectations so they know they will not get delivery of the product before April.

Anyone who has to deal directly with clients will need to know how to manage expectations.

2. At the 11th hour

If you do something, or deliver something at the 11th hour then you are doing it at the last minute. If you had two weeks to write a report but you leave it until the last minute, you are doing it at the 11th hour.

Example: Jane always delivers her reports at the 11th hour. One day she will miss the deadline if she is not careful.

A company might finish a project at the 11th hour, or an individual can finish a task at the 11th hour.

3. The lion’s share

The lions share is the largest share. If you are talking about a competitor and the fact that they have the lions share of the market, then they have most of the business.

Example: Martins have the lions share of the market as they make 80 percent of the sales. We need to increase our efforts to increase our market share.

This is phrase is generally used when referring to companies or organisations.

4. Dot your i’s and cross your t’s
If you are told to dot your is and cross you ts you are being told to make sure you get all the details right. You have to check and recheck your information to make sure that the end result is perfect.

Example: This project could bring in 2 million dollars in sales so make sure you dot your is and cross your ts. We need to make sure everything goes smoothly.

A manager or director will use this expression to ensure employees and other colleagues are careful when preparing the project.

5. Get your foot in the door

To get your foot in the door means to get an introduction to someone or something. You can get your foot in the door of a company by getting an introduction to the director or by selling a small amount of product to a company. If you do well and make a good impression, you can go on to increase your involvement with the client or the company.

Example: Make sure they agree to trial our latest products so that you can get your foot in the door. If they like it we can introduce the rest of our product line to them.

Both individuals and businesses can get their foot in the door.

Sap Business One Implementing Notes Adding New Fields And Tables

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In comparing to other ERP and Small and Midsize Business Accounting applications, SB1 is more flexible and where traditional system may require programmer to code the custom logic and then integrate it with existing user interface and the database – SAP BO may have this custom logic to be easily set up in User Defined Tables and User Defined Fields, and SAP B1 software developers already supplied simple user interface to work with newly created objects, let’s us show you how. We will be assuming that you are on SAB BO version 2007A, international version 2007B should be the same if you translate our article to you local language, and if you are on SB1 2005A/B, you should be able to find the same functionality in slightly different menu paths:

1.OK, let’s assume that you need few new fields to be associated with Business Partner, such as Statement Type: email or mail. You will need new field on the Business Master table, the field should be named Statement Method, it should be Drop Down List with two options: Email and Mail. Please, open Tools->User Defined Tools->User Defined Fields-Management. Expand Master Data, Business Partner, highlight it and click add button at the bottom of the form. Name the field Statement Method, give appropriate description, alphanumeric, Structure: regular, mark Set Valid Values for the Field and click new to create Email and Mail options in this new DDL. Now, open Business Partner and pull out existing customer, for example. in Menu: View->User Defined-Fields and you should notice that New Small Windows is now open to the right of the Business Partner Master Data window, here you may select Email or Mail from DDL, when you will click on OK (or Add, if you are adding new Business Partner/Customer), Statement Method will be saved together with the regular Business Partner info. For those of you who are IT people or Software Developers, please click on View->System Information and then place your cursor over new field – you will see that it is created in OCRD table (Business Partner Master Table)

2.Let’s come out on the fresh air and between us, who are Corporate ERP consultants discuss, what we just saw. In other more traditional Corporate ERP, MRP, CRM, Sales Order Processing systems, etc., this is legitimate so-called “customization”, where programming is required or at least recommended. SAP Business One does the job in out-of-the-box install with five minutes long setup procedure. Please, relax and expect more surprises, let’s move on to new custom table creation

3.User Defined Tables. Tools->Customization Tools->User Defined Tables Setup, here give it the name, description, and select No Object if the table will be stand alone, or select Master Data if it is supposed to be linked to Master Data table, or Master Data Rows (in you plan to link it to Business Partner Address, which is Master Data Row classified table), Document (if you plan to link it to AR Invoice, or other legitimate document header), or Document Rows (if you plan to link it to AR Invoice Inventory Item or Service Line, for example). In our example, let’s try to be moderate and give you just simple example, we would like to create Non-Inventory Item Monthly Cost table, which is No Object. Give it the name, description, and then Tools-> Customization Tools->User Defined Fields Management, expand User Tables, highlight Non Inventory Item Monthly Cost and click Add: Add Year, Month and Cost fields (feel free to apply your judging on the type). Now, let’s enter the rows into newly defined table. User Defined Windows, select your newly created table and feel free to enter data there. Small comment, SB1 designers looks like were trying to make our life easier, so the created two mandatory fields: Code and Name, we recommend you to enter unique values there

