How do you craft a marketing plan for a small business?

I am currently studying resources that I can easily and freely come across to find what is critical in crafting a marketing plan. I recently stepped into the role of Marketing Manager and am finally getting to where I can get out of the trenches for a little while and get a bird’s eye view of what the company is really about. With this opportunity, I hope to take enough time to build a plan that will not only be a reference for the rest of the year, but a launch pad for years to come. I have spent time reading blogs and investigating marketing, but I haven’t seen a good step by step or list of necessary components for a plan. Any help with links or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

What shoud I do with my time?

I am beginning to realize that I must get a hold of my time and make the most of what little I have. Between my job and volunteering at NewSpring, I don’t have a ton of time to spend pursuing other things, like a beautiful woman. Or spending time with people I haven’t seen in a very long time. Or just about anything that doesn’t involve my bed or the two previously mentioned activities.

If I am to get life accomplished in a way that is not only meaningful, but also enjoyably worth while, I need to plan better and execute even better than that. I need to use the tools in front of me (calendar, phone and online alerts) and the people that I interact with to better use my time. If I spent at least three more hours a week reading, and three more hours a week pouring into students and leaders, I would be living a very different life. If I spent less time browsing the internet after work, reading unnecessary blogs, and going to stores to look at stuff that I know I won’t buy right now, I would have more time for things that will actually benefit me. Of course I don’t want to be a scrooge and give myself no time for fun and goofing off (I need it), I just need to make sure that when I do, it is done with at least one other benefit. Like I could hang with one or some of my friends to goof off, even better if they are friends I haven’t seen in a while. Or, I could do mundane stuff with people that I want to catch up with. Who says you can’t throw a car washing party with some of your boys.

All that to say, if I don’t do better with time (and money) I won’t get to do two thing that I really want to do in the next year or two.
1. Go to Africa (Kenya, Congo, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, Egypt, Mozambique or Ethiopia).
2. Go to California (Redding, LA, San Diego/Chula Vista or Wine Country)

Shout Outs

I would like to publicly acknowledge the following people in no particular order.

David Fisher, who for some reason has chosen to value me and the things that I say.  I don’t deserve to have someone like him consider me a friend.

Joel Reid, I never laugh so hard in my life as when I am with my brother Joel (his mother officially adopted me in October).  His challenges and love have been the stuff of dreams.  You will soon realize the visions that Lord has burned into you.

My guys from football at McCants from this past Spring.  I miss hanging out with you guys. If any of you ever read this, I want you to know that I love you fellas and I can’t wait to see/hear what kind of stud men of God you turn out to be. Michael, Tanner, Austin, Blake, Cameron, Davis, Evan, Ryan, Jared, Jordan, Quendall, Noah, Reno, Ross, Sean, Shane and anyone else who hit hard and played well.

My boy B_Long who is freshly engaged to a wonderful and amazing G. You guys are going to have a lot of fun fulfilling the great commission together.

My folks.  Not just my Mom and Dad, who loved me better than I ever deserved, but my brothers and sister who taught me when I wasn’t trying to learn and they weren’t trying to teach.  I am who I am because of Jesus loving me through each of them.  I cannot wait to spend more time loving and laughing with you guys at Christmas.

My fellow managers.  You guys believe in me and put confidence in a newbie like me.  I don’t have words for what that has meant to me.

Thanks for being a part of my life and for everything you have done for me.

Overwhelmed

There is something to say for being overwhelmed.

It puts you in a place where you have to accept that the world is bigger than you can possibly handle.  It makes you realize that there are more and greater ways that you could spend most of your time.  It also can be a great way to improve or destroy your life.

Being overwhelmed can be unhealthy if you look at your situation from the point of view that it should be easier and that you deserve somethign different.  Like the past was better.  Like I shouldn’t have to work this hard.  Like I am not supposed to feel like this until I have legit gray hair (right now it’s just creeping in).

