Evidence on the Value of Strategic Planning in Marketing: How Much Planning Should a Marketing Planner Plan?

What evidence exists on the value of formal planning for strategic decision-making in marketing? This paper reviews the evidence. This includes two tests of face validity. First, we use the market test: Are formal procedures used for marketing planning? Next, we examine expert prescriptions: What do they say is the best way to plan? More important than face validity, however, are tests of construct or predictive validity: What empirical evidence exists on the relative value of formal and informal approaches to marketing planning? The paper concludes with suggestions on the types of research that would be most useful for measuring the value of formal marketing planning. Before reviewing the evidence, we present a framework for the formal planning process.strategic planning, marketing

Sustain Arts/SE Michigan: A Portrait of the Cultural Ecosystem

This report discusses the potential use of data in arts organizations for strategic purposes. Data currently available on the cultural sector can lead to useful insights about the increasing proliferation of small arts organizations; the almost monolithic focus of private foundations on supporting a highly select group of large, well-established arts organizations; and the fact that established arts organizations are poorly positioned to satisfy emerging consumer preferences for cultural experiences. Such insights should provoke frank discussion and galvanize field leaders to advocate appropriate actions, both in response to existing disconnects and proactively, in anticipation of coming change. The data that are now available to the field are not perfect. In fact, that's part of the story that needs to be told about the cultural sector. Systematic data collection on artists, cultural organizations, and audiences receives only a token amount of government funding. Instead, it is left largely up to private organizations to document trends in both the nonprofit and for-profit cultural arenas. This leads to multiple non-overlapping data collection strategies, making it difficult to construct a coherent picture of the field. There are gaping holes in the puzzle, and the tales we tell with existing data must be told with caution

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW—RESUMING PROGRESS ON LEAD POISONING: A PRIME INDICATOR OF CIVILIZATION

Failing to adequately protect citizens against the threat of lead poisoning is an indication that our society is not fully civilized. There are many compelling reasons to take concerted action against lead: the seriousness of its harm, the preventability of poisoning, that all of society is affected, and that many actions are economically feasible. Even the most costly action, removal of the source, has an excellent cost benefit ratio. After reviewing the state of affairs and the reasons to take action, this Article provides an overview of some of the actions that can be taken. Mustering the ability to take action will be a symbolic and important exercise of democracy, strengthening the sense of common purpose, and illustrating that government exists to care for the people

Summary: Economic Return of Nation Brands

It is generally considered good business practice for a company to invest in its brand. A positive brand image typically results in a more loyal customer base and an overall increase in profit. Likewise, nations have brands, and the reputation of a country has an economic impact on its gross domestic product (GDP).https://repository.upenn.edu/pennwhartonppi_bschool/1011/thumbnail.jp

Closing the Gap between Marketing and Finance: The Link to Driving Wise Marketing Investment

The true value of marketing investments /// What do companies with products as diverse as Apple, Red Bull, McDonald\u27s or Ikea have in common? They have good products, right. But another even more important characteristic is their excellent marketing. For most companies, it is not the tangibles that make up their overall market value but the intangible assets, such as the brand, loyal customers or a strong network of distributors. If the market value of a company exceeds its book value, the difference arises from the value of the intangible assets. Global top-performing companies have significantly higher market-to-book ratios than less successful companies, and their value stems from a strong brand, better customer management, and/or superior distribution

With Monsters

These are the things I have learned about how I deal with pain. This paper includes a genealogy of immanent painting from the Renaissance to the 21st century. Through the lens of my biography I explore my relationship to toxic masculinity through expressionist distortion

Measuring Trademark Dilution by Tarnishment

The law of trademark tarnishment—a type of trademark dilution—is in disarray. The basic definition is deceptively simple. Trademark tarnishment occurs when a junior mark harms the reputation of a substantially similar existing senior trademark by associating itself with something perverse or deviant. However, it turns out that Congress and the courts disagree over the prima facie evidence necessary to prove its existence. The problem is that federal law and related legal principles are simply ill-equipped to adequately analyze this unique market-driven doctrine. To make matters worse, legal scholars cannot even agree on whether trademark tarnishment can empirically exist in the marketplace. Part of the issue is that there has never been any real attempt to define the phrase “harm to reputation” in the trademark context. Drawing on marketing scholarship and social science methods, this Article provides the first workable framework that courts can use to hear and accurately analyze these cases. It relies on experimental survey methodology to empirically show that tarnishment can exist under certain conditions; the key is increasing the number of exposures to the harmful mark. The Article also introduces extant branding theory as a way to define harm to reputation in the marketplace. This interdisciplinary approach ultimately gives courts a mechanism by which to measure harm to reputation and the tangible impact of tarnishment. In the process, this theory provides litigants with an empirical-based strategy to prove their dilution claims and contributes to the doctrinal justification for trademark dilution laws

Improvements on the Inhaler

Background: Inhalers are a commonplace in American health care and deliver crucial drugs to patients with COPD and asthma. Inhaler use has been shown to be unsatisfactory among patients resulting in ineffective medication delivery. The goal of this project was to improve the inhaler design for increased effectiveness and ease of use. Methods: Our team first interviewed a Pulmonologist regarding patient inhaler use. Dr. Harry Kane demonstrated the proper use of an inhaler as well and described errors in inhaler use are due to patient technique. A variety of inhalers currently available were examined and were compared for ease of use. Results: Interview with attending physician revealed numerous patient errors that impede effectiveness of inhaled medication. Two common mistakes were identified: patients inhaling too rapidly and patients dispensing the medication too late. Inhaling too rapidly decreases the fraction of drug that reaches the lungs, decreasing effectiveness. Dispensing the medication after a patient reaches total lung capacity (TLC) prevents the drug from reaching their lungs, decreasing effectiveness. Conclusions: We conclude that inhalers could be used more effectively by addressing patient education and feedback mechanisms. Possible solutions discuss audible feedback to help coordinate patient breath with optimal dispersal timing. Future work includes prototyping a design and eliciting patient feedback

Building bridges? An evaluation of the costs and effectiveness of the separated parents information programme (PIP)

The Separated Parent Information Programme (PIP) is the first nationally available parent education programme for parents involved in litigation over contact and residence in England. The programme is a Contact Activity, introduced by the Children and Adoption Act 2006 as an additional tool for courts to facilitate contact. PIP is a four hour group programme for parents referred by the court. Both parties, i.e. the applicant and respondent, are required to attend the programme, but former couples attend separate groups. The groups are designed to include both men and women. The aim of the programme is to encourage parents to focus on children’s needs and perspectives. The programme is delivered by trained providers from mediation, counselling or contact services backgrounds