Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Self Development

For some people, Astrology can be a great source of knowledge about the self and other people. Much of the ancient knowledge has been preserved and passed down to us through Astrology. These pages teach more about this subject.


5 Techniques you can use to feel good now! These techniques are really practical and you can use them to feel good whatever ...

30 plus techniques to improve your communication skills, well-being and ability. Here are a long list of techniques to handle a variety of situations

A course to take you to new realms of experience and ability. You can enrol on the New Life Course course on-line!

Peter Shepherd's on-line book, Transforming the Mind. A landmark work in personal development - and free to download!

Articles posted to 1stCommunicationSkill mailing list. These articles are about interpersonal communication and influence.

Articles posted to 1stSelfDevelopment mailing list. Discussions and techniques to help you develop yourself!

The spiritual dimension! Life, Death and the Spirit. Really important stuff for those who are concerned about our worldly existence.

How to be good at sales. We all sell, and this can be a useful self development technique. We all have to communicate our ideas and this is one way of doing it.

Saturday, September 8, 2007

Official Letter

Official Letter Definition
An official letter is a formal communication done in writing, that is, written according to fixed, explicit, and definite convention, rules, customs, or format.
The official letter is intended to voice the person or, usually, the entity that issued it, like Federal or Governmental agencies, public or private companies. An official letter is usually considered as a binding letter.
The opposite of an official letter is an informal letter, which is not or less formal, and usually shorter. Thus, an informal letter is not intended to represent the person or entity who wrote it. It is considered as an informational-only, non-binding letter.
Official Letter Format
How to write an official letter? What is mandatory in an official letter? Is there any convention on writing an official letter?How can I close an official letter?
In order to write a letter deemed official, simply follow the format below:
Use a formal letterhead and do not handwrite the official letter. Use templates and samples provided in your FREE RFP Letters Toolkit to create your own official letter.
First, your letter should always be written in a courteous manner notwithstanding the context (i.e., disagreement, protest, complaint). Ire is not a reliable weapon because it usually explodes when it's still in your hands. The right words written with cold blood have actually a better effect.
Next, an official letter is triggered by an event and its purpose is to formally inform its recipient of such an happening. So, you will probably need to explain the reasons why it's happening and what is the next step. Arguments and reasons are significantly more efficient when factual, that is, relying on facts that make references to specific places, dates and times, and explicitly identify persons and organizations involved.
Spend the time needed to honestly and properly communicate all the information. The more specific, exhaustive, and honest the writer is, the more difficult it becomes for the reader to contest the letter.
Keep in mind that the writer may provide the reader with a way to formally argue, contest, or merely respond within a reasonable timeframe to the information contained in the official letter. In some cases, this how-to-protest information is made mandatory by Law.
Finally, close the letter formally with "sincerely" or a similar polite expression. Sign your name and title.
Do not forget to send the official letter via certified mail when necessary.
Since things sometimes get a little more complicated than usual, remember to consult a lawyer for further information before doing anything.

The RFP Proposal/Bid Cover Letter

Also known as: Request for Proposal cover letter, Request for Proposal cover, letter of transmittal, letter of submittal, proposal transmittal letter, proposal/bid cover letter, bid transmittal letter, transmittal cover, RFP response letter, response to RFP cover letter, solicitation response cover letter, proposal letter, bidding document cover letter, RFP response cover letter, proposal submission cover letter, bid response cover letter, RFP bid cover letter, generic proposal cover letter, cover letter for proposal and bid, RFP vendor cover letter, transmittal cover letter, bid/proposal cover letter, how to write an RFP proposal cover letter, cover letter for presenting a bid, proposal submittal letter, cover letter for presenting a proposal, bid submission cover letter, solicitation response letter, bid proposal letter, bid cover letter, cover letter for RFP proposal, bid letter, cover letter for bid, submit bid letter, bid proposal cover letter, letter of bid submission, official proposal cover letter, bid submittal letter template, bid submission letter, generic proposal cover letter, bid submittal letter, or bidding letter.

