Managed IT Services Proposal Writer Onboarding

Introduce the new team member to the company and team. Provide information about the company's history, mission, values, and culture. Highlight key team members and departments. Discuss the team's role in delivering managed IT services.

Provide an overview of the company's IT services and products. Explain the value they provide to clients and how they align with current market trends. Discuss any unique selling points or competitive advantages the company has in the industry.

Familiarize the new team member with the proposal writing process. Explain the steps involved, from initial client contact to final proposal submission. Discuss the importance of clear and concise writing, attention to detail, and meeting deadlines.

Study previous successful proposals to gain an understanding of the company's standards and best practices. Analyze the structure, writing style, visuals, and overall effectiveness of the proposals. Identify key elements that contributed to their success.

Familiarize yourself with the company's style guide and proposal templates. Understand the preferred writing style, formatting guidelines, branding requirements, and visual elements used in the proposals. Review the different types of templates available and their intended use.

Provide training on the use of proposal software tools used by the company. Familiarize the new team member with the features and functionalities of the tools, including document creation, collaboration, version control, and proposal tracking. Ensure the team member is comfortable using the software tools.

Assign a mentor to the new team member to provide guidance and support throughout their onboarding process. The mentor should be an experienced proposal writer who can share best practices, answer questions, and provide feedback on the team member's work.

Explain the proposal evaluation criteria used by the company. Discuss the key factors considered when evaluating proposals, such as clarity of writing, alignment with client needs, feasibility of implementation, and cost-effectiveness. Provide examples of how the evaluation criteria are applied in practice.

Introduce the new team member to the company's clients and technology partners. Provide an overview of the key clients the company works with, their industries, and the IT services provided. Discuss the importance of building strong relationships with clients and technology partners for proposal development.

Provide training on understanding and responding to Requests for Proposals (RFPs). Explain the purpose of RFPs, the key elements to look for, and the process of crafting a winning proposal in response to an RFP. Discuss the importance of thorough research and tailoring proposals to meet client requirements.

Review the company's product specifications and pricing to gain a thorough understanding of the offerings. Analyze the features and benefits of the products, their technical specifications, and pricing models. Familiarize yourself with any pricing tools or calculators used by the company.

Discuss the importance of meeting proposal submission deadlines and the consequences of missing them. Review the company's procedures for managing proposal submission deadlines, including assigning responsibility, setting milestones, and monitoring progress. Identify potential challenges and establish strategies for meeting deadlines.

Provide training on coordinating with Sales, Engineering, and Support teams for proposal development. Explain the roles and responsibilities of each team during the proposal development process. Emphasize the importance of effective communication, collaboration, and coordination to ensure proposal success.

Explain the process of proposal follow-ups to the new team member. Discuss the importance of timely follow-ups, the different methods of follow-up (e.g., phone calls, emails, meetings), and the purpose of each follow-up. Provide examples of successful follow-ups and their impact on proposal outcomes.

Demonstrate the process of proposal drafting to the new team member. Walk them through the steps involved in structuring and writing a proposal. Provide examples of well-written proposals from the company's portfolio. Allow the team member to practice drafting a proposal under guidance and provide feedback for improvement.

Provide training on the application of project management principles in proposal development. Discuss the key project management concepts, such as scope definition, resource allocation, risk management, and timeline estimation. Illustrate how these principles can enhance proposal planning, execution, and control.

Conduct a practice session for the new team member to write a sample proposal. Provide a fictional scenario or use a previous proposal as a basis. Allow sufficient time for the team member to draft the proposal and provide feedback for improvement. Emphasize the importance of aligning the proposal with client needs, addressing pain points, and differentiating the company from competitors.

Introduce the new team member to ongoing learning and development opportunities in the field of proposal writing and managed IT services. Discuss the importance of continuous improvement, staying updated with industry trends, and engaging in professional development activities. Provide information about relevant training programs, webinars, conferences, and resources available to enhance skills and knowledge.