Special reports and proposals
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This document provides guidance on how to write special reports and proposals to help advance one's career. It recommends using special reports to address common problems faced by organizations and professions, with benefits-oriented titles and a QEB format of question, example, and benefit. Proposals should research problems and trends, and follow a structure including a transmittal letter, executive summary, body, and summary. The goal is to position oneself as a consultant who can implement recommended solutions.
Special reports and proposals
- 1. HOW TO LAND YOUR DREAM JOB AND EXPAND YOUR LONG-TERM CAREER POTENTIAL KEN HICKS LINKEDIN.COM/IN/KENHICKS Special Reports and Proposals
- 3. Which Would You Rather Read?
- 4. Special Reports An ideal tool for professionals that: Have reached a career plateau Are under-employed May be in transition Are bored
- 5. Special Reports Based on Generic Problems: Organization Function Company Industry Profession Work Activity
- 6. Color and Graphics Grab Attention
- 7. Use a Benefits-Oriented Title Six Traps That IT Organizations Encounter: How to Beat the Competition The Five Biggest Business Analysis Errors and How to Avoid Them Gaining a Strategic IT Advantage: Five Practices to Master Five Ideas to Better Analysis That You’ll Wish You Would Have Thought Of
- 8. Outline Follow the Q. E. B. Format Question: the reader’s behavior around the Principle Ex.: Is confidential information being kept private? Explanation : describe the importance of the principle with examples Ex.: External consultants may deliberately or inadvertently reveal company secrets during benchmarking Benefit: advantage of implementing the idea Ex.: Employees have a vested interest in keeping confidences but external consultants may secretly share data with your competition
- 9. Use Charts, Diagrams, and Photos
- 10. Ending and Presentation About the Author Length Cover Binding Implementation Follow-up Is a Special Report right for me?
- 11. A PRACTICAL APPROACH TO ACTIVE CAREER MANAGEMENT Proposals
- 12. Act Like a Consultant Research Business Journals Look for problems Look for indicators of change Explore “What If” scenarios
- 13. Research Strategies NAICS Codes - Industries http://www.census.gov/eos/www/naics/ U.S. Census Bureau – Economic Data http://www.census.gov/ Reference USA database Company research Public library databases Professional associations Networking
- 14. Proposal Layout Don’t need a new concept Transmittal Letter Title Page Table of Contents Executive Summary First page The body Summary
- 15. Transmittal Letter Directed to the executive that is concerned about the issue Establish the subject quickly Proposal highlights Your conclusions Follow-up
- 16. Sample Transmittal Letter Template Dear Mr. or Mrs. _____: I am pleased to submit the following preliminary Proposal for __ in support of the ___ Project. Reflecting on the dynamic direction of ___ and the evolution of the ___ environment, I recommend _______ . ____ goal of being properly positioned to address the future of _____requires careful and thorough planning and analysis in the following areas: 1 2 Etc. I appreciate this opportunity to present my thoughts to you and I hope that this Proposal gives you a better idea of my ability. I am uniquely qualified to implement the recommendations presented in this Proposal. Please contact me if you have any questions or ideas you would like for me to explain.
