The document provides guidance on developing an effective marketing plan. It recommends including an overview of the company and products, a market analysis examining competitors and trends, and strategies for product development, promotion, pricing, and finances. The plan aims to improve competitive positioning by demonstrating a thorough understanding of the market and strategies for gaining customers and market share.
How to Create an Inbound Marketing Services ProposalHubSpot
Creating proposals that win business is a difficult task! As the fields of PR, marketing, advertising, SEO, social media, web design ... all merge, it has gotten even more difficult. So, how do you adapt and grow your agency despite this increasing complexity?
A solid inbound marketing proposal includes a plan for:
- Search engine optimization and pay per click management.
- Branding, messaging and content creation.
- Public relations, blogging and social media marketing.
- Web design and development.
- Online lead generation, lead nurturing and lead qualification.
- Aligning marketing and sales processes, goals and messages.
In this webinar, you'll learn how to diagnose your prospect's needs in all of these areas. Armed with the right questions to help determine your prospect's challenges and goals, you'll master the art and science of pulling together the perfect custom proposal.
How to Create an Inbound Marketing Services ProposalHubSpot
Creating proposals that win business is a difficult task! As the fields of PR, marketing, advertising, SEO, social media, web design ... all merge, it has gotten even more difficult. So, how do you adapt and grow your agency despite this increasing complexity?
A solid inbound marketing proposal includes a plan for:
- Search engine optimization and pay per click management.
- Branding, messaging and content creation.
- Public relations, blogging and social media marketing.
- Web design and development.
- Online lead generation, lead nurturing and lead qualification.
- Aligning marketing and sales processes, goals and messages.
In this webinar, you'll learn how to diagnose your prospect's needs in all of these areas. Armed with the right questions to help determine your prospect's challenges and goals, you'll master the art and science of pulling together the perfect custom proposal.
How to Create a Marketing Plan for Financial Advisors and Grow Your Business ...Claire Akin, MBA
Are you ready to make this year your best year ever? Get started by joining us for an exclusive workshop webinar to create your marketing plan! We'll review six steps to get started with your marketing plan including:
Your Website
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Email Marketing
Event Marketing
Social Media
Creating a Marketing Calendar
You'll walk away with a concrete action plan to increase new leads and referrals this year and beyond!
How to write a marketing plan for 2018 is an overview about the powerful, practical and proven methodology used by Fraser Hay and Grow Your Business to document and execute a marketing plan to deliver your marketing strategy in 2018 and achieve your goals and objectives. http://www.fraserhay.co.uk
This presentation will assist marina managers and owners create an effective strategic marketing plan.
However, it can be used as a model for creating a marketing plan for any product or service.
This presentation will help you understand how to:
Develop short- mid- and long-term business, sales and marketing goals and related objectives
Prepare your corporate Mission and Vision statement
Understand brand positioning and its importance
Recognize ideal target clients
Determine competitive factors that affect your market position
Define the elements that will shape your marketing budget
Presentation for NRPA Revenue Development and Management School (Year 2). Participants walk away with a one-page marketing plan for one of their programs, facilities, or services in this interactive session.
Free Marketing Plan template!
Create your marketing plan with our free marketing template- including linked contents page. Suitable for any Marketing Department. For more information, please see www.awoltv.com
Strategic Marketing Planning Template with narration on its use.Andrew Mashman
This is a voice over PPT hightlightling how to use this Strategic Marketing Planning template by www.liberatedvision.com.au It was done by Andrew Mashman (@amashman) in Jan 2013 for use by Masters/MBA students at Charles Sturt University (CSU)
A marketing plan is a comprehensive document or blueprint that outlines a business advertising and marketing efforts for the coming year.
Visit now: https://goo.gl/y2apLQ
The Ultimate Guide To Creating A Brand Marketing PlanMash Bonigala
Watch the video version of this presentation at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giwggfKZnDs
Now more than ever, brands need a robust and complete marketing plan – even before they have named their company. I am not kidding. Your marketing plan – which includes crucial sections such as brand strategy, positioning, brand naming, brand identity development, product development and pricing, outlining your distribution, sales, and retention plans, marketing channels, and campaigns etc should be the first thing to start working on when you have decided to launch a new brand.
