Strategic marketing to grow a business

Whatever the size of your business, unless marketing is central to your business plans you will be reactive and less able to take advantage of market opportunities. Strategic marketing is key to help your business grow and move forward, to help you know which is the right path for your business and to keep it on track.

First Impression can help you work through a strategic marketing plan for your business, from where you are now to where you want to be and how you are going to achieve it. We will work through a SOSTAC programme – Situation Analysis – Objectives – Strategy – Tactics – Action – Control and can help you right up to delivery and measuring your success.

This programme is eligible for funding through the Train to Gain Leadership & Management Initiative.

Session 1 Analysis and Preparation

In an initial full day consultancy session we will work with you to understand where your business is now and what you want to achieve, including:

• Defining your objectives
• Defining and quantifying your market
• Analysing your market with PEST
• Analysing your current customer base/spend
• Analysing your products and services with a SWOT
• Competitor analysis and competitor SWOT
• Identifying if further research is necessary

Session 2 Developing your strategy

There may have been areas of weakness or areas that needed further research which should be completed before this second half day session to develop a strategy for the business:

• Case studies and track record - credibility
• Identifying target market
• Identifying your strongest products and services with a Boston matrix
• Developing a clear proposition for these products and services
• Analyse sales plan to ensure strategy can meet the desired target
• Develop strategic actions

Session 3 Tactics

Strategy is only effective if it is implemented correctly which is why the tactical action plans coming out of a strategy session are very important. This will help keep you on track and will include:

• Identifying owners for the strategic actions ie marketing campaigns, sales activities, advertising etc
• Setting a timetable and identifying potential costs and returns, prioritising activity
• Establishing a clear measure for each activity and review dates

The programme is designed to take place over 1 full day session and 2 half day sessions depending on customer requirements with further time taken for research. Telephone support is available for up to 3 months to ensure you are totally comfortable managing your own marketing activity going forward.

The full strategic programme costs £1500. The programme is flexible to your specific requirements. £500 is fully funded through the Train to Gain Leadership & Management Initiative, with a possible further £500 matched funding.

Find out more about this programme and how to apply for funding and call First Impression on 01457 857111 or 01298 73200