Today’s Assignment Is To Create An Outline For Marketing ✓ Solved
TODAY’S ASSIGNMENT IS TO CREATE AN OUTLINE FOR THE MARKETING
TODAY’S ASSIGNMENT IS TO CREATE AN OUTLINE FOR THE MARKETING PLAN FOR THE GIVEN CASE STUDY BELOW. In developing your Marketing Plan, use the following resources: Appendix A of the textbook: Why Write a Plan? Why Plan? Plans help you think long term about your service line, process improvement program, or cost-saving initiative. It keeps everyone involved in the plan motivated for change.
External Uses for Planning Plans can assist in obtaining external funding. Plans are often useful in identifying strategic alliances. In the for-profit environment, merger and acquisition candidates are screened based on their planning documents. To assist in gaining customer commitment, strategic plans are often required to dispel doubts.
The Components of the Plan Table of Contents Executive Summary Organizational Profile Marketing Plan Operational Plan Financial Plan Appendix Putting It All Together Address the reader’s concerns:
- Is the plan feasible?
- Does it add value to the customer (whoever that is)?
- Are your strategies consistent with the marketplace trends and your internal capabilities and resources?
- Can you defend your strategy versus other alternatives?
- Are your goals focused and measurable?
- Is the financial plan realistic?
- Is the funding request feasible?
- Is the management or other personnel in place or can be attracted to implement the plan?
- Is the timetable doable?
Get an outsider’s perspective. Outside reviewers often provide constructive feedback. Objective review is critical before significant resource commitment.
CASE STUDY: Polk Memorial Hospital (PMH) (a fictitious name) is a general medical/surgical hospital of 350 beds with full occupancy. PMH is a community-based, not-for-profit institution with a service area population of 500,000 people. There are two other smaller, for-profit hospitals in the area. The medical staff of PMH is comprised of 250 physicians and surgeons on the active medical staff. About half the medical staff belong to a large multi-specialty group practice which operates independently and is a for-profit entity. Of the remaining medical staff, about 20 are employed by PMH (Radiology, Anesthesiology and Pathology) with the remainder being independently practicing physicians in solo or small single-specialty practices.
After a national search to replace the retiring CEO of the hospital after serving 27 years in his position, a new CEO, Jane Smith, started at the hospital some three months prior. One of her first duties as incoming CEO was to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the organization, its operations and its management team.
Her preliminary findings were: I. Strengths: a. Experienced management team with average tenure of 20+ years at PMH. b. Governing Board with average of 15 years of service to the hospital. c. A very high occupancy rate, with the hospital remaining at full capacity (beds) most of the time. d. The hospital's finances seemed to be in order, with good cash flow and margins. e. An extremely busy (over capacity) Emergency Room. f. A reputation in the community as “the hospital to go to,” however this reputation had begun to decline due to overcrowding conditions, overworked staff and competition from the other two hospitals.
2. Weaknesses: a. The management team has been with and loyal to the previous CEO for a long time. b. The board members had been in place too long, with little change-over to new members of the board. c. Insufficient financial reserves to undertake new capital improvements (facilities and equipment). d. Complaints from patients and staff regarding overcrowded conditions, overworked staff, long hours of waiting time in the ER, and formal complaints about medical errors and medical liability claims were on the rise. e. Medical staff complaints about old equipment and the need for upgrading high tech equipment, replacing old beds, and upgrading facilities to state of the art.
3. CEO's Objective: The new CEO had recently received word that a nurses union had made initial inquiries regarding nursing staff dissatisfaction with wages and working conditions. Ms. Smith has determined that certain actions and priorities should be established in order to: a. Position the hospital for the future b. Address management team issues c. Address governance issues d. Address liability issues (financial, clinical and facilities/grounds) e. Address staffing issues f. Address facilities, equipment and new technology issues g. Address patient satisfaction and quality of service issues.
You have landed your dream job! You are now the Director of Marketing for a large hospital system in Central Florida (see attached Case Study). Develop a comprehensive, detailed marketing plan to present to your CEO and Board of Directors. You may use all or some of the guide materials as tools provided to you within Appendix A.
However, your final plan must include the following: 1. Table of Contents 2. Executive Summary 3. Organizational Profile 4. Marketing Plan 5. Operational Plan 6. Financial Plan 7. Appendix (Did you use any of the tools? Do you have any additional supporting data [charts/graphs, etc.] that you would like to attach?)
PLEASE NOTE: for this assignment, you may exclude the underlined segments of the plan, in order to focus your time and efforts on the structure and development of the Marketing Plan. However, there are financial and operational elements within the Marketing Plan that are essential to the entire process.
