How to Develop & Coach Winning Oral Proposals (On Demand)

$2,495.00

This two-day course gives you all the knowledge necessary to coach your team to win in orals, including the challenging GSA FEDSIM Orals. It covers the key skill areas spanning from managing a blended written and orals proposal to slide deck development, orals content development, and orals coaching. It covers different types of orals that include in-person orals, virtual orals with video and without video, teleconference orals, and recorded video orals, and dives into how to tailor the proposal process according to the RFP requirements.

This class is also offered in a live lecture format that you can attend in person or virtually. To learn more click here.

SKU: ONDEM-HTDCWOP Categories: ,

Description

Oral proposals are timed solution-focused “team job interviews” that either substitute or augment written proposals. They are an opportunity for the Government to evaluate your solution through the prism of the people. An oral presentation to the federal Government is not a traditional sales or marketing briefing, an investor pitch, a written proposal summarized in a slide format, a job interview, or a typical briefing presented to corporate, military, or Government officials. Instead, it is a complex hybrid of all of these, and then some. It poses unusual challenges in design, organization, and speaker preparation.

This two-day course gives you all the knowledge necessary to coach your team to win in orals, including the challenging GSA FEDSIM Orals. It covers the key skill areas spanning from managing a blended written and orals proposal to slide deck development, orals content development, and orals coaching. It covers different types of orals that include in-person orals, virtual orals with video and without video, teleconference orals, and recorded video orals, and dives into how to tailor the proposal process according to the RFP requirements.

The course explains how to prepare based on the time allotted to the orals, as well as how to brainstorm on your solution and develop supporting graphics. It then delves into how to effectively plan and manage orals rehearsals, coach presenters, and excel during the Q&A sessions. This course also shows how to prepare presenters for a scenario, live sample task response, or a tech challenge. It also offers strategies for making a team come across as cohesive during the presentation. It covers orals day logistics and best practices during the “game day.”

There are “right ways” to create a compelling oral presentation, to deliver it adeptly, and to answer questions successfully – and there are orals “land mines” that are easy to step on but should be avoided at any cost. Our instructor will share the proven practices with your team on how to create a winning oral presentation and give presenters the confidence to do their best.

