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THE MARKETING MIX:STEPS IN PREPARING THE MARKETING PLAN

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Entrepreneurship ­ MGT602
VU
Lesson 26
THE MARKETING MIX
The actual short-term marketing decisions in the marketing plan will consist of four important marketing
variables, called the marketing mix:
1. Product or service.
2. Pricing.
3. Distribution.
4. Promotion.
Each variable should be described in detail in the strategy section of the marketing plan.
STEPS IN PREPARING THE MARKETING PLAN
Step 1: Defining the Business Situation
The situation analysis is a review of where the company has been and considers many of the
environmental factors. The entrepreneur should provide a review of past performance of the product and
the company. Industry analysis should include information on market size, growth rate, suppliers, new
entries, and economic conditions.
Step 2: Defining Target Market/Opportunities and Threats
The entrepreneur should have a good idea of who the customer or target market will be. The defined
target market will usually represent one or more segments of the entire market. Market segmentation is
the process of dividing the market into smaller homogeneous groups.. The process of segmenting is:
a.
Decide what general market or industry you wish to pursue.
b. Divide the market into smaller groups based on characteristics of the customer.
c.
Select segment or segments to target.
d. Develop marketing plan integrating the parts of the marketing mix.
Step 3: Considering Strengths and Weaknesses
It is important for the entrepreneur to consider its strengths and weaknesses.
Step 4: Establishing Goals and Objectives
Before strategy decisions can be outlined, the entrepreneur must establish realistic marketing goals and
objectives. These answer the question "Where do we want to go?" These goals should specify such things
as market share, profit, sales, market penetration, pricing policy, and advertising support. Not all goals and
objectives must be quantified. It is a good idea to limit the number of goals to between six and eight.
Step 5: Defining Marketing Strategy and Action Programs
Strategy and action decisions respond to the question "How do we get there?" It incorporates:
1. Product or Service
This includes a description of the product and may include more than the physical characteristics.
It involves packaging, brand name, price, warranty, image, service, features, and style.
2. Customer Service
Meeting customer needs and creating loyalty involves a number of low-cost steps:
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Entrepreneurship ­ MGT602
VU
In writing develop a statement of customer service principles.
Train those employees who have direct contact with customers.
Establish a process for evaluating customer service.
Reward employees who are most effective in providing quality customer service.
Make regular contact with customers.
Invest in quality telephone equipment.
Meet customer expectations.
Customer service is especially important for e-businesses.
3. Pricing.
One of the difficult decisions is determining the appropriate price for the product. Factors such as
costs, discounts, freight, and markups must be considered. Marketing research can help determine
a reasonable price that consumers are willing to pay.
4. Distribution.
This factor provides utility or makes the product convenient to purchase when it is needed. This
variable must be consistent with other marketing mix variables. Type of channel, number of
intermediaries and location of members should be described. Regardless of the type of business, it
is usually necessary for the new venture to have a website. The Internet will become an increasingly
important medium for information and distribution. Direct mail or telemarketing may be
considered. Direct mail marketing is one of the simplest and lowest in entry costs. But the direct-
marketing or Internet strategies are not a guarantee for success.
The entrepreneur should evaluate all possible options for distribution.
5. Promotion.
The entrepreneur needs to inform customers as to the product's availability using advertising
media such as print, radio, or television. Usually television is too expensive unless cable television
is a viable option. Larger markets can be reached using direct mail, trade magazines, or
newspapers. A website may also create awareness and promote the product and services of the
venture. It is possible to make use of publicity as a means of introduction. It is important that the
marketing strategy and action programs be specific and detailed enough to guide the entrepreneur
through the first year.
Step 6: Coordination of the Planning Process
The management team must coordinate the planning process. The entrepreneur may be the only person
involved but may lack experience in preparing the plan. Assistance is available from many sources, such as
the SBA.
.Step 7: Designing Responsibility for Implementation
The plan must be implemented effectively to meet all of the desired goals and objectives. Someone must
take the responsibility for implementing each decision made in the marketing plan.
Step 8: Budgeting the Marketing Strategy
Planning decisions must also consider the costs involved in the implementation of these decisions. This
budgeting will be useful in preparing the financial plan.
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Entrepreneurship ­ MGT602
VU
Step 9: Implementation of the Marketing Plan
The marketing plan is meant to be a commitment to a specific strategy. A commitment to make
adjustments as needed by market conditions is also valuable.
Step 10: Monitoring Progress of Marketing Actions
Monitoring of the plan involves tracking specific results of the marketing effort. What is monitored is
dependent on the specific goals and objectives outlined.