Paper For Above Instructions
The healthcare landscape is rapidly evolving, and effective marketing is crucial for hospital systems to navigate this environment successfully. This marketing plan for Polk Memorial Hospital (PMH) aims to present strategies that address both operational efficiency and patient satisfaction while ensuring financial viability. In a market with growing competition from for-profit hospitals, PMH must enhance its service offerings and community engagement.
Table of Contents
- Executive Summary
- Organizational Profile
- Marketing Plan
- Operational Plan
- Financial Plan
- Appendix
Executive Summary
The objective of this marketing plan is to reposition Polk Memorial Hospital into a leading healthcare provider within its community. By analyzing the current market dynamics and patient needs, PMH can implement strategies that enhance patient care and operational effectiveness. The plan will focus on strengthening patient relationships, improving internal operations, and addressing the issues identified by newly appointed CEO Jane Smith.
Organizational Profile
Polk Memorial Hospital is a 350-bed, non-profit hospital serving a population of 500,000 in its community. Currently, the hospital operates at full capacity, highlighting the demand for healthcare services. The leadership team has decades of experience; however, the organization must adapt to address weaknesses regarding staff dissatisfaction, outdated equipment, and governance structure.
Marketing Plan
Market Analysis
The local healthcare market is competitive, with two other for-profit hospitals providing similar services. PMH’s unique selling proposition lies in its community-based approach; thus, emphasizing patient care and community involvement is critical in our marketing efforts.
Target Market
Our primary focus will be on the local population within a 20-mile radius of the hospital, particularly families, senior citizens, and individuals with chronic conditions. Understanding the demographics - age, income, and health needs - will shape tailored marketing campaigns.
Marketing Strategies
The marketing strategies will leverage both digital and traditional channels, focusing on:
- Community Health Events: Organizing free health screenings and wellness seminars to engage the community.
- Social Media Campaigns: Utilizing platforms like Facebook and Instagram to share patient testimonials and hospital initiatives.
- Partnerships and Collaborations: Building strategic alliances with local businesses and organizations to enhance outreach.
- Targeted Advertising: Focused advertising campaigns in local newspapers, radio, and healthcare magazines targeting specific demographics.
Operational Plan
Streamlining operations is essential for PMH to alleviate overcrowding and improve patient satisfaction. Key components will include:
- Staffing Improvements: Addressing nurse dissatisfaction by evaluating compensation and work conditions.
- Facility Upgrades: Investing in modern equipment and infrastructure enhancements.
- Emergency Room Protocols: Implementing triage enhancements to improve patient flow during peak times.
Financial Plan
To support these initiatives, a robust financial plan must be established. This includes:
- Budget Allocations: Prioritizing funds for operational improvements and marketing activities.
- Funding Requests: Identifying potential grants and funding opportunities to support capital improvements.
- Performance Metrics: Establishing clear KPIs to evaluate the effectiveness of marketing strategies and operational changes.
Appendix
The appendix will include supporting documents, such as marketing surveys, operational data, and patient feedback to validate the strategies proposed herein.
Conclusion
In conclusion, PMH's marketing plan is designed to revitalize its commitment to patient care while addressing the challenges posed by staff dissatisfaction and operational inefficiencies. By focusing on enhancing community engagement, improving facilities, and implementing strategic marketing initiatives, PMH can position itself as the healthcare provider of choice in the region.
References
- Porter, M. E. (1985). Competitive Advantage: Creating and Sustaining Superior Performance. Free Press.
- Kotler, P., & Keller, K. L. (2016). Marketing Management. Pearson.
- American Hospital Association. (2020). The State of American Hospitals 2020. AHA.
- Blumenthal, D. (2017). "New Approaches to Health Care: The Evolution of Integrated Delivery Systems." New England Journal of Medicine.
- Mintzberg, H. (1994). The Rise and Fall of Strategic Planning. Free Press.
- Gupta, S. (2014). Strategic Marketing: Creating Competitive Advantage. Oxford University Press.
- McKee, M. (2012). "Innovation and Change in Health Care." Health Affairs.
- Harrison, J. (2019). "Operational Efficiency in Healthcare Organizations." Journal of Healthcare Management.
- Sweeney, S. (2021). Marketing Strategies for Non-Profit Organizations. Journal of Marketing Research.
- Smith, J. (2022). "Patient Satisfaction and Quality of Care: A Comprehensive Review." Journal of Healthcare Quality.