How-To: Sharing Proposals Securely

Purpose

To guide Sales Representatives on how to share proposals with clients in a secure, professional, and trackable way — ensuring confidentiality, version control, and compliance.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Finalize Proposal
    • Ensure proposal is approved as per Proposal Creation & Approval SOP.
    • Save as PDF → ClientName – Proposal – vX – Date.
    • Store editable file in Repository → Proposals folder.
  2. Choose Secure Sharing Method
    • Email (Preferred for SMB/SMEs)
      • Send PDF as attachment.
      • Use professional email template with cover note.
    • Secure Link (Preferred for Mid-Market/Enterprise)
      • Upload PDF to secure storage (SharePoint, Drive, or CRM Doc Send).
      • Set permissions: View Only → disable download/edit unless approved.
      • Add password or expiry if deal sensitivity is high.
  3. void Risky Methods
    • Do not share editable files (PPTX, DOCX) unless explicitly requested.
    • Do not use personal cloud storage (e.g., personal Google Drive/Dropbox).
    • Do not send via unsecured messaging apps.
  4. Enable Tracking (If Tools Available)
    • Use CRM-integrated document sharing (HubSpot, Zoho, Salesforce).
    • Enable notifications for when proposal is opened/viewed.
    • Record client activity in CRM notes.
  5. Client Communication
    • Email subject line: “[ClientName] – Proposal for [Service/Project]”.
    • Cover note should:
      • Thank client for their time.
      • Summarize key highlights (problem → solution → outcomes).
      • Mention proposal validity period.
      • Suggest next-step meeting for review.
  6. Post-Sharing Action
    • Update Commercial Proposal Tracker with submission date.
    • Log “Proposal Sent” activity in CRM.
    • Schedule follow-up within 3–5 business days.

Example

  • Scenario: Proposal sent to ABC Fintech (USD 120,000 Cloud Migration project).
  • Method: Shared via CRM DocSend with view tracking enabled, expiry set to 14 days.
  • Outcome: Client opened proposal 3 times in 48 hours → follow-up call booked.