Phase 1 Discussion Board 2

• Assignment #1
• Phase 1 Discussion Board 2

• Type: Discussion Board

  Unit:  Setting Goals

  Due Date:  Tue, 2/21/17

  Grading Type: Numeric

  Points Possible:  75

  Points Earned:  0

  Deliverable Length:  400-600 words

Michelle, Elena, and the Mobile Manufacturing, Inc. (MM) board of directors know how important it is to understand the environment in which it is operating. They hired you—a highly-regarded marketing consultant—to bring a fresh perspective to the marketing plan. You are scheduled to meet with Michelle and Elena next week to discuss the environmental conditions that are relevant to introducing the new product.

As you prepare for the meeting, you consider all of the possible environmental issues. You recognize that Elena brings an interesting perspective to the process because she has experience designing mobile phones for the Eastern European market, and she is pushing for a new product that can be marketed worldwide. On the other hand, Michelle is more concerned with the domestic marketplace and is worried that trying to market a new product anywhere outside the United States—much less worldwide—could be very risky.

You sit down to start your work on the marketing plan, and you begin by drafting some goals that the marketing plan needs to address.

Primary Task Response: Within the Discussion Board area, write 400-600 words that respond to the following questions with your thoughts, ideas, and comments. This will be the foundation for future discussions by your classmates. Be substantive and clear, and use examples to reinforce your ideas.

Walking through the halls at MM, you ponder the job that lies ahead. Coming out of her office, Michelle spots you and heads in your direction.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” she says. “Have you settled into your office?”

“Yes,” you say. “I’m eager to get started.”

Michelle enters your office and takes a seat in a chair. “I’m scheduled to make a presentation to the board at the quarterly meeting next week. I know it’s short notice, but I was wondering if you could pull together a 30-minute presentation for them?” she asks.

“What would you like me to present?” you ask.

“As you know, you and Elena have been brought on to revitalize the product line for the company. Your role is to create a winning marketing plan that will allow us to capitalize on the new product that Elena is designing. The board would like you to discuss some of the issues that you will be considering as you develop the marketing plan for the new product. I know they’re especially interested in your thoughts on the global market.”

“That sounds like a great idea,” you say.

Consider the environmental variables (i.e., technological, demographic, economic, political, and cultural variables) that you must include in your marketing plan, and answer the following:

• Which of the environmental factors do you feel is the most critical, and why?
• What might someone with an opposing viewpoint think is the most important
• Given this opposing argument, how would you argue your opinion?
• What solutions should be considered as you seek to develop a sense of ownership of your plan?
• What solutions would you recommend to the board, and why?
• Is a compromise feasible?

Assignment # 2

Phase 4 Individual Project

Type: Individual Project

Unit:  Creating the Marketing Mix

Due Date:  Wed, 3/15/17

Grading Type: Numeric

Points Possible:  150

Points Earned:  0

Deliverable Length:  2-3 pages (not including cover page or Reference page; double spaced 12-point Times New Roman font)

Now that the product and promotional decisions have been made for the new product, Michelle is concerned about the pricing of the new product and the distribution channels that will be used to make the product available to customers. She has asked you to write a 2-3 page memo outlining two different pricing strategies that MM should consider. Her voice mail message goes on to say,

I want you to recommend which strategy you think should be used for the target market and why. The second part of the memo should outline a distribution plan that will make the product available to the target customers.

You are ready for Michelle’s request and begin drafting the memo to her that same day

Assignment #3

Phase 5 Discussion Board

Type: Discussion BoardDue Date:  Tue, 3/21/17

Points Possible:  75

Deliverable Length:  400-600 words + 2 responses (100 words each)

Within the Discussion Board area, write 400-600 words that respond to the following questions with your thoughts, ideas, and comments. This will be the foundation for future discussions by your classmates. Be substantive and clear, and use examples to reinforce your ideas.

Michelle is happy with how the plan is being put into place. The date and time for the final board meeting has been set when she calls you.

“How will we know if the new product launch is a success?” she asks. “How will we know if what you have suggested really worked? Since I started this company as an entrepreneur years ago, I feel like everything that happens here is my fault or my responsibility. Does that make sense?”

“You’ve been so supportive to me during this whole process,” you say. “Leave it to me. I’ll think about what you’ve said over the long weekend and I’ll be ready to sit down and discuss the details as I prepare the final draft of the plan.”

Based on your original goals and the plan you are putting into place, what will you tell Michelle?

• What will you measure to determine whether or not your new product plan for MM is a success?
• What about a contingency plan?
• Do you need to make recommendations for MM if things do not go the way you hope and expect them to?

Responses to Other Students: Respond to at least 2 of your fellow classmates with at least a 100-word reply about his or her Primary Task Response regarding items you found to be compelling and enlightening. To help you with your discussion, please consider the following questions:

• What did you learn from your classmate’s posting?
• What additional questions do you have after reading the posting?
• What clarification do you need regarding the posting?
• What differences or similarities do you see between your posting and other classmates’ postings?
• Assignment #5 Power Point Still need to post but it wont fit