Use templates and samples provided in your FREE RFP Letters Toolkit to create your own proposal cover letter.
The request for proposal (RFP) proposal cover letter is part of our FREE RFP Letters Toolkit.
An RFP Proposal Cover Letter should accompany your response to the RFP questionnaire you received from the organization requesting proposals from prospective providers.
Why and how to write an RFP proposal cover letter?
Beyond being polite and presenting what you have to offer, the RFP proposal cover letter gives you a unique opportunity to emphasize (1) how your offering matches the RFP issuer's needs, and (2) what are the benefits they may thus reap from identifying your solution as the best match for their requirements. These two ensure you that your reader will seize your unique qualifications that no one else can offer, what exactly makes your organization stand out of competitors. At the same time, the proposal cover letter represents the official authorization of your proposal by your organization.
Would you send your résumé without a cover letter? Have you ever realized that your RFP Proposal Cover Letter plays exactly the same role as the Cover Letter for a résumé? So, take a particular attention on how you write your RFP Proposal Cover letter.
It is highly recommended that you to read the suggestions below in order to properly and successfully use the RFP proposal cover letter.
Your strongest weapon is in your reader's mind.Use a formal letterhead and do not handwrite the RFP proposal cover letter. Use templates and samples provided in your FREE RFP Letters Toolkit to create your own proposal cover letter. Some studies have demonstrated that the serif feature (the horizontal, rounded part of the character) of some fonts, namely Garamond, Georgia and Times New Roman, make printed documents more readable by easing the reading movement of the eye. (More information about usability, from Jakob Nielsen's web site).
Focus on benefits your reader gets, and not merely on features your solution offers. First, indicate your interest in the RFP you received. The RFP proposal cover letter should highlight the content of ancillary documents, namely your proposal, and specify the time for validity of your offering, which, depending of organizations, may range from 30 to 90 days from the proposal due date.
Convert your vision into quantified benefits by leveraging your enemy's own weapon: recycle text from the RFP itself and customize it with representational statements instead of puffery. List the most important qualifications and benefits of both your product and organization. Indeed, you are not offering a mere product, but a partnership between two organizations. So, as a complement to selling your product, do not forget to sell yourself.
Offer a brief summary of your client references. It is important to select not only the most impressive but the most pertinent ones. Indeed, you will find that relevancy is much more efficient than accuracy.
Do not be too bureaucratic in your approach. The RFP issuer has to feel your passion, or at least your enthusiasm, not only for your product but also for their project. It's important for your cover letter to be personalized, relevant, and passionate. When well done, the RFP Proposal Cover Letter can show that you listened to them and thus demonstrate your dedication towards your customers.
Be sure to provide correct, complete contact and reference information (name, title, address, phone, fax, email, level of authority, etc.) for future correspondence.
Finally, close the letter formally with "sincerely" or a similar polite expression. Sign your name and title. Be clear, concise, professional, and conversational.
Do not forget to send the proposal cover letter, with your response to the RFP document, via certified mail.
Since things sometimes get a little more complicated than usual, remember to consult a lawyer for further information before doing anything.
To maximize your efforts, use templates and samples provided in your FREE RFP Letters Toolkit to create your own proposal cover letter.

Letter to Decline an RFP Proposal

Also known as: bid decline letter, proposal decline letter, RFP decline letter, vendor decline letter, letter for unsuccessful bid, unsuccessful vendor letter, bid declining letter, letter declining vendor, letter declining a bid, letter declining a proposal, bid decline, letter to unsuccessful vendors, proposal decline letter, bid declining letter, decline bid letter, thank you for bidding letter, offer decline letter, proposal declining, formal letter to decline an unsuccessful proposal, declination to bid letter, letter to decline a bid/proposal, letter to decline an unsuccessful bid, decline a bid/proposal letter, proposal declining, unsuccessful vendor thank you for bidding letter, formal declination letter, unsuccessful bid thank you letter, declining letter, bid decline letter, decline proposal letter, proposal decline, letter to unsuccessful bidders, declination of bid, proposal/bid decline letter, bid declination letter, unsuccessful proposal thank you letter, unsuccessful bid letter, declination of proposal, letter of decline, no-thank-you letter, declining letter template, letter to decline a proposal/bid, RFP unsuccessful letter, letter of non-award, declination cover letter, proposal declination letter, letter to decline a bid, letter to decline a proposal, formal declination letter of an RFP proposal, letter to decline an unsuccessful quote, letter declining bid, letter to decline a bid, non-award letter, letter to decline an offer to bid, offer decline, or letter to decline an offer.
Use templates and samples provided in your FREE RFP Letters Toolkit to create your own letter to decline an RFP proposal.
The letter to decline an RFP proposal is part of our FREE RFP Letters Toolkit. Such letter is sent to a prospective provider in order to decline the proposal submitted in response to a Request for Proposal (RFP).
A complaint-proof decline letter should:
state and substantiate the reasons why the proposal was declined,
inform the requester about his or her right to seek a review of the decline determination process, and
specify the procedures for requesting such a review.
It is highly recommended to read the recommendations below in order to properly and successfully use the letter to decline the response submitted in response to the RFP.
Use a formal letterhead and do not handwrite your letter to decline a proposition. Use templates and samples provided in your FREE RFP Letters Toolkit to create your own letter to decline a proposal.
First, thank the person who submitted the proposal for the time, effort, and interest in the project related to the issued RFP.
Next, notify the provider that you decline the offer they have submitted since it is not the best apparent solution to the project for which the RFP was issued. The award is not officially definitive since unsuccessful providers have the right to formally contest their disqualification, rejection, or non-selection within a reasonable timeframe, as initially defined in the RFP. Therefore, do not sign any contract with another provider until the deadline to receive protests expires and all protests are settled.
Your letter to decline the proposed response is not required to unveil information about to whom the project was awarded. Nevertheless, if requested, you must provide all information except for trade secrets.
Finally, close the decline letter formally with "sincerely" or a similar polite expression. Sign your name and title. Be sure to provide correct, complete contact and reference information for future correspondence.
Do not forget to send the decline letter via certified mail.
Since things sometimes get a little more complicated than usual, remember to consult a lawyer for further information before doing anything.