Read the full article at https://www.spellbrand.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-creating-a-brand-marketing-plan
How to Create a Marketing Plan for Online Employee TrainingBizLibrary
I bet you didn’t think you’d need marketing skills when you joined the learning and development industry. No worries, we’re here to help. Ultimately, both marketers and learning professionals want their audiences to take some specific action. Whether you're trying to sell a product or convince an employee to use a new skill, you're trying to persuade someone to do something.
In this webinar we’ll provide:
• An overview of the implementation process of a new online learning platform
• How to develop a marketing strategy
• How to develop target audiences
• How to create a marketing plan
• Marketing methods and techniques that keep your employees engaged
www.bizlibrary.com
Margaret Dawson defines integrated marketing and the required components of an integrated marketing plan. You can use this template to set up your marketing program for success. From performing a market analysis and SWOT to establishing the right strategies and objectives to establishing the right metrics - and then putting an action plan together based on all of that.
How to Write a 90 Day Marketing Strategy in 90 MinutesAutomated Insights
Developing a marketing strategy can be a large undertaking that requires careful consideration and extensive planning. A good marketing strategy must be well thought out, actionable, and measurable, with clearly defined goals that ladder up to overall business objectives. Most importantly, it should be scalable because scalability is what will enable you to swiftly set your strategy so you can start executing while staying agile.
Why 90 days? You can pick any time frame but planning in 90-day increments gives you an actionable time frame and the flexibility needed for testing and learning. If you’re not testing, you’re not learning, and you have no opportunity for optimization. Successful marketing is agile.
The Benefits of having a Marketing PlandiannaGreford
The benefits of having a marketing plan is essential for a small business owner and there are many benefits that you will enjoy when you develop and commit to an integrated approach to your business marketing that is only possible when you consistently implement the actions in your marketing plan.
Membership is the lifeblood of any association. Chapter leaders are a key asset in the retention and engagement of members and this is very true with the BMW Car Club of America. This presentation includes a number of interactive activities as well as a case study on how one association changed their organization to better communicate with members on a consistent basis.
How to Create a Marketing Plan for Financial Advisors and Grow Your Business ...Claire Akin, MBA
Are you ready to make this year your best year ever? Get started by joining us for an exclusive workshop webinar to create your marketing plan! We'll review six steps to get started with your marketing plan including:
Your Website
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Email Marketing
Event Marketing
Social Media
Creating a Marketing Calendar
You'll walk away with a concrete action plan to increase new leads and referrals this year and beyond!
How to write a marketing plan for 2018 is an overview about the powerful, practical and proven methodology used by Fraser Hay and Grow Your Business to document and execute a marketing plan to deliver your marketing strategy in 2018 and achieve your goals and objectives. http://www.fraserhay.co.uk
This presentation will assist marina managers and owners create an effective strategic marketing plan.
However, it can be used as a model for creating a marketing plan for any product or service.
This presentation will help you understand how to:
Develop short- mid- and long-term business, sales and marketing goals and related objectives
Prepare your corporate Mission and Vision statement
Understand brand positioning and its importance
Recognize ideal target clients
Determine competitive factors that affect your market position
Define the elements that will shape your marketing budget
Presentation for NRPA Revenue Development and Management School (Year 2). Participants walk away with a one-page marketing plan for one of their programs, facilities, or services in this interactive session.
Free Marketing Plan template!
Create your marketing plan with our free marketing template- including linked contents page. Suitable for any Marketing Department. For more information, please see www.awoltv.com
Strategic Marketing Planning Template with narration on its use.Andrew Mashman
This is a voice over PPT hightlightling how to use this Strategic Marketing Planning template by www.liberatedvision.com.au It was done by Andrew Mashman (@amashman) in Jan 2013 for use by Masters/MBA students at Charles Sturt University (CSU)
A marketing plan is a comprehensive document or blueprint that outlines a business advertising and marketing efforts for the coming year.
