Week 4

Business plan/Proposal
Writing report and
CV/Resume writing
 Business Plan
Business proposals are documents designed to make a persuasive appeal to the audience to achieve a
defined outcome, often proposing a solution to a problem.

Effective business proposals are built around a great idea or solution. While you may be able to present
your normal product, service, or solution in an interesting way, you want your document and its
solution to stand out against the background of competing proposals

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Business Proposal Format
 Ethos, Pathos, and Logos
Ethos refers to credibility, pathos to passion and enthusiasm, and logos to logic or
reason. All three elements are integral parts of your business proposal that require
your attention.
(Question of Credibility)Who are you and why should we do business with you?
Passion and enthusiasm are not only communicated through “!” exclamation points.
Your thorough understanding, and your demonstration of that understanding,
communicates dedication and interest.
Each assertion requires substantiation, each point clear support. It is not enough to
make baseless claims about your product or service—you have to show why the
claims you make are true, relevant, and support your central assertion that your
product or service is right for this client.
 Two Types of Business Proposals
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If you have been asked to submit a proposal it is considered solicited. The solicitation
may come in the form of a direct verbal or written request, but normally solicitations are
indirect, open-bid to the public, and formally published for everyone to see.
A request for proposal (RFP), request for quotation (RFQ), and invitation for bid (IFB)
are common ways to solicit business proposals for business, industry, and the
government.
RFPs typically specify the product or service, guidelines for submission, and evaluation
criteria. RFQs emphasize cost, though service and maintenance may be part of the
solicitation. IRBs are often job-specific in that they encompass a project that requires a
timeline, labor, and materials.
 Two Types of Business Proposals
2. Unsolicited
Unsolicited proposals are the “cold calls” of business writing.
They require a thorough understanding of the market, product
and/or service, and their presentation is typically general rather
than customer-specific.
Unsolicited proposals are often regarded as marketing materials,
intended more to stimulate interest for a follow-up contact than
make direct sales
 Report
Reports are documents designed to record and convey information to the reader. Reports are part of
any business or organization; from credit reports to police reports, they serve to document specific
information for specific audiences, goals, or functions
Sometimes they simply “report the facts” with no analysis at all, but still need to communicate the
information in a clear and concise format. Other reports summarize past events, present current data,
and forecast future trends. While a report may have conclusions, propositions, or even a call to action,
the demonstration of the analysis is the primary function. A sales report, for example, is not designed
to make an individual sale. It is, however, supposed to report sales to date, and may forecast future
sales based on previous trends. This chapter is designed to introduce you to the basics of report
writing.
Reports come in all sizes, but are typically longer than a page and somewhat shorter than a book. The
type of report depends on its function
Reports vary by function, and they also vary by style and tradition. Within your organization, there
may be employer-specific expectations that need to be addressed to meet audience expectations.
 Types of Reports
Informational or Analytical Report?
An informational report informs or instructs and presents details of events, activities, individuals, or
conditions without analysis. An example of this type of “just the facts” report is a police accident report.
The report will note the time, date, place, contributing factors like weather, and identification information
for the drivers involved in an automobile accident. It does not establish fault or include judgmental
statements.
An analytical report presents information with a comprehensive analysis to solve problems,
demonstrate relationships, or make recommendations. An example of this report may be a field report by
a Center for Disease Control (CDC) physician from the site of an outbreak of the H1N1 virus, noting
symptoms, disease progression, steps taken to arrest the spread of the disease, and to make
recommendations on the treatment and quarantine of subjects
Types of Reports and Their Functions
 How Are Reports Organized?
Reports are typically organized around six key elements:
1. Whom the report is about and/or prepared for
2. What was done, what problems were addressed, and the results,
including conclusions and/or recommendations
3. Where the subject studied occurred
4. When the subject studied occurred
5. Why the report was written (function), including under what authority,
for what reason, or by whose request
6. How the subject operated, functioned, or was used
 A typical Format of Report
1. Title Page 2. Executive Summary
•A concise summary of the entire report, including the main purpose, key
Report Title findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
Author(s) •Should be brief but comprehensive, allowing the reader to understand the
essence of the report without reading the whole document.
Date of
Submission
Organization or
Department (if 3. Table of Contents
applicable) •Lists the sections of the report with
corresponding page numbers.
•Includes a list of tables and figures (if
applicable).
 A typical Format of Report
5. Main Body
4. Introduction •Section Headings: Divide the content into
Background: The context or sections that are clearly labeled. Each section
background of the report. should address a key point or theme.
Purpose: The aim of the report •Subsections: Use subsections to organize
and what it seeks to achieve. detailed information effectively.
Scope: An outline of what the •Analysis/Findings: Present the results of
report will cover and what it will your research, analysis, or investigation. Use
not. tables, charts, and diagrams if needed.
Methodology: A brief overview •Discussion: Interpret the findings, discuss
of how the information was their implications, and explore how they
gathered (e.g., surveys, data relate to the main purpose of the report.
analysis).
 A typical Format of Report
6. Conclusions 8. References/Bibliography
•Summarize the main findings and the •A list of all sources used to gather
outcomes of your analysis. information, formatted according to a
•Should not introduce new information. specific citation style.
7. Recommendations 9. Appendices (if necessary)
•Provide actionable suggestions based on •Include supplementary information,
the findings and conclusions. such as raw data, detailed calculations,
•Outline how these recommendations can or additional background material that
be implemented. supports the report but is not essential
to the main content.
 Tips for Writing an Effective Executive Summary
•Be Concise: An executive summary should be no longer than 10% of the total
length of the full document, usually 1–2 pages.
•Use Clear and Simple Language: Avoid jargon and complex language. Make
sure the summary is easy to understand for readers with varying levels of
expertise.
•Focus on Key Points: Only include essential information. Leave out details
and background information that are not critical to understanding the main
points.
•Use Bullet Points and Headings: Organize the summary for easy navigation,
especially if it covers multiple findings or recommendations.
•Tailor to the Audience: Consider the needs and interests of the target
audience, and emphasize the aspects most relevant to them.
•Ensure It Stands Alone: The executive summary should make sense
independently. A reader should not need to refer to the full document to
understand the summary’s content.
Cover Letter

