 I'm currently in Module 6 of the Praxis program, and in this module, we go through a section of the program called the "placement process". In this section, we form value propositions to send to BP's (business partners) to begin the apprenticeship portion of the program. I formed a system that helps me in doing so - here's everything in 5 steps: Step 1 - Research.
Once you're interested in a company, begin researching them. I always start by going to their website, social media, Yelp, (etc.) and take notes on everything. Ask yourself, "What is their overall online presence like?". Take notes on both your observations and information you discover. To take this a step further, observe the staff. Who is the CEO? Research company's vision and how it came about. Pay attention to what problems they solve, when the company formed, who they compete against, etc. There's a great Praxis Daily video on researching companies for an interview - the same ideas apply here. Check it out! Step 2 - Brainstorm. Now that you understand the company, you've taken notes, and you have some observations, it's time to brainstorm. The best way to start is by looking for problems to solve. To do this, take a look at any 1-star reviews you can find. Learning directly from customers will likely bring the company's attention to your propositions. If you can't find reviews on Yelp, Facebook, or elsewhere, then take a look at their competitors. You'll most likely find simple ideas you can mimic from their competitors. That's helpful because, ideally, you want to pitch two or three small (yet valuable) ideas. Big ideas are overwhelming, so stick to simple ones you're capable of doing. Step 3 - Go through with completing those tasks. At this point, you've got your ideas, and now some action is required to move forward. Let's say you decided to rewrite the company's FAQ page, create graphics for their Instagram, or write some articles for their blog. Whatever your ideas are, now is the time to make them a reality. Some of these may require permission, but for now, finish what you can. Step 4 - Create a presentation. I use Google slides to create a presentation, and I try to stick to this layout: - Main slide (title, my name, the company's logo, etc.). - The problem to solve (screenshots of reviews, ratings, etc.). - Solution #1 (your first value proposition, images of your work). - Solution #1 benefits (2 -3 benefits, icons, quick explanations). - Repeat for solutions #2 and #3. A great way to express your interest is to use the same colors and fonts as the company. I use ColorPick Eyedropper and FontFace Ninja as Chrome extensions to find the exact colors and fonts from their website. It helps save time, and also will catch their attention. It's also important to make sure it's simple. There's no need for long text because you can elaborate in the next step. Step 5 - Record a video. Finally, the last step is to record a video. I use Loom to record both myself and the presentation as I speak. Start by expressing your interest in the company. Talk about why they appeal to you, and why you appreciate their services. Next, talk about your research: what you learned and what problems you can solve for them. Lastly, go through and talk about the benefits your ideas bring. After you record, you can go back and trim it down, remove mistakes, and make sure it flows nicely. Once you've completed these steps, you're ready to send it over! I hope you found this useful, and I wish you the best of luck.
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