Overview
The Proposal This is a minimum 1,500-word proposal on an idea of your choosing
Title Page
Introduction
Background or Problem Statement
Timetable
Budget
Benefits
Conclusion (with a call to action)
This is ideally a team-written assignment. Frame your proposal around an idea that you could actually see yourself/yourselves pitching one day to a tourism-related company, a small business owner, the loans officer at your bank, or an angel investor. Keep in mind that your proposal is intended to persuade someone to give you the money and resources to make your idea happen. The proposal therefore must be written for a specific real-life individual, someone in the position to make a decision, not a junior employee, at the real-life organization of your choice. For example, a proposal to incorporate 2SLGBTQIA+ wedding packages into the Pemberton Valley Lodge’s special offerings would be directed to David MacKenzie, owner and general manager of the lodge.
Your proposal must contain all the facts the decision-maker will need to know before he or she gives you an answer (including credible research). Include appeals to logic, emotion and authority to make your argument even more compelling. See reverse of this handout for more details on what should be included in each of the sections listed above. Please format the proposal using the subheads listed above in bold. Point form writing is acceptable in for the Timetable and Budget sections. You proposed idea must not cost your target organization more than $30,000.
Please be sure to use at least two (2) academic or credible sources to strengthen your proposal.
ORGANIZE THE PROPOSAL USING THESE SUBHEADINGS
Title Page
The title of your proposal, centered and in bold at the top
Submitted to: name, job title and name of organization of your recipient (a real person!)
Submitted by: your name(s)
Date: Friday, October 13, 2023
Introduction
In two to three sentences, explain who you are, what you are proposing, and why. What will your role(s) in the project be?
Background or Problem Statement
What situation does your organization currently find itself in that has prompted you to write this proposal? In one or two sentences, define and describe the problem your proposal will solve, or the opportunity your proposal will advantage of. For example: “Pemberton Valley Lodge’s current accommodation packages do not include weddings. Specifically, there is a strong market for affordable 2SLBGTQIA+-friendly destination wedding locations, and PVL is well positioned to take advantage of this given its proximity to Vancouver and Whistler.”
Proposed Plan
Describe your idea in detail. For example: “I am proposing that Pemberton Valley Lodge’s incorporate a wedding package to attract 2SLGBTQIA+ couples and their friends and families. It would include an on-site ceremony and reception, accommodation and add-on tours such as fishing and hiking for interested guests.” You would then offer much more detail on this package (available when, how many guests, what other amenities are included such as a wedding planner, caterer, etc.), and you must also identify the target audience for your new tourism business, activity or service. What is the age range, and household income of your target customer? Are they residents of B.C. or visitors? Provide as much demographic information as possible on the prospective clientele for your idea.
Your plan must include some goals and objectives. A goal can be abstract and not measurable, such as increasing public awareness or generating goodwill in the community. An objective must be concrete and measurable, such as a % increase in revenue or bookings, or one story in the Vancouver Sun travel section, or 100 Likes on Facebook, 100 new followers on Instagram or Twitter, or adding 100 new subscribers to the organization’s online newsletter. This is an area where credible research will support your ideas.
Timetable
When will your project be up and running (implementation date)?
Is there a prototype or test phase? How long will that be, and when will it take place?
Budget/Anticipated Costs
Personnel – if new staff must be hired, what will they be paid?
Equipment costs – are you renting or buying?
Facilities costs – rent, for example, or renovating an existing space belonging to the company
Marketing and advertising costs
Plus, use this section to explain what you will charge the public if your idea is to offer a new product or service.
Benefits
As a result of implementing your idea, what are the additional benefits for your company or organization? Examples: increased public awareness, goodwill generated within local community, reduction of carbon footprint, better use of existing resources, better public safety, positive media coverage, etc. Use persuasive writing techniques to convince the decision-maker that your idea is workable, affordable, relatively easy to implement, and will benefit the company or organization in various ways, not just financially. Include an appeal to logic, an appeal to emotion, and if possible, an appeal to authority. You may wish to use research here to support your claims.
Conclusion
Restate the problem/opportunity described in the introduction. Restate why your proposal solves that problem or makes the most of that opportunity. Create confidence that you are capable of making this proposal come to life. End on a positive note with a call to action. What should happen next? Will you follow up with an email or phone call or meeting?
| Proper formatting of proposal, with title page and subheadings | 2 marks | |
| Introduction & Background/Problem Statement: summarized problem or opportunity; explained purpose of proposal; identified your role | 3 marks | |
| Proposed Plan: described idea in sufficient detail; included goals and objectives; identified target audience for this new business, activity or service. | 6 marks | |
| Timetable and Budget: Included a reasonable start date. Identified all costs associated with proposal; offered reasonable estimate of costs, no higher than $30,000 in total. Explained what you will charge the public. | 2 marks | |
| Benefits & Conclusion: how will the organization benefit from your proposal? What should happen next (call to action)? | 2 marks | |
| Used persuasive writing style, incorporating appeals to logic, authority and emotion | 5 marks | |
| Correct grammar, punctuation, spelling, word choice, syntax, sentence variety, and positive language. | 5 marks | |
| TOTAL | out of 25 | /25 |