Professional organizations that are specific to career areas are a common way that professionals stay in touch with current issues in their field. For instance, the Business and Professional Women (BPW) is a common group in many cities. They offer workshops, conferences, and meetings that provide opportunities for training, skill building, and networking. Professional Fire Fighters is another example and have similar groups and offerings for their professionals. Research to find one professional organization, either locally or nationally, that you feel will provide you with opportunities for professional development and staying current in your area. Discuss what the organization provides and how it will be a help to you personally.

Think of a company that has provided great customer service to you recently. What did it do? How did it go beyond what you expected? What do companies have to do to get employees to deliver such services.

Recall the last time you had an unsatisfactory encounter with a service provider. Given the dimensions of service quality, exactly where were the negative gaps between expectations and the actual service. Next, contrast the unsatisfactory experience with a positive one.

There are many challenges Marketing Managers face when marketing services. This discussion will focus on areas such as intangibility and how managers can make their services more tangible. Pick two services companies, one consumer company, and one business-to-business (industrial) manufacturer. What can a company in each of these industries do to make its services more tangible to customers?