Introduction
When developing a marketing plan, a firm’s mission serves as the foundation for its strategic decisions and actions. Once the mission is established, the firm must take immediate steps to ensure its successful implementation. This article will explore the key actions that a firm should undertake after developing its mission to effectively execute its marketing plan.
Developing a Clear Marketing Strategy
Market Analysis: The first step after establishing the mission is to conduct a comprehensive market analysis. This involves researching and gathering information about the target market, competitors, industry trends, and customer preferences. By understanding the market dynamics, the firm can identify opportunities and potential challenges.
Setting Marketing Objectives: Based on the market analysis, the firm must set clear and measurable marketing objectives. These objectives should align with the overall mission and provide a roadmap for achieving the desired outcomes. Examples of marketing objectives include increasing market share, improving brand awareness, or launching new products.
Segmentation and Targeting: After defining the objectives, the firm needs to segment the market and identify the target audience. Market segmentation involves dividing the market into distinct groups based on demographics, psychographics, or behavior. Targeting involves selecting the most attractive segments that align with the firm’s mission and objectives.
Developing Marketing Tactics
Product Strategy: Once the target audience is identified, the firm needs to develop a product strategy. This includes determining the product features, pricing strategy, branding, and positioning. The product strategy should align with the mission and cater to the needs and preferences of the target market.
Promotion and Communication: Developing a marketing plan requires careful consideration of how the firm will promote and communicate its products or services to the target audience. This involves selecting the appropriate marketing channels, such as advertising, public relations, social media, or direct marketing. The messaging and communication strategy should be consistent with the firm’s mission and objectives.
Distribution Strategy: Another critical aspect of the marketing plan is the distribution strategy. This involves determining how the firm will deliver its products or services to the target market. The firm needs to decide on the distribution channels, such as direct sales, retail partnerships, or online platforms, that align with its mission and objectives.
Implementing and Monitoring the Marketing Plan
Resource Allocation: After developing the marketing tactics, the firm needs to allocate resources effectively. This includes budgeting for marketing activities, allocating staff and other resources, and ensuring that the necessary tools and technologies are in place to execute the plan. The resource allocation should be aligned with the firm’s mission and objectives.
Implementation and Execution: Once the marketing plan is developed and resources are allocated, the firm needs to implement and execute the plan. This involves coordinating various marketing activities, monitoring progress, and making adjustments as needed. The firm should ensure that all stakeholders are aware of their roles and responsibilities in executing the plan.
Monitoring and Evaluation: To ensure the effectiveness of the marketing plan, the firm needs to monitor and evaluate its performance regularly. This involves tracking key performance indicators (KPIs), analyzing the results, and making data-driven decisions to optimize the plan. Monitoring and evaluation help the firm stay on track and make necessary adjustments to achieve its mission and objectives.
Conclusion
Developing a mission is just the first step in creating a successful marketing plan. After establishing the mission, a firm must take immediate actions to develop a clear marketing strategy, define marketing tactics, and implement and monitor the plan. By following these steps, a firm can effectively execute its marketing plan and achieve its mission and objectives.
References
– American Marketing Association: www.ama.org
– Harvard Business Review: hbr.org
– MarketingProfs: www.marketingprofs.com