- 17. Executive Summary One page May be the only part read Definition of the problem Sources used Highlights of findings and sources Conclusion
- 18. Table of Contents Contains headings and subheadings Page numbers Major heading on far left Indented subheadings for each level Is an outline
- 19. Page 1 Title at the top Contact information in the footer Introduces the Body Describes the problem Methods and sources Some repetition acceptable Font type and size Margins
- 20. The Body Avoid using “I” and “we” Minimize use of “author”, “writer”, “researcher” Write naturally about subjects in the order in which they occur Avoid ambiguous pronouns such as “She gave it to him”
- 21. Summary State the conclusion Number the conclusions Summarize the reasons
- 22. About the Author Brief description of qualifications Industry experience Education Clients or types of businesses Unique qualifications to implement the Proposal Contact information LinkedIn with Box.net application add-in
- 24. Thank You Mr. John Hall, Instructor Advanced Career Strategies Brandman University – Irvine Campus http://advancedcareerstrategies.com/
Editor's Notes
- #4: Kenneth M. Hicks [email_address] 25 Mariner Cove, Buena Park, CA 90621-1662 (714) 670-2711 Home (714) 403-7897 Cell Summary: Accomplished senior business systems analyst with notable achievements in process, business service, and system solution conceptualization, analysis, requirements definition, and delivery. Introduce products and services, mitigate risk, reduce expenditures, improve productivity, and increase revenue. Professional written and verbal communication at all levels, including executive management and vendors. MBA and BA Business Administration Strategic Planning and Implementation: nearly ten years experience preparing and managing Strategic Business Plans (five-year horizon) including projected Sales and Orders, Annual Operating Plans (one-year), Capital Plans valued to $117 million, Expenditure Plans (Budgets) valued to $28 million annually, Headcount Plans, and Long-Range Facilities plans for a 3,000-person division at Rockwell International's North American Aircraft Division, Satellite Systems Division, Space Transportation Division, and Corporate Offices. Created a facilities benchmark study that identified 1 million square feet of excess or underutilized facilities that resulted in savings of $150 million over a five-year period due to the closure of the El Segundo, California facilities Analysis: Formulation and Definition of System Scope and Objectives based on Business Unit Needs and Current Applications, Business Cases, Metrics, Key Performance Indicators, Process Workflows, Controls Design and Audit, Feasibility Studies, Gap Analysis, Staffing Models, Benchmark Studies, and Cost Benefit Analysis, Facilitate Requirement Gathering Sessions, Rational Requisite Pro, Micrografx Optima Workflow Simulation, Change Management and Issue Tracking Artifacts: Business Use Cases, Business Visions, Software Requirements Specifications, Supplementary Specifications, Requirements Management Matrices, and Activity Diagrams using Rational Requisite Pro, Microsoft Visio process workflows describing current and future states, Policies and Procedures, Training Materials and Instruction, Test Plans, Microsoft Word documents, Microsoft Excel workbooks, change management documentation KEY STRENGTHS Business Process Analysis and Improvement Change Management Analysis of User and Business Needs Microsoft Visio Process Workflows Strategic Business Plans COBIT and IT SOX Budgets and Variance Reporting Systems Scope and Objectives Meeting Facilitation and Presentations Root Cause Analysis Benchmark Studies Gap Analysis PROFESSIONAL HISTORY Financial Business Analyst Business Consultant, Information Technology Rose International Irvine, CA November 2008 to Present Client: Kaiser Permanente Business Planning Summarize and present project information clearly and effectively to enable business partners to make appropriate decisions Contribute to development of business cases from inception to approval Support development of vendor agreements by providing consultation to project teams
- #6: Kenneth M. Hicks [email_address] 25 Mariner Cove, Buena Park, CA 90621-1662 (714) 670-2711 Home (714) 403-7897 Cell Summary: Accomplished senior business systems analyst with notable achievements in process, business service, and system solution conceptualization, analysis, requirements definition, and delivery. Introduce products and services, mitigate risk, reduce expenditures, improve productivity, and increase revenue. Professional written and verbal communication at all levels, including executive management and vendors. MBA and BA Business Administration Strategic Planning and Implementation: nearly ten years experience preparing and managing Strategic Business Plans (five-year horizon) including projected Sales and Orders, Annual Operating Plans (one-year), Capital Plans valued to $117 million, Expenditure Plans (Budgets) valued to $28 million annually, Headcount Plans, and Long-Range Facilities plans for a 3,000-person