Professional Identity Task in Marketing
Part A
Organization Need Circle
The marketing manager position is important to organisations because such people work with other staff members to develop interest in various products and services. Some of the duties of marketing managers include; planning advertising, setting marketing plan budgets, developing price strategies, giving marketing advice to clients, and conducting market research (National Careers Service, 2017). These professionals also oversee other operations such as development of advertisements. Additionally, they oversee media service and accounts departments and monitor trends for the services and products offered by the company. The goal of a marketing manager is establishing a company’s brand, capturing sales, and increasing market exposure (National Careers Service, 2017). Such roles and responsibilities need to be carried out by an individual with specific knowledge and skills as discussed below.
Most marketing management positions require individuals with a bachelor’s degree. There are companies that prefer a degree in advertising while others a degree in journalism. The position is generally open to graduates who pursued any degree even though there is a high preference to graduates with a degree in economics, business, computing, or economics since such courses have a lot relating to the field (Learn, 2017). The position does not require strictness in selecting certain courses because the position is basically about gaining work experience, and using individual imagination and initiatives in carrying out different duties. A course in information technology is helpful in carrying out advertisements and online promotions (Learn, 2017). A marketing course on the other hand will help to develop the most effective marketing strategies.
Even though experience is not a major requirement, most companies will prefer giving an opportunity to an individual with experience in the field (Monster Career Advice, 2017). With experience, it means that the person has already understood weaknesses, strengths, job requirements, as well as the most effective and appropriate way of handling operations. Experience in the field may also help because it enables the manager develop good communication skills and confidence, which is an added advantage especially when dealing with clients and advertisers (Monster Career Advice, 2017).
Other skills that most companies prefer for the position are motivational and leadership skills. Motivational skills enable the manager to influence others to become more productive thus leading to increased sales and productivity. Attention to detail and creativity are also skills that are required (National Careers Service, 2017). Being attentive to detail helps in taking note of any changes affecting marketing and also develop immediate strategies to tackle challenges faced. Creativity on the other hand helps to develop outstanding and effective marketing strategies that best work for the company. Project management and budgeting skills are also required in most marketing management jobs. Budgeting helps in allocation of funds while project management skills help to manage operations appropriately (Monster Career Advice, 2017).
Competitors Offering Circle
A marketing management course is offered to students who want to pursue a marketing management careers. The course provides such students with underpinning understanding and knowledge of business. The students also learn various marketing theories and how to apply them in workplace to ensure that they achieve the best results. Other learning institutions may offer training on applications that may help to carry out operations in the field. Such computer and mobile applications help to work in a challenging and a highly digitized business environment.
There are also e-learning programs offered by various universities worldwide. Some of the approaches and topics covered in online programs include; digital marketing techniques, pricing, researching markets, building good working relationships with stakeholders, consumer behavior, marketing strategies, and marketing planning. By gaining knowledge on such topics, institutions empower students with adequate skills and knowledge to run the marketing management position. Throughout the course, students not only learn the theory part of it but also practical skills. Practical skills include communication, numerical and information technology skills.
In terms of practical skills, most learning institutions require students to participate in a one year placement position in the work environment. Students are subjected to either unpaid or paid internships which develop their application and knowledge of marketing management. This also helps students to gain experience and confidence in the field. They are also able to learn their areas of strength and weaknesses thus increasing their competence.
In Boston City Campus and Business College (BCC), some of the modules offered to students include; marketing management, financial management, advertising, brand management, media law, financial management, business management, and integrated marketing communication (BCC, 2017). After one year, students advance to other modules such as; applied research and work integrated learning. The college aims at equipping their students with knowledge and skills that will allow them to operate effectively as marketing managers using modern technology. Students are also prepared to analyze data, brand and adverting information to develop strategies of improving marketing. Students also gain knowledge on managing finances, technology, and marketing resources in companies (BCC, 2017). Additionally students learn how to apply business principles to interpret the economy and in real life situations.
Not all universities offer the same modules to students. There are universities with a different approach to the course even though most of the things studied are similar in most higher learning institutions. In Edinburg Napier University, some of the modules taken are; dynamics of branding, marketing, consumer behavior, accounting for business, and organizational and intercultural management. Others include; online marketing, marketing communication tools, management and business challenges, market research, innovations, and creativity in marketing (Napier, 2017). The institution also offers modules such as; emerging markets, brand management, international marketing, and leadership. Work placement is mandatory for students so that they may apply the skills and knowledge learned in class in real life situations and workplace. Students may also prefer undergoing a 24-week work placement that is supervised which is an added advantage to them because they are able to gain work experience (Napier, 2017). This helps them to become competent and reliable as marketing managers.
