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Strategic planning

Strategic planning
Strategic planning is an organization's process of defining its strategy, or direction, and making decisions on allocating its resources to pursue this strategy. In order to determine the future direction of the organization, it is necessary to understand its current position and the possible avenues through which it can pursue particular courses of action. Generally, strategic planning deals with at least one of three key questions:[1] "What do we do?""For whom do we do it?""How do we excel?" George Friedman in The Next 100 Years summarises "the fundamental principle of strategic planning: hope for the best, plan for the worst".[2] Key components[edit] Organizations sometimes summarize goals and objectives into a mission statement or a vision statement. Tools and approaches[edit] Tools include: Situational analysis[edit] There are several factors to assess in the external situation analysis: It is rare to find all seven of these factors having critical importance. See also[edit]

All About Strategic Planning Pro Bono, Online Program to Learn Strategic Planning Facilitation The Consultants Development Institute's Series Facilitating Strategic Planning provides free online courses, downloadable tools and interaction with faculty to learn the core skills to facilitate strategic planning for any kind of organization. Enrollment is unlimited. Sections of This Topic Include Most of the information in this topic was adapted from the book Field Guide to Nonprofit Strategic Planning and Facilitation. Most of the information in that book applies to for-profits, as well. Understanding Strategic Planning Introduction -- What is Strategic Planning? Conducting Strategic Planning Preparation for Strategic Planning - - - Guidelines to Keep Perspective During Planning - - - Useful Skills to Have When Planning - - - Need Consultant or Facilitator to Help You With Planning? General Resources General Resources Also See Planning (Many Types) Basics of Planning Business Planning Project Management Related Library Topics

Marketing plan A marketing plan may be part of an overall business plan. Solid marketing strategy is the foundation of a well-written marketing plan. While a marketing plan contains a list of actions, a marketing plan without a sound strategic foundation is of little use. The marketing planning process[edit] A marketing plan is a comprehensive blueprint which outlines an organization's overall marketing efforts. The marketing plan can function from two points: strategy and tactics (P. Marketing planning aims and objectives[edit] Behind the corporate objectives, which in themselves offer the main context for the marketing plan, will lie the "corporate mission," which in turn provides the context for these corporate objectives. This "corporate mission" can be thought of as a definition of what the organization is, or what it does: "Our business is ...". Perhaps the most important factor in successful marketing is the "corporate vision." Review of the marketing environment.

SMART criteria Mnemonic, giving criteria to guide in the setting of objectives SMART is a mnemonic acronym, giving criteria to guide in the setting of objectives, for example in project management, employee-performance management and personal development. The letters S and M generally mean specific and measurable. Possibly the most common version has the remaining letters referring to achievable (or attainable), relevant, and time-bound. The first-known use of the term occurs in the November 1981 issue of Management Review by George T. Often the term S.M.A.R.T. History[edit] The November 1981 issue of Management Review contained a paper by George T. Ideally speaking, each corporate, department, and section objective should be: Specific – target a specific area for improvement. Current definitions[edit] Each letter in SMART refers to a different criterion for judging objectives. Choosing certain combinations of these labels can cause duplication, such as selecting 'attainable' and 'realistic'.

Marketing strategy Marketing strategy is the fundamental goal of increasing sales and achieving a sustainable competitive advantage.[1] Marketing strategy includes all basic, short-term, and long-term activities in the field of marketing that deal with the analysis of the strategic initial situation of a company and the formulation, evaluation and selection of market-oriented strategies and therefore contribute to the goals of the company and its marketing objectives.[2] Developing a marketing strategy[edit] Marketing strategies serve as the fundamental underpinning of marketing plans designed to fill market needs and reach marketing objectives.[3] Plans and objectives are generally tested for measurable results with a goal of finding the most meaningful and actionable data that will help optimize success rates and help establish and maintain competitive advantages. Diversity of Strategies[edit] Marketing strategies may differ depending on the unique situation of the individual business. See also[edit] 8.

Solution Guide 3.7 out of 5 stars from 282 ratings A business plan provides an essential map to get you to your business destination. This guide outlines the benefits of having a business plan, the key elements, and how you can prepare a simple but effective plan that will function as an action template for your business. Why is a business plan important? Can you prepare a plan yourself? This guide aims to show how everyone can prepare an effective business plan. Of course the nature of your business and indeed the market will change with time, which is why any business plan needs to be revisited and updated at least once a year. Business plan template We have created a business plan template that you can use, download and print to help you get started. Sharing and brainstorming It is always better to include your staff - if you have any - in the business planning process rather than impose a plan upon them. Please contact your local ANZ Business Banker if you'd like to talk through your business plan.