division at Rockwell International's North American Aircraft Division, Satellite Systems Division, Space Transportation Division, and Corporate Offices. Created a facilities benchmark study that identified 1 million square feet of excess or underutilized facilities that resulted in savings of $150 million over a five-year period due to the closure of the El Segundo, California facilities Analysis: Formulation and Definition of System Scope and Objectives based on Business Unit Needs and Current Applications, Business Cases, Metrics, Key Performance Indicators, Process Workflows, Controls Design and Audit, Feasibility Studies, Gap Analysis, Staffing Models, Benchmark Studies, and Cost Benefit Analysis, Facilitate Requirement Gathering Sessions, Rational Requisite Pro, Micrografx Optima Workflow Simulation, Change Management and Issue Tracking Artifacts: Business Use Cases, Business Visions, Software Requirements Specifications, Supplementary Specifications, Requirements Management Matrices, and Activity Diagrams using Rational Requisite Pro, Microsoft Visio process workflows describing current and future states, Policies and Procedures, Training Materials and Instruction, Test Plans, Microsoft Word documents, Microsoft Excel workbooks, change management documentation KEY STRENGTHS Business Process Analysis and Improvement Change Management Analysis of User and Business Needs Microsoft Visio Process Workflows Strategic Business Plans COBIT and IT SOX Budgets and Variance Reporting Systems Scope and Objectives Meeting Facilitation and Presentations Root Cause Analysis Benchmark Studies Gap Analysis PROFESSIONAL HISTORY Financial Business Analyst Business Consultant, Information Technology Rose International Irvine, CA November 2008 to Present Client: Kaiser Permanente Business Planning Summarize and present project information clearly and effectively to enable business partners to make appropriate decisions Contribute to development of business cases from inception to approval Support development of vendor agreements by providing consultation to project teams
- #7: Kenneth M. Hicks [email_address] 25 Mariner Cove, Buena Park, CA 90621-1662 (714) 670-2711 Home (714) 403-7897 Cell Summary: Accomplished senior business systems analyst with notable achievements in process, business service, and system solution conceptualization, analysis, requirements definition, and delivery. Introduce products and services, mitigate risk, reduce expenditures, improve productivity, and increase revenue. Professional written and verbal communication at all levels, including executive management and vendors. MBA and BA Business Administration Strategic Planning and Implementation: nearly ten years experience preparing and managing Strategic Business Plans (five-year horizon) including projected Sales and Orders, Annual Operating Plans (one-year), Capital Plans valued to $117 million, Expenditure Plans (Budgets) valued to $28 million annually, Headcount Plans, and Long-Range Facilities plans for a 3,000-person division at Rockwell International's North American Aircraft Division, Satellite Systems Division, Space Transportation Division, and Corporate Offices. Created a facilities benchmark study that identified 1 million square feet of excess or underutilized facilities that resulted in savings of $150 million over a five-year period due to the closure of the El Segundo, California facilities Analysis: Formulation and Definition of System Scope and Objectives based on Business Unit Needs and Current Applications, Business Cases, Metrics, Key Performance Indicators, Process Workflows, Controls Design and Audit, Feasibility Studies, Gap Analysis, Staffing Models, Benchmark Studies, and Cost Benefit Analysis, Facilitate Requirement Gathering Sessions, Rational Requisite Pro, Micrografx Optima Workflow Simulation, Change Management and Issue Tracking Artifacts: Business Use Cases, Business Visions, Software Requirements Specifications, Supplementary Specifications, Requirements Management Matrices, and Activity Diagrams using Rational Requisite Pro, Microsoft Visio process workflows describing current and future states, Policies and Procedures, Training Materials and Instruction, Test Plans, Microsoft Word documents, Microsoft Excel workbooks, change management documentation KEY STRENGTHS Business Process Analysis and Improvement Change Management Analysis of User and Business Needs Microsoft Visio Process Workflows Strategic Business Plans COBIT and IT SOX Budgets and Variance Reporting Systems Scope and Objectives Meeting Facilitation and Presentations Root Cause Analysis Benchmark Studies Gap Analysis PROFESSIONAL HISTORY Financial Business Analyst Business Consultant, Information Technology Rose International Irvine, CA November 2008 to Present Client: Kaiser Permanente Business Planning Summarize and present project information clearly and effectively to enable business partners to make appropriate decisions Contribute to development of business cases from inception to approval Support development of vendor agreements by providing consultation to project teams