An important element of your basic marketing plan consists of the specific objectives you will try and attain and the overall strategy you will use to achieve those objectives.

It is worth noting that the marketing plan objectives should always lead to actual sales revenue. If not, you need to re-examine your marketing objectives and restate them so that they relate to sales results.

Marketing Objectives

Your marketing objectives should be:

* Clear and specific
* Tangible and measurable
* Be time-based, with a target achievement date

Some examples of a marketing objective you might include in your basic marketing plan are:

* Launch new product line on January 1, 2009 to target market, achieving sales target of $250,000 by December 31, 2009
* Re-launch “new and improved” product line to existing customer base, conveying enhancements and revisions and delivering 1,000 qualified sales leads by June 30, 2010.
* Increase product awareness among the target audience by 30% this year.

In many cases, you will have multiple, concurrent marketing objectives, in which case you should make sure that they are consistent with each other and support your overall marketing vision.

Marketing Strategy

In the marketing strategy section of your basic marketing plan, you should outline the strategic plan by which you intend to reach the objectives stated above.

You’ll want to specifically address the “four Ps” of marketing (also known as the marketing mix) to address four specific areas of your strategy.

* Product – the specifics about the product or service you will be marketing
* Price – your pricing strategy as it relates to the market conditions and your competition, specifying the exact pricing and offers you will make
* Promotion – the high-level plan of how and where you will advertise your product or service in order to reach your target audience, including TV, radio, print advertisements, direct mail and online marketing efforts
* Place (Distribution) – how the product/service and your prospective customer interact and engage in the selling process, including retail, mail-order, direct sales, telephone sales, wholesale or distributors, etc.

Although it may seem tedious, spending the time to carefully identify your marketing objectives and the overall marketing strategy you will use to reach those objectives will help you create the tactical marketing promotional plan that will ultimately inform and guide your marketing team on what specific actions need to be completed, when they need to be completed by and finally by whom they will be completed.

A good board chairperson is hard to find. Is that because it is tough to be a board chair or is it because it is hard to know what makes a good board chair? Of course, it is both. We know there are good people waiting to serve. With better search criteria, the nominating committee will be more successful.

Of course, that last sentence is the starting point. Without a search committee, it is hard to justify creating selection criteria.

Does a formal search process seem like overkill? The board chair is an important job. Think of all of the lives (students, family members, teachers, donors, referral sources, volunteers, and alumni, to name a few) that are touched by a parochial school. The Christian school experience permanently changes students’ lives. The board chair is a job that justifies a formal search process.

What are the key selection criteria?

Collegial – Works well with others and is a team and consensus builder. In addition, everyone should respect the person. It is especially important that the principal and board chair work well together. They are the co-leaders of the school.

Discerning – Has something meaningful to say and listens well to what others have to say before making a proposal.

Proven Leader – The person has successfully led a board committee and has held a leadership position in their professional life. The professional leadership position should include hiring, promoting, compensation changes, and firing subordinates. Without those experiences, it is hard to mentor, review, and guide the principal.

Passionate – The person is passionate about the school, mission, and the students as well as interested in the position. Self-nomination is critical. Only those with a sincere interest and time will self-nominate.

Problem Solver – The person is able to envision a solution and successfully implement the plan.

For many schools expecting candidates to self-nominate seems like the most unrealistic expectation. In some cases, it is because the board members are unaware of the need to self-nomination. In other cases, it is because the expectations (different from qualification or selection criteria) are vague. A sensible person is unlikely to agree to a job without feeling confident they will be successful. Reputation of the school and past treatment of board chairs are also factors.

Next Step:

Formalize the selection criteria

Formalize the selection process

Formalize the expectations the board has of its chair

Make sure the board members understand that self-nomination is a requirement

One of the implied selection criteria is that the candidate is a current board member. It is the best way to know if he or she is able to listen to all of the members, work with the principal, has experience chairing a committee, and solves problems while working with the current members. Ex-board members may have been very good in their time, but times are different.

The board chair and principal are the key individuals when one is thinking about sustainability.

There are four major questions for networking meetings when you are trying to establish relationship and build influencing by design not by accident. Ask yourself these questions about the person you want create the right impression with:-

1 How do they operate in group interactions and meetings? Do they lead the conversations and think aloud or take a more reserved approach, think before they speak and do more listening than speaking?

2 How detailed are their conversations and contributions? When speaking, do they give a lot of detail, facts and data or do they tend towards headlines, trends and concepts?

3 How do they decide? Do they only consider the logical data or do they think about how people will feel? Does “right” for them mean logically correct or socially correct?

4 How do they structure schedules, meetings and time? Do they have an organised approach with written plans and objectives or do they operate more flexibly and respond or react to things as they emerge?

The answer to each question guides you in how to operate when you are working with them and seeking to build your personal impact and influence. Remember it’s not about you it’s about them…

1 If they tend to initiate discussions and conversations then you will have lots of information to work with. Get ready to do a lot of talking and listening. If, on the other hand, they tend to wait for others to speak first and like to think before they speak you’ll need to slow down, ask careful questions and wait for the answers. Don’t be tempted to jump in and answer for them.

2 If they give detailed answers and like to get things absolutely right you’ll need to be sure of your facts and provide the details they like. If, instead, they tend to provide short answers with impressions and implications rather than detailed descriptions you need to speak less and choose your words carefully – they have a low threshold of boredom…

3 When they are talking about decisions made or choices to consider do they seem logical and rational? Think Star Trek and the famous Mr Spock. No use telling him people will love it – no emotions just the logic. Or do they seem to be interested in the effects on people, social values and how people feel? If you want them to buy you and your idea then your proposal will need to fit their decision making criteria.