Visit now: https://goo.gl/y2apLQ
The Ultimate Guide To Creating A Brand Marketing PlanMash Bonigala
Watch the video version of this presentation at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giwggfKZnDs
Now more than ever, brands need a robust and complete marketing plan – even before they have named their company. I am not kidding. Your marketing plan – which includes crucial sections such as brand strategy, positioning, brand naming, brand identity development, product development and pricing, outlining your distribution, sales, and retention plans, marketing channels, and campaigns etc should be the first thing to start working on when you have decided to launch a new brand.
Read the full article at https://www.spellbrand.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-creating-a-brand-marketing-plan
How to Create a Marketing Plan for Online Employee TrainingBizLibrary
I bet you didn’t think you’d need marketing skills when you joined the learning and development industry. No worries, we’re here to help. Ultimately, both marketers and learning professionals want their audiences to take some specific action. Whether you're trying to sell a product or convince an employee to use a new skill, you're trying to persuade someone to do something.
In this webinar we’ll provide:
• An overview of the implementation process of a new online learning platform
• How to develop a marketing strategy
• How to develop target audiences
• How to create a marketing plan
• Marketing methods and techniques that keep your employees engaged
www.bizlibrary.com
Margaret Dawson defines integrated marketing and the required components of an integrated marketing plan. You can use this template to set up your marketing program for success. From performing a market analysis and SWOT to establishing the right strategies and objectives to establishing the right metrics - and then putting an action plan together based on all of that.
How to Write a 90 Day Marketing Strategy in 90 MinutesAutomated Insights
Developing a marketing strategy can be a large undertaking that requires careful consideration and extensive planning. A good marketing strategy must be well thought out, actionable, and measurable, with clearly defined goals that ladder up to overall business objectives. Most importantly, it should be scalable because scalability is what will enable you to swiftly set your strategy so you can start executing while staying agile.
Why 90 days? You can pick any time frame but planning in 90-day increments gives you an actionable time frame and the flexibility needed for testing and learning. If you’re not testing, you’re not learning, and you have no opportunity for optimization. Successful marketing is agile.
The Benefits of having a Marketing PlandiannaGreford
The benefits of having a marketing plan is essential for a small business owner and there are many benefits that you will enjoy when you develop and commit to an integrated approach to your business marketing that is only possible when you consistently implement the actions in your marketing plan.
Membership is the lifeblood of any association. Chapter leaders are a key asset in the retention and engagement of members and this is very true with the BMW Car Club of America. This presentation includes a number of interactive activities as well as a case study on how one association changed their organization to better communicate with members on a consistent basis.
Engagement letter for Multicultural Marketing ProjectPrajakta Talathi
Terms of engagement of the Applied Research Project to be completed during the 3 months period until April 2014. It underlines the objective, scope and the approach of the project.
Vibes Communication is one of the best digital marketing agency in Noida. We’re the fusion of technology and marketing that enhance the brand’s value and integrity. Think of Branding-Think of us. We are the brand builder. Click here to know about us: www.vibescom.in
Social media strategy for education sector Synopsis: Building and growing strategies for YOUR social media including Student Recruitment, Alumni Relations, Events Management, Promotions and Contests. Integrated with YOUR other existing digital and social media content. Drive traffic to your online preference and unify policy & processes to succeed!
Vibes Communication is one of the best digital marketing agency in Delhi NCR India. We’re the fusion of technology and marketing that enhance the brand’s value and integrity. Think of Branding-Think of us. We are the brand builder. Click here to know about us: www.vibescom.in
Strategic plan is a road map for pro- growth and pro -active development of any organisation . It provides the ways and means of realising the vision and mission of an organization . It provides the strategies to achieve the goals both long and short term and also the metrics associated with the performance indicators.A good strategic plan is one when all the stakeholders are involved in its preparation rather than made by external consultants . These slide provide the readers step- by -step approach to prepare a strategic plan for any educational institution following the scientific theories involved in doing so .
The author may be referred for clarifications at the email ID given on the title slide.
IMPROVING YOUR COMPETITIVE EDGE
A Marketing Plan is a written strategy for selling the products/services of a new business. It is a reflection of how serious a company is in meeting the competition head on, with strategies and plans to increase market share and attract customers. An effective Marketing Plan is backed by carefully collected market, consumer and competitor information, sometimes citing professional advice.
