Since it seems difficult to discuss strategic marketing
planning without a mention of strategic management, it will
be worthwhile to make a clear distinction between these two
concept; Firstly, in a simple language,strategic marketing
planning is clearly a vital activity which fall within the
ambit of strategic management. Conceptual, strategic
marketing planning is really the process by which an
organization’s top management matches the organizations
capabilities or strength with relevant environment
opportunities and threats; it is basically the process of
adapting the organization to its environment. Considering
this definition with the earlier definition on strategic
marketing planning,one concludes that strategic marketing
planning and management are two inseparable concepts.
Brooksbank [28] reported that successful companies have a
greater knowledge and appreciation of marketing processes,
concepts, tools and techniques-displaying a greater expertise
and consistency in their application. They also recognize
that marketing is not just a business function, but also a
business philosophy which should guide majority of the
activities of the organization. Notably, they are
characterized by a high level of inter-functional co-operation
that, to a large extent, facilitates the adoption of a
marketing-oriented business philosophy and enhances a
greater and cohesive overall planning strategy. In essence,
successful companies adopt a marketing approach which
revolves around the three core principles of customer focus,
competitive advantage, and environmental sensitivity