Looking at the modules offered by different colleges and universities, there are similarities especially on topics covering leadership, management, and use of technology. Branding is also a module that is of importance because all higher institutions offer brand management. Online marketing and leadership are also highly valued as a marketing manager. In addition to that, work experience is important because most institution have work placement and internship programs.
My Circle
There are various skills and knowledge that I have acquired with time that I think best suit my career as a marketing manager. Being a marketing manager does not only involve the skills and knowledge acquired but also on individual personality. Since childhood, I have been known for my high level of creativity. I used to come up with different ways of doing things. I just found it interesting finding new ways of solving problems and carrying out normal operations. Being different is something that made me outstanding from the rest. I tend to think that creativity is a good quality that may help in marketing management. Given the role, I will be able to develop creative strategies of solving marketing challenges and forming more effective strategies of improving marketing.
I am also a social person with the ability to freely interact with people. I am able to easily bond with strangers where they find it easy telling more about themselves and feeling comfortable around me. The communication skills I have acquired in seminar and workshops previously attended have enabled me to find effective ways of communicating with people and expressing myself. Through such good communication skills, I will be able to market products and to attract clients.
I am passionate about business and all that goes with it. Since childhood, I have admired working in a senior business management position and running the company in the most effective way. My goal is to become the best in what I do and to innovate methods that will impact the organization in a major way. Being passionate means that I will give the organisation all I can to ensure that things work accordingly.
As a Deakin graduate, I have gained a good balance between theory and practical skills. Throughout my learning, we were first introduced to the theoretical part of marketing management where we would later move to the practical aspect to put the knowledge and skills learned into practice. This has enabled me to have a wide range of experience on different challenges facing marketing management and to also understand how different strategies can be applied. We have also been introduced to the use of technology in marketing management practices thus keeping us up to date on emerging issues in the field.
Part B
USPs as a Deakin Graduate Specializing in Marketing
I am a goals oriented individual who is passionate about business activities. Marketing management is my most appropriate position based on my personality, capability, and through the skills and knowledge I have acquired with time. For instance, my high level of creativity will enable me to develop the most effective and outstanding marketing strategies. I will also be in a good position to come up with creative advertisements that will attract consumers to a company’s products. I have also taken various leadership positions during my studies which have equipped me with leadership skills. Having attended various communication workshops, seminars and read books on the same, I believe that I am best suited for a marketing manager position which is also proved by my ability to freely interact with other people. I am also an individual who is attentive to detail meaning that I take note of slight changes within an organization in the shortest time possible. This will enable me to detect problems facing marketing in an organization and solve them promptly.
My Future
In the next ten years, I see myself being a marketing manager in one of the world’s largest companies. I will have achieved a lot by then in terms of making the organisations I work for successful. I will ensure that I leave significant impacts in the marketing management departments of the companies I will work for within that time. I also look forward to coming up with the most innovative ways of marketing. This means that I will develop creative, outstanding and most effective marketing management strategies that will be used by most organisations. I also aim at writing a book on marketing management as soon as I develop working and effective marketing management strategies.
Bibliography
BCC. (2017). Marketing Management Diploma| Management Courses| Boston City Campus & Business College. [online] Available at: http://www.boston.co.za/qualifications/career-qualifications/management/diploma-marketing-management/ [Accessed 16 May 2017].
Learn.org. (2017). Marketing Manager: Career Profile, Occupational Outlook and Education Requirements. [online] Available at: http://learn.org/articles/Marketing_Manager_Career_Profile_Occupational_Outlook_and_Education_Requirements.html [Accessed 16 May 2017].
Monster Career Advice. (2017). Marketing Manager Job Description. [online] Available at: https://www.monster.co.uk/career-advice/article/marketing-manager-job-description [Accessed 16 May 2017].
National Careers Service. (2017). Marketing manager. [online] Available at: https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/job-profiles/marketing-manager [Accessed 16 May 2017].
Napier. (2017). Marketing Management. [online] Available at: http://www.napier.ac.uk/courses/ba-hons-marketing-management-undergraduate-fulltime [Accessed 16 May 2017].