BUSINESS PLAN
Creating an extensive business plan is unnecessary for most businesses to get started. Keep it short when
you are getting started. You don’t have time to write a 50-page document and no one wants to read it
either. However, the exercise of creating a business plan offers you several benefits that more than
outweigh the investment of time:
• The process of thinking and writing the plan provides clarity to your business • If capital is needed from beyond your savings, investors want to see a plan that demonstrates a solid
understanding and vision for your business • The plan will help you to prioritize the tasks that are most important • With growth, the plan offers a common understanding of the vision to new leaders • It is something you should continually review and update over time
A simple business plan for a product or service company that is just forming, can be completed rather
quickly. Write it simply keeping in mind who the audience might be. It needs to be understandable,
readable, and realistic.
This template is organized into seven sub-plans or sections to be completed. It is recommended to
complete the Executive Summary last once the other sections have been completed. As you move from
the Company Overview to the Financial Plan, the writing should tell the story of your motivation, your
vision, why you will be successful, how you will achieve success, and how you will measure it.
It will be important to keep your plan up to date so you can see your progress, celebrate success, and
adjust where you missed the mark. This is best done on a quarterly, if not monthly basis
SocialXpand | To Boost The Chance for New ContractsSocialXpand
SocialXpand boost the reviews on link and enhance chance for new contracts via digital marketing for work. By Digital and social marketing we can also take care of false complaints on links.
A marketing plan is a document that contains information with the direct impact on the firm's marketing strategy that facilitates the alignment of decision makers.
Palestine last event orientationfvgnh .pptxRaedMohamed3
An EFL lesson about the current events in Palestine. It is intended to be for intermediate students who wish to increase their listening skills through a short lesson in power point.
Welcome to TechSoup New Member Orientation and Q&A (May 2024).pdfTechSoup
In this webinar you will learn how your organization can access TechSoup's wide variety of product discount and donation programs. From hardware to software, we'll give you a tour of the tools available to help your nonprofit with productivity, collaboration, financial management, donor tracking, security, and more.
The French Revolution, which began in 1789, was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France. It marked the decline of absolute monarchies, the rise of secular and democratic republics, and the eventual rise of Napoleon Bonaparte. This revolutionary period is crucial in understanding the transition from feudalism to modernity in Europe.
For more information, visit-www.vavaclasses.com
The Roman Empire A Historical Colossus.pdfkaushalkr1407
The Roman Empire, a vast and enduring power, stands as one of history's most remarkable civilizations, leaving an indelible imprint on the world. It emerged from the Roman Republic, transitioning into an imperial powerhouse under the leadership of Augustus Caesar in 27 BCE. This transformation marked the beginning of an era defined by unprecedented territorial expansion, architectural marvels, and profound cultural influence.
The empire's roots lie in the city of Rome, founded, according to legend, by Romulus in 753 BCE. Over centuries, Rome evolved from a small settlement to a formidable republic, characterized by a complex political system with elected officials and checks on power. However, internal strife, class conflicts, and military ambitions paved the way for the end of the Republic. Julius Caesar’s dictatorship and subsequent assassination in 44 BCE created a power vacuum, leading to a civil war. Octavian, later Augustus, emerged victorious, heralding the Roman Empire’s birth.
Under Augustus, the empire experienced the Pax Romana, a 200-year period of relative peace and stability. Augustus reformed the military, established efficient administrative systems, and initiated grand construction projects. The empire's borders expanded, encompassing territories from Britain to Egypt and from Spain to the Euphrates. Roman legions, renowned for their discipline and engineering prowess, secured and maintained these vast territories, building roads, fortifications, and cities that facilitated control and integration.
The Roman Empire’s society was hierarchical, with a rigid class system. At the top were the patricians, wealthy elites who held significant political power. Below them were the plebeians, free citizens with limited political influence, and the vast numbers of slaves who formed the backbone of the economy. The family unit was central, governed by the paterfamilias, the male head who held absolute authority.
