Continuous learning for continuous improvement

In the world of marketing strategy and digital marketing in particular, keeping up can sometimes feel like you're constantly chasing your tail. 

Whether it's wrapping your head around a new SEO tool, integrating AI into your content strategy or just dealing with the ever-changing (ahem) sugar-show that is Meta Business Centre - a significant proportion of my time is spent just keeping up to date with change. 

Conquering Doubts with PR Smith’s SOSTAC® Plan

At Pidgin Marketing, my compact yet mighty content marketing agency, I’ve always tried to stay up-to-date and stay ahead by adding more skills to my personal arsenal. 

For me, upskilling is a central part of battling the imposter syndrome that has been an unwelcome shadow in my career. Despite having a decent chunk of experience in the marketing realm and positive feedback from clients and colleagues, those pesky doubts pop up uninvited. 

So, I decided to face them head-on with some serious upskilling – hence, my dive into the world of SOSTAC® Certification. It's a bit like grabbing a strategic compass in the misty mountains of strategic marketing.

‘Reproduced with kind permission of PR Smith’s SOSTAC® Plan www.sostac.org

Why SOSTAC®? 

Choosing this framework wasn't a shot in the dark. Endorsed by the Chartered Institute of Marketing, it's a framework that prides itself on a logical, evidence-based approach, which really clicked with me. 

Its emphasis on internal marketing, often sidelined in business strategy, really struck a chord with me too. 

“Culture eats strategy for breakfast” is the quote from Peter Drucker that really stands out during this course of study and this is something I’ve found to be absolutely true in my professional experience. 

What Drucker is saying in this quote is that you might have the best strategy in the world, but if you don’t have a positive company culture behind you, it will likely fail. I’ve experienced this myself in the past. Without communicating with your internal stakeholders, leadership and teammates, many marketing strategies are doomed to failure or certainly doomed to be constantly amended until they are unrecognisable when compared to that first marketing plan. 

And so SOSTAC® with its evidence-based approach, logical planning sequence and pragmatic focus on communicating with your teammates FIRST was a top choice. 

Implementing SOSTAC® at Pidgin Marketing

Integrating SOSTAC® into Pidgin Marketing's ethos has been more than just adding a new buzzword to my portfolio. It's about bringing a structured, yet flexible approach to client strategies. Whether tackling employer branding, recruitment marketing, or employee advocacy, it has helped add a further layer of clarity and direction to my work.  

Final thoughts…

Embracing professional development has been key to my journey with Pidgin Marketing. Achieving my personal SOSTAC® certification isn't just about personal growth; it's a commitment to offering my clients greater clarity in their strategic plans. 

If you're looking for guidance in fine-tuning your marketing approach or just want to know more about how SOSTAC® could help clarify your next business or marketing plan, get in touch. 

Drop me an email at martin@pidginmarketing.com, connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram, or book a strategy call. 

Let's make a plan together!

SOSTAC® is a registered trademark of PR Smith. For more information on SOSTAC® Planning and becoming a SOSTAC® Certified Planner visit www.SOSTAC.org