13.8 End of Chapter Activities
13a. Thinking About the Content
What are your key takeaways from this chapter? What is something you have learned or something you would like to add from your experience?
13b. Discussion Questions
Discussion Questions
- Have you ever written a proposal? If yes, what were the sections you included?
- Search for an RFP (request for proposal) or similar call to bid, and post it to your class. Compare the results with your classmates, focusing on what is required to apply or bid.
- Identify a product or service you would like to produce or offer. List three companies that you would like to sell your product or service to and learn more about them. Post your findings, making the link between your product or service and company needs. You may find the Web site on creating a business plan (https://www.scu.edu/mobi/business-courses/starting-a-business/session-2-the-business-plan/#3) useful when completing this exercise.
13c. Applying chapter concepts to a situation
Proposing a new software
Nate was recently hired at the Green Grocers Supermarket as a part-time cashier. He only does the evening shifts as he has classes in the day time and wants to avoid having any conflicts in his schedule. A part of his daily duties includes balancing the cash register drawer at the end of his shift. When his colleagues do the evening shift, they have to complete this task as well.
The owner of the supermarket is concerned as she notices that the cashiers are struggling to balance the drawer some evenings. She tries to resolve this issue as inaccurate information is affecting the reliability of the record-keeping process.
Nate is aware of a free software that the cashiers can use to complete their cash register balancing task. This software can save time, eliminate human error and store worksheets digitally instead of having the team file hard copies each day. He shares this idea with his boss who tells him to submit it as a written proposal instead.
Write an executive summary outlining what Nate’s proposal to his boss will include.
13d. Writing Activity
Watch this video from TED.com on Dance vs. PowerPoint, a modest proposal. Summarize the video. What do you think of this idea of using dance instead of a “boring” PowerPoint? Would it work in a business setting, why or why not?