4.SAP Business One Executive Demo or technical presentation. Via Web Session and Phone Conference you can request this service being USA, Canada Nationwide, in Europe, Brazil, Latin America and Internationally

5.Second Opinion on SB1 implementation or modules selection. This service is popular if your local SB1 reseller failed in challenging implementation, when you have to do complex Data Conversion, Integration to Legacy Systems, including Lotus Notes, Oracle Custom DB, legacy ecommerce

6.SAP B1 as Publicly Traded Multinational Corporation local branch ERP. SB1 licensing is relatively cheap and considering the fact that it is localized (translated to local languages in the majority of the countries: Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia, Israel, Russia, China, to begin the long list; plus it is certified with foreign countries tax agencies). Special considerations to the customers, where their corporate ERP is not localized in the overseas branches. Good example is Dynamics GP Great Plains, it is only supported in USA, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Arabic countries, Spanish Speaking Latin America and English Speaking South East Asia. If you have Dynamics GP Great Plains as your Corporate ERP in USA or Canada, please consider SAP Business One in such country as Brazil, Russia, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, etc., for your local branch with GL or even full data consolidation to Dynamics GP via Great Plains Integration Manager. SAP Business One allows simple data export to Microsoft Excel, or you can do exported data marking on SB1 SQL DB level

7.How to get help? Please, call us: 1-866-528-0577,

The Key Success Factor For Any Online Business

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In a marathon the physical factor for runners might be very comparable, but what could be the main differentiator between those who get to the finish line and those who don’t? And what would be the main differentiator between those who finish first and those who finish last? What makes a person push himself/herself to the maximum limits to achieve his/her targets?

Depending on the field, things like physical fitness and knowledge are pre-requisites of course, but endurance and patience are the common denominator that separates the winners from the quitters in any field.

From normal observations we realize that the level of endurance and patience to achieve self set targets differ between one person to another. So what is it that creates this difference? It is motivation and more importantly self motivation.

The engine that drives us to overcome obstacles and enhance our endurance and patience is how well we can motivate ourselves. We need to differentiate between external motivational factors and self motivation.

Results and achievements motivate most of us, but if failure and slow or no improvements are happening, the only source of motivation available is within ourselves.

Online business is an industry that requires a huge amount of self motivation. Self motivation is the sole driver for discipline, endurance and patience which are the success factors that differentiate the winners from the quitters.

This makes self motivation the most crucial success factor in online business as external motivators take time to materialize.

How can we fuel the self motivation engine to keep it running? There are numerous ways:

1-Set clear Targets: I know you have heard this a million times, but the reason we are mentioning it here is the following:

a.Clear targets are easily measured and accordingly you will see by time the small improvements you are making. Thus energizing your self motivation by this external factor.

b.When setting clear targets, you can easily divide them into targets to meet within smaller time intervals. Accordingly, you see closer results.

2-Keep remembering your initial driver: Keep reminding yourself why you got into online business in the first place. Keep implanting this driver into your head on daily basis.

3-When you completely lose hope and realize that online business is not for you, try to find other options that would satisfy the driver that made you start your online business. If you could not find other options you will realize that online business is your only option.

4-Do not talk about your online business with potentially skeptical people.

5-Pick an active forum and hang around there every now and then, not only because it is good for the business, but to keep you motivated by helping others and getting help from others. You can find ideas that you never thought of before and are easily implemented which will give a huge boost to your motivation.

6-Try to enjoy your online business and make money a secondary issue. By enjoying the work you will find the material factor accomplished without you noticing. If you keep stressing yourself out regarding the monetary achievements, each day in online business will seem like a whole year. This one is the most magical of all solutions.

Do not make your online business like any other job. This is your kingdom and you can create any working environment you desire. Therefore, create an environment that will keep you motivated all the time.

Steps To Business Communication Success

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Copyright 2006 Logical Writing Solutions, Inc

What is success? The answer to that question is both personal and institutional for those of us who work in the business world. In essence, success is the ability to accomplish the task at hand. Technically, it is “to achieve one’s aim to prosper”.

You need thriving business relationships to prosper. In fact, we can measure much of our business success in terms of the viability of business relationships. Relationship health is directly affected by the quality of communication. Use the following steps to achieve communication success and to strengthen your critical business relationships.

Step 1: Identify a few communication weaknesses.

Can you think of any communication challenges that you face? It’s time to brainstorm and quickly make a written list.

Here are a few questions to get you thinking about your own communication challenges: * Are your employees happy and satisfied? * Are your clients glad to provide referrals? * Are your partners and stakeholders well-informed and confident? * Do you feel motivated and inspired? * Do your conversations flow?

As you review the bulleted list above and consider your communication challenges, identify each challenge but don’t get bogged down with other details.

Step 2: Decide to address the most bothersome communication weakness.