Culturally, the Romans were eclectic, absorbing and adapting elements from the civilizations they encountered, particularly the Greeks. Roman art, literature, and philosophy reflected this synthesis, creating a rich cultural tapestry. Latin, the Roman language, became the lingua franca of the Western world, influencing numerous modern languages.
Roman architecture and engineering achievements were monumental. They perfected the arch, vault, and dome, constructing enduring structures like the Colosseum, Pantheon, and aqueducts. These engineering marvels not only showcased Roman ingenuity but also served practical purposes, from public entertainment to water supply.
Students, digital devices and success - Andreas Schleicher - 27 May 2024..pptxEduSkills OECD
Andreas Schleicher presents at the OECD webinar ‘Digital devices in schools: detrimental distraction or secret to success?’ on 27 May 2024. The presentation was based on findings from PISA 2022 results and the webinar helped launch the PISA in Focus ‘Managing screen time: How to protect and equip students against distraction’ https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/education/managing-screen-time_7c225af4-en and the OECD Education Policy Perspective ‘Students, digital devices and success’ can be found here - https://oe.cd/il/5yV
Read| The latest issue of The Challenger is here! We are thrilled to announce that our school paper has qualified for the NATIONAL SCHOOLS PRESS CONFERENCE (NSPC) 2024. Thank you for your unwavering support and trust. Dive into the stories that made us stand out!
This is a presentation by Dada Robert in a Your Skill Boost masterclass organised by the Excellence Foundation for South Sudan (EFSS) on Saturday, the 25th and Sunday, the 26th of May 2024.
He discussed the concept of quality improvement, emphasizing its applicability to various aspects of life, including personal, project, and program improvements. He defined quality as doing the right thing at the right time in the right way to achieve the best possible results and discussed the concept of the "gap" between what we know and what we do, and how this gap represents the areas we need to improve. He explained the scientific approach to quality improvement, which involves systematic performance analysis, testing and learning, and implementing change ideas. He also highlighted the importance of client focus and a team approach to quality improvement.
1. THE MARKETING PLAN
IMPROVING YOUR COMPETITIVE EDGE
A Marketing Plan is a written strategy for selling the products/services of a
new business. It is a reflection of how serious a company is in meeting the
competition head on, with strategies and plans to increase market share and
attract customers. An effective Marketing Plan is backed by carefully
collected market, consumer and competitor information, sometimes citing
professional advice.
Why Prepare a Marketing Plan?
A good Marketing Plan will help you to improve your odds against more
experienced competitors and newly emerging ones. The Plan enables you to
recognize and take action on any trends and consumer preferences that other
companies have overlooked, and to develop and expand your own select
group of loyal customers now and into the future.
The Plan also shows to others that you have carefully considered how to
produce a product that is innovative, unique and marketable- improving your
chances of stable sales and profits - reasons for investors to financially back
you.
CONTENTS OF A MARKETING PLAN
Title Page
• Include the name of the company, period of time that the contents of
the marketing plan covers, and completion date.
• Use a clean and professional format with examples of the company
logo and product designs and packaging types.
Table of Contents
• List all the contents of the marketing plan in the order they appear,
citing relevant page numbers.
• List tables, graphs and diagrams on a separate page so that the reader
can locate these presentation tools quickly. List the appendices that
will be included at the end of your document.
2. Cover Letter
• This letter should form a personalized overview of the document.
Highlight areas of the plan that are particularly crucial to the reader,
providing an indication of how this plan will help your business attain
overall success in the future.
Historical Background
• Give the reader an indication of where your business idea originated,
citing the date you began researching into the idea, the existence of
any mentors or advisors, the scope of your business (the specific of
what the business "does"), and opportunities for expansion. Indicate
how the future success of the business can be attributed to the
strategies found in the Marketing Plan.
Marketing Goals and Objectives
To introduce this section, include the "mission statement" of the
business; an idea of what its goals are for customers, clients,
employees and the consumer, then proceed with:
Sales Objectives
• Compare your prospects for future sales with either past performance,
or a general industry performance report. By analyzing the industry
average as well as your own performance you will demonstrate to the
reader that you can look "beyond your borders" to the competition to
give yourself an idea of how well you are performing, or what general
difficulties the whole industry may be facing.
