Developing white papers is a strategic process and requires a collaborative effort. White papers serve as training and decision making tool for your customers. However, it is not the case everywhere. In many cases, it is seen that white papers are developed without taking into account the larger sales strategy picture and the eventual target audience. In the process, the white papers neither address your marketing imperatives nor address the needs of your customers.

Developing a white paper usually does not involve a set of guidelines and protocols. Most white papers take 8-10 weeks to create and should provide an "authoritative yet neutral" tone, according to experts. The “perfect” white paper needs to be drafted by a domain expert and needs to incorporate latest industry and market researches and statistics. According to Peter Spande, a leading technology analyst, a perfect white paper provides a "clear direction on where to go next, honestly present potential challenges, and provide the reader with the tools to effectively interpret this information for their individual business." Here is a brief listing of some key points to incorporate when developing white papers:

• Employing a writer who can translate sales and technical information into reader-friendly material and in turn, contribute to a positive business transformation
• Keeping your white paper crisp and concise. Overload of information is never recommended
• Using charts, workflow diagrams, tables, and other visual elements to complement your textual material
• Assuming that your reader is as knowledgeable as you, if not better informed
• Using case studies to validate your statements and observations
• Concluding the paper with salient features about how your solution would help your customers

Developing a white paper, as mentioned, requires considerable amount of research and due diligence. It should be an integrated process and follow a specific workflow. While the traditional workflow of developing a white paper encompassed initial concept development, outlining the content, preparing a rough draft, approval, designing, editing, etc., newer methods adopt an integrated approach. This paradigm is outlined below:

Initial concept development

1. Copy outline
2. Creative outline
3. Rough draft
4. Design document

Holistic project review

1. Revision
2. Approval
3. Distribution

Your project can benefit a lot from developing a white paper. The many ways by which you can gain a pole position with a white paper include:

• Greater revenue growth via increased sales and profits
• Validation of your credibility
• Cutting edge to your marketing efforts
• Establishes you as a thought-leader
• Strengthens your competitiveness in the industry
• Sales support becomes streamlined

The leverage you can extract out of your white paper whether it addresses healthcare, insurance, IT, or technology, is immense. Your venture can equip itself with cutting edge concepts with a help of a well-structured white paper. The advantages you can have include:

• More commitment to technology transformations
• Better customer evaluation
• Better planning and adoption to industry and technology trends
• Better approach to changes in external and internal processes
• Analysis of business implications
• Better visibility of investments and returns

A white paper reflects your competencies and areas of strength like no other medium. Developing such a white paper is extremely crucial to your business imperatives and vision. Global-Ability’s initiatives and research for developing white papers are well known in the industry. What we bring to the equation are:

• The right balance of content and design
• Complete and concise information to your audience
• The right blend of talent and expertise
• Credibility and authenticity
• A balanced view