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Table of Contents:
  1. THE NATURE AND IMPORTANCE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP:DEFINITION OF ENTREPRENEUR
  2. THE NATURE AND IMPORTANCE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP:Possibility of New Venture Formation
  3. ENTREPRENEURIAL PROCESS/START UPS:GOVERNMENT AS AN INNOVATOR
  4. THE ENTREPRENEURIAL AND ENTREPRENEURIAL MIND:ENTREPRENEURIAL PROCESS
  5. THE ENTREPRENEURIAL AND ENTREPRENEURIAL MIND (continued…)
  6. THE ENTREPRENEURIAL AND ENTREPRENEURIAL MIND (continued…):CLIMATE FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  7. THE ENTREPRENEURIAL AND ENTREPRENEURIAL MIND (continued…):PROBLEMS AND SUCCESSFUL EFFORTS
  8. THE INDIVIDUAL ENTREPRENEUR:ENTREPRENEURIAL BACKGROUND AND CHARACTERISTICS
  9. THE INDIVIDUAL ENTREPRENEUR (continued…):Personal Values, Work History, MOTIVATION
  10. THE INDIVIDUAL ENTREPRENEUR (continued…):ROLE MODELS AND SUPPORT SYSTEMS
  11. INTERNATIONAL ENTREPRENEURIAL OPPORTUNITIES:INTERNATIONAL ENTREPRENEURIAL OPPORTUNITIES, Minority interests
  12. INTERNATIONAL ENTREPRENEURIAL OPPORTUNITIES (continued…):DIRECT FOREIGN INVESTMENT
  13. INTERNATIONAL ENTREPRENEURIAL OPPORTUNITIES (continued…):BARRIERS TO INTERNATIONAL TRADE
  14. INTERNATIONAL ENTREPRENEURIAL OPPORTUNITIES (continued…):ENTREPRENEURIAL PARTNERING
  15. INTERNATIONAL ENTREPRENEURIAL OPPORTUNITIES (continued…):SOURCES OF NEW IDEAS
  16. CREATIVITY AND THE BUSINESS IDEA:METHODS OF GENERATING NEW IDEAS, CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING
  17. CREATIVITY AND THE BUSINESS IDEA:PRODUCT PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
  18. LEGAL ISSUES FOR THE ENTREPRENEUR:NEED FOR A LAWYER, PATENTS
  19. LEGAL ISSUES FOR THE ENTREPRENEUR:TRADEMARKS, LICENSING
  20. LEGAL ISSUES FOR THE ENTREPRENEURS:PRODUCT SAFETY AND LIABILITY, INSURANCE
  21. CREATING AND STARTING THE VENTURE:WHAT IS THE BUSINESS PLAN, PRESENTING THE PLAN
  22. CREATING AND STARTING THE VENTURE (Continued….):WRITING THE BUSINESS PLAN
  23. CREATING AND STARTING THE VENTURE (Continued….):
  24. CREATING AND STARTING THE VENTURE (Continued….):WHY SOME BUSINESS PLANS FAIL, MARKETING PLAN
  25. THE MARKETING PLAN:MARKET RESEARCH FOR THE NEW VENTURE
  26. THE MARKETING MIX:STEPS IN PREPARING THE MARKETING PLAN
  27. THE ORGANIZATIONAL PLAN:DEVELOPING THE MANAGEMENT TEAM, LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS
  28. THE ORGANIZATIONAL PLAN (Continued….)
  29. THE ORGANIZATIONAL PLAN (Continued….):THE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
  30. THE FINANCIAL PLAN:OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGETS
  31. THE FINANCIAL PLAN (Continued….):PRO FORMA INCOME STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA CASH FLOW
  32. PRO FORMA SOURCES AND USES OF FUNDS:PERSONAL FUNDS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS
  33. PRO FORMA SOURCES AND USES OF FUNDS:COMMERCIAL BANKS
  34. BANK LENDING DECISIONS:SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION LOANS
  35. SOURCES OF CAPITAL:GOVERNMENT GRANTS
  36. SOURCES OF CAPITAL:PRIVATE PLACEMENT, BOOTSTRAP FINANCING
  37. CAPITAL SOURCES IN PAKISTAN:PROVINCIAL LEVEL INSTITUTIONS, FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
  38. PREPARING FOR THE NEW VENTURE LAUNCH: EARLY MANAGEMENT DECISIONS (Continued….)
  39. PREPARING FOR THE NEW VENTURE LAUNCH: EARLY MANAGEMENT DECISIONS (Continued….)
  40. PREPARING FOR THE NEW VENTURE LAUNCH: EARLY MANAGEMENT DECISIONS (Continued….)
  41. PREPARING FOR THE NEW VENTURE LAUNCH: EARLY MANAGEMENT DECISIONS (Continued….)
  42. PREPARING FOR THE NEW VENTURE LAUNCH: EARLY MANAGEMENT DECISIONS (Continued….)
  43. NEW VENTURE EXPANSION STRATEGIES AND ISSUES:JOINT VENTURES, ACQUISITIONS
  44. NEW VENTURE EXPANSION STRATEGIES AND ISSUES (Continued….):DETERMINING THE PRICE FOR AN ACQUISITION
  45. ENTREPRENEURSHIP & PAKISTAN:GENDER DEVELOPMENT STATUS WOMAN AS AN ENTREPRENEUR IN PAKISTAN