• Identify industry wide problems and create strategies to challenge
them. This will also demonstrate that you have the necessary foresight
to allow you to recognize problems in the future.
• Set "benchmarks" for your sales objectives by using quarterly reports
as a way of evaluating the success of your overall marketing
approach. Indicate how much "market share" you intend to collect
over the next 5 years, to show that you expect to advance your
position against your competitors using your "individual" approach.
Profit Objectives
3. • Include your predictions for after tax profit for each of the next five
years. Relate this profit assumption based on the contents of your
operating budget's costs figures found in your Business Plan.
• Indicate how you will reinvest your profit margin in specific areas of
the Marketing Plans future activities, as well as countering operating
and start up costs you already have. Don't neglect the future of the
Marketing Plan because you have to defer the costs you already have.
A sound Marketing Plan should do more than "pay for itself" and its
activities.
Pricing Objectives
• Focus on the weaknesses of your competitors by offering better
quality at a competitive price. Remember what your own attitudes are
towards products you consume on a day to day basis. Remember how
you react to high prices for poor or marginal quality or service.
• Justifying your prices for your product or service while thinking like a
customer will give you an advantage. Survey a sampling of your
potential customer group and ask them directly how they feel about
competitors products, services, industry prices and any areas for
improvement.
Product Objectives
• Much like what you would be doing for your prices, focus on the
wants, needs and perceptions of your consumers and the general
public. Identify any problems for your industry/product.
• Show how you will attract more customers while keeping the ones
you have. Determine the determining factors of customer preference
towards a product, like price, or social considerations such as
environmental impact, product quality or convenience.
• Indicate the goals you have for quality of service, level of service
(speed and accuracy), customer satisfaction, and your own flexibility
to support consumer demands and requests.
Market Analysis
• Examine whether or not your industry is growing, maturing or
declining.
4. • If it is declining, identify the problems that exist and be able to change
the ones you can. Show how you can adapt to changes that you can't
control.
• If your industry is maturing, show how as a new company, you may
be able to better adapt to external forces; better than the more mature
competition.
• In a newly emerging and growing market (the best scenario),
differentiate yourself from new competitors. Show how you expect to
become a major market share holder, using a new approach to the
marketplace and utilizing the latest technology. Identify the older
methods of generating your product/service being challenged by your
business' approach.
• Acknowledge the problems and challenges of the marketplace you are
entering. Use your analysis to construct a strategy that will put you
ahead of your competition.
• Look to ways of prolonging the "life" of your business if you
recognize that what your getting into is threatened by newly emerging
technologies and business approaches. To advance your business in
the new economy means finding your "niche", or, creating one of your
own.
• In your market analysis focus is on key areas like industry wide sales
performance. Acknowledge why sales (as a whole) may be declining.
Look to national and provincial averages, citing reasons for poor
performance. Reasons can be both external to a particular businesses
operations, or internal to the way the business operates. People called
"industry analysts" have developed a way of determining the causes of
business failures, focusing on the direction newly emerging business
can take to realize success. Reference these professionals.
• Your focus should also turn to the local scene, since local markets
may or may not follow the greater industry trend for various reasons.
Compare the local situation to the national and provincial averages;
the trends in sales, and the estimated total market that can be reached
by local companies.
• Recognize the position your local competitors have taken in the local
market; the clientele they serve, the product they produce, the price
they expect to charge for their products and services.
• Finally, relate your own businesses position to the position of others,
reflecting on the maturity and experience of your business
competitors.
5. Environmental Analysis - Global Business Environment
Conduct an environmental analysis to look at and comment on the world in
which you will be operating. Unemployment rates for the past 2 to 5 years
and the impact it has had on sales and the overall customer base is an
effective way of demonstrating the effect of "external" pressures onto your
business. Threats due to environmental conditions (like unemployment,
layoffs, recession, high interest rates) reduce consumer activity, and should
be explored in your marketing plan.
Political and Legal
• Identify the regulations, permits, insurance, liability, municipal zoning
and taxation requirements that you must follow in order to operate
your business.
