2 Responses

1. Not a template as such…..

   I don't have a template as such, but I hope the following will be useful…

   Sections as follows:

   Understanding the business need: Start off by summarising the conversation you've had with the business about what is required (essentially your learning needs analysis). This will make it plain to your stakeholders your understanding of what they've asked for.

   Proposal details: As brief or detailed as you think is necessary. Give details of your plan, making sure that you make links between topics and stakeholder requirements; explain how a particular intervention will meet participants' objectives etc.  Often with a leadership programme the exact content is ill defined – I'd want to leave some sections for your participants to add content that they are interested in.

   Support required: You can't pull this off without support from the business! Make sure you specify what the business needs to do to in order for your learning intervention to be successful.  Typically, I've found this to include line managers following up with the new first line leaders, showing an interest in their progress and providing opportunities for them to put the skills they've learned into practice. You may need other support such as budget, time, other people to be involved to provide specific content etc.

   Anything else: This might include your intention to evaluate the intervention and how you might achieve this; any areas where the requirements are not yet fully defined; anything you will not be including.

   Give yourself plenty of time for review and consultation with your stakeholders.

   Good luck!

    

    

2. Training Proposal

   The bids I make for business – usually training stuff but sometimes policy consultancy or work projects – generally follow a set template into which I can insert the tailored scripts for the potential customer. My bids tend to be a mixture of editorial and advertorial;-

   Editorial – the tailored script and some generic stuff-me writing about me

   Advertorial – links to website/testimonials –other people writing about me

    

   My 15 Template headings cover:-

   1. Understanding of clients instructions
   2. A profile of the course or work programme proposed with indicative content
   3. My training/consultancy method and style
   4. My specialist  experience in the  type of training/consultancy being sought with any “unique” or “distinctive” knowledge/ability sets
   5. What precisely I  will need from the customer in terms of specific instructions and/or resources
   6. My  availability to do the work –usually a three month time span
   7. Clear breakdown of costings for design and delivery of the training course or project
   8. Terms and conditions for prompt payment including my inclusive 12 month after care service-with a signal that formal contracts will be drawn up in the event of success
   9. Quality assurance mechanisms and service delivery indicators
   10. Clear date on the proposal with an indication as to how long the proposal is valid  in terms of time scale
   11. Testimonials and/or signposts towards other clients for references
   12. A list of other training courses/consultancy projects that can be undertaken- an offer to send the full portfolio
   13. An offer of at least one “freebie” related to the training course or project work irrespective of whether or not I land the contract
   14. Commitment to key policies/issues such as equality and diversity, dignity at work, environmental impact etc. etc
   15. Signpost to my website and free monthly newsletter