8/16/2019 1 Page Proposal

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Preparing a 1-Page ProposalOne of the most common questions I get asked by clients is how to present an idea to their manager or

colleagues. This could be anything from suggesting a new way of working to requesting nancial support for

a course or qualication. Whatever the reason there is a simple way to present your idea which also helps

you check and clarify what you want to do.

In the business work the 1-Page Proposal is a common tool used to present simple process changes or

suggest major business initiatives at board level. There are two main reasons they are so popular:

! They are quick to read. At work people rarely have the time to read a 20-page proposal and they will often

assume that there is irrelevant information (or ‘padding’) written to ll the space or impress others.

! A well written 1-Page Proposal means that the author has done their research, distilled the facts and

understands the topic more thoroughly. Please note - this applies to well written documents and not

something that has been edited to save space rather than thought through before the writing starts!

At its heart the 1-Page Proposal will sum up your proposal outlining the key facts. It should be wellresearched and written, targeted and compelling. It should also ‘follow a logical and organic progression of

thought and argument’ 1.

1. Hints on writing a 1-Page Proposal

! Write your proposal and edit ruthlessly . Although only 1-page it will take longer to write than you think.

! Use simple language - you are trying to engage people not impress them with your vocabulary.

! Test it on your family, friends and colleagues to make sure it reads well and that you can answer any

questions that could be asked.! As with any task the more often you do this the easier it gets! Practice rst on ideas that you would like to

see happen but will not be upset if the answer is no. Ask your manager for feedback and take notes. See

if it is possible for yo u to rewrite and represent a rejected idea - explain that you are not trying to change

their mind but learn how to present ideas more succinctly. If it is accepted - great!

2. Template for a 1-Page Proposal

Below is a template to help you to draft your 1-Page Proposal with the sections that you need to complete. I

have entered sample notes from which the proposal will be drafted.

! Title and Subtitle: this will summarise the entire proposal.

! Outline: identify the goals and outcome of the proposal.

! Rationale: highlight the benets for the organisation, team or individual(s) affected by your idea.

! Finance: detail any nancial cost to the organisation and potential savings or prot that will be made. You

do not need to be exact but it will show that you understand the nancial drivers of the organisation.

! Status: provide information in how things are at the moment and what the potential cost would be if the

proposal is not taken the proposal forward. This is not the nancial cost but the affect on the operation of

the business.

! Action: outline what steps need to be taken and within what timescales. You do not need a detailed project

plan but show that you understand the possible disruption to the business if the idea is taken forward.

11 Patrick G. Riley, The One Page Proposal.

8/16/2019 1 Page Proposal

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Section Notes

Title and Subtitle: Keep thissimple but in a way that will catchthe eye of the reader

Improving email and written correspondence to our customers

A proposal for a Business Writing Course for the Customer ServiceTeam

Outline : goals and outcomes - All the customer service team (12) attend a business writing course- Tailor an off the shelf course for our business.

- Train the Team Leader (or another team member or HR) to run thecourse as part of the induction for new staff

Rationale: who benets and inwhat way

- Team members better skilled - improves job satisfaction

- Reduces Team Leaders time spent on checking mail - will then befree to work on new customer implementation projects

- Improves customer service / customer relations due to betterquality of correspondence.

Finance: Cost to implement andpotential savings or increase inincome (if any). Keep this to 3-6lines maximum.

£750 cost of bespoke course (2 needed)

£?? reduction in stafng cost as new customer implementation costsmanaged within the team

£?? saved in staff turnover

Status: Current status andpossible implications if proposalnot taken forward.

Team Leader has to check all letters and emails that are not one ofthe standard letters. Team members are not happy - slows workloadcausing backlogs and is demoralising.

Due to changes in system and new clients there are more ad hocletters and emails than before.

Team Leader now spending more time on checking letters andunable to work on more critical work.

If not adopted:

- Team and Team Leader will continue to be demotivated

- Staff turnover could increase- Customers not happy with increasing response delays

Action: Steps and timescales 1. Source training course: 2 weeks

2. Develop course to our requirements: 3 weeks

3. Run training course: (2 dates) 2-4 weeks

4. Assess impact and amend course if necessary: 2 months

This information would then be turned into a 1-Page Document. If you are not sure about the best way to dothis take a look at Writing Documents® .

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