Book Review

PLAN IT

Lisbeth Quebe, FSMPS

I love to read. I can pick up a book and read all weekend until I finish. When I get a good book in my hands, my kids and husband know that they must fend for themselves because I am not stopping until I’m done. When I was asked to write a book review for the SMPS newsletter, I decided to pick a book that was geared toward the audience, ie. professional services marketers.

I have to admit, as much as I love what I do, books about marketing do not have the same irresistible force to keep me glued to the couch all weekend. My main complaint about marketing books is that it takes 200 pages to say what you could say in 50. My ideal marketing book needs to gets to the point sooner.

The book I chose was, “Plan it” by Lisbeth Quebe, FSMPS. I thought, I can do this..it’s 95 pages, big type, short chapters..this book may be one that could hold my attention long enough to get to the end.

And it did. “Plan it,” was completely relevant to what we do and hit the main points on developing and improving on your marketing plan. The first chapter gives you sound reasoning for the importance of a marketing plan and the components that must be included to make it successful. The components they list include Audit, Outlook, Goals and Objectives, Strategies, Tools and Resources, Budget and Implementation.

The subsequent chapters step you through the process of each component of the plan. The book is structured in chapters but reads more like a checklist. What I liked about it most is that it was practical, useful information and got to the point without repeating information. Each component is covered by a short chapter with solid advice for your marketing plan.

I would recommend this book to other SMPS members. It can help with implementing strategies that may have been left out of your existing marketing plan. It’s not rocket science, or probably anything you haven’t heard before, but it is a prompt for us to continue to improve on what we have to make it better.

“Plan It,” is recommended by SMPS and available at the SMPS bookstore online. It is also recommended reading for anyone considering the CPSM exam. First and foremost, it is short and to the point.

Erika Passailaigue

Datum Engineers

SMPS Austin Chapter President-Elect