5 ways writing a business proposal can benefit your company

What is a business proposal?

A business proposal is a document that sets out the proposed scope of work to be provided by a supplier. It will outline a specific piece of work, business idea, project, or plan that is being presented to a potential client to persuade the client to award the supplier the work.

When will a business proposal template be needed?

Business proposals are a key tool that can be used in order to try and win new work / business. Typically, a business proposal template will be needed in two different types of situation:

1. Formally solicited proposals: a client may formally ask prospective suppliers / service providers to "bid" for a piece of work by submitting proposals showing how they could carry out that work. These formal processes are sometimes called RFP (request for proposal), RFI (request for information) or IFB (invitation for bid). In these cases, using a business proposal template can be key to ensuring that the RFP is responded to thoroughly and professionally; or

2. Informal or unsolicited business proposals: there isn’t always a formal RFP process and the customer may not be asking for competing proposals. A business proposal template could instead be required following a conversation with a customer where they have asked for an outline of work, but it is not part of a formal bid process with other suppliers. As well as informal processes, it could also be that the supplier is approaching a prospective client on an unsolicited basis (known as an unsolicited proposal). There are therefore fewer formal requirements in informal and unsolicited proposal processes than with RFPs.

How can writing a business proposal help your company?

Using a business proposal template can help to streamline your bid process and, if used right, help you win business. Here are some ways in which writing a business proposal can help your business:

1. Professionalism - a well-written business proposal can deliver a sense of professionalism and competence to potential clients. It shows that you've done your research, understand their needs, and are committed to delivering the right results. This can be critical in creating a good first impression with clients, and developing long-lasting relationships. The process of creating a business proposal can also help you to clarify your business goals, strategies, and action plans, helping you get these points across to clients in an effective way.

2. Efficiency - using a business proposal template can streamline your sales and bid process. It will save your team time by providing a pre-designed framework that can be reused for different proposals. This will speed up your process as you don't have to start from scratch each time you create a new proposal, leaving you more time to focus on boosting your business in other ways.

3. Consistency - using a business proposal template will ensure consistency across your sales and bid team. It will mean that the team is aligned in the format, structure, and branding of your business proposals. This consistency can help to create a professional and polished image for your business, increasing your chances of winning work.

4. Adaptability - whilst Docue’s client proposal template provides a structured framework, it is also fully customisable. You can customise it to suit the unique needs and requirements of each proposal, tailoring the content while maintaining a consistent format. This means that you can produce a fully customised proposal for each client and demonstrate that you understand that particular client's needs;

5. Competitive advantage - a well-structured business proposal can set your business apart from competitors who may use less professional or consistent formats. In a competitive landscape, this can be key to helping your business win work and impress clients. A persuasive business proposal can showcase your expertise and outline how your products or services can meet the client's specific needs - this helps you stand out from competitors and can increase your chances of winning contracts or projects.

How can Docue help?

Docue’s business proposal template is easy to use and will allow you to create a customised business proposal in just minutes. Docue’s lawyer-drafted guidance notes are there to guide you through the process, so that your business can have a consistent and streamlined approach to its bid process. Once completed, you can store all of your business proposals (and other documents!) using Docue's secure storage feature.

Sign up now to use Docue's business proposal template.