The Definitive Business Pitch: How to Make the Best Pitches, Proposals and Presentations (Financial Times Series) [Paperback]

Good ideas don't sell themselves.

In today's business world it's no longer just sales people who are responsible for winning business. Many people, from TV producers to landscape gardeners, consultants to builders, need to employ convincing communication skills to win clients and commissions.  Even managers within a business have to ‘sell’ their ideas, proposals and plans as they compete for support and scarce resources.

With increasingly competitive markets the norm, your customers and clients are almost certain to have a choice. It's not just what your business can do that matters - it's how you pitch your offer that determines success. Poor preparation or presentation at the pitching stage will lose the business to a competitor. Getting the basics right is not enough: you have to get ahead of the competition.

This guide is packed with practical ideas, tips and checklists that will ensure you are ahead of the crowd. It takes you right through the process, from deciding whether or not to pitch, getting to know the client, doing the essential preparation and then pitching for success. Unlike most of the titles available, this book covers both written proposals and oral presentations, showing you how to harness effective business communication skills to make the perfect winning pitch.

The Definitive Business Series will ensure you get up to speed fast with all the business essentials you need to be a success. With their guided step-by-step approach the latest practical business techniques and concepts and their easy-to-read style, The Definitive Business Series cover every aspect of the topic from the business basics to the essential skills needed to progress in your career.

The Definitive Business Series. Your fast-track to business success.

‘A refreshingly accessible business book from an author who really knows her subject. Built on a solid bedrock of sales, marketing and management theory, each and every chapter bristles with common sense, thanks to a text that’s brimful of practical business wisdom;  this is the stuff we all need to do our jobs better. It’s a modern manual of competitive advantage.’

Theo Theobald,author of Shut up and Listen and Business and the Beautiful Game

‘The Definitive Business Pitchhad me nodding and making notes all the way through – even as a seasoned marketer! Angela Hatton has once again managed to create a no-nonsense, "can do", fully comprehensive guide to developing and winning business.’

Louisa Moger, Marketing Director of a rapidly growing specialist SME in the print industry

First impressions count. Make yours a good one.

Need to make a presentation to an important client? Want to increase your hit rate in winning new business? Have to submit a proposal to secure a contract or get more resources for your department?

Clients – and senior managers - have shorter attention spans and higher expectations than ever before and you need to be exceptional rather than just competent to make an impact. It's not only what you or your business can do that matters - it's how you pitch your offer that determines success. In The Definitive Business Pitch, Angela Hatton tackles the core problem of persuading the customer that your solution to their problem is the best. Whether you are making a spoken presentation or submitting a written document, this means capturing your audience’s attention right from the start, addressing their needs and requirements head-on and demonstrating clearly what you can do for them.

Mastering a few simple, proven techniques can make all the difference and The Definitive Business Pitch is based on tried and tested marketing and sales principles, to enable you to make your message memorable and to get your offer across effectively, impressively and convincingly. Whatever you want to win, Angela Hatton's guidelines and techniques for perfect pitches, proposals and presentations will make sure you come out at the top of the heap. Can you afford not to read this book - what if your competitors do?