SWOT: How-to articles covering the latest marketing tactics, tips, and strategies.

• Top 5 Elements of an Annual Business PlanDonna Bletzinger
  It's that time again: the end of another fiscal year. Time to assess this year's successes and start planning for next year. What does that mean? It means it's time ...
  Management, Market Research, Marketing Plans, Marketing Tips, Positioning, SWOT
• My So-Called Marketing Life: How Do I Extend the Reach of My Brand?Sue Duris
  Although she has been successful in promoting and extending corporate brands, the author entered into another chapter of her life a few years ago: re-energizing an acting career. Eventually, she ...
  Brand Positioning, Branding, Networking, Social Networking, SWOT, Thought Leadership, Website Design
• The Four Colors of Market PlanningMichael Fischler
  To create a complete marketing plan, one that drives near- and longer-term marketing action, I need only four "colors." Here's how structuring the "color set" will help you focus your ...
  Benchmarking, Market Research, Marketing Strategy, Product Management, SWOT
• How to Test Your Competitive Market StrategyMichael Perla
  The corporate graveyard is full of onetime leading businesses that lost their competitive edge by failing to keep current on their competitors. Think of the classic story of Digital Equipment ...
  Market Research, Marketing Strategy, SWOT, Testing
• Five Serious Considerations (and a Checklist) for Your Next Marketing PlanLaura Patterson
  Most businesspeople intuitively know that the key to successful marketing is having a marketing plan—a blueprint for action. But many companies operate without one, focusing instead on the issues of ...
  Market Research, Marketing Plans, Metrics, Positioning, SWOT
• SWOT Team: Effective Customer Retention ProgramsHank Stroll
  This week: What kinds of loyalty programs are most effective? Also this week: Tired of the same ol', same ol'? What marketing methods can a company use to increase exposure ...
  Blogging, Customer Engagement, Online Marketing, SWOT
• The ‘What’s Next? Process’ for Developing Your StrategyDan Herman
  The old, customary procedure of strategy development has a pure and sound logic. But the problem is that it's no longer adequate.
  Market Research, Marketing Strategy, Measurement, SWOT
• How Should You Test Your Marketing Strategy?Michael Perla
  Sun Tzu lived in northeastern China about 2500 years ago and was considered an expert in military strategy. Many successful leaders (like General Patton and GE's Jack Welch) follow his ...
  Branding, Marketing Strategy, SWOT, Testing, Value Propositions
• SWOT Analysis: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and ThreatsBobette Kyle
  When you are planning strategically with any company--online or offline--it is useful to complete an analysis that takes into account not only your own business, but your competitor's businesses and ...
  Market Research, Measurement, SWOT
• The Positioning Statement: Why To Have One Before You Start CommunicatingFord Kanzler
  Without a position, a business often acts like a multi-headed creature - speaking from many mouths, saying nothing substantive, and going nowhere fast.
  Collaboration, Marketing Tips, Positioning Statements, SWOT

SWOT: Online seminar broadcasts from the best minds in marketing

• Writing a Marketing Plan for Entrepreneurs and Small Business: From Blank Page to PresentationBroadcast on 6/9/2005 with Michael Fischler
  A marketing plan is the single most important guidepost you’ll have to maximize effectiveness and minimize the risk of marketing. Learn how to get the most out of your marketing plan.
  Market Research, Marketing Plans, Positioning Statements, Pricing, Small Business, SWOT, Value Propositions, Writing

SWOT: Marketing downloads for the busy professional

• SWOT Analysis How-To Guide
  This comprehensive, step-by-step how-to guide will help you assess the position in the market of your product or firm, by identifying the product's Strengths and Weaknesses, by considering the potential Opportunities the product has in the marketingplace, and by assessing the potential Threats posed by either the competition or the marketplace.
  Collaboration, Management, Measurement, SWOT