Marketing and org research

MBA 5501, Advanced Marketing 2

4. Case Studies: Students are required to read a Case Study and answer accompanying questions in Units I, III, V, and VII. Specific information and instructions regarding these assignments are provided below. Grading rubrics are included with the Unit I, III, V, and VII Assignments. Specific information about accessing these rubrics is provided below.

5. Unit Assignments: Students are required to submit for grading an assignment in Units II, IV, VI, and VIII. These individual assignments will be compiled, which together will comprise a complete marketing plan. Specific information and instructions regarding these assignments are provided below.

6. Ask the Professor: This communication forum provides you with an opportunity to ask your professor general or course content related questions.

7. Student Break Room: This communication forum allows for casual conversation with your classmates.

CSU Online Library The CSU Online Library is available to support your courses and programs. The online library includes databases, journals, e-books, and research guides. These resources are always accessible and can be reached through the library webpage. To access the library, log into the myCSU Student Portal, and click on “CSU Online Library.” You can also access the CSU Online Library from the “My Library” button on the course menu for each course in Blackboard. The CSU Online Library offers several reference services. E-mail ([email protected]) and telephone (1.877.268.8046) assistance is available Monday – Thursday from 8 am to 5 pm and Friday from 8 am to 3 pm. The library’s chat reference service, Ask a Librarian, is available 24/7; look for the chat box on the online library page. Librarians can help you develop your research plan or assist you in finding relevant, appropriate, and timely information. Reference requests can include customized keyword search strategies, links to articles, database help, and other services.

Case Studies Case studies are an important learning strategy in business classes as they provide an opportunity for you to analyze real-life events that have occurred in business and industry. You will examine situations that managers have dealt with in a variety of situations, applying theoretical concepts from the textbook and researching supplemental information that will aid you in responding to the questions. Typically, this will chart the way for a managerial response involving changing the business or corporate strategy. Unit I Case Study Choose ONE of the case options below. Evaluate the case, and respond to each question that follows the case using both theory and practical managerial thinking.

 Cisco, beginning on page 57 of the course textbook

 Nike, beginning on page 29 of the course textbook

 Microsoft, beginning on page 93 of the course textbook

 Walmart, beginning on page 94 of the course textbook Your APA formatted Case Study should be a minimum of 500 words (not including the title and references pages). You are required to use a minimum of three peer-reviewed, academic sources that are no more than five years old (one of which may be your textbook). All sources used, including the textbook, must be referenced; paraphrased and quoted material must have accompanying citations. Information about accessing the Blackboard Grading Rubric for this assignment is provided below. Unit III Case Study Choose ONE of the case options below. Evaluate the case, and respond to each question that follows the case using both theory and practical managerial thinking.

 Disney, beginning on page 178 of the course textbook

 IKEA, beginning on page 179 of the course textbook

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 Accenture, beginning on page 208 of the course textbook

 GE, beginning on page 210 of the course textbook Your APA formatted Case Study should be a minimum of 500 words (not including the title and references pages). You are required to use a minimum of three peer-reviewed, academic sources that are no more than five years old (one of which may be your textbook). All sources used, including the textbook, must be referenced; paraphrased and quoted material must have accompanying citations. Information about accessing the Blackboard Grading Rubric for this assignment is provided below. Unit V Case Study Choose ONE of the case options below. Evaluate the case, and respond to each question that follows the case using both theory and practical managerial thinking.

 Ritz Carlton, beginning on page 379 of the course textbook

 MAYO Clinic, beginning on page 380 of the course textbook

 eBay, beginning on page 411 of the course textbook

 Southwest Airlines, beginning on page 412 of the course textbook Your APA formatted Case Study should be a minimum of 500 words (not including the title and references pages). You are required to use a minimum of three peer-reviewed, academic sources that are no more than five years old (one of which may be your textbook). All sources used, including the textbook, must be referenced; paraphrased and quoted material must have accompanying citations. Information about accessing the Blackboard Grading Rubric for this assignment is provided below. Unit VII Case Study Choose ONE of the case options below. Evaluate the case, and respond to each question that follows the case using both theory and practical managerial thinking.

 Gillette, beginning on page 532 of the course textbook

 Red Bull, beginning on page 498 of the course textbook

 Target, beginning on page 499 of the course textbook

 Research in Motion, beginning on page 592 of the course textbook Your APA formatted Case Study should be a minimum of 500 words (not including the title and references pages). You are required to use a minimum of three peer-reviewed, academic sources that are no more than five years old (one of which may be your textbook). All sources used, including the textbook, must be referenced; paraphrased and quoted material must have accompanying citations. Information about accessing the Blackboard Grading Rubric for this assignment is provided below.

Unit Assignments Marketing Plan Throughout this course you will compile a comprehensive marketing plan using one of the product scenarios below (note you will use the same scenario throughout the course). The company that you choose to submit a marketing plan for is a fictional start-up company based upon the scenarios provided. Submissions will be completed in units II, IV, VI, and VIII which together will comprise a full marketing plan. The general overview is as follows: Unit II: Company Overview and Market Research

 Overview of Company

 Market Research Strategies

 Analyzing Macro-environment-PEST Analysis

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Unit IV: Situation Analysis

 Segmentation & Target Market Analysis

 Competitive Analysis

 SWOT Analysis Unit VI: Marketing Strategy

 Product Strategies

 Place Strategies

 Pricing Strategies

 Promotional Strategies Unit VIII: Marketing Metrics

 Marketing Metrics Overview

 Application to Fictional Company Scenarios to choose from (remember that you will select one and use it for all four submissions):

1. Caninantics is a start-up company that has created a new dog food dispensing product that will open canned dog food, dump the food into the dog bowl, and dispense the can. The company wants to start marketing this product and subsequently branch into other canine accessories by the end of this year.

2. Twilight, a start-up company, has contemplated an opportunity with the Baby Boomer generation entering the retirement stage of their lives. As this generation has paved the way for many new businesses over the years, Twilight believes there is yet another opportunity to serve this generation. The service would be a consulting service providing information for active seniors, 55-plus, partial assistance, and full care. This service would involve not only housing but also a host of information related to enjoying this period of their lives. Twilight would like to build a profitable business model that is able to serve these customers.

3. IT Today is a start-up company that is interested in providing technological assistance to the average consumer that is interested in all the newest technological gadgets (smartphone, tablet, laptops, printers) but does not necessarily have the time or background to maintain their operation. IT Today would like to provide 24/7 technological assistance as well as assistance in networking. The company goal is to put together this business with the end result of a profitable business model.

4. Athletics Supreme is a company that has been in business about 10 years selling a variety of athletic equipment. They have observed the growing interest in sportswear and would like to expand their product offering to include a line of sportswear and possibly other related lines. Their goal is to provide their customers with “one-stop” shopping opportunities, maintain their brand identity, and still maintain a profit.

5. Arimount is a well-known beauty and grooming company that has been in the industry for about 20 years. They would like to launch a new deodorant product. The company’s development and research department has created a new chemical that will allow deodorants to work for up to five days—even after showering. The company is interested in increasing their overall market share with the introduction of this innovative product.

6. Travel Today, a well-known travel agency that has been serving customers for 25 years, has experienced a slow- down of business over the last five years. They are of the belief that the internet has enabled customers to plan and book their own vacations. Their business development department has begun researching possible alternative new product/service offerings with the idea of re-capturing some of their lost customers.

Unit II Scholarly Activity Marketing Plan: Company Overview and Market Research

 Overview of Company

 Market Research Strategies

 Analyzing Macro-environment-PEST Analysis In this section of the Marketing Plan, you will introduce the fictional company you have selected/created, allowing the reader to understand the company, product/service, and any other pertinent details. Marketing plans are compiled by companies that have incorporated a solid marketing research strategy in order to better understand the industry, competition, and customer. Explain the research strategies that will be used by your company. Finally, analyze the macro environment using a PEST analysis. This will lead to a better understanding of how changes in the political/legal, economic, socio-cultural, and technological environment will affect your company.

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Your APA formatted assignment should be a minimum of three (3) pages in length (not including the title and references pages). Be sure to use the subheadings as given above. Because this assignment is a comprehensive plan, additional research and support should be included. You are required to use a minimum of three peer-reviewed, academic sources that are no more than five years old. Information about accessing the Blackboard Grading Rubric for this assignment is provided below. Unit IV Scholarly Activity Marketing Plan: Situation Analysis

 Segmentation & Target Market Analysis

 Competitive Analysis

 SWOT Analysis This section will begin with an application of segmentation of the market of your fictional company. Think about behavioral, psychographic, demographic, and geographic criteria that might help you in segmenting the market. Once you have completed the segmentation, identify the target market that your company will focus on including your rationale. It’s important for the marketing manager to understand the competitive environment within the industry in which they operate. Compile a detailed competitive analysis looking at the top three or four competitors and differentiating each against your company. Finally, assemble and thoroughly explain a SWOT Analysis with a minimum of three elements under each area. Your APA formatted assignment should be a minimum of three (3) pages in length (not including the title and references pages). Be sure to use the subheadings as given above. Because this assignment is a comprehensive plan, additional research and support should be included. You are required to use a minimum of three peer-reviewed, academic sources that are no more than five years old. Information about accessing the Blackboard Grading Rubric for this assignment is provided below. Unit VI Scholarly Activity Marketing Plan: Marketing Strategy

 Product Strategies

 Place Strategies

 Pricing Strategies

 Promotional Strategies This section of the Marketing Plan will assess the marketing strategies or the controllables to include the entire marketing mix (4 P’s). Think about the most effective strategies to use with an eye on the target market. Include your rationale and research to support your position. Additionally, you will include a discussion of whether the fictional company has a competitive advantage (or is better than its competitors) with respect to each area. Note: You will discuss competitive advantage four times and should be discussing each area separately. Product Strategies Explain the product characteristics including the product and/or service qualities, warranties, service contracts, packaging, and branding opportunities. Include rationale. Discuss whether the company has a competitive advantage with respect to product. Place Strategies Explain the entire channel of distribution from the manufacturer to the consumer. Think about how the channel aligns with the overall logistics and the location of the physical facility. Include rationale. Discuss whether the company has a competitive advantage with respect to place. Pricing Strategies Explain the pricing strategies and tactics to be used by your company. Research the various combinations of strategies that could be used by the company at different times. Include rationale. Discuss whether the company has a competitive advantage with respect to pricing.

MBA 5501, Advanced Marketing 6

Promotional Strategies Explain the promotional mix to be used, thinking about personal selling, advertising, sales promotion, internet marketing, and publicity. Think about promotional mediums as well. Include rationale. Discuss whether the company has a competitive advantage with respect to promotion. Your APA formatted assignment should be a minimum of four (4) pages in length (not including the title and references pages), allowing for you to adequately discuss all four areas of the marketing mix. Be sure to use the subheadings as given above. Because this assignment is a comprehensive plan, additional research and support should be included. You are required to use a minimum of three peer-reviewed, academic sources that are no more than five years old. Information about accessing the Blackboard Grading Rubric for this assignment is provided below. Unit VIII Scholarly Activity Marketing Plan: Marketing Metrics

 Marketing Metrics Overview

 Application to Fictional Company This section of the marketing plan will review the concept of marketing metrics with the application of five metrics to the company marketing plan. Using the Marketing Metrics chart-Table 22.9 located on page 642 of the textbook, select one metric in each of the five marketing metric categories (5 total). For each metric identified, provide a description of the metric, demonstration of how it will be calculated and finally, how it will be used in your company. Include specific, measurable goals within your metric. Include research beyond the textbook to fulfill these requirements. Your APA formatted assignment should be a minimum of three (3) pages in length (not including the title and references pages). Be sure to use the subheadings as given above. Because this assignment is a comprehensive plan, additional research and support should be included. You are required to use a minimum of three peer-reviewed, academic sources that are no more than five years old. Information about accessing the Blackboard Grading Rubric for this assignment is provided below.

APA Guidelines The application of the APA writing style shall be practical, functional, and appropriate to each academic level, with the primary purpose being the documentation (citation) of sources. CSU requires that students use APA style for certain papers and projects. Students should always carefully read and follow assignment directions and review the associated grading rubric when available. Students can find CSU’s Citation Guide by clicking here. This document includes examples and sample papers and provides information on how to contact the CSU Success Center.

Grading Rubrics This course utilizes analytic grading rubrics as tools for your professor in assigning grades for all learning activities. Each rubric serves as a guide that communicates the expectations of the learning activity and describes the criteria for each level of achievement. In addition, a rubric is a reference tool that lists evaluation criteria and can help you organize your efforts to meet the requirements of that learning activity. It is imperative for you to familiarize yourself with these rubrics because these are the primary tools your professor uses for assessing learning activities. Rubric categories include: (1) Assessment (Written Response) and (2) Assignment. However, it is possible that not all of the listed rubric types will be used in a single course (e.g., some courses may not have Assessments). The Assessment (Written Response) rubric can be found embedded in a link within the directions for each Unit Assessment. However, these rubrics will only be used when written-response questions appear within the Assessment. Each Assignment type (e.g., article critique, case study, research paper) will have its own rubric. The Assignment rubrics are built into Blackboard, allowing students to review them prior to beginning the Assignment and again once the Assignment has been scored. This rubric can be accessed via the Assignment link located within the unit where it is to be submitted. Students may also access the rubric through the course menu by selecting “Tools” and then “My Grades.”