The Persuasive Business Proposal and Presentation
Assignment Specifics
You will need to identify and research a problem or concern within the business world that needs solved (Contact me before beginning the assignment to let me know what the nerd is going to pick.) Examples of this may be:
Problems within an individual business or organization. This can be anything business communication related. Marketing issues, ineffective use of social media, poor advertising, ineffective training and development, employee issues with the Self, poor leadership, harassment issues, and more.
Problems within an industry as a whole.
A change in business strategy that would be a major benefit to a business.
Something that is missing within a business or organization that needs implemented.
You will then need to conduct a thorough organizational analysis. You will research in depth either the business/organization itself, or industry. Conduct an organizational audit to identify: (Analysis should be a minimum of 3 pages)
Organizational analysis (structure, culture, mission/vision/values)
The problem (what is happening in this specific business that needs changed)
Who and/or what is causing the problem, and who/what is being affected?
Include specific data or research to support your proposal that this problem needs fixed.
Due to the ongoing pandemic and possible restrictions by outside businesses, you may do this:
Conduct thorough research into a well-known business or industry problem. This will require much more in-depth research since you may not have access. Three sources required at a minimum.
Once complete, you will create and prepare the following:
In-depth Persuasive Proposal Report (see below: Report)
At least one Data Visualization is required and must be your own creation.
Persuasive Outline (see below: Persuasive outline)
The outline needs enough information to speak on for (6-8 minutes at a normal talking pace.)
You will determine your audience for this presentation, and as such, your presentation should be tailored to persuading that particular audience.
The goal is to showcase how to thoroughly research a problem, present a well-supported solution and benefits, and how to take information from a formal report to transform into a persuasive presentation that utilizes influential methods to seek to gain support.
Report
You will be tasked with writing a Formal Persuasive Business Report. You should have the following sections present in this report. Follow all Report formatting guidelines we have learned so far. (Reminders will be provided at the end of the document). The report should have a minimum of FIVE SCHOLARLY sources. (Peer reviewed; Business, Communication journals OR related research journals that connect to the topic. Industry-related research that is from a major, credible business organization. DO NOT use obscure websites.)
Report Sections
Title Page (pg. 1)
Executive Summary (pg. 2)
Introduction (begins on pg. 3)
Background or Current Situation (choose most relevant to your proposal)
Proposal (who, what, when, where, why, how, all relevant details. You will need to use subheaders here for more breakdown; consider what your main points of the proposal will be.)
Costs (can be quantifiable in $, human capital, or can be other such as time.)
Benefits
Implementation
Conclusion
References (start on separate page, should be final page)
The body of your report (Introduction through Conclusion) should be a minimum of 5-6 pages. Remember this does not include the Title Page, Executive Summary, or References.
Assignment Tips
Report
Your report should contain the sections listed above in the document. In addition, please remember the following.
Reports should be single space. Use line breaks in between headings and paragraphs, and between paragraphs.
Do not indent report paragraphs.
APA citations are required. Use either the in-text citations (author last name, year of publication), OR the footnote method (add APA citation on bottom of page in footnote).
Do not “toss in quotes”; in general direct quotations should only be used for specific, detailed information. If using a quote, always make sure to debrief it; explain what it means and/or why it is applicable.
Only third person POV should be used.
If your message is potentially negative, follow the guidelines for presenting negative messages in proposals. If your message is positive, do the same for positive messages.
Grammar and spelling are essential. Follow the basic rules of writing.
Persuasive Outline
Your presentation should be based on a Persuasive outline. Adapt your report to fit the persuasive outline guidelines.
Introduction, three main points (possibly four-five), and a conclusion should be included.
Main points should clearly follow a persuasive organizational pattern.
Problem-Solution, Problem-Cause-Solution, Problem-Solution-Solution 2 (comparative Advantages), Compare-Contrast-Solution, Monroe’s Motivated Sequence (five main points)
Introduction needs to have the same five components
Attention Getter, Relevance Statement, Credibility, Thesis, Preview
Relevance should be tailored to the audience you are speaking to
Conclusion should have four components
Review, Summary, Call to Action, Memorable Close
Sources need to be verbally cited
“According to AUTHORS in the article TITLE, published in PUBLICATON on DATE…”
Speech absolutely may use first and/or second person POV. Speak to your audience!
Persuasive methods are clear and present.
Speaker utilizes all three elements of Ethos, Logos, and Pathos
Speaker utilizes several methods of persuasion
Speaker is clear of fallacies and inflammatory remarks
Speaker supports claims with direct evidence from scholarly sources
Speaker utilizes a variety of support to connect to all listeners and provides a need to act
Avoid generalizations (most people/most businesses feel that…) without support. Avoid generic phrases (studies show, the data shows that…) without specific information to support.