The single largest reason for the demise of
most smaller businesses is too rapid a growth curve. Much of the problem
stems from the inability to focus on a clear and precise strategy
and to implement that strategy consistently.
You have a great product or service and
the opportunities and ideas bubble out of your meetings, your
customers, your vendors, your friends. Without a thoughtfully
designed plan, you run the risk of spreading your valuable resources
of time and money too thinly over all those "great"
ideas--without sufficient resources to complete any one of them.
By clearly looking at each market, each
marketing strategy, and each marketing vehicle as it relates to each
product, you can make more informed decisions that will result
in the profitability that will, in turn, allow you to go after
the next great idea.
Most successful companies have mastered
the use of the word "no" or "not yet."
NOTE: A good marketing plan, like a good
business plan, is revisited at least once a year. In fast moving
industries more frequent revisions can be more appropriate.
At the Institute, we work as a facilitator
or coach to companies in this process to help them elicit all
the great opportunities, and then set their priorities in a way
that will generate the greatest results in the the most effective
time frame.