How to write an RFP Proposal Cover Letter

What is an RFP Proposal Cover Letter
An RFP Proposal Cover Letter , also known as Letter of Transmittal, should accompany your response to the RFP questionnaire you received from the organization requesting proposals from prospective providers.
Why write a proposal cover letter?
Beyond merely being the authorization of your proposal by your organization, the RFP proposal cover letter gives you a unique opportunity to emphasize (1) how your offering matches the RFP issuer's needs, and (2) what are the benefits they may thusly reap from identifying your solution as the best match for their requirements.
Would you send your résumé without a cover letter? When the time comes, remember that the RFP Proposal Cover Letter plays exactly the same role as the Cover Letter for a Résumé. So, take a particular attention on how you will write your RFP Proposal Cover letter. It is the first mandatory gate towards the path of winning the contract. Don't miss it.
RFP Proposal Cover Letter templates and samples
The request for proposal (RFP) proposal cover letter is part of our FREE RFP Letters Toolkit. You will find in it, amongst others, templates and samples of RFP Proposal Cover Letter.
Writing a Request for Proposal (RFP) cover letterYour strongest weapon is in your reader's mind.
It is highly recommended that you to read the suggestions below in order to properly and successfully use the RFP proposal cover letter.
Use a formal letterhead and do not handwrite the RFP proposal cover letter. Use templates and samples provided in your FREE RFP Letters Toolkit to create your own proposal cover letter. Some studies have demonstrated that the serif feature (the horizontal, rounded part of the character) of some fonts, namely Garamond, Georgia and Times New Roman, make printed documents more readable by easing the reading movement of the eye. (More information about usability, from Jakob Nielsen's web site).
First, indicate your interest in the RFP you received. The RFP proposal cover letter should highlight the content of ancillary documents, namely your proposal, and specify the time for validity of your offering, which, depending of organizations, may range from 30 to 90 days from the proposal due date.
List the most important qualifications and benefits of both your product and organization. Indeed, you are not offering a mere product, but a partnership between two organizations. So, as a complement to selling your product, do not forget to sell yourself.
Offer a BRIEF! summary of your client references.It's important for your cover letter to be personalized, relevant, and passionate. It is important to select not only the most impressive but the most pertinent ones. Indeed, you will find that relevancy is much more efficient than accuracy.
Do not be too bureaucratic in your approach. The RFP issuer has to feel your passion not only for your product but also for their project. When well done, the RFP Proposal Cover Letter can show that you listened to them and, thusly, demonstrate your dedication towards your customers.
Be sure to provide correct, complete contact and reference information (name, title, address, phone, fax, email, level of authority, etc.) for future correspondence.
Finally, close the letter formally with "sincerely" or a similar polite expression. Sign your name and title.
Do not forget to send the proposal cover letter, with your response to the RFP document, via certified mail.
Since things sometimes get a little more complicated than usual, remember to consult a lawyer for further information before doing anything.