What are some effective ways to structure a business proposal debate?

1 Define the purpose and scope

Before you start the debate, you need to clarify the purpose and scope of the proposal. What problem are you trying to solve, what value are you trying to create, and what criteria are you using to measure success? You also need to define the scope of the debate, such as the time frame, the budget, the resources, and the risks involved. Having a clear and shared understanding of the purpose and scope can help you focus the debate on the most relevant and important aspects of the proposal.

2 Assign roles and responsibilities

A business proposal debate involves different roles and responsibilities for the participants, which should be assigned clearly and communicated to everyone involved. The proposer is the person or group who presents the proposal and argues for its benefits and feasibility, while the opponent challenges the proposal and points out its weaknesses and limitations. The moderator facilitates the debate, sets the rules, keeps the time, and ensures a fair and respectful exchange of views. Finally, the audience listens to the debate, asks questions, and provides feedback. By assigning roles and responsibilities, you can make sure that everyone has a clear and meaningful contribution to the debate.

3 Follow a format and agenda

A business proposal debate needs a format and agenda that can guide the flow and structure of the discussion. A format is a set of rules and procedures that determine how the debate will be conducted, such as the length, order, and style of the speeches, the types and timing of the questions, and the criteria for evaluation. An agenda is a list of topics and subtopics that will be covered in the debate, such as the background, objectives, methods, results, implications, and recommendations of the proposal. By following a format and agenda, you can ensure that the debate is organized, coherent, and comprehensive.

4 Use evidence and logic

A business proposal debate is not a mere opinion exchange. It is a rational and evidence-based argument that aims to persuade and inform. Therefore, you need to use evidence and logic to support your claims and counterclaims. Evidence can be facts, data, statistics, examples, testimonials, or any other credible and relevant information that can back up your arguments. Logic can be deductive, inductive, or abductive reasoning that can link your evidence to your conclusions. By using evidence and logic, you can enhance the credibility and validity of your proposal.

5 Encourage feedback and reflection

A business proposal debate is not a one-way communication. It is a two-way interaction that involves feedback and reflection. Feedback is the response and evaluation that you receive from your opponent, moderator, and audience. It can be positive, negative, or constructive, and it can help you identify the strengths and weaknesses of your proposal, as well as the areas for improvement. Reflection is the process of thinking critically and creatively about your own and others' arguments, assumptions, and perspectives. It can help you learn from the debate, generate new insights, and refine your proposal. By encouraging feedback and reflection, you can foster a culture of learning and innovation in your team.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?