TY - BOOK AU - Dibb, Sally. AU - Simkin, Lyndon. TI - Marketing planning : : a workbook for marketing managers SN - 9781844807826 U1 - 658.802 PY - 2008/// CY - London PB - South-Western Cengage Learning KW - Marketing Management KW - Marketing Planning N1 - Includes Index; Marketing planning Existing markets/sectors Market trends and the marketing environment Swot analysis : strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats Customer needs, expectations, and buying processes Competition and competitors' strategies The strength of the portfolio and future directions Marketing strategy Strategy recommendations Marketing objectives and gap analysis Required marketing programmes Resources, schedules, and responsibilities Additional implications, ongoing needs and monitoring the marketing plan's effectiveness Controlling implementation of the marketing plan The marketing plan document Identifying, diagnosing and treating blockers to progress Appreciating how to undertake marketing planning in practice N2 - Marketing planning as a process of analysis, thinking and action is essential for survival and long term success. Marketing planning is widely adopted by businesses from all sectors, service companies, manufacturers and public sector/not for profit companies. The process of marketing planning encapsulates elements of marketing management: marketing analyses, development of strategy and the implementation of the marketing mix. It is a systematic process for assessing marketing opportunities, helping organizations to stay in touch with marketplace trends and to keep abreast of customer needs - all designed to help firms compete more effectively. In addition the marketing plan plays a key role in informing the organisation about the agreed marketing strategy and actions required for implementation. The plan also provides details of resource allocation, responsibilities and timelines, and should address potential obstacles to success. The marketing plan is a road map, providing direction to help the business implement its strategies and achieve its objectives ER -