• The business climate of your town, village and surrounding area is an
important influence on your day-to-day operations. Reflect on topics
such as taxation, zoning and other factors.
Demographics
• Describe the population base that exists to support your product.
Identify the market size for your product, and the people that make up
your product/service's consumer group. Provide information about:
• Where they live, What products do they buy, How much they spend
on similar products each year,
• Where they shop for these products, etc. Indicate whether or not your
product is geared towards a specific age group, with spending patterns
and consumer demands. Indicate whether this group is shrinking,
expanding or yet to be tapped into.
Environmental Analysis - Local Business Environment
Conduct an environmental analysis that looks at and comments on your local
area and your network of business contacts, competitors and customers.
Suppliers
• Identify your sources for direct purchasing by describing their
locations, the frequency of your orders and the type and amount of
supplies you will be ordering.
6. Social/Cultural
• Explain any particular client support or other specialized consumer
groups that can be identified apart from the general public. Describe
the spending and product requirements of these groups and the
characteristics of your company that support the product and services
they are demanding. Indicate whether your product is part of the day
to day activities of a specific group or the general public. Identify the
influence this will have on your projected sales. Identify your
networking contacts in the community, and the overall atmosphere
surrounding your business. Identify the influence this will have on
your projected sales. Predict the receptiveness of your product
concepts, and how the community perceives your business.
• Describe the expected response to your advertising, and how this will
boost sales. Indicate what overall market trends you will be following
in order to stay current and "in touch" with the public. What special
techniques will you be employing in order to match consumer
demands.
Competition
• Identify your direct competition by naming their business, describing
their facilities and operations, identifying their share of the consumer
market, realizing support for their product and by reviewing the
weaknesses of their approach.
Consumer Analysis
• Identify your target market, describing how your company will meet
the needs of the consumer better than the competition does. List the
expectations consumers have for your type of product. Since demands
may be different, products and services will vary between
competitors. Quality, price and after sales service are just some of the
areas where this difference occurs.
• Identify the segment of the market that will benefit from your product
and area of expertise as well as your approach to selling your product
or service.
• Predict the sales potential that may be realized by tapping into and
holding onto your target market, and attracting others through
different strategies and approaches. These different approaches can be
7. all done at the same time or be more incremental - obtaining a core
audience for your product or service first, then expanding into the rest
of the market. Identify the sales potential for each of these target
groups.
Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats Analysis
Strengths
• List the strengths of your business approach such as cost
effectiveness, service quality and customer loyalty.
• List other assets of your operations such as flexibility, innovativeness,
response to external pressures, creativity and company stability.
• Relate your experience (professionalism, duration and diversity) and
the contacts you have made in all areas of your businesses operations -
from suppliers to clients, government officials to business
professionals.
Weaknesses
• Describe the areas of weakness in your company's operations, such as
government policies and procedures, and management inexperience.
• Capital financing, credit, loans and other financial debts should be
identified, with strategies to control their effect on your business.
• Recognize the limited impact of a new product on the market - its lack
of recognition may be attributed to the companies inexperience in
promoting.
• Recognize that poor performance will mean lower than expected
profits - which will result in a lot of the money going to reduce debts
rather than improving business facilities, operations and expanding
markets.
Opportunities
• Examine how proper timing, as well as other factors such as your
company's innovativeness, may improve your business's chances of
success.
• Use tools such as customer surveys to emphasize the need for product
quality and after sales service.
8. • Relate your company's focus to a segment of the present market that is
being overlooked.
Threats
• List the external threats to your business' success, such a existing and
newly emerging competitors, performance of the overall economy,
and your dependency on other businesses such as suppliers, retailers
and distributors for market access and support.
Marketing Focus
Product or Service
• Identify your product or service by what it is, who will buy it, how
much they will pay for it and how much it will cost for you to produce
it, why a consumer demand exists for your product, and where your
product sits in comparison to similar products/services now available.
• Describe the marketplace rationale for the differences between your
product and a competitors. Look at quality, price, new
ideas/approaches, and how your product appeals to a specific
customer base - both existing customers and new customers you hope
to attract to the market.
