Week 9 – Reflection from Periods 3 – 7

This week’s blog post we were asked to discuss the implementation of our team’s strategy, more of a reflection as oppose to the actual actions that took place.

After playing out Periods 3-7, I can clearly see the importance of having a marketing plan in place to help guide your decisions.  The marketing plan is essential the tracks that guide the train down its path. 

Just like when we developed the marketing plan, we communicated and made our decisions through the team discussion module within Kodiak.  Prior to making the period’s decision, we would outline what has happened coming out of the previous Period and then highlight key metrics/situations that would impact the decisions that needed to be made.  Once we’ve outlined those topics, we then would reference our marketing plan to understanding exactly how we should approach the period.  Example, in Period 5 we had the opportunity to introduce a new product:  one of the 3 options we did not previously choose, a non-drowsy allergy product, or a nasal spray.  Although it would be interesting to launch the non-drowsy allergy product because it would be the first one on the market, it was not outlined and discussed in our marketing plan.  Based on the strategy outlined, it was decided to not launch any new products and focus on Allround and Allround+.

Looking back and fully understanding the importance and direction setting the marketing plan provides, I think I would have focused more in certain areas and would have changed a few things.  However, it was important for our team to follow the strategy.  Although some periods performed better than others, we did make those critical decisions but stressed them against the plan.