4 Do they have timetables or do they seem to let things evolve and emerge and go with the flow? The way they talk about their schedules, deadlines and plans will give you strong clues. Do they know what they’re doing tomorrow or haven’t yet thought about it? If they’re very structured you’re going to suggest a time and date for the future and they’ll know it it’s possible. If they are more flexible in outlook don’t expect a firm date and be prepared to do the chasing to get the next meeting.

The usual solutions people think when they are in need of immediate and urgent cash is to get involve with loaning services. And with all of the many forms and kinds of loans, the best amongst that can provide you with the needed of urgent cash is a cash loans.

The reason why these people are in trust to acquire fast cash loan is because it is very easy and fast. They can be availed easily upon immediate and urgent need. And as a result, you will certainly gain benefit from the cash that you have availed in a matter of a day or hours. Aside from its easy to avail procedure, this type of loan is also hassle free for the most part as well. You don’t to fill out plenty of forms, you don’t need countless requirements, what you just need to have is the basis of your monthly income to ensure and to prove that you are capable of repaying your debt with these lenders.

A few group contain previously install it and had it key in time to their master key. I’m to come near locate a good Miami Beach locksmith that spirit do that for a reasonable price, as soon as I get it key matched, I can try to outline away some way of reattaching the tether. Even with a little beer time.

If you are a real people person, networking is likely something you enjoy. But for many owners and professionals, it’s hard work because it takes them out of their comfort zone. The good news is that effective networking, just like sales, requires skills that can be learned and mastered – even if you are not naturally outgoing.

If networking is one of your strategies for developing new relationships and potential business, then here are some Do’s and Don’ts to make yours more effective:

Do Have a Plan. There are a variety of ways to network. You can join business associations, chambers or groups, get involved with community organizations or your local rotary, attend social or business events, participate in workshops or seminars, go to expos and tradeshows or take a class (hobby, fitness or personal development). All of these provide access to ‘new’ people and a way to stay connected; but they are only beneficial if they provide access to the people you want or need to meet. Be clear on what you want then take the time to research options, talk to like-minded business owners and ask questions. Then plan your networking and work your plan.

Do Set Goals. Specific, measurable networking goals help you monitor results, modify your approach, and keep you focused on priorities. Include goals around both activities (how much you will do) and results (outcomes you expect). Here are a few questions to consider as you establish your networking goals. How many events or seminars will you attend each month? How many groups will you formally join and participate in this year? How many new prospects do you want to meet each month or at each event? How many new alliance relationships do you want to build?

Do Prepare. Take a few minutes before you attend an event or meeting to prepare. What are my goals, who do I want to meet or reconnect with, how will I introduce myself, what relevant questions or comments do I want to use to initiate conversation, do I need a ‘commercial’ – if so, how long and what do I want to say? Also, remember to take business cards or other materials that are appropriate.

Do Take Notes & Get Contact Information. Business cards are an easy way to get contact information. Use the reverse side to make notes about the contact and any follow-up actions you commit to do. Keep a small notebook or use your smart phone to jot down notes or contact information for times when business cards aren’t available – they forgot them or don’t have them on them (we’ve all been there!). But do think quality, not quantity.

Do Listen. Listening is one of the key skills for building relationships in business and in life. If you go to events ready to talk, you miss the chance to learn, help, give back, uncover opportunities and build relationships. Do you listen to hear or listen to understand? Are you in the moment or are you thinking about the next person you want to meet? Master this skill and you will shine at networking.

Don’t Sell. While most people like to buy, nobody wants to be sold. Not on the phone, not at your business, and especially not at an event. Since ‘people buy from people they know and trust’ use your networking to build a foundation for future opportunities – be patient.

Do Take Initiative. Most of the people in the room are there with the same purpose you are – to meet new people, reconnect with those they previously met or learn something new. So don’t hang out in the corner or sit down at a table – mingle! Be willing to approach people, introduce yourself and simply break the ice by asking a question or comment. If you struggle with this, consider preparing a few relevant questions or comments on recent news before- hand. Here’s a few questions to get you thinking – Are you a member? How did you hear about the group? Have you heard the speaker before? Do you know anything about the topic being covered tonight? Remember, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Do Create Win-Wins. Networking is not about collecting business cards, but rather about creating mutually beneficial relationships. In other words, helping others and getting help in return. While help may be in the form of customer referrals, it may also be new connections, resources, information or ideas. Networking should never be one-sided. Don’t go in with a ‘what’s in it for me’ attitude or people will peg you as a user. On the other hand, abundant giving without receiving will cause resentment. It’s all about balance – and creating win-win relationships. Seek out the right people so you can give with abundance and receive with abundance.

Do Get Involved. Did you ever notice how well you get to know people when you work together on a project or committee. It’s a natural. So don’t just show up at events, join a committee, serve on the board, or contribute your services to the organization to help them grow. It’s a great way to give-back to the community, build your reputation for dependability and expertise, get to know like-minded people and you may even develop some true friendships along the way.

Do Have a System For Follow-Up. A brief conversation at an event rarely produces an immediate customer, alliance, business associate or friend. It is merely the starting point or foundation to building the relationship. Too often these opportunities are lost simply because there is no follow-up. A good networking system should provide a method to:

1. add new contacts into a contact database such as Outlook, ACT, or Gmail
2. make a call or send a note or email – nice to meet you, invite for coffee/lunch
3. send helpful, not sales, information based on your discussion – link to a website, information on a class, or an article you read
4. connect them with a resource they need — the dentist, doctor, plumber or accountant they are currently looking for

Joan Nowak, Business Coach, Speaker and Trainer, inspires and helps small business owners create the changes needed in their business to achieve the income and lifestyle they want. Her 7P System brings together all the key elements of business success, and breaks them down into simple, easy to implement strategies — so clients achieve real results – more sales, profit, control and freedom – quickly and easily.