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Capability Statements

‘Facial expression can be a sign of confidence when presenting your capability statement to prospective clients.’

A capability statement is a document that demonstrates your capacity to deliver the required product or service. Its purpose is to convince prospective clients to embrace your service. The statement is a confirmation of your credibility in terms of fulfilling business obligations. The other purpose of a capability statement is to demonstrate credibility. 

The objective of investing time and resources into the document is to be able to ‘stand out’ from your competitors. A capability statement must be synchronised with your website. Readers will be compelled to refer to the website to validate your claims before they trust your operations. 

Why Capability Statements?

A capability statement demonstrates the capability to deliver products and services to potential clients. The paper is relevant, especially when dealing with large projects.

It includes essential details about your services or products, prompting potential clients to make commercial decisions. The statement is also an outline of the business in terms of the following;

  • Background Experience
  • Qualifications
  • Certifications
  • Licenses
  • Accreditations
  • Areas of Expertise

A capability statement is a modern-day communication and marketing tool. It builds confidence thereby advancing business relationships with corporate decision-makers. Companies use capability statements to present products and services in a professional format.

Capability Statements in Business

The purpose of a capability statement is to have a commercially ranked document for presentation to prospective clients. That can be used when addressing potential clients and proposing more business opportunities.

Some businesses use them when competing for tenders. A decent capability statement will validate your capacity to deliver the required products/services.

‘Invest your time compiling information to make a compelling capability statement’.

Incorporating all your services in the capability statement may take time and effort. However, a professionally presented capability statement will facilitate avenues for fresh enquiries.

Besides investing in marketing channels, capability statements contribute to marketing campaigns. By analysing your capability statement, customers will be attracted to your products or services.   

Capability Statement Format

There is no generic format for presenting capability statements. The setup aligns with the nature of your business operations and individual preferences.

It also depends on the targeted audience and the makeup of the market segment. The most important aspect of a statement is the content and presentation to lure your targeted audience. 

Other clients prefer the statement to be custom-made to suit their brand and corporate identity. Some companies integrate it into their tender submissions to improve their credibility. The document ranges from a few paragraphs to multiple pages, depending on the business size.

Do I Still Need A Capability Statement if I Have an Existing Website? 

Absolutely yes. A capability statement is always necessary regardless of supplementary channels of marketing. The format of presenting website content is different from a capability statement. Some of the information on the website is not suitable for inclusion under the capability statement format.

Therefore, a website cannot substitute a capability statement, neither can a statement replace a website. The content may share similarities but the composition varies because of the difference in the intended audience.   

Even companies with websites and social media accounts still require capability statements for business mileage. Information on the capability statement is more focused on persuading clients to accept business propositions. 

Sometimes companies include capability statements as additional attachemnts when submitting tenders. That will be to substantiate their application as part of evidence of capability. Some tenders specifically outline a capability statement as a mandatory requirement.

Capability statements also highlight the track record of the business in terms of your financial position. That generates opportunities for significant contracts and fresh clients.

The document distinguishes your business from competitors. The content is more articulate than the information listed on the website.

Capability Statements present a professional image of your business. That will increase prospects for significant contracts. Sometimes, corporate decision-makers depend on capability statements to determine the credibility of candidates.

Major Categories of a Capability Statement

The information on each capability statement depends on the complexity and goals of your industry. The following are some of the components of a capability statement.

  • Introduction and Company Profile
  • Certifications
  • Key Customers
  • Core Competencies
  • Management Teams and Qualifications
  • Details of Major Projects
  • Overview of Products and Services
  • Contact Details
  • Executive Summary

Tips for Presenting a Capability Statement

  • Focus on your target audience; one must concentrate on the information that is relevant to their immediate needs.
  • Always draft an outline. The outline will be used as the framework for presenting the statement.
  • Develop a vocabulary that is relevant to your target industry.
  • Explain the key features of your product/service. Customers always target businesses that address immediate needs despite long-term plans.
  • Use short and manageable sentences – bullet points are suitable for those who scan through the document before they decide to engage you.
  • Maintain a basic presentation format – customers dislike information that confuses them.
  • Ensure that your Capability Statement is edited before you submit it to your prospective customers.
  • Retain a copy for continuous updates – your business may adopt new services which were not part of the original statement.
  • Include graphics and relevant images to attract attention. Your images must be simplified to accommodate clients with a limited understanding of industrial concepts.
  • Submit it in PDF format to make it compatible with most software systems. 
  • Ensure that the website is updated. Some prospective clients may visit your website to verify the authenticity of your claims.