Put yourself in the customer's shoes, with dozens of bids, proposals or tender responses to assess. It's a daunting and difficult job. Despite the hours you have spent writing your proposal, it's just one among many. What does it take to be successful in this hyper-competitive environment? What will make your proposal rise to the top of the pile? In this concise and easy to read book, proposal writing expert Robyn Haydon explains why most proposals end up on the reject pile - and how to make sure yours is a winner. Whether you write proposals for a living - or just need help to finish a proposal today - you will find practical advice here on proposal structure, readability, writing techniques, selling your capability, making a compelling offer, and avoiding elimination traps. Ideal for entrepreneurs, professional service providers and small business owners, as well as sales and marketing specialist, grant writers and proposal professionals who work in commercial and not for profit environments. "A quick way to learn a great deal about proposal writing...excellent value...highly recommended."- Australian Marketing Institute "What's your strike rate when it comes to successful submissions? If it's less than 100%, you could learn something from The Shredder Test. The chapter summaries are excellent...a concise, useful read." - The Age Newspaper "Straightforward and easy to read, this book is applicable worldwide for companies bidding in open business-to-business environments." - Association of Proposal Management Professionals (USA) "Strategies, tactics, how-to's and tips that any business can use." - Herald Sun Newspaper About the Author: Robyn is Principal Consultant of Winning Words, a successful bid, tender and proposal development consultancy based in Melbourne, Australia. Since 2001, Robyn has helped her clients to land contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars in highly competitive industries including construction, community services, engineering, employment, facility management, ICT, logistics, manufacturing, professional services and water & waste management. She has worked on bids for government business at all levels (Federal, State and local) as well as on proposals for contracts with private and public companies. Robyn's prior experience in senior corporate sales & marketing roles means that she has particular empathy for the challenges faced by people who work on bid teams.