I really enjoyed reviewing Marketing Plan Pro. Even though I have a background in marketing and am currently a digital media marketing student, I discovered some great new ideas from this software and can think of multiple applications for the entire plan both personally and professionally.

I reviewed Marketing Plan Pro across the following key performance indicators:
1 - Ease of installation
2 - Performance during testing
3 - Ease of use
4 - Resources for help
5 - Value for money
6 - Favorite elements
1 - Ease of installation

The ‘Getting Started Guide’ was a quick, easy and understandable read. The software installation was accomplished with ease as was the installation and download of the various sample plans. There were no errors found in the process. Initializing was quick and automated via the internet. The integrated movie tutorial was informative and a good beginning to the whole process.

2 - Performance during testing

I tested two sample plans for adaptability (subject and language) and found they both performed extremely well. I also created my own sample marketing plan, which was easy after reviewing one of the sample plans. The setup allowed many options for detailed, less detailed or more simplistic plan outlines. And the user can go back and change any of the set-up data at any time in the plan-creating process. If the user is unclear about one of the various components, the explanations available are clear and easy to find. The components within each category (i.e. Market Needs, Trends, Growth within the Market Analysis category) are thorough. By really considering each category and component, the user will have a much clearer understanding of their business, goals and strategy options. Sometimes it’s easy to forget how many options we have and this software reminds us to consider all of them.

3 -Ease of use

I found this software extremely easy to use. Everything from the toolbar options to how the software looks on the computer screen was easy to navigate. I liked that the categories and components are on the left side in a list, in case the user wants to reference them or go back over them. Plus, I liked how the screen is separated into two boxes – one on top for instructions and one below that for the user’s own writing or bullet points.

It’s worth noting that I am not a computer or software expert and have never reviewed software before. Yet, I was able to perform each task with ease and a comfort level that I didn’t expect to have. I appreciated the instructions available at each step and felt confident that working my way through the plan setup would yield a usable, finished marketing plan.

4 - Resources for help

The resources for help system in this software are stellar. A user can perform website research (for instanced about objectives or trends) and get industry reports by clicking on the toolbar’s ‘Resources’ icon.  This is very intuitive and appreciated! Also, every step of the plan has an option and a reminder that the user can click F1 to learn more/gain a better understanding. The user doesn’t have to remember that – it’s listed each time, which is fantastic when confused or struggling with exactly what to do or write. The sample plans are a tremendous resource because if the user is stuck on specific wording, he/she can consult the sample best pertaining to their business.

5 - Value for money

Priced at $180.00 this software plan is a great value and quite competitive with others on the market. Taking even a one-day conference would cost at least double that amount. Marketing Plan Pro also allows the user to own the framework and simply plug any new data or information into each component for a new/updated plan. This is ideal for a small business owner who doesn’t have the time or money to take marketing classes. It’s also good for someone who knows about marketing but lacks the tools to put it all together into a clear, concise format that anyone can read and understand.

6 - Favorite Elements

• I really liked the controls section. This made me think very clearly about everything I had done up to that point. The ‘Break-even Analysis’ and ‘ROI Calculator’ are particularly key to have, especially if the user’s knowledge of marketing is limited.
• I also really appreciated and liked having the strategy pyramid. This gives a visual chart to understand how the whole process works.
• The applications for this software are endless. I could see this even be used to brand and market an individual who is looking for work or is an independent consultant.
• The framework is outlined for the user, yet highly adaptable, so that the user can concentrate on specifics for their business.
• I also thought the two books included were a nice touch and helpful as well.

Thank you for allowing me the honor of reviewing the Marketing Plan Pro!