STANDARD COMPETENCIES:

 

 I.      Determine and evaluate the product/services, customer, and market potential for the business

 II.     Determine and evaluate the pricing structure for the business

 III.    Maintain a system to track marketing and sales expenses and revenue.

 IV.     Identify and develop a marketing plan

 V.      Focus on a review of the business plan and management skills.

 VI.     Identify alternatives to minimize risk.

 TOPICAL OUTLINE:

 

 I.      Product & Services Featured

         A.      Description

         B.      Uniqueness

         C.      Seasonal and or life cycles

 II.     Customer Profile

         A.      Demographics

         B.      Expectations

         C.      Wholesale/retail

 III.    Niche Marketing

         A.      Competitive Analysis

         B.      Market size

         C.      Geographic boundaries

         D.      SWOT analysis

         E.      Budgets for the marketing strategy

 IV.     Production Potential

         A.      Facilities

         B.      Vendor and environmental requirements

         C.      Human resources and Management

 V.      Pricing

         A.      Pricing strategies

         B.      Variable and fixed costs

         C.      Profit goals

         D.      Volume goals

 VI.     Sales and Expenses

         A.      Monthly entries

         B.      Sales and expense reports

         C.      Interpretation of data

 VII.    The Marketing Plan

         A.      Concept statement

         B.      Identify basic elements of the marketing strategy

         C.      Define market segmentation

         D.      Identify buying patterns and buying decisions of the market

         E.      List target markets

         F.      Define the business marketing strategy

         G.      Analyze the competition