• Be specific about how your product/service improves upon those
already existing, your use of quality control, post purchase evaluation
(and how you will obtain feedback) and the scope of service you will
provide: responsibilities, liabilities and expectations.
Location
• Identify the location of your business, why it is located there
(strategic, competitive, economic objectives), your expected methods
of distribution, and timing objectives.
• Different products have different shelf lives and your estimation of
how long your product will remain on the shelf is an important one.
Promotion
• Describe the type of promotional methods you will use to spread the
word about your product. Identify techniques such as word of mouth,
radio and newspaper ads.
9. • For radio, focus on a stations music format and its relationship to your
products image, broadcast area, cultural focus, age focus, etc.
• For newspapers and other print mediums, consider the level at which
you wish to advertise (local, regional, provincial, federal, cross-
national, etc.), in what mediums (trade magazines, professional,
recreational, cultural, hobby, special interest, etc.), how often, and the
timing of such advertisements (seasonal, special issues, etc.).
• List accessible tradeshows that offer your business and opportunity to
display banners and promotional literature.
• Explain your use of expensive mediums such as television and
billboards. Both are highly expensive, while computer based "bulletin
boards" and the Internet can provide a global audience.
• Promotion through associations and government support programs
offer an opportunity for success stories to advertise.
• In store promotions, sidewalk sales, plant tours, free samples,
openhouses, "point of sale" displays, acknowledgment in government
programs, agendas, brochures and calendars are other avenues for
promotion. Also, gimmicks like draws for free product samples and
service visits also provide you with a mailing list for future
considerations.
• Alliance campaigns between yourself and associated businesses
(retailers, suppliers, etc.) provide you and some complementary
businesses the chance to improve your market image and potential
sales.
Price
• The prices of your products or services should reflect your overall
company strategy. Pricing should be competitive as well as a
reflection of the quality, costs and profit margin.
• List the quality features of your product or service, as well as the
associated cost component for each item or level of service.
• List strategies you plan to use, such as providing a discount on some
items you sell in order to increase the sales in other areas.
Financial Information
• Show the predicted level of sales you expect to realize with and
without the strategies you have outlined in the marketing plan. Show
10. the natural level of sales as described in your business plan, and then
show the expected increase in sales as they relate to specific
marketing techniques you will use.
• Show the market share you will hope to attain, based on "high",
"medium", and "low" estimates for the success of your marketing
strategy.
• Forecast the "break even point" for each of the following 5 years, in
the number of sales in dollars. This will demonstrate your need to
realize a certain amount of sales in order to cover your expected costs
for each of the next 5 years.
• Outline the areas of weakness in the financing of your business; the
deficiencies that may be found in areas such as "operating capital",
outstanding loans, and insufficient credit.
• Provide appropriate suggestions for reducing the effect that these
deficiencies will have on the successful operation of your business.
Tables, Graphs, Diagrams and Pictures
By presenting information in a picture format, some areas that are hard to
express in words become easy to show to the reader. Here are some
examples:
Position Analysis
• A figure that shows where your company's image lies in relation to
your direct competition.
Advertising Examples and Other Promotional Materials
• Provide the reader with some examples of the type of artwork and
advertising you hope to use to attract potential customers, and, to
portray a particular image of your product/service.
• Such materials can demonstrate the effectiveness of your message,
successful product/service recognition and packaging design.
Demographics, Consumer Statistics and Budgets
• Include appropriate demographic information such as populations, age
distributions, projected population growth and household sizes.
• Include statistics covering family expenditures, personal income
characteristics, employment figures, and spending and consumer
patterns.
11. • Provide budget sheets for advertising campaigns, sales promotions,
and expenses such as uniforms, business cards, logo designs, banners,
flyers, billboards, etc.
• Include printing costs and expected reordering schedules.
• Demographics and other statistics can be found in Statistics Canada
information, available at the local library.
Pricing
• Relate the pricing of your products or services to your costs, profit
margin, "break even point" in sales, competitor pricing schemes,
consumer profiles and product/service expectations.
Separate the "fixed cost" components and your "variable costs". Fixed costs
are those that should remain stable over the next 5 years, while variable
costs are those that adjust to external and internal pressures.