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.

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.

Correction: Daley Machine

My spelling of the Mayor of Chicago was off.  He is really “Daley” and not “Daily.”  Also, when we arrived, there were tons of signs at the Chicago-Midway airport saying the Mr. Daley was welcoming us to Chicago.  I tend to believe that he is more powerful than the Governor of Illinois.  That is kind of a shame.  For the Governor that is.

Chicago Bound

I am about to go to Chicago with my boss and two other guys from work.  That is going to be pretty awesome.  I have never been there, and I have heard some pretty amazing things about it.  I also know that the city did not get its name “Windy City” from weather patterns.  It actually has to do with political shifts and whims.  The Daily Machine there was pretty fierce and highly involved in the ins and outs of almost everything that went on concerning commodity, position and results for the entire city.  Scary, huh?

I, on the other hand live in Greenville (currently residing in the house of two amazing and Godly people who own a home in Pelzer, SC).  I consider myself to live in Greenville because of the amount of time that I spend here, with work, church, friends and all.

I think that I need to write down some of the wisdom that God has dropped on me recently.  It is still blowing my mind.

I am also reading “The Shack” by William P. Young (p probably stands for Pyetrovic, he hides his slavic heritage) which is a fascinating/challenging/great read.  I am learning a lot from a work of fiction about God.  Weird.