Want to Increase Your Business? First You Need to Understand where You are at!

Are you having trouble understanding basic situational marekting concepts? Then this article is for you.

Alex Margarit shows you a simple step by step way on how to put together a basic situational analysis. Before developing any given marketing strategy it is important to conduct some form of analysis. This should form an essential part of any business or marketing plan and should be reviewed over time to ensure that it is kept current. Many of my clients often ask me what factors are important when doing this. The following is just a raw marketing 101 introduction to what to take into account when conducting an analysis and provides a checklist if you will of the most important factors to take into account. The elements worth considering include:

Product Situation

What is my current product? You may want to break this definition up into parts such as the core product and any secondary or supporting services or products that also make up what you sell. It is important to observe this in terms of its different parts in order to be able to relate this back to core client needs.

Feel free to also discuss here which of your client's needs your product is meeting.

Competitive situation

Analyze your main competitors ? who are they what are they up to ? how do they compare ? feature/ benefit analysis. What are their competitive advantages?

Distribution Situation

Review your distribution Situation ? how are you getting your product to market? Do you need to go through distributors or other intermediaries?

Environmental factors

What external and internal environmental factors are there that need to be taken into account. This can include economic or sociological factors that impact on your performance.

Opportunity and issue analysis

Which requires conduction a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunity and Threats). Things to write down her are what current opportunities that are available in the market, the main threats that business is facing and may face in the future, the strengths that the business can rely on and any weaknesses that may effect the business performance.

I know for most of you marketing gurus this may be simple knowledge however it is important to realise that sometimes even the smartest forget the core fundamentals.

Last Updated ( Monday, 08 August 2005 )

Alex Margarit is an Internet Marketing professional based in Brisbane, Australia. He has written a number of published works on Marketing.



Why Market Research Will Help Your Business

Do Crucial Market Research For Free, On Your OwnIs market... Read More

Trade Show Promotions That Are Memorable

If you have been to expos and trade shows as... Read More

Quick Postcard Design Tips

TIP #1: Avoid the "Too Much Information" Syndrome... Read More

Five Tips for Trade Show Success on a Small Budget

No matter how small your marketing budget, your business can... Read More

Selling To Your Affiliates

While success with any internet marketing program falls on the... Read More

Viral Marketing with a Powerful Twist

What would you do with 500, 1000 or more additional... Read More

Let It Ring

Telemarketing has its place in the marketing arsenal. But telespammers... Read More

How Testimonials Can Put You in the Spotlight

If you need evidence that a testimonial or referral can... Read More

Marketing to Success on a ZERO Budget

TOP 10 TIPS TO GET YOU MARKETING TO SUCCESS ON... Read More

Take The Test: Does Your Marketing Copy Sell?

Your marketing materials must grab your prospect's attention long enough... Read More

Another Commercial? Dont Touch That Dial! Watch & Learn

When commercials come on the television do you get up... Read More

Five Cheap Tricks for Promoting Your Business

If you're like me, you're always looking for ways to... Read More

11 Ways to Turnaround a Cash-Strapped Business or Practice

This past weekend I received a disturbing message from a... Read More

Getting More From Your Customer

We are all customers of one product or another. How... Read More

Identify The Ideal Target Audience With These 5 Tips

Narrowing your focus to one primary group of people is... Read More

Optimizing Your Email Marketing

Email CampaignsEmail marketing can be a tremendously valuable tool for... Read More

Did You Know Your Mind-Set IS Your Problem?

How To Save Yourself From The Pits of Marketing Cyber... Read More

Successful Non-for-Profit Fundraising Letters Share Eight Qualities

You'll be encouraged to know that the art of writing... Read More

Marketing Got You Stumped?

It's not unusual for entrepreneurs to find the whole idea... Read More

The Top Ten Ways to Get Beyond Networking And Generate Cash-Building Exposure

Gain the exposure you need to succeed with these ten... Read More

Mortgage Marketing - How to Earn More Business From Realtors®

Is your marketing strategy getting the results you desire?Mailing postcards,... Read More

Small Business Pricing Strategies

Think the best way to get more customers is to... Read More

4 Easy Ways to Get Free Marketing Exposure

Are there really ways you can get valuable marketing exposure... Read More

Using a Marketing Calendar Template

Owning a small business isn't easy, especially if you are... Read More

Produce More Sales from your Email Promotions - Part 2

Do sales come from your ezine regularly? How many well-written... Read More

If you'd like to keep up-to-date,
please complete the form below and we'll put you on the mailing list
to receive our twice-yearly newsletter for supporters

* Your email address:
* choes your language: