Following are the threads you will need to complete the discussion requirements for Week 1.

TOPIC 1:  Defining Marketing

The course readings define marketing as "the activity, set of institutions, and process for creating, communicating, delivering, and exchanging offerings that have value for customers, clients, partners, and society at large." 

What were your preconceived notions of what marketing is and does prior to taking this course Think about how your definition differs from the definition in the course content.

Notice that many classmates are posting very different notions of what marketing is and does and comment as appropriate. 

TOPIC 2:  SWOT Analysis

An organization we have in common is UMUC.  Conduct a simple SWOT analysis on UMUC, and share ONE of your findings with your classmates, e.g., one strength OR one weakness OR one opportunity OR one threat.  DO NOT post to each and every category to give other classmates a chance to post something original. 

Then take a look at your classmates postings.  Do you agree or disagree with some of their thoughts?  Why or why not?  

TOPIC 3:  Competitive Analysis

Again, let's use UMUC as an example. After thinking about UMUC's competition, share your thoughts on at least one institution UMUC competes against for adult learners. Why did you pick that competitor to include in your analysis, and who do you think is the market leader based on the listed criteria?