What are the key components of a professional business proposal, and how should these be tailored to persuade different types of stakeholders?
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
When crafting a professional business proposal, several key components are essential to ensure it is comprehensive, persuasive, and well-structured. Here are the main elements you should include:
Title Page
– This is the first page of your proposal and should include the proposal’s title, your company name, the date, and the recipient’s information. It sets the tone for professionalism and clarity[3][4][5].
Executive Summary
– This section serves as an introduction to your proposal, summarizing the key benefits and why your solution fits the client’s needs. It should be concise, persuasive, and focused on the benefits of your company/product/service rather than just describing features[1][3][4].
Problem Statement
– Clearly articulate the client’s problem or need. This demonstrates a thorough understanding of their challenges and sets the groundwork for presenting your solution[1][3][4].
Proposed Solution
– Outline how your products or services can resolve the identified problems. Be detailed in explaining the process and the expected outcomes. This section should describe the approach your team would use to solve the client’s challenges[1][3][4].
Project Deliverables
– Specify what is included in the proposal and what the prospect can expect to receive from you. Provide detailed descriptions for each deliverable to avoid any misunderstandings about expectations[4].
Project Milestones
– Break the project into phases and outline the events and deliverables for each milestone. This includes the timeline, responsibilities, and what will be accomplished at the completion of each phase[4].
Budget/Pricing
– Provide a transparent breakdown of the costs associated with your solution. This section should detail the pricing, including any variables that could affect the overall price. It is often beneficial to frame this as an “investment” in the client’s growth and success[1][3][4].
Qualifications
– Show why your company is the best choice for the job by sharing relevant experience, success stories, and industry credentials. Highlight the expertise and strengths of your team members who will be working on the project[1][3][4].
Terms and Conditions
– Clearly define the terms of the agreement, including payment terms, project scope, and any other contractual elements that need to be acknowledged[3].
Conclusion
– Summarize the main points of your proposal, reiterate your business’s strengths and product benefits, and emphasize how taking action with your proposal benefits the prospective customer. Include a strong call to action that conveys a sense of urgency and what to do next[1].
Appendix
– Include supporting documents or other materials that were specially requested. Common items include credit histories, resumes, product pictures, letters of reference, licenses, permits, patents, and other legal documents[1][2][5].
Additional Tips
– Consistent Layout: Use a uniform font, spacing, and header style throughout the document to maintain a professional look[3].
– Logical Structure: Organize the content in a logical flow, beginning with the executive summary, followed by the problem statement, proposed solution, and detailed pricing[3].
– Visual Elements: Incorporate charts, graphs, and images to break up text and illustrate key points visually[1][3].
– Data-Driven Customization: Use data analytics to tailor proposals to specific client needs and preferences[3].
– Digital Delivery and Interactivity: Opt for electronic submission formats that allow for interactive elements like embedded videos or hyperlinks[3].
– Mobile Optimization: Ensure that your business proposal is mobile-friendly to increase readability and accessibility[3].
By including these components and following these tips, you can create a compelling and professional business proposal that effectively communicates your value and persuades the prospective client to engage with your business.
