For many consumers and producers, MSP is an acronym for Manufacturers Suggested Price. Today, I would like you to consider a different definition for these commonly used letters Marketing, Sales and Profitability.

In a previous article, Do You Know and Plan for the 3-Rs for Your Business ( Ezine Article.com directory at http://ezinearticles.com/?id=48344 ), the focus was on Relationships, Referrals and Revenue. One of the most consistent challenges for any business owner is the actual implementation of the strategic business plan that builds the 3-Rs. The MSP of Marketing, Sales and Profitability helps to overcome that issue.

Since relationships are the first R, the necessary action is to construct a Marketing Plan to increase relationships. This plan should be specific to your company and not the shadow of a company that you admire. Many business owners and executives attempt to copy someone elses brand identity and fail to establish their own identify. Marketing plans require research and evolve from a solid vision, values and mission statements.

The second R of referrals generates the greatest amount of Sales. Sales plans and marketing plans are closely related and need to be aligned to ensure that potential opportunities are realized. Within the Sales plan, specific goals are necessary to ensure that the marketing plan is effective. For example, how many mailers are necessary to secure an appointment? How many appointments result in a second appointment? How many second appointments turn into a sale? Knowing your numbers is critical to the sales process and more importantly your own internal motivation.

Revenue is the third R and is a partner of profitability. Some companies work on the philosophy of high sales and low profitability while others use an opposite approach. Profitability is an absolute necessity and should be examined on a regular basis.

Todays business world is complex, but still retains the simplicity of earlier marketplaces. If you know your MSP, you will be able to build the 3-Rs.

Leanne Hoagland-Smith

Good Day. Thanks for visiting. I hope that you have enjoyed my articles. In 1999, I founded ADVANCED SYSTEMS because I saw that performance could and should be doubled in warp time. Individuals, small and large businesses could not afford expensive solutions that may or may not deliver improved results in 12 months.

From my corporate, small business and education experiences, I recognized the individuals must have opportunities for connecting their passion to their purpose to secure the desired performance results, but many lacked the necessary skills, strategies and tools.

With over 20 years in sales management and 10 years in education, I understand how to unite productivity with profitability by developing a proactive working culture. My previous experiences resulted in cost savings through one of the first implementations of a computer software in a wholesaler distributor to the creation of a vendor performance assessment.

Since facilitating over 500 sessions, developing and editing over 25 training programs and writing numerous articles focusing on performance improvement, I bring a results focused approach to my clients. Also, I am proud to be one of the first five nationally certified facilitators of America?s Rising Stars (a Student Leadership developmental curriculum).

My passion is to help others connect their passion to their purpose to double performance. As The small business coach in Chicago, my clients have easily doubled their performance. Since our greatest resource is our young people, I am now working with large urban schools to generate the same results.

Education Background

• Graduated with honors from Purdue University with a B.A. in Education
• Earned M.S. from Purdue University in Instructional Design and Curriculum
• Published in the national trade journal, The Supply House Times, and numerous national newsletters
• Developed seminars and training on diversity, communication, leadership, sales, effective trade show behavior, networking, knowledge management, goal setting and improved educational outcomes
• Co-authored M.A.G.I.C.A.L. Potential: 7 Capicities for Living an Amazing Life Beyond Purpose to Achievement, to be available in 2006
• Working a another book focusing on performance in public education
• Speaker in a national bureau - Resource Associates Corporation