Course Overview
SOSTAC® Certified planner
By the end of this course you will be confident about writing a great plan, be able to improve other plans, and develop your own strategy (the weakest part of most plans). Use PR Smith’s SOSTAC® logical structure to reduce risk, make better decisions and boost business results. Write the perfect plan. Become a SOSTAC® Certified Planner.
We are delivering this programme via a 2 day online interactive Masterclasses facilitated by our expert subject tutor Sali Midjek-Conway and each course is introduced by PR Smith himself.
The course includes the Advanced SOSTAC® manual to assist with your studies.
Assessment is via a 1-hour online multiple-choice exam.
Successful delegates will receive a SOSTAC® Certified Planner Digital Badge and Certificate.
This training programme will take you through the six-step process required to get better results from your planning process.
- Situation Analysis – Where are we now, and what’s going on around us?
- Objectives – What are we aiming to do in line with corporate goals and objectives?
- Strategy – How might we get there? Which options are open to us based on our research and market knowledge?
- Tactics – How might we deliver our strategy? What is the best marketing or communications mix for us to use?
- Action – How can these tactics be implemented to the best effect bearing in mind the resources available?
- Control – What and when do we measure in line with our SMART objectives? How do we know that we are succeeding?
Unit 1
Aims of the module
Course and delegate introductions
Introduction to PR Smith’s SOSTAC® Planning Framework
Situation Analysis & Objectives
Module structure
Situation analysis: Customer analysis; competitor analysis; company analysis: trend analysis.
Objectives: Mission; Vision; KPIs
Unit 2
Aims of the module
Strategy – Part 1
SOSTAC® provides an easy-to-follow structure making it effective to integrate into your marketing plan.
Module structure
Strategy: Types of strategy; Strategic matrices: Ansoff; Boston; GE market attractiveness; single product strategies; strategic error; Components of marketing strategy.
Unit 3
Aims of the module
Strategy – Part 2
SOSTAC® provides a simple structure to remember and explain to others to ensure maximum engagement.
Module structure
Sample strategy excerpts; Strategy template; questions your manager or board might ask you about your strategy.
Unit 4
Aims of the module
Tactics
Module structure
Choosing the right combination of marketing mix to achieve marketing objectives; Scheduling messaging and media for targeted audiences.
Unit 5
Aims of the module
Action & Control
+ Review/Summary + Exam Preparation
Module structure
Measuring success against objectives.
How to ensure excellent execution of the Tactics. Internal Marketing.
Assessment Method
1-hour multiple choice online exam (x 30 questions) with case study the assessment is open book (bring your notes and manual)
Entry Requirements
Applicants must either be a SOSTAC® Associate (having passed the online assessment) or have at least 5 years of managerial experience.
Course Dates
This is taught as a 2-day masterclass running on 20 and 27 November | 9 am – 4 pm; for more information, please email hello@nesma.co.uk or book HERE now.