Getting Started with Marketing

Gantt NZ's thorough approach to marketing

Setting the right objectives, then delivering on those objectives is the single greatest challenge that any business faces. At Gantt, we have a six step process designed to create a roadmap that gets you where you want to go - then gets you there.

1) Initial meeting

We listen to what aspirations you have and find out where you are currently at. We take a brief look any relevant facts, figures and marketing collateral that you can share and agree to the initial high level objectives for your marketing.

2) Business Review

The focus of a business review is to gain a substantive understanding about your business, the market you operate within and the problems and opportunities you face. We make recommendations on how to proceed from here, which may change some of the following steps.

3) Objectives set

Setting the right objectives is a key to making the greatest gains. When at their best they can inject enthusiasm, passion and relevancy into every subsequent stage. Objectives in the context of marketing usually cover the following:

• Problems and opportunities
• Sales objectives
• Branding objectives
• Communication objectives
• Internal marketing objectives
• Developmental objectives (Includes new income channels)

The final stage of setting the objectives may include a 'brainstorming session' with key stakeholders. This session has a three important purposes:

• To review and ensure nothing of consequence has been missed
• To make any necessary changes
• To gain buy-in to the objectives by the key stakeholders

Objectives are documented, and circulated to stakeholders.

4) Planning / proposals

Once the objectives have been set, planning can commence. Suggestions based on company ideas and perspectives already noted are documented. Those, with Gantt NZ's additional recommendations combine to form the strategies and tactics we recommend to achieve your objectives. These are most often presented via a meeting before Gantt NZ finalizes a written plan.

These plans usually include:

• The scope of all work required
• A schedule of marketing communications / marketing collateral
• A marketing calendar
• Metrics by which success is measured
• A timeline with milestones
• A schedule of costs

5) Plan execution

Each project is implimented in accordance with the agreed plan.

6) Review

Evaluate the level of suceess achieved, then review. Repeat steps 1-6.

To start this process, call Bruce Hudson on (09) 482 2180 or email him personally: bhudson@gantt.co.nz.