marketing problem
1. Determine your ability to recognize a marketing problem and analyze possible alternative solutions.
2. Recommend and defend a specific marketing strategy to solve a unique marketing problem.
3. Assess your ability to synthesize marketing concepts and apply them to a unique situation.
4. Assess your critical thinking and writing skills.
In other words, this case will assess your ability to function as a marketing professional.
Prepare your case study as follows:
1. Statement of the Marketing Challenge
Read the case carefully, several times if needed, to determine the primary marketing challenge. Once identified, provide evidence from the case as to why you believe this is the most important challenge facing company management. Even though the case may discuss financial, operational, or other issues, be sure this statement is framed as a marketing challenge. The other concerns will be important in your analysis, but not as the statement of the problem. Do not summarize the case; only point out case facts that support your opinion. Be sure your choice is strategic, not tactical.
2. Analysis of the Current Situation
This can be framed as a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats), and is where you will draw frequently from case facts and external sources. It should cover the macroenvironmental and microenvironmental trends in the industry. For example, the case may or may not give significant information on competitors. This may mean you will need to find industry analysis information, target market descriptions, competitor information, etc., to complete your SWOT as thoroughly as possible. Remember to footnote your sources.
3. Identification of Alternative Solutions
Based on your analysis, identify at least three possible marketing strategies that you would recommend for this unique situation. Each of your strategies should include a discussion of the advantages and disadvantages. Do not discuss marketing tactics; instead, conclude each alternative with an assessment of how that alternative might solve the marketing challenge.
4. Recommend a Specific Marketing Strategy
