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906.483.2000

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906.483.2000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Marketing Department, Inc. launches MAPS® to create sales and cut waste for small businesses

MAPS® is the gold standard that guides teams with tools, coaching and a community.

[Houghton, Michigan]  – Marketing Department, Inc., a trusted firm to over 1,000 small and mid-sized organizations and projects for over two decades, is unveiling a bold new business model for 2025 and beyond. The firm is expanding its focus from providing traditional marketing services to coaching business teams on how to develop a strategy, plan and execute their marketing by aligning processes, people and the basic principles of marketing.

At the heart of this transformation is the launch of the Marketing & Performance System (MAPS)®, the gold standard of B2B marketing. MAPS® is a practical operating framework and path designed to empower business leaders and their teams with a process, coaching, a community and toolbox that fuels smarter, more calculated marketing decisions and accountability. MAPS® is a results-driven system that bridges the gap between sales performance, strategy and execution, ensuring businesses achieve sales and cost savings. This approach is different from traditional agencies who deliver services. With MAPS®, internal teams can increase sales, cut wasted marketing budgets and align tactics with goals.

A Vision to Empower Small Business Teams

“For 20+ years I have stepped into small businesses challenged with marketing that felt more like guesswork than a strategic driver of growth,” said CEO Karyn Olsson. “With MAPS®, we’re changing the narrative. We’re giving small and mid-sized B2B businesses the tools and confidence to navigate the complexities of today’s B2B markets and technologies. This isn’t about handing over answers. Instead, our mission is to empower leaders and teams to achieve more with their brand and marketing success.”

Why the Shift?

Marketing Department, Inc.’s decision to evolve stems from five common challenges businesses face in navigating the increasingly complex world of marketing:

  1. Inability to make calculated decisions. Many companies rely on scattered tactics with no overarching strategy, leading to inefficiencies and poor performance.
  2. Not enough measurable ROI with small budgets. Small business = small budgets. Every penny matters so when execution is not aligned with business objectives, marketing efforts often fail causing friction between leadership, sales and marketing teams.
  3. Inconsistent Branding. Disjointed messaging and visual identities dilute a brand’s impact and competitiveness.
  4. Overreliance on digital tools. The rise of AI and digital platforms has overshadowed the need for foundational marketing principles and the importance of building relationships.
  5. Lacking understanding of the customer needs. Companies fall behind with today’s busyness and neglect to understand the customer and market needs of tomorrow.

How MAPS® Solves These Problems

MAPS® is a seven-step cyclical guide that leads businesses through goal setting, market research, strategy development, brand building, marketing planning, precise execution, and continuous improvement. This system adapts to each business’s unique needs, empowering teams to create cohesive brands, build trust, and drive growth.

Upcoming Book Release

In tandem with the launch of a new business model, Karyn’s book, “Momentum®,” has been in the making for over a year and expected to be released in 2026. This book will lay out MAPS® step-by-step giving CEOs, entrepreneurs, marketing professionals, and anyone ready to navigate the complexities of B2B marketing confidence and clarity.

Looking Ahead

Marketing Department, Inc.’s rebranding underscores its commitment to simplifying marketing for small businesses, much like how EOS Entrepreneur Operation System transforms strategic planning and LEAN Six Sigma transforms operations. “Our mission is to make MAPS the gold standard for B2B marketing, restoring confidence and driving sustainable growth,” said Olsson.

Join the Movement

Marketing Department, Inc. invites businesses, marketing professionals, and industry partners to join this exciting transformation. Companies can participate in monthly roundtable discussions, one-on-one consulting and gain access to a plethora of insights and tools.

To learn more about MAPS, Karyn Olsson’s upcoming book, or to schedule a consultation, visit www.marketingdepartmentinc.com

Contact:
Cass Wagner
Phone: (906) 483-2000
Email: cass@marketingdepartmentinc.com

Marketing Department Inc. pioneered MAPS which is built upon our 20+ years of experience helping B2B clients achieve their marketing and business goals.  We have packaged up the processes that have been instrumental in the greatest successes of our clients. 

If you have any questions or want to learn more about MAPS and our experience, let us know.  We love hearing from people and exploring how to support their path to success.

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Plan:
With your strategy and platform in place, it’s time to create a plan. A well-crafted marketing plan aligns your tactics (what you’re doing) with your strategy (what you need to accomplish). It ensures everyone knows what to do, when to do it, who’s responsible, and most importantly, why. You’ll also have a clear understanding of what to measure, what success looks like, and a marketing budget that perfectly aligns with your activities.

Action: 
Now it’s time to take action. Your team can execute the plan with precision, coordination, and integration. Sales and marketing will work in harmony, promoting the same products or services to the same audience. By following the MAPS system, everyone stays aligned, making meetings more effective—and even shorter!

Optimize:
This step is all about monitoring progress, conditions and adjusting course when needed. The team will analyze all aspects of your marketing performance, look at successes and failures, make informed decisions, and follow the data. This step ensures your team maintains focus.

Establish Sales Goals:
Marketing impacts your operations, culture, revenue, service and/or products. Clear goals are crucial. During Segment 1, your team will identify three key sales goals and identify other important goals that are specific to your company. Clear goals will set the direction and create accurate expectations..

Business Intelligence:
Without data, you’re just guessing, and guesswork is not a strategy. By digging into the trends, customer needs and competitors, you’ll gain the insights needed to make smart, calculated decisions. Toward the end of this segment, your team will have a clear idea what your company does better than any competitor and identify the best opportunities now and in the future.

Strategy:
Strategy is your game plan – it is what gives a business momentum. Your strategy, positioning, and messaging become the force behind your marketing efforts—the powerful centerpiece that guides everything you do.

With a clear strategy, you’ll master the art of understanding and creating your unique market positioning while seamlessly aligning your marketing and sales efforts with your company’s goals. Once you have this clarity, you’ll achieve more, faster—riding the wave for greater success.

Platform:
Your brand platform is the foundation your brand needs to build long-term recognition and loyalty.

MAPS will guide the team to develop a cohesive message and visual platform that embodies your company’s identity. The platform shapes how the company is perceived and distinguish you from your competitors so that your business stands out with its own memorable and unique presence in the market. Your platform is tangible and will build recognition, trust and loyalty in your market.