How do you start your sales and marketing plans?

It seems that we are always "incrementalizing" our efforts in sales and marketing. If you use houses as an anaolgy, we're adding rooms, remodeling others, doing this and that. Without a master plan. In some ways when a house gets remodeled the "constraint" we use is money and or time.

Using constraints to define action is a very logical and pragmatic way to approach issues and the marketplace. But it usually results in "incremental thinking" not "breakthru" thinking.

I would suggest the following:

• Approach the sales and marketing jobs from a fresh perspective as often as possible
• Take stock on all of the activities you are doing and remove as many as you add
• Make sure there is a master plan driving all actions, priorities and goals
• The master plan should fit on one sheet of paper - no exceptions!
• Work the plan, and remove all activities that don't fit the plan

I will refrain from using too many antedotes, but occasionally will include those that are funny.

From - The Motivational Manager

During a visit to America, Winston Churchill was invited to a buffet luncheon at which cold fried chicken was servied. Returning for a second helping, he asked plitely: "May I have some breast?"

"Mr Churchill," replied the hostess, "in this country we ask for white meat or dark meat." Churchill apologized profusely.

The following morning, the lady received a magnificent orchis from her guest of honor. The accompanying card read: "I would be most obliged if you would pin this on your white meat."