1-Day SOSTAC® Planning Masterclass with PR Smith

Join Us for an Inspiring 1-Day SOSTAC® Planning Masterclass Integrating AI

Step into a world of strategic marketing brilliance with PR Smith as your guide. During one intensive day you will master the art of asking great questions, making better decisions and creating flawless, crystal-clear marketing strategies using the acclaimed SOSTAC® Methodology while leveraging AI.

What Is PR Smith’s SOSTAC®?

SOSTAC® is a powerful, easy-to-remember planning method voted in the Top 3 business models worldwide by the Chartered Institute of Marketing's Centenary Poll. It simplifies marketing plans including digital strategies that adds a logical information-based approach. It also delivers a reassuring sense of order.

Who is PR Smith?

PR Smith is a renowned author of six marketing and digital marketing books (translated into seven languages), a TEDx Talker and international speaker. He is the mastermind behind SOSTAC® and hosts a weekly 30-minute LinkedIn chat about AI, Innovation and Ethics.

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Almost two-thirds of 2,000 decision makers in SMEs have no marketing plan, and more than half don’t even have a business plan.

The Marketing Maturity Report, The Marketing Centre (January 2024)

Craft the Perfect Marketing Plan with SOSTAC®

Whether you're devising a comprehensive marketing plan or developing a strategy, SOSTAC® is your ultimate ally. In this masterclass, you'll learn how to apply the SOSTAC® planning method to elevate your Marketing Strategy and Digital Marketing Plans to new heights.

What Will I Gain from this 1-Day SOSTAC® Masterclass?

In just one interactive day, you'll acquire the skills to think, act, and plan more strategically. You'll also leave with a signed copy of PR Smith's SOSTAC® 2025 Guide book (integrating AI), a detailed masterclass workbook, and a SOSTAC® planning 1-page template. Plus you get free access to the online SOSTAC® so you can become a SOSTAC® Certified Planner. Paul also invites all attendees to keep up with AI developments and join his weekly AI chat on LinkedIn.

You Will Learn How To:

• Adapt SOSTAC® to different business and marketing contexts.
• Analyse Your Market by asking great questions to understand your market dynamics in deeper detail.
• Clarify Your Objectives to set clear, achievable goals to drive your business forwards.
• Develop Your Strategy to formulate robust, effective and crystal-clear strategies.

“The workshop on SOSTAC® was the single best workshop or seminar I've ever attended”‍

Kevin Browning
Senior Global Brand Manager, LinkedIn

Why Become a SOSTAC® Certified Planner?

By attending this masterclass, you have the option of earning your certification, where you will:

• Enhance Your Planning Skills –Acquire a whole new planning skill set.
• Develop Strategic Insight – Make better decisions.
• Achieve Professional Certification – Boost your CV and LinkedIn profile.
• Network with Peers – Connect with other SOSTAC® Certified Planners.
• Gain Practical Knowledge – Separate strategy from tactics.
• Gain Competitive Advantage – Stand out in the marketing field with recognised certification, showcasing your advanced planning skills to employers, clients and/or your own team.

How Do I Become a SOSTAC® Certified Planner?

This is normally a 20 hour online course, BUT, after completing this 1-day Masterclass with PR Smith – supported by Lydia McClelland (a SOSTAC® Certified Trainer), delegates only need to spend approximately 4 hours reviewing the short video tutorials and taking the series of quick question quizzes (which prepare you for the assessment). Then take the 1-hour online assessment and get an instant result with a personalised SOSTAC® Certified Planner Certificate. We strongly recommend candidates try to complete it over the weekend or at your earliest convenience.

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This Masterclass is ideal for:

• Marketers (any level): Reacquaint yourself with SOSTAC® and/or empower your teams to become better marketers, making better decisions that boost results.
• Partners / BDMs / Marketers in LLPs (i.e. law firms, accountancy): Build better BD plans to grow your practice areas.
• Venture Capital Investors: Build better marketing plans to help your portfolio companies achieve faster traction.
• Private Equity Investors: Build effective marketing plans for faster transformation and an earlier exit.
• Start-Ups, Disruptors and SMEs (CEOs/Founders): Establish a real solid foundation to making critical decisions to grow your business rapidly.

Event Details

When: Thursday 30th January 2025

Time: Registration at 8:30am for a 9:00am start. Finishes 6:00pm.

Where: Duchess Room - County Hall, Belvedere Road, London SE1 7PB (Download directions)

Cost: £695 plus VAT which includes:

• Entry to the 1-Day Masterclass.
• £195 +VAT fee for the SOSTAC® Certified Planner online course & accreditation.
• £25 SOSTAC® Guide to your Perfect Digital Marketing Plan 2025 (AI edition).
• 100 page workbook.
• 1-Page SOSTAC® Planning Template.
• Coffees, lunch, tea and networking.
• A career-changing, planning skill-set from PR Smith and Lydia McClelland.

* This seat on the online course could be transferred to a colleague if you want to bring them up to speed with the SOSTAC® Planning Methodology.

Note: Delegates must cover their own travel and accommodation costs separately.

Reserve Your Seat - £100 Early Bird Discount

Join us in London in 2025 for this empowering journey and become a SOSTAC® Certified Planner. Get ready to transform your marketing strategies and lead with confidence! We are offering an early-bird rate of £595 plus VAT to those who book before 31st October 2024.

Terms & Conditions

Payment Terms

• Full payment for the course must be made at the time of booking or within 14 days of the invoice date, whichever is sooner, and in any case, before the Masterclass commencement date.
• Payment can be made via bank transfer, credit card via PayPal, or other agreed methods as specified during registration.

Late Payment

• Late payments may incur interest at a rate of 2% above the Bank of England base rate for each day payment is overdue.
• VCMO reserves the right to withhold attendance or certification until full payment is received.

Course Fees

• The course fees include all training materials stated.
• Any additional costs, such as travel and accommodation are the responsibility of the participant unless specifically mentioned.

Refund Policy

• Refunds will only be made if the participant cancels their place in line with the cancellation policy below.
• Any refunds will be processed within 14 working days of the cancellation being confirmed.

Non-Attendance

• Failure to attend the course without prior cancellation notice will result in full payment being retained and no refund offered.

Cancellation by Participant

• Up to 14 days before the course start date: Full refund available or option to transfer to a future course, subject to availability.
• Less than 14 days before the course start date: No refund, but a transfer to a future course may be offered at the discretion of VCMO, subject to availability.
• No-shows: No refund or transfer will be offered if a participant does not attend the course without prior notice (minimum 24 hours before start date).

Cancellation by VCMO

• VCMO reserves the right to cancel or reschedule any training course due to unforeseen circumstances or if minimum participant numbers are not met.
• In the event of cancellation by VMCO, participants will be offered either a full refund or the option to transfer to another course date.
• VCMO will not be responsible for any travel, accommodation, or other costs incurred by participants in case of cancellation.

Substitutions

• Substitutions of participants can be made at any time before the course date without incurring additional charges, provided notice is given in writing to [email protected] or calling +44(0) 331 630 9395.

About VCMO

VCMO helps SMEs and portfolio companies with the high-level marketing leadership needed to grow and succeed across the full business lifecycle. Its roster of highly accredited Fractional Chief Marketing Officers brings the expertise, strategy and execution to transform marketing potential into a competitive advantage that delivers predictable revenue and sustainable growth.