Post 1: The Intro

Hi,

            I’m John Isola, a sophomore at Saint Michaels College in Colchester Vermont. I’m currently studying to receive a business major with a minor in Studio Art/ Photography. Over the course of this semester I intend to acquire a thorough understanding of marketing techniques, consumer interactions, and the most effective ways to be successful. After I receive my degree in Business I hope to work for an action sports company successfully helping in ways to connect with consumers. This will be the first of a series of posts for my Marketing class focused on marketing in the real world. This post will act as an introduction to marketing helping the reader gain a deeper understanding on the topic as a whole and as it relates to consumer trends.

           Marketing is found around every corner whether it’s a TV commercial, a billboard, or advertisement on the Internet. They are all effectively designed to grab your attention and most of the time accomplishes just that. Marketing is defined as, “the activity for creating, communicating, delivering, and exchanging offerings that benefit its customers, the organization, its stakeholders, and society at large”. In order for marking to take place, there are four factors that must be present. BelowI have listed these factors with an example of each:

           1.  Two or more parties with unsatisfied needs: In this particular example I’ve            just finished working out at the gym and I’m hungry. I don’t want to make food at home and I’m looking for a healthy alternative. Chipotle is an industry leading Mexican restaurant looking to sell their food to benefit the hungry customer.
       2.  The desire and ability to satisfy the needs: I’m looking to buy food and Chipotle is looking to sell food. I have the time and money to park and walk in the store to buy a burrito bowl. The employees are just waiting behind the counter to make the order efficiently and carefully.
      3.  A way for the parties involved to communicate: The transaction between Chipotle and I won’t occur unless I’m aware of a store location in my area. Chipotle also needs to strategically place their store locations where there is a high demand for their product. I get educated on a store location either through their store finder or simply driving past one. This creates the ability for the transaction to occur by showing me the most convenient location to dine.
      4.  Something that will be exchanged: In this example, I give Chipotle $6.25 in exchange for a chicken burrito bowl. My need is being satisfied from receiving a fast and healthy meal. Chipotle’s need is also being met by selling their food and receiving money from me. Both Chipotle and my needs are being met; we both end up satisfied, and have benefitted from the interaction as a whole.

                Marketing’s abundance in today’s society makes it a very important and a widely desired skill. The ability to have positive customer relationships and identify what the demand is within a market is beneficial for all. The market is described “as the group of people that have the funds to buy the product that is being offered”. In my blog posts to come, I will go further into additional marketing techniques and apply them to real world, current situations. That’s all for now, check in next week for more!

      Picture Links:

      http://d2mfp.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Marketing-Strategy.jpg
   http://www.chipotlefriendorfaux.com/assets/img/meals/Chipotle_Chicken_Salad_(With_Vinaigrette)_2x.jpg