White Paper
by MairaS on March 14, 2009
in White Papers
A White Paper is a formal Communication issued by competent persons or companies, describing the current status of an industry or economic aspect which has a bearing on the Industry as a whole or the economy as a whole. Because of the high degree of credibility attached to such communication, the writers who draft them have to take due precautions.
The major types of White PAPER are:
- Industry Knowledge White Paper and
- Product Knowledge White Paper
In the first type, more stress is given on giving a thorough look at the State of the Art in the industry and major problems currently faced. It then proceeds to list the current attempts at solving the problems and the various technical details of such attempts. An objective discussion of the relative merits and demerits of each technical innovation follows. Care is taken not to push one’s own solution in an obvious way, but subtle hints are dropped showing its edge over the competing solutions.
In a Product Knowledge White Paper, the tone is on stressing the superiority of one’s solution over the competing product. There is a clear highlighting of the specific advantages to the buyer in opting for the particular product. These White Papers, which are detailed Product literature, backed by technical data and expert opinions, make for great Product Sales promotion, after initial sales contacts are established.
In both the types the Writer has to ensure that credibility is not compromised by unnecessarily naked Sales Push. Otherwise the results will be counter-productive.
Interesting,informative and a very easy way to explain what is a white paper.just adding to this article that “the original white paper was written by (or, at least for) Winston Churchill. In the current avalanche of white papers, it’s worth checking the original for lessons”