Marketing Plan

 

Create a Marketing Plan
In this assignment, you are going to complete a marketing plan as outlined in the beginning of Chapter 2 of your eTextbook. As you will recall, these are:

Build a cross-functional team.
Check the foundation and long-term business direction.
Clarify the goals and objectives.
Conduct a comprehensive analysis.
Recommend the most important strategies and tactics.
Check the numbers.
Sell the plan.
Execute and track progress.
You can discuss a project that you are familiar with, make up a marketing situation, or choose from the scenarios below.

Your marketing plan must show your own personalized approach. Ensure that you:

include specifics of what you would do, ask, or research in each step for the most effective outcomes;
show evidence of applied business principles and demonstrate your understanding of course and unit concepts;
explain key factors that will impact marketing for a diverse health care organization;
include any ethical consideration in your marketing plan;
explore a strategic marketing plan process;
explain how hospital (or other local) demographics factor into your plan; and
be sure to address any concerns you may have with impacts from the quality and consumer data for your hospital/organization.
Potential Examples:

Your practice has just hired a brand-new primary care doctor and needs to create a plan to start building a baseline of patients.
The emergency management organization you work for has seen decreasing use of its services since a competitor came to town a few months ago. You have been asked to create a plan to market your services to the local hospital in the hopes they will contract with your company.
The executive team at your hospital has decided to start a brand-new service offering acupuncture as a treatment for pain.
Your marketing plan must be five pages, not including the title and reference pages. You are encouraged to include graphics, charts, or other supporting material that will support or enhance your plan; however, these are not counted in the five-page written requirement.

Sample Solution

Marketing Plan: Launching Acupuncture for Pain Management at [Hospital Name]

Executive Summary:

This marketing plan outlines the strategy for launching acupuncture as a new service offering at [Hospital Name]. Targeting patients seeking alternative pain management solutions, the plan leverages a multi-faceted approach to build awareness, educate the community, and drive patient acquisition. By employing a mix of traditional and digital marketing tactics, the plan aims to position [Hospital Name] as a leader in holistic pain management and attract a diverse patient population.

  1. Situation Analysis:
  2. Internal Factors:
  • Strengths:
    • Established reputation and credibility in the healthcare community.
    • Qualified and experienced acupuncturists.
    • Collaborative and supportive healthcare team.
    • Access to a large patient base.
    • Commitment to providing comprehensive and patient-centered care.
  • Weaknesses:
    • Limited experience with acupuncture services.
    • Potential resistance from traditional medical practitioners.
    • Need for staff training and education on acupuncture.
  1. External Factors:
  • Opportunities:
    • Growing demand for alternative pain management solutions.
    • Increasing acceptance of acupuncture by the medical community.
    • Potential partnerships with local organizations.
    • Growing awareness of the benefits of acupuncture through media coverage.
  • Threats:
    • Competition from other acupuncture clinics and healthcare providers.
    • Public misperceptions about acupuncture.
    • Lack of insurance coverage for acupuncture.
  1. Target Market:
  • Primary Target: Individuals suffering from chronic pain conditions such as back pain, neck pain, headaches, and arthritis.
  • Secondary Target: Individuals seeking holistic wellness and stress management.
  1. Marketing Objectives:
  • Increase awareness of acupuncture services at [Hospital Name] by 20% within the first year.
  • Generate 100 new patient inquiries for acupuncture services within the first quarter.
  • Achieve a 75% patient satisfaction rate for acupuncture services within the first six months.
  1. Marketing Strategies and Tactics:
  2. Brand Positioning:
  • Position [Hospital Name] as a trusted provider of high-quality and effective acupuncture services.
  • Emphasize the integration of acupuncture with traditional medical care for a comprehensive approach to pain management.
  • Highlight the benefits of acupuncture for specific pain conditions and overall well-being.
  1. Marketing Mix:
  • Product: Offer a comprehensive range of acupuncture services tailored to individual patient needs.
  • Price: Establish competitive pricing and consider offering promotional packages for new patients.
  • Place: Make acupuncture services readily accessible through convenient appointment scheduling and location options.
  • Promotion: Utilize a multi-channel approach to reach target audiences, including:
    • Public Relations: Develop relationships with local media outlets and healthcare professionals.
    • Digital Marketing: Create a dedicated website landing page for acupuncture services, utilize social media platforms, implement search engine optimization (SEO) and pay-per-click (PPC) advertising campaigns.
    • Community Outreach: Partner with local organizations, participate in health fairs and community events, host educational workshops and seminars.
    • Patient Referral Program: Encourage existing patients to refer friends and family through incentives and rewards.
  1. Budget and Financial Projections:
  • Develop a detailed budget outlining projected costs for marketing activities, staff training, and equipment.
  • Forecast revenue based on anticipated patient volume and pricing structure.
  • Track marketing campaign performance and return on investment (ROI) to ensure efficient use of resources.
  1. Implementation and Evaluation:
  • Establish a timeline for each marketing activity and assign clear responsibilities.
  • Develop key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness of marketing campaigns.
  • Regularly monitor progress and make adjustments to the plan as needed.
  • Conduct ongoing surveys and gather feedback from patients to ensure satisfaction with acupuncture services.
  1. Ethical Considerations:
  • Ensure all marketing materials are accurate, truthful, and avoid making unsubstantiated claims about acupuncture.
  • Respect patient privacy and comply with all health information regulations.
  • Promote cultural sensitivity and understanding of diverse patient beliefs and practices.
  1. Conclusion:

This marketing plan provides a comprehensive framework for launching acupuncture services at [Hospital Name]. By implementing this plan effectively and remaining adaptable to market changes, the hospital can successfully attract new patients, expand its service offerings, and become a leading provider of holistic pain management in the community.

Additional Materials:

  • Appendix A: Sample Marketing Materials (Website Landing Page, Social Media Posts, Press Release)
  • Appendix B: Competitive Analysis Chart
  • Appendix C: Budget and Financial Projections
  • Appendix D: Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

 

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