Critically discuss the nature and purpose of strategic marketing in an organisation: strategic marketing e.g. definition, concepts, aims, objectives, importance; the interrelationships between strategic marketing and business organisation; emergence and importance of digital and online marketing. Analysis and application of different marketing concepts in different organisational contexts: strategic marketing concepts of Philip Kotler, Peter Doyle, Hugh Davidson, Malcolm McDonald and others; strategic marketing features; attachments with corporate strategies as defined by Michael Porter; organisational structures; dynamic strategies as featured by Carpenters and Sanders; attachments with mission statements; ethics and corporate responsibilities; knowledge management systems; systematic approaches, necessities of strategic marketing in an organisation; activity integration, scheduling and sequencing; resource demands; time scaling; control and monitoring elements.

Explanation of the processes involved in strategic marketing: the definition, role and importance of process in strategic marketing; planning processes of strategic marketing with contributions or Malcolm McDonald and Peter Doyle; strategic marketing analysis; factor analysis; option evaluation; objective setting of marketing strategy; perceptual mapping; choice; control; formulation; implementation.

Developing SMART strategic marketing objectives for an organisation: situation analysis of market, industry and organisation environment; conduct and performance; SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time bound); portfolio analysis techniques: Ansoff matrix, BCG matrix, Product Life Cycle model; Porter’s Five Forces model; PEST (political, economic, social, technological) analysis; marketing audit.

Assessing and evaluating external and competitive environment in which an organisation performs: supply to demand environment shift; competition; globalisation; new constraints; fashionisation of markets; micro-markets; expectations rising; technological change; importance of customer service; commoditisation; brands erosion.

Assessing and evaluating internal and stakeholder environment in which an organisation performs: SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis of a business organisation; the role identification of stakeholders; measuring the performances of stakeholders; marketing objectives focus; attachments with corporate strategies; new product developments speed; customisation, information handling abilities to gain competitive advantage; timescales; demands for resources; organisational structures; budgets; monitoring; control and review mechanisms; innovation strategies; target markets; e-marketing position; mandatory focus; key market segments; customers and other stakeholders partnerships.

Identify and develop various options available within given constraints for an organisation: relationship marketing e.g. definitions; features; direct response marketing strategies: new customers acquiring, offensive strategies, increasing customer purchase frequency; defensive strategies; customer satisfaction; switching costs.