SOSTAC® - how to write the perfect plan (in 4 minutes)

Summary

The SUSAC planning system, developed in the 1990s, is a globally recognized framework for effective business strategy. It consists of five key components: Situation Analysis (assessing the current state), Objectives (defining goals), Strategy (planning how to achieve goals), Tactics (details of execution), and Control (measuring progress). Additionally, it emphasizes resource management through the '3M's: Men, Money, and Minutes.' By integrating these elements, SUSAC helps organizations develop a comprehensive plan that is adaptable and responsive, ensuring ongoing improvement and alignment with business objectives.

Takeaways

• 😀 SUSAC is a simple planning system developed in the 1990s and recognized as one of the top business models by the Chartered Institute of Marketing.
• 📊 The planning process involves five key stages: situation analysis, objectives, strategy, tactics, and control.
• 🔍 Situation analysis focuses on understanding the current state of the business, including performance, customer insights, and SWOT analysis.
• 🎯 Objectives encompass long-term vision and mission, as well as medium and short-term goals, including metrics like sales, customer service, and efficiency.
• 🚀 Strategy is about defining how to achieve the objectives and involves segmentation, targeting, and positioning, along with a consistent online value proposition.
• 🛠️ Tactics detail the specific actions and tools to implement the strategy, covering marketing and communication mixes.
• 📅 The action stage specifies who is responsible for tasks, the timeline for execution, and whether internal staff or external agencies will be involved.
• 📈 Control measures how progress is tracked through KPIs and regular evaluations, ensuring adjustments can be made in real-time.
• 💼 The three key resources in any business are men (human resources), money (budget), and minutes (time), highlighting the importance of effective resource management.
• 📝 The SUSAC model provides a comprehensive framework for developing a robust marketing plan that can be continuously refined.

Q & A

What is the SUSAC planning system?

SUSAC is a simple planning system developed in the 1990s that has been used globally and recognized as one of the top three business models by the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

What are the five components of the SUSAC framework?

The five components are Situation Analysis, Objectives, Strategy, Tactics, and Control.

What does Situation Analysis entail?

Situation Analysis includes assessing the current status through performance metrics, customer insights, SWOT analysis, and brand perceptions.

What are the objectives in the SUSAC framework?

Objectives encompass the vision, mission, long-term goals, and medium to short-term objectives, including metrics like sales, customer service, and efficiency gains.

What is the significance of Strategy in the SUSAC model?

Strategy is crucial as it defines how to achieve the objectives, involving segmentation, targeting, positioning, and integrating a consistent value proposition.

How are Tactics differentiated from Strategy?

Tactics are the specific details on how to execute the strategy, including the marketing mix and communications approach.

What should be included in the Action stage of the SUSAC framework?

The Action stage should define responsibilities, whether using internal staff or external agencies, and outline the necessary systems and processes.

Why is Control an important aspect of the SUSAC model?

Control is important because it involves measuring progress through key performance indicators (KPIs) and making adjustments in real-time rather than waiting until the end of a period.

What are the 3Ms mentioned in the SUSAC framework?

The 3Ms refer to men (human resources), money (budgets), and minutes (time), emphasizing the importance of managing these resources effectively.

How can SUSAC be utilized effectively?

SUSAC can be effectively utilized by integrating all components into a cohesive plan, ensuring ongoing evaluation and adjustments based on control measures.