Research an EXISTING publicly traded company compiling a comprehensive marketing plan for this company
Part I
Company Overview
This section will provide the reader with a general understanding of the company and product/service offered by the company creating the value proposition for the customer. You might include general information about the company and industry and product/service. Additional general information might include the size of company, location, NAISC code, mission/vision/objectives, or any other general information about the company.
PEST Analysis
The purpose of this section of the marketing plan is to describe how changes in the business environment will affect the company. This will be achieved by the use of the PEST Analysis, which attempts to review how changes in the political/legal environment will affect your company, how changes in the economic environment will affect the company, how changes in the socio-cultural environment will affect your company, and finally, how changes (advancements) in technology will affect your company.
Should be a minimum of two pages in length, double-spaced with a reference page and title page. References should include at least one additional
Part II
Target Market
Begin by discussing segmentation of the market based upon demographic, behavioral, geographic, and psychographic criteria. Apply these criteria to your company, explaining their importance to the company. This analysis will enable you to identify the target market(s) thoroughly. Within your explanation, discuss why the identification of a target market is of the utmost importance to a company.
SWOT Analysis
Perform a SWOT analysis for your company remembering that the strengths and weaknesses are internal and the opportunities and threats are external. Set this up using a table and/or bullet points with clear explanation following the chart.
Your submission should be a minimum of two pages in length, double-spaced with a reference page and title page. References should include at least one additional, credible reference beyond the textbook. All sources used must be referenced; paraphrased and quoted material must have accompanying citations and cited per APA guidelines. Include the use of subheadings
Part III
Industry Analysis
Perform an industry analysis detailing how the overall industry is performing. Research trends in the industry as well as projections for the future. Remember to cite your research.
Competitive Analysis
Perform a competitive analysis reviewing multiple competitors that offer similar products/services. How is your company different from its competitors? Think about the products/services offered or their pricing strategy or even their distribution strategy. What is the overall brand perception in the mind of the consumer? How does each rank based upon a pertinent parameter?
Your submission should be a minimum of two pages in length, double-spaced with a reference page and title page. References should include at least one additional, credible reference beyond the textbook. All sources used must be referenced; paraphrased and quoted material must have accompanying citations and cited per APA guidelines. Include the use of subheadings (consider using Industry Analysis and Competitive Analysis).
Part IV
Product
This section will provide a comprehensive look at the products, product lines, and services that are offered by your company. This will include discussions about the quality of the product/service and other additions such as warranties, installation, service plans, or unique packaging features that are included with the product (if pertinent). Include a discussion of whether your company's products/services would be considered business-to-consumer (B2C) or business- to-business (B2B).Branding is also considered a part of the product offering, thus a discussion of the branding efforts associated with your company and the importance of said branding in the overall product offering should be included. Within this discussion, review the positioning strategy of your company.
Competitive Advantage
A competitive advantage is an important goal of every company, address whether your company has a competitive advantage WITH RESPECT TO PRODUCT. The idea is to discuss whether your company has a competitive advantage with respect to their product offering and the attributes associated with product as discussed above. Competitive advantage with respect to promotion, place, and pricing will be discussed in later sections of the marketing plan. Once you have stated your position, remember to include your rationale.
Your submission should be a minimum of two pages in length, double-spaced with a reference page and title page. References should include at least one additional, credible reference beyond the textbook. All sources used must be referenced; paraphrased and quoted material must have accompanying citations and cited per APA guidelines. Include the use of subheadings (consider using Product and Competitive Advantage in Product).
Part V
Place
This section will provide a comprehensive look at the distribution strategy of your organization. Begin with an identification of the distribution channels that should include the entire path that the products travel from the "manufacturer" to the final consumer. This might involve manufacturing plants, wholesalers, distributors, retailers and various other intermediaries. Why and how does your company use these intermediaries? Many companies use multiple channels, particularly with the advent of the internet (which is considered a direct channel). Another element to include is a description of a physical facility. This might include a manufacturing plant, bottling plant, retail location, or even a unique merchandising effort.
Competitive Advantage
Because competitive advantage is an important goal of every company, address whether your company has a competitive advantage WITH RESPECT TO PLACE. The idea is to discuss whether your company has a competitive advantage with respect to how they distribute their products. This should discuss their distribution channel and maybe a unique retail location (if pertinent). Again, this section should only discuss whether your company has a competitive advantage with respect to place (product, price and promotion are discussed in other sections). Once you have stated your position, remember to include your rationale.
Your submission should be a minimum of two pages in length, double-spaced with a reference page and title page. References should include at least one additional, credible reference beyond the textbook. All sources used must be referenced; paraphrased and quoted material must have accompanying citations and cited per APA guidelines. Include the use of subheadings (consider using Place and Competitive Advantage in Place).
Part VI
Promotion
This section will provide a comprehensive look at the promotional strategies of your organization. Begin with a look at the promotional objectives or themes used by your company. From there, review the promotional mix, this should include a preliminary discussion of the importance of IMC to your company. Promotion methods such as personal selling mass selling (advertising and publicity) and sales promotion should all be addressed in detail.
Competitive Advantage
Competitive advantage is an important goal of every company, so address whether your company has a competitive advantage WITH RESPECT TO PROMOTION. The idea is to discuss whether your company has a competitive advantage with respect to how they promote their products. Again, this section should only discuss whether your company has a competitive advantage with respect to promotion (product, price and place are discussed in other sections). Once you have stated your position, remember to include your rationale.
Your submission should be a minimum of two pages in length, double-spaced with a reference page and title page. References should include at least one additional, credible reference beyond the textbook. All sources used must be referenced; paraphrased and quoted material must have accompanying citations and cited per APA guidelines. Include the use of subheadings (consider Promotion and Competitive Advantage in Promotion).
Part VII
Pricing
This section will provide a comprehensive look at the pricing strategies of your organization. Begin with a look at the overall pricing objectives used by your company. This might include profit orientation, sales orientation, or status quo orientation. From there, review the pricing policies and include a look at the flexibility of the pricing structure, prices over the product life cycle, and discounts or allowances. Review Chapter 16 in the textbook for a complete understanding of how companies utilize pricing strategies.
Competitive Advantage
Does your company has a competitive advantage WITH RESPECT TO PRICING? The idea is to discuss whether your company has a competitive advantage with respect to how they price their products? Again, this section should only discuss whether your company has a competitive advantage with respect to price (product, promotion and place are discussed in other sections). Once you have stated your position, remember to include your rationale.
Your submission should be a minimum of two pages in length, double-spaced with a reference page and title page. References should include at least one additional, credible reference beyond the textbook. All sources used must be referenced; paraphrased and quoted material must have accompanying citations and cited per APA guidelines. Include the use of subheadings (consider Pricing and Competitive Advantage in Pricing).