A cover letter is a crucial document accompanying your resume when

applying for a job. It serves as a personalized introduction, highlighting
your relevant skills and experiences, and demonstrating your
enthusiasm for the specific role and company. Tailoring your cover
letter to each job is essential for showcasing your suitability and
motivation to potential employers
Key Components of a Compelling Cover Letter
•Introduction:
Briefly introduce yourself, mention the specific job you're applying for, and
express your interest in the opportunity.
•Relevant Skills and Experience:
Highlight your key qualifications and accomplishments that directly align
with the job requirements.
•Enthusiasm and Motivation:
Showcase your genuine interest in the company and the specific role,
explaining why you're a good fit.
•Call to Action:
Clearly state your desire for an interview and provide your contact
information.
 Resume/Curriculum Vitae(CV)
A résumé is a document that summarizes your education, skills, talents, employment
history, and experiences in a clear and concise format for potential employers. The
résumé serves three distinct purposes that define its format, design, and presentation:
1. To represent your professional information in writing
2. To demonstrate the relationship between your professional information and the
problem or challenge the potential employer hopes to solve or address, often
represented in the form of a job description or duties
3. To get you an interview by clearly demonstrating you meet the minimum
qualifications and have the professional background help the organization meet its
goals
Types of Resume
Structure of a CV/Recume
1. Header/Personal Information
2. Personal Statement/Professional Summary
A brief section (2-4 sentences) summarizing your background, skills,
and career goals.
Tailor this to each position you apply for, highlighting your key
strengths and what you bring to the role.
3. Education
4. Professional Experience (Job Title, Organization, Location,
Dates of Employment)
5. Skills
 Structure of a CV /Resume
6. Certifications and Training (if applicable)
7. Research Experience (for academic or research-focused CVs)
Project Title, Institution, Dates
8. Publications and Presentations (if applicable)
9. Professional Affiliations (if applicable)
10. Awards and Honors
11. Volunteer Experience (if relevant) mentioning the Role, Organization,
Date
12. Languages (if applicable) with fluency level
13. References
Sample Format for
Functional Résumé
Sample Format for
Scannable Résumé