Why Do Healthcare Practices Need a Marketing Plan?

| Most successful companies utilize business strategic planning to set priorities and goals for the organization's future; outcomes include short-term goals and long-term strategies.  A clearly written, well designed strategic plan can align business units, divisions and employees so that the vision of the management team and the mission of the company can be fulfilled.  As companies evolve and the environment changes it is critical for companies to maintain a disciplined execution of the strategic plan.However, if they are not

This paper pertains to the marketing of Health Care Services and provides the steps and history of marketing in health care and the effects of marketing on the health care delivery system from 1950 to 1990. It introduces the health care consumers and their role in the marketing process as well as the factors that influence consumer behavior. These factors influence the success of marketing in health care. It also provides the requirements for successful marketing and current techniques and strategies used by health care organizations.

After gaining enough knowledge on the types of business structure, business owners can proceed to the process so that their plans of owning a business will turn into reality. After reading several resources, the process will be divided into five stages. The first stage is the planning and research. This involves developing viable business ideas, knowing the target customers and possible competitors, searching for the right location, thinking what will be the business name, and marketing strategy. In this stage, a business plan should be made. Business Link (2016) refers, “business plan as a document that defines why you’re in business, your goals, and how to achieve those goals and it also covers all major aspects of the business, including

Strategic planning determines three things for an organization. First, it tells the organization where it is going over the next year or more. Second, it explains how it is going to get there. Finally, strategic planning allows the organization to know whether or not it has achieved its desired outcome (Banyenzaki, n.d., para. 4). The focus of a strategic plan is usually on the entire organization, while the focus of a business plan is usually on a particular product, service or program (High performance coaching, 2005). When Hot Topic first came to life it was not as successful as what the founder, Orv Madden, had hoped for (Hot Topic, 2006). However, with a bit of strategic planning, his company would soon be moving forward into a future of net profit rather than net loss.

In the economy today every business has a need for a strategic plan. Strategic plans are most vital for small businesses to have a strategic plan because they comprise the majority of local businesses and are more likely not to survive. No matter if the business is small or large it is important to keep this plan updated and evaluated to the businesses current standings. Typically a plan should focus on the following two to three years when it is being created.

A Business plan will also influence the CEO to clearly outline the intended niche and target market through research; possessing a transparent understanding of the demographics, behaviors, geographic’s, and psychographics (lifestyle) argued Parmele (2013) from business plans.com. Additionally, completing a business plan will allow the company to be more realistic differentiating their products, marketing approach, and determining financial factors involved.

The business plan of any organization can only occur after a successful strategic plan is form and securely in place. The strategic plan in any corporation, organization, and small business ventures has a vision on where this organization needs to be in the future. “The strategic plan is a long-term (three- to- five years) views of where the organization is going” (Hillestad & Berkowitz, 2004, p. 32). A strategic plan is just that a plan of things to come and how to attain the business or how

Every business needs a plan, in that plan businesses need direction. Business that want to be successful will have both a great plan going in a great direction, with investors, board members and employees that believe in the same outcome, together they will be willing to implement the plan in order to have success. Quaterra Alaska a junior exploration company has a plan to the leader in the mineral exploration world, while starting a new advancer into mining. Their plan is to take old mine sights and turn them in to a profit while helping clean up old mine sights that still hold good minerals. This idea has made a small town in the

212) Strategic plans will answer the questions “Where are we going?”; “What is the best means to get there?” Strategic plans are the most important aspect for the business because it will set the tone and framework for the entire organization. Strategic plans look at what the current environment the business is in, what are the capabilities of the organization, and the resources available for the business. With the strategic plans in mind, the business comes up with its vision and mission statement. All the other plans are supposed to get the business to the goals set by the strategic plans. (Solomon et al.,

The first step to starting a business is to create a business plan. A business plan is a document that outlines the overall strategies of a new venture and how those strategies will be implemented (Ebert &

I conducted my business plan research on Bell Stores. My interest is the actual size of the Bell Stores chain. In 2002 they transitioned to Bell Stores, formerly known as Citgo and Shell. They combine the business ideas of gas sales and convenience store to draw a larger customer base. While most business plans are required for investors and banks to give financial support I am only finding ambiguous business plans. Many businesses that see a lot of success in a short time typically do not disclose their full business plan publically to protect themselves from their competitors.

What is a Business Plan? It is important that a Plan is produced to ensure that the proposed

A business plan is the core of your business and a must have. It is the roadmap that brings your business idea into a reality. A business plan is a written document that describes in detail how a business, usually a new one, is going to achieve its goals. It guides your business from the start- up stage to developing, growing and managing your business. It can also be used to get funding.

A business plan is a road map for a team or business and it can be used, as an eternal tool for potential customers and partners. The business plan should describe in details the entire business venture, technology behind it, the size of the target market, customers, competition, business model, team, financial needs and exit strategy. The business plan gives a company insight and allows them to think things through early enough in the process to ensure they have a well defined venture goals and objectives. It also gives the business direction to a clear path for the team to follow and implement on their venture.

Starting a new business is an exciting venture and has its unique mix of challenges and rewards. Many are set-up for failure if no clear goals or measures are established and adhered. According to the Small Business Administration, “Planning is critical to successfully starting and building a business.” The best advice for a new entrepreneur interested in starting a business is to create a solid business plan that outlines the business in its entirety. A well-constructed, written business plan will help owners remain focused on their operations, marketing and financial measures through the duration of the business life. In addition, knowing the risks involved in starting a business can help prevent and minimize mistakes that cause many