Course Curriculum

Learning Objectives

Section 1
  • Understand the orals requirements in the RFP and ask questions from the Government
  • Plan the oral proposal process and schedule
  • Lead the orals
  • Select the presenters
  • Plan your slides, including the right content and the number for the time allotted
  • Brainstorm on the solution
  • Develop the scripts
  • Work with graphics and design
  • Succeed at FEDSIM
Section 2
  • Plan orals rehearsals and reviews
  • Structure and lead each rehearsal
  • Coach your presenters in the principles of delivering an effective presentation and presentation skills
  • Get presenters to perform
  • Coach for video and audio orals
  • Excel during the Q&A
  • Prepare your team for a scenario, live sample task response, or tech challenge
  • Make a team come across as cohesive
  • Complete important preparations as the Orals deadline approaches
  • Game Day and the time after
Module 1: Oral Proposals Overview
  • What Are Orals
  • FAR 15.102 Oral Presentation
  • Unique Challenges and Idiosyncrasies of Oral Proposals
  • Many Flavors of Orals
  • Varied Orals Delivery Format
  • Quiz
Module 2: Oral Proposal Process, Schedule, and Requirements
  • Orals: Running Multiple Processes Simultaneously
  • Modifying the Process Based on the Orals Type
  • Oral Proposal Schedule, Including the Timing for Bringing in an Orals Coach
  • Timing for Evaluating Scripts, Talking Points, and Slides
  • Dealing with a Compressed Schedule: Minimum Coaching Required
  • Reading Between the Lines of the Orals Requirements and Posing Questions
  • Discovering Virtual Technology Challenges Early and Asking Questions
  • Quiz
Module 3: Orals Leadership
  • Proposal Manager’s Authority and Other Leadership Roles
  • How to Conduct an Effective Orals Kickoff to Successfully Integrate the Effort and Prevent Problems Down the Road
  • What Kind of Just-In-Time Training Should You Provide to Your Orals Presenters, and When
  • Discussion
Module 4: Selecting the Presenters
  • Selecting the Presenters
  • Other Personnel That May Be Allowed to Attend the Orals
  • Presenter Best Practices
  • Assigning Presenters to Speak
  • Slides Are Not All-Important
  • Quiz
Module 5: Planning Your Slides
  • Determining the Number of Slides and Presentation Structure Based on the Requirements and Time Allotted
  • Creating a Presentation Outline
  • Outline Example and Optional Slide Worksheets
  • Dense Slides vs. Sparse Slides?
  • Adjusting the Outline Based on Time of Delivery for Each Slide
  • Exercise
Module 6: Solution Brainstorming
  • Solutioning for Orals (Six Methods)
  • Brainstorming on Customer’s Challenges and Developing Themes
  • Making the Slides Compelling
  • Exercise
Module 7: Developing the Scripts
  • Script Development Process
  • Weaving Graphics into a Script
  • Presenters Must Believe in Their Slides to Be Compelling
  • Quiz
Module 8: Working with Graphics and Design
  • Developing Compliant, Effective, Easy-to-Brief Slides That Will Serve as Effective “Leave Behinds”
  • How to Coach a Graphic Artist to Produce Persuasive and Memorable Graphics
  • Four Design Methods and the Rule of Thirds
  • Principles of Effective Presentation and Slide Design
  • Alternatives to Builds – Using Layering and Repeat Images to Tell a Story
  • Ensuring Slide Consistency Stylistically and Across Different Tasks
  • How to Coach a Graphic Artist to Produce Persuasive and Memorable Graphics
  • Exercise
Module 9: Succeeding at FEDSIM
  • FEDSIM Orals Process
  • FEDSIM Orals Day
  • FEDSIM Presentation
  • Live Virtual FEDSIM Orals
  • Recorded FEDSIM Orals
  • FEDSIM Slide Format
  • Quiz
Section 1 Take-Aways
Section 1 Recap
Module 10: Planning Orals Rehearsals and Reviews
  • Rehearsal Types
  • Orals Rehearsals Scheduling
  • Organizing and Conducting Oral Proposal Reviews and Mock Orals
  • Mock Panel Review
  • Ensuring the Reviewers Come Prepared to Offer Constructive Feedback
  • Quiz
Module 11: How to Structure and Lead Each Rehearsal
  • Developing Speaking Points
  • Steps of Rehearsing and Learning the Content
  • Challenging Presenter Scenario
  • Preparing Presenters When Writers Develop the Slides
  • Adding Anecdotes to Substantiate the Points in the Slides
  • Making Benefits Explicit to Engage Evaluators
  • How to Provide Constructive Feedback to Presenters After Each Rehearsal
  • Most Important Factors That Help Create Effective Practices
  • Exercise
Module 12: Coaching Your Presenters in the Principles of Delivering an Effective Presentation and Presentation Skills
  • Ways to Relax the Speakers
  • Vocal Warmups for Speaking
  • Coaching for a Conversation with the Evaluators, Even If It’s Audio or Video
  • Coaching Presenters to Speak Up to Come Across as Assertive
  • Dealing with Presentation Time
  • Exercise
Module 13: Getting Presenters to Perform
  • The Importance of Voice
  • Making Eye Contact
  • Posture, Hands, and Deliberate Movements
  • Dealing with Heavy Accent or Stutter
  • Rules of Comportment When Not Speaking
  • How to Overcome Challenges in Coaching Presenters with the Fear of Public Speaking
  • Overcoming Nervous Habits
  • Exercise
Module 14: Tips for Coaching for Video and Audio Orals
  • Tips for Video Orals
  • Coaching for Audio Orals
  • Coaching for Orals over the Teleconference
  • Quiz
Module 15: Techniques for Excelling During the Q&A
  • Purpose of the Q&A Session
  • Preparing for the Q&A Session
  • Process for Responding to Questions
  • Avoiding Q&A Session Pitfalls
  • Handling Tricky Questions
  • Fielding Questions in Virtual Environments
  • Exercise
Module 16:How to Best Prepare Your Team for a Scenario, Live Sample Task Response, or Tech Challenge
  • What Evaluators Want to Learn from a Scenario or Live Sample Task Response Preparing for a Demo or a Technical Challenge Prepared in Advance
  • Preparing for a Technical Challenge or a Solution Prepared on the Spot
  • Assigning Roles
  • Preparing a Visual Collaboration Workspace for a Scenario or Tech Challenge
  • Preparing a Slides Template for a Pop-up Scenario
  • Solutioning Using Flip Charts and Incorporating Them Via Video
  • Technology for In-Person Demos
  • Quiz
Module 17: How to Make a Team Come Across as Cohesive
  • Team is More Than Important
  • How to Make a Team Come Across as Cohesive
  • Coaching Presenters to Come Across as Enthusiastic and Gracious Team Players
  • Team Building Exercise/Ice Breaker
  • Making Sure Everyone Contributes Equally
  • Knowing When the Team Peaks
  • Exercise
Module 18: Important Preparations as the Orals Deadline Approaches
  • Logistics of the Presentation Day
  • Logistics Checklist
  • Setup for Virtual Orals
  • Background for Virtual Presenters
  • Pre-Test the Setup and Getting Peripheral Equipment
  • Preparing Well with the Right Technology
  • Evaluators’ Feedback During Orals: What to Expect
  • How to Dress for the Orals
  • Mistakes to Avoid Prior to the Orals
  • Game Day Considerations
  • Discussion
Module 19: Game Day and the Time After
  • How to Best Support the Presenter Team on the Presentation Day
  • How to Tell if the Presentation Was Successful
  • Steps to Take After the Presentation
  • Discussion
Course Recap and Takeaways.

