In Search of a Customer: Marketing Analysis Report

“In Search of a Customer”

Congratulations!  Your manager at M1 Consulting Inc. was so pleased with the analysis you completed in Assignment #1 – they would like you to extend the contract with your client and continue the project for the company.  

Again, the format of your analysis can be one of three forms.  It is your choice:

• Traditional report written in full paragraphs and sentences (no more than 5 pages)
• Video with references included (no longer than 10 minutes)
• Audio with accompanying notes and references (no longer than 10 minutes)

Again, you will work individually or in groups of no more than two (2) and submit your report.  If you worked in pairs for Assignment #1, I assume you will work in the same pair for this assignment.

You will use the same company that you analyzed in Assignment #1 – a small company.

You are expected to continue your research on this company, using at least 3 different resources.  You will include a list of these references at the conclusion of the document.  These can include:

• The company’s website
• Other websites
• Books, journals, magazines, newspapers
• Interview with employees or other stakeholders
• Other reputable sources as found

This time, your focus will be squarely on the customers of this company.  Your manager has asked that this report contain the following sections:

1. Title Page to include the name of the company, and your name, instructor name, and date (not included in page count)

2. Segmentation  ~ 1 page

Written or described in complete paragraph format, a description of at least 2 of this company’s target market segments.  Be sure to describe it in terms of:

• Geographics
• Demographics
• Psychographics
• Behaviouristics

3. Customer Behaviour  ~ 1 page

• Based on the specific nature of the product and/or service your chosen company offers, develop a clear picture of your company’s customers.  Focus on the internal and external influenceson them, and be sure to consider some combination of psychological, socio-cultural, and situational influences.

4. Positioning ~ .5 to 1 page

• Based on your segmentation of this company’s market in #2 above, build a profile (or persona)for one typical customer of their product or service.  This profile should include all relevant segmentation variables as outlined in the course, and should give actual personality to the person.  See Week 9 discussion questions as your guide.
• Create a positioning (or perceptual) mapfor this product/service.  Be sure to select the appropriate x and y axes, all relevant competitors, and position the offering accordingly.  MS-Word Table function will be helpful here. Describe the key parts of the map in a few lines.

5. Researching the customer ~ .5 page

• Recommend one example of a research tool this company could use to better understand what their target market is seeking with respect to their product/service  
• Briefly describe the tool, and explain why you chose this tool.

6. Recommendations ~.5 to 1 page

• Based on what you have learned about this company through your analysis in both Assignments #1 and #2, what are 3 marketing-related initiatives you would recommend this company undertake in the future.
• Briefly explain ‘why’ for each (but you do not have to provide many details on ‘how’), based on what you have learned about the company
• Ensure that each recommendation relates to one of the 4 P’s of the marketing mix

7. References and Bibliography* – final page (not included in page count)

List all references used, including publications and websites.  *No formal citation method required.

*Please note:  please cite/footnote any content that is not your own creation.  It is expected that the vast majority of this report will be in your own words.  Use a minimal amount of direct quotes – only where absolutely necessary.  If material is not cited and is not original it will be considered plagiarism.  Please consult your professor if you have any questions or concerns about this.

• The plan should be no more than 5 double-spaced (in MS-Word format) pages or 10 minutes long – not including the title page, tables, charts, or references page.  Headings should be emphasized, and please use a 12 point business font with page numbers in reports.
• The marking rubric is attached for your review
• Electronic copy or link to a video or audio file is to be submitted via Blackboard – Assignment #2 drop areabefore the due date by midnight.  (Please do not send full audio or video files, links only please)
• DUE DATE:  Friday, November 22, midnight
• Value = 15% of your final mark

Late submissions will be subject to a penalty of 3 marks (out of 15) per calendar day deduction.  For example, any reports submitted 5 days late will not be accepted and receive a grade of 0/15.  There will be no exceptions of any kind to this policy.

Be sure to submit early to avoid misadventure.