One of the most difficult challenges for any Proposal Writer is to figure out what the buyer is really interested in. Is it cost? Is it value-for-money? Is it innovation? Maybe it's a combination of factors. Think of each RFP as a set of requirements that you, the bidder, have to answer for … [Read more...]
The Warren Buffet Guide to Persuasive Business Writing
September 20, 2010 by
“For more than forty years, I’ve studied the documents that public companies file. Too often, I’ve been unable to decipher just what is being said or, worse yet, had to conclude that nothing was being said. If corporate lawyers and their clients follow the advice in this handbook, my life is going … [Read more...]
How to Fix Corrupt & Damaged Microsoft Word Documents – Part 2
September 8, 2010 by
Last week we showed you how Bullet Lists can crash MS Word. We outlined some techniques to reduce the file size, mostly by creating pre-formatted bullet lists in advance. But what happens if you're given a User Guide that's already bloated to massive proportions. It's too late to create new styles … [Read more...]
4 Step Formula for Better Business Proposals
August 30, 2010 by
One of the secrets to writing successful proposals is to write the proposals backwards. Ok, I don’t mean line by line backwards. What I mean is identify the problems first and then write the proposal to address these problems. I've been reading Business Proposals for a client all week (I assess … [Read more...]
Can Tai Chi Make You a Better Proposal Writer?
June 29, 2010 by
I spend 10 hours a day writing proposals, business reports and other documents. One of the hazards of working these long hours is migraine, back pain and (literally) a pain in the neck. You can get away with this in your 20s, but as you get older you need to take greater care of your health. I … [Read more...]
The Secret of Warren Buffett’s Writing Style
June 28, 2010 by
What I like about Warren Buffets Annual Reports is that he says so much with so few words. And loses nothing in the process. For those of us who make a living writing business documents there are a few lessons to be learnt here. Why The Executive Summary is Important The Executive Summary of any … [Read more...]
17 Ways to Write 75 Emails a Day
June 27, 2010 by
As someone who runs their own company, lost time is lost money. And, it’s no different if you work for someone else. Lost time = lost money. Every minute counts. ‘Help me answer every email in the same biz day!’ I got this from a good friend a while back and this is what I wrote back to … [Read more...]
Can She Lead? Are Women Better Managers Than Men?
June 17, 2010 by
The Harvard Business Review asks What the U.S. Can Learn From Europe About Gender Equality in the Workplace, and then Can She Lead? These articles raise the sensitive issue of: whether women make good bosses, want to be bosses and (slightly controversially), will men support … [Read more...]
Sherlock Holmes Guide to Finding Hidden Styles in Microsoft Word 2007?
June 13, 2010 by
Sandra wants to know where is the Styles menu option in Microsoft Word 2007. She wants to update her new business plan and add Notes, Messages, Quotes and other pre-formatted styles. The Styles in Microsoft Word 2003 and 2007 seem to be different. She’s right. The Microsoft Word user … [Read more...]
Kate Winslet’s 7 Smart Ways to Read Business Proposals
June 9, 2010 by
What can Kate Winslet teach you about proof-reading Business Proposals? Watch the movie The Reader and it will make sense. If she was writing this blog, she’d probably say: “Don’t do it all at once! One of the biggest mistakes you can make when revising any business proposal, is to do it all in one … [Read more...]