Being overwhelmed can also be a very healthy thing.  It makes you take a step back and figure out where you are going.  It brings a new perspective that you wouldn’t have to face if everything were manageable.  The feeling of needing other people to complete a task is good for your friendships and for your friends.  Calling on people to help you puts value on them, and builds substance into your relationship.

I feel overwhelmed right now.  I hope that I make the most out of it.

Tastey.

I have to admit, when it comes to spending money, I don’t know if my choices make sense, in fact, they probably seem non-sequitor to many people.  I am currently trying to save money and build up my 401k, as well as learn how to actually live on a budget that I have set for myself many times.

The condundrum occurs when it comes to buying stuff that is not essential – blow money kind of stuff.  It seems that I have a far easier time justifying purchasing a nice bottle of wine than a nice pair of jeans.  I know that the wine will be very tastey, but it will only last as up to three days once opened.  The jeans, however, could last for years.  I found myself saying “there is no way I would pay $60 or more for a pair of jeans… they’re just jeans.”  Right after that I went and purchased a more expensive bottle of wine because “I know it will be amazing and it is also an investment if I ever decide to sell it.”  That is true, it could be an investment, but it isn’t if I end up drinking it.  Which will probably happen, seeing as how the last time I had some of that vinyard’s produce it was the best I had ever tasted.

It’s just a shame that jeans don’t taste as good as wine.

You’re OUT!

When you hear that phrase you know automatically that the person was not safe.  It could have been any number of circumstances during the game that has lead to that interjection.  The point is, I think this is in contradiction to real life.  I think you are “safe” when you stay in the batter’s box.  You don’t venture out of where you know you can do your thing.  You are dangerous when you are running the bases, and even more dangerous and less safe when you are on the bases.  When you are in the spot where God is leading you to do the ministry that he has called you to is a dangerous place to be.

Recently,I had a really tough and enlightening conversation with Joel on a trip to see his family and friends.  I have felt for a long time like God has built me for something great.  I have no clue what that means or what it will look like when that “great” thing happens.  I do know that my Mom has been telling me that she believes that for a long time (like every kid, I don’t know how seriously to take things my parents tell me. Not that I expect them to lie to me, but that  they might biasedly try to build me up even contrary to reality).  I realized that what I thought would be a good idea for life and ministry was actually just a safe way to live.

I think it would be really cool to do some sort of coaching or consulting for other leaders.  I believe that God has given me a measure of wisdom and the desire to encourage people to reach their full potential.  I love seeing potential and pouring into it.  I really like the idea of partnering with people who want to change the world.  I think it is a worth-while investment.  Having said all that, I realized that being an advisor/consultant/coach is a very safe way to do life/ministry if God has built me to be a leader.  I risk nothing by telling other people what I would do in their shoes.  That is actually pretty weak.

So I now get to learn how to be the leader that God has built me to be and I know that what I am experiencing now is definitely preparing me for whatever is to come.

Don’t underestimate the power of transperency/communication

Recently I realized that I have been under a lot of stress, mostly stemming from a combination of work, volunteering and moving.  I have had a lot of new stresses corresponding with the level of repsonsibilities that have been added to my life over the last two months.  I can already see how God is stretching me and causing me to step out of comfort/safety to actually lead.

I am learning that going ahead and admitting inadequacies and stresses to my co-workers and supervisors right now instead of burning out is a beautiful thing.  It is keeping me honest and humble, while building trust and team spirit.  It is always surprising to see how other people are ready and willing to step up and help shoulder weight when you actually ask for it instead of telling people from a position of power.  It seems like people respond better to an explanation and a request than an unclear/unexplained demand.  While that may seem like common sense, I think the natural tendency for leaders is to protect our position by keeping people at a distance and making them do what we wish instead of inviting them to be a part of what we all know needs to get done.

I have had two really amazing conversations that have really helped to lighten the stresses with my co-workers and student ministry folks.