This choice is yours to make. However, whatever challenge you choose, you will find that the other relationships are naturally strengthened as you develop proactive and positive communication skills. You do not have to fix everything at once in order to benefit from this exercise!

Now that you have selected your challenge, it’s time to stop and think about what makes it so challenging. In other words, if success was easy you wouldn’t be working on this right now. Many leadership or business management challenges are a result of busy-ness. Leaders don’t realize that others need communication that is: * Professional * Complete * Positive * Concise, and * Wholly relevant without any irrelevance

If you are a leader or a manager, communication is your job. People expect you to do it and do it well. The responsibility for communicating is yours. It would be literally impossible for others to compensate for your poor attention to communication.

In spite of the advice of gurus world-wide, there seems to be a reluctance to buy into this idea. We all want to believe that we can just do our jobs well and receive the kudos. We want to believe that we are responsible for our own success. The truth of the matter is that most of us will be hindered, more or less, when we ignore communication or become passive.

Communication may not come naturally, and you may need to work on it. Communication brings power to your professional and personal life. Critical relationships can thrive with your attention.

To gain an understanding of how to resolve the weakness, you need to look at your communication patterns. You will develop communication that is regular and has flow. Communication, however, is not just about giving out messages. Communication is listening and speaking, receiving messages and conveying messages. Typically, listening is the thing that gets us into trouble. We don’t do it.

Step 3: Listen to others for a week.

I know you’re grumbling! Is a week really necessary? Yes. We’re not just talking about passive listening either; you will ingeniously create opportunities for listening. Listening must be practiced, and acting on incomplete information may be more harmful than doing nothing.

Consider how long you have been without the power of listening, and realize that a week is a small price to pay. While you are listening, you are reserving judgment and allowing the answers to come to you. Others often already know where the problem lies. They may even have ideas as to how you can fix the problem. Active listening requires practice, so be patient.

You may politely and nonchalantly ask for input during this time, but keep things casual and neutral by not being too intense and by refusing to form or give your opinion. This gives others the freedom to develop their thoughts and express them without disagreeing with you. Be sure to take notes on potential solutions.

Step 4: Define success and the benefits in this area.

After a week, you will probably have many ideas about how you could move forward. First, take a moment to define your ideal outcome. This is your defined target. You may not feel that you can make the mark on the first try. However, you need to choose to believe that success is possible and likely, and that you will have a reasonably positive response to your efforts. Your attitude affects your motivation and your outcome.

In addition, think about what benefits you hope to achieve. How would life or business be better as a result of your desired outcome?

You are painting the picture of what you’d like to see. For example, “Our clients know that we value their relationship as well as their business. We don’t tell them this; we show them. Every call is answered in a polite manner. Each concern is personally addressed. We listen when they speak. We thank them for their input. We keep them informed of new products and company news. We are considerate in our pricing. We thank them for each purchase. In return, they have no interest in checking out other providers, and they remain loyal in spite of the efforts of our strong competitors. We have steady growth in our revenue.”

Step 5: Make your proactive communication plan, being sure to establish checkpoints.

This plan will come out of your definition of success and your listening activities. Some examples of proactive communication would be providing customer service seminars for your employees, taking on a visible role that reaffirms your commitment to personal service, starting a service blog discussing best practices, scheduling individual meetings to check in with employees, or establishing standards of excellence and rewarding employees who excel or improve. Notice that these items are not remedial. You are not resolving past problems, but establishing a firm foundation for the future.

Also notice that you would choose one activity to plan. For example, if you choose to focus on a customer service seminar, you will define the necessary tasks and place those tasks in your planner. Choose your communication activity based upon whether you need a long-term or short-term effort. Also, consider the availability of resources and plan accordingly.

You may have to practice needed skills. For instance, if you are planning to present a customer service seminar yourself instead of outsourcing, you may need to schedule time to develop your presentation skills. If you are nervous about your skills in an area, practice those skills until you become calmly confident.

Step 6: Implement your plan.

Implement your plan, keeping your ideal outcome in mind as you go. Review checkpoints frequently to ensure that you are on track. Involve others in the plans when possible, or have an accountability partner. As things fall into place, you may be surprised at how well everything is going! Once your activity is complete or the communication fix is in place, it’s time to take a realistic look at what you’ve accomplished.

Step 7: Evaluate the results.

Congratulations! How did you do? If you look at your definition from Step 4, you will be reminded of the gains have you have achieved. You may also note unforeseen obstacles that you overcame. Remember to thank those who helped you along the way, and make sure to reward yourself for your efforts.

Now you’ve seen the power of communication at work. Communicating will become easy (or easier) as you go through the 7 Steps to Business Communication Success again. Communication is the key to your success.