A proposal is persuasive communication that argues for work that needs to be done and the person or people who will do it; proposals offer a method to find information, evaluate something new, solve a problem, or implement a change. Proposals vary widely. They can be as short as an elevator pitch or as long as a formal report. They can be delivered in an oral presentation, like on the TV show Shark Tank, or by uploading a written document.

At their core, proposals have three component parts:

Problem$/$Opportunity

Solution

Qualifications

The three basic parts are common across all proposals and each of the three components must persuade the target audience of each point in turn$$that a problem or opportunity exists, that you know the potential solution, and that you are the person $($or group of people$)$ to implement it$.$ Doubts arising from any of the three parts can result in rejection.

This activity is important because it will give you an opportunity to brainstorm and plan elements of a proposal.

The goal of this activity is to demonstrate your ability to apply the learning objectives from chapter $12.$

Read the case and answer the questions that follow.

Lotte$$s family has been in the chocolate business for generations. Her grandfather moved here from the old country over a hundred years ago to open his own business, Sunny Chocolates, while his brothers remained behind working the family business there. The branches of the family continue to work together today$$they use the same recipes and coordinate new products.

Lotte opened her own branch of the family$$s chocolate business over ten years ago and was quite successful until the COVID$-19$ pandemic severely restricted business for many months. Lotte immediately adapted her business plan to include delivery, which her loyal clientele eagerly made use of and kept her in business. With a few financial sacrifices on behalf of her and her employees, Lotte was able to keep everyone employed and keep their health benefits but the reduction in pay was scary and frustrating for all.

Lotte has decided to learn from this experience and diversify her business plan to not rely solely on in$-$house sales and foot traffic for income. More specifically, she would like to sell her chocolates to the local grocery store that is part of a large regional chain.

What kind of proposal should Lotte write?

Multiple Choice

grant proposal

business plan

topic proposal

sales proposal