What is Strategic Marketing Planning? What is Strategic Marketing Planning? Every CEO and marketing executive periodically faces urgent strategic marketing challenges that can affect the future of the company for many years. Frequently these decisions are made without having an opportunity to study the situation and make the best possible decision. Making spur of the moment strategic decisions reduces the likelihood that these decisions are the best. A better approach is to perform an annual comprehensive review of markets and opportunities, then make long-term strategic decisions without the distractions of day-to-day marketing and sales activities. Daily decisions then fit into the company's overall strategic marketing goals. It's important for a strategic marketing planning process to look at the company from the customer's point of view by asking questions that have a long time horizon, such as: What needs or problems cause customers to consider buying from our company? Strategic vs. Developing the Strategic Marketing Plan

Small Business Administration (SBA) Business Plan Outline What goes in a business plan? This is an excellent question. And, it is one that many new and potential small business owners should ask, but oftentimes don't ask. Business Plan Outline Cover Sheet Statement of Purpose Table of Contents I. A. II. A. III. Tax returns of principals for last three years Personal financial statement (all banks have these forms) In the case of a franchised business, a copy of franchise contract and all supporting documents provided by the franchisor Copy of proposed lease or purchase agreement for building space Copy of licenses and other legal documents Copy of resumes of all principals Copies of letters of intent from suppliers Appendix 1: Marketing Appendix 2: Financial Statements Appendix 3: Information Resources Information courtesy of the Small Business Administration.

How To Develop A Strategic Marketing Communications Plan As Branding and marketing professionals, we have an in-depth understanding of the importance of a marketing plan. However, not everyone recognizes the benefits of investing in a strategic marketing plan prior to launching strategies and tactics that seem intuitive at the time. The following few paragraphs attempt to impart our understanding of a well-written plan's importance by first defining some of key elements of the role of marketing in most organizations. Defines Focus: Your strategic marketing plan gives the company, and everyone in it, a benchmark to measure all marketing activities against. Tracks Costs / Measures Value: A marketing plan provides a step-by-step guide to what you are spending money on and when. Charts Success: A marketing plan helps you chart your destination point. Captures Thinking on Paper: The finance department isn't allowed to run a company by keeping numbers in their heads. Where Do You Start? Your Strategic Marketing Plan Should Include Include: S.

Content of a business plan A business plan is a formal statement of a set of business goals, the reasons they are believed attainable, and the plan for reaching those goals. It may also contain background information about the organization or team attempting to reach those goals. Business plans may also target changes in perception and branding by the customer, client, taxpayer, or larger community. Audience[edit] Internally focused business plans target intermediate goals required to reach the external goals. Operational plans describe the goals of an internal organization, working group or department.[4] Project plans, sometimes known as project frameworks, describe the goals of a particular project. Content[edit] Business plans are decision-making tools. For example, a business plan for a non-profit might discuss the fit between the business plan and the organization’s mission. Presentation formats[edit] The format of a business plan depends on its presentation context. Revising the business plan[edit] Uses[edit]

Marketing Plan - What is a Marketing Plan? Definition: A marketing plan is a business document written for the purpose of describing the current market position of a business and its marketing strategy for the period covered by the marketing plan. Marketing plans usually have a life of from one to five years. Purpose of a Marketing Plan The purpose of creating a marketing plan is to clearly show what steps will be undertaken to achieve the business' marketing objectives. While some small business owners include their marketing plan as part of their overall business plan, if a business owner follows the recommended SBA format, parts of the marketing plan will be included in the various areas of the business plan. What's in a Marketing Plan? A typical small business marketing plan might include a description of its competitors, the demand for the product or service, and the strengths and weaknesses from a market standpoint of both the business and its competitors. Other elements usually contained in a marketing plan include: Examples:

Business Plans - Business Plan Outline By Susan Ward Updated March 04, 2016. Thinking of writing a business plan? Here is a business plan outline, listing the sections in the order in which they will appear in your completed plan with a brief explanation of each section to help you get organized and guide you through the process. The Executive Summary While appearing first, this section is written last. The Industry An overview of the industry sector that your business will be a part of, including industry trends, major players in the industry, and estimated industry sales. Market Analysis An examination of the primary target market for your product or service, including geographic location, demographics, your target market's needs and how these needs are being met currently. Competitive Analysis An investigation of your direct and indirect competitors, with an assessment of their competitive advantage and an analysis of how you will overcome any entry barriers to your chosen market. continue reading below our video Play Video

Strategic Approach - The use of a strategic approach means that the researcher, having settled upon the research question, will gather whatever samples are necessary to throw light on the question. Creative flexibility will be employed, and the precise direction of the data collection process will emerge only as the project develops. Tactical initiatives (q.v.) may lead the researcher in unanticipated directions.

Found in: Davies, M. (2007) Doing a Successful Research Project: Using Qualitative or Quantitative Methods. Basingstoke, Hampshire, England, United Kingdom: Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN: 9781403993793. by raviii Jul 31

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