Marketing strategy and planning

Introduction
This learning guide was written by Sara Panter, an associate tutor at Ashridge. It is one of a series produced by the Learning Resource Centre. Each guide sets out to give you a quick summary of the main theories on a particular topic backed up by a practical commentary based on Ashridge's long experience of consulting on and teaching management issues. We hope that it whets your appetite for more information. The guide points you in the direction of other sources such as key books, articles and videos.

Overview
Introduction Stage one: Defining strategic marketing objectives Stage two: Determining strategic focus Stage three: Defining customer targets Stage four: Competitor analysis Stage five: Differential advantage Stage six: Marketing mix Stage seven: Implementation Stage eight: Monitoring market performance

Introduction
The terms marketing strategy and strategic market planning are often used interchangeably, which sometimes leads to confusion. We will use the term marketing strategy to mean the overall strategy of an organisation in relation to a particular market. In this learning guide we will explore the process of analysis and decision making which organisations go through as they define and implement their approach to that market. Marketing plans will form part of this process, in particular when it comes to implementation. Key aspects of the process are that it is cyclical, ie subject to constant review and reiteration; that it is dynamic, subject to changes in the environment (including customers and competition); and that it should be shared within the organisation, rather than being the sole preserve of the marketing department, if it is to be wholeheartedly adopted and implemented by the whole organisation. Two interrelated trends in marketing approaches have changed the emphasis of marketing strategy in