Reflective Writing
For my Business 2200 Communications class I was required to create a Request for a Proposal. Even though this was a required assignment, I found myself really enjoying the assignment as if it was not required. Each class member was to create a proposal for research within a local company or non-profit organization. We were then to give a short presentation to present our ideas and persuade the classmates. My proposal was voted the top project along with two others. I worked with a team of four other members to implement my proposal. I learned so much and I am thankful I had the opportunity to be involved with this class. From this assignment, the most important thing I improved was my public speaking and presenting skills. If I was to say one thing before I started this class it would be, “I am not afraid of anything in the world, but speaking in public”, now I can successfully say I have accomplished my fears. All I need now is to keep practicing and I will be able to speak naturally in front of people. This class gave me the skills and knowledge I need to keep improving. I have gained a great feeling of accomplishment with this assignment. Not only do I feel like I have improved my business communication skills but also my personal skills. I learned how to think critically and creatively about the group project and what it will involve. I learned how to successfully create a project proposal and how to persuade my target audience. I am now knowledgeable on how to create a sales pitch and present it. I was effective managing a team of four and and successfully creating a Managerial Report and a final presentation with our results.
My request for proposal is shown below:
Memorandum
To: Business 2200 Colleagues
From: Amie Bergstrom
Date: 11/30/2014
Subject: Request for Proposal
Overview
My focus of this proposal is to help Whitegauges.net create a wholesale system or recommendations that will allow the company to move away from eBay and Amazon and more towards wholesale customer based. This will help the students learn what is involved with all aspects of the communication and sales level start to finish.
Research questions
We need to learn how to communicate on a more professional sales level and less on the computer online level. How can Whitegauges set up a system to more efficiently sell to bigger clients as wholesale?
Rationale
Learning how to put together, research and come up with recommendations will help the students learn all processes involved step by step. During the process we will see how communication skills, organization skills, and computer skills are involved in order to draw in clients and acquire wholesale accounts. We will also be able to put in play all aspects of effective communication skills. Whitegauges.net will benefit from new ideas and be able to get a head start on the wholesale process.
Feasibility
I found a website that contains tips on how to set up wholesale accounts: http://www.sba.gov/blogs/tips-finding-and-working-wholesale-suppliers, this website as some good ideas on where to start. Also I have the primary research for the company that was done originally but needs updating. All the primary research is included with the packet details. I spoke with the owner of Whitegauges and he is willing to help us with any resources we may need.
Materials and Methods
As a team, we will decided what methods are the most important to create a wholesale program. It could be fliers, the wholesale packet, a sales pitch, targeting strategies, a computer database program, adding information to the website and so on. The company is willing to let us have access to the information we need.
Personnel
I work at whitegauges and have a direct connection with the owner and the employees at the company. I will work with the owner and the team to make sure the team has all the resources and information that is needed in order to come up with the best plan. Three to Four team members should be able to tackle this project. Some ideas to research and improve would be:
Improving the wholesale process step by step
• Ideas to improve the wholesale flier and packet
• Ideas to improve the sales pitch
• How to target wholesale clients
• What clients to target first
• How to generate a database to keep track of clients targeted
• How to follow up with wholesale clients after contacted
Time Frame
1. Week one: decided a step by step process and how we are going to tackle the process
2. Week two: Begin by working on what the team has decided would be the most beneficial
3. Week three: Come up with all ideas on paper and in presentation
4. Week Four: Review, proofread and make any changes.
Hurdles
This project will be difficult to put together unless we work as a team to come up with ideas. All team members need to share their ideas and be involved in the project. The best way to do this is to make sure each team member is involved and knows what is expected as an individual and as a group.
