Strategic marketing management for health management: cross impact matrix and TOWS (threats, opportunities, weaknesses, strengths).

Organisations operate within a three-tiered environment--internal, micro and macro. The environment is a powerful force acting upon the effectiveness of strategic decision making. Failure to take cognisance of the influence of the three-tiered environment can have disastrous consequences. The cross-impact matrix and the TOWS matrix are two strategic decision-making aids that improve effective decision making. When used in conjunction with creative problem solving methods they can provide the basis of a powerful management tool.