Meet Your Instructor

Olessia Smotrova Profile Photo 2024 Updated OST Global Solutions IncOlessia Smotrova, CF.APMP Fellow

Olessia has more than 25 years of experience in business development. She led winning bids for four out of the top five Government contractors, winning more than $26 billion over the course of her career in single award contracts. She is an AI developer and strategist, pioneering the use of generative AI in Government contracting. She has created and implemented AI tools for business development processes, proposal strategy formulation, and competitive analysis. She is an AI super-user and thought leader in the practical application of generative AI in synthesizing complex data, generating innovative solutions, and driving decision-making in high-stakes Government BD environments.

She is the author of the book How to Get Government Contracts: Have a Slice of $1 Trillion Pie and seven other books. She has taught a graduate course for the Stevens Institute of Technology, and she provided training to Treasury and NASA. She has served for 2 years as the President of the National Contracts Management Association (NCMA) Bethesda/Medical Chapter and for 2 years as the President of the Association of Proposal Management Professionals (APMP) National Capital Area Chapter.

Olessia is recognized as an APMP Fellow for her contributions to the field of capture and proposals – the highest honor in the business development profession. Her skills span every aspect of business development, sales, and marketing. Prior to supporting Fortune 500 companies and small businesses as a proposal consultant and growing OST, she worked as a business developer for Raytheon and Lockheed Martin and wrote for the Financial Times of London.

Student Reviews

Anthony Needam Avatar
Anthony Needam
12/10/2024
This was new to me. It was very I formative. We received our packets late. I was not aware of how interactive this would be.
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Nao Gamo Avatar
Nao Gamo
11/07/2024
I highly recommend the "MASTER AI TO ENHANCE BD, CAPTURE AND PROPOSAL PROCESSES" course! Not just a high-level overview of AI and its capabilities, the course is full of practical tips that you can apply immediately. All the courses I have taken with OST Global Solutions have been well worth it!!
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Francisca Celmer Avatar
Francisca Celmer
11/07/2024
The "Master AI to Enhanced BD, Capture, and Proposal Processes" class given by OST Global Solutions was truly outstanding. The instructor was incredibly knowledgeable and engaging. She made the material easy to understand and directly applicable. I highly recommend this class.
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Jay Yudof Avatar
Jay Yudof
11/06/2024
The BD and capture using AI course what is comprehensive and effectively taught.
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andre downey Avatar
andre downey
11/06/2024
The class taught alot of useful information on ai & working it in to our proposal development process
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Lilliana Reyes Avatar
Lilliana Reyes
9/20/2024
Great course! Clear information and great pace.
The information was very helpful for someone getting started in the proposal world or someone just trying to learn how to easily transition from InDesign to Microsoft Word.
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Aislinn Berge Avatar
Aislinn Berge
9/20/2024
Took the full day training on Desktop Publishing For Proposal Writing with Phillip Pettet. I learned so much! Phillip was fantastic at explaining things and gave lots of tips and tricks for using Word. Thank you!
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TC Phil Avatar
TC Phil
8/28/2024
I recently completed the year-long Business Development Apprenticeship with OST Global Solutions, Inc., and it exceeded my expectations! The program is comprehensive, covering BD, capture, proposal skills, and so much more. It’s clear that OST is the best in the business—they have addressed the real skill gap in this field.

Their curriculum, aligned with Department of Labor standards for Federal Government Business Development, is TOP-NOTCH and the first of its kind in the nation! The training was practical, directly applicable to our business, and provided the expertise needed to succeed in this competitive industry. I highly recommend this apprenticeship to anyone looking to advance their career in Business Development. I plan on taking many additional courses over the next few years as they continue to stay ahead of the curve. Thank you, OST!
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George Franz Avatar
George Franz
6/13/2024
Great course from OST Global Solutions! Olessia's vast experience in this area shines through and the course is chocked full of tips, tactics, and information sources to consider to perform competitive analysis and determine price to win for opportunities.
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Tiffany & Jay Jackson Avatar
Tiffany & Jay Jackson
4/29/2024
I've taken multiple classes with Olessia of OST Global Solutions and the classes are always well-structured and informative. The lastest course on AI is phenomenal - highly recommend it if you're looking to enhance your BD, Capture, and Proposal processes via AI!
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LaKeisha Thomas Avatar
LaKeisha Thomas
4/25/2024
Alexia was a very engaging instructor. The AI class was mind blowing! The capabilities using AI to assist with BD processes are endless. I'm looking forward to implementing all of these new tools.
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Erica Blue Avatar
Erica Blue
4/25/2024
Olessia did a wonderful job of teaching how to use AI for all stages of the Biz Dev process. She had practical examples and hands on practice. Helped change my perspective of AI overall, including its capabilities and limitations.
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