How to Develop an Effective Company Profile -- and Why

What is a company profile?philosophy and approach to serving customers. Finally,
A company profile is essentially a resume for yourbe sure to mention achievements that quickly help to
company that you use to establish your credibility withestablish your company's credibility such as awards,
the market you serve. Your company profile helpsthe number of clients you have served, or the size of
potential customers to understand your business asyour business.
well as to understand your company's approach,Provide more detail on your company's products or
unique strengths, and relevant experience. Yourservices
company profile demonstrates your company's abilityUse the second paragraph of your company profile to
to effectively meet customer needs. Your companylist the products or services your company provides.
profile also helps others who are in contact with youUse this paragraph to touch on the expertise and
such as lenders, the media, and job candidates toexperience your company has that enables your to
better understand your business.meet customer needs in these areas. You can also
Who would benefit from having a company profile?use this second paragraph to further define your
A company profile would benefit any companytarget customer for the products or services you
wanting to establish its credibility including:provide.
* A consulting firm where it's critical for the companyHighlight your company's strengths and successes
to establish the basis for its expertiseUse the third paragraph of your company profile to
* A service provider with a service that can't behighlight your company's unique strengths as well key
evaluated before the sale where the prospectsuccesses your company has had. To develop this
assesses the company's ability to provide the serviceparagraph, take the time to list the top 3 competitive
based on its assessment of the company itselfadvantages you feel your company has over
* A company that lacks a recognized name in thebusinesses in your market space. Weave these
market it servescompetitive advantages into this paragraph of your
How can a company profile be used?profile. Next, list the top 3 successes your company
There are many ways to use a company profile suchhas had and incorporate these successes into your
as:company profile.
* Including it on your web site as a means ofInclude qualifications of your company and your staff
establishing your company's credibilityUse the next paragraph of your company profile to
* Using a print version as a sales tool at trade showsdemonstrate your company's qualifications by
or in mailings to prospectsemphasizing areas such as patents, publications,
* Providing it to lenders to help you secure financingbusiness partnerships and alliances, tools or
* Adding it to your media kit and including it with presstechnologies used to meet customer needs,
releases to give the media background informationaccreditations, certifications or the educational
about your companybackground of staff members.
* Using it as a recruiting tool to promote your companySummarize your selling statement
to job candidatesUse the final paragraph of your company profile to
What should be included in your company profile?provide a 1 or 2 sentence closing selling statement that
As a guideline, shoot for a company profile ofexplains why a client should work with your company.
approximately 250-400 words in length covering eachClose with company contact information
of the following key areas:After the final paragraph of your company profile,
Summarize your company's background informationprovide your company's contact information including
Use the first paragraph of your company profile tothe mailing address, phone number, fax number, e-mail
summarize your company's background information.address, and web site URL.
Include in this first paragraph the year the businessWhether you use internal resources to create your
was founded, where the business is located, acompany profile or work with an outside resource,
top-level description of the products or services youryour business will benefit from having a company
company provides, a top-level description of the clientsprofile to establish your company's credibility with
and industries you serve, and the geography youprospects, lenders, the media, and job candidates.
serve. Also include details about your company's