We reviewed chapters two and three last night where we explored the global business environment.  We will focus on the global marketing environment in our upcoming class.  In preparation for this class, please read pages 106 - 165 in your textbook covering chapters three and four ahead of time so you can more fully participate during class.  In addition, please also read the two brief online articles about a SWOT Analysis and a PEST Analysis (also called a STEP Analysis).  The links to these two Global Marketing articles may be found in the "Links" section for this class in Populi.

Also, our third homework assignment is due at the beginning of next class (February 9) - be sure to submit your homework to me electronically as well as bring a print out to turn in at the beginning of next class.

Homework #3: You have just been hired by Chipotle to serve as their Director of Marketing.  On your first day, your supervisor states the company wants to open restaurants in South America but does not want to enter the Brazilian market first.  Instead, your boss asks you for a recommendation on a different South American country to start with.   Write a brief memorandum to your boss with your recommendation of a country.  To support your recommendation of a specific country to sell into, find and analyze relevant data about the following for the country you are recommending and in your own words, explain why these factors make this country a good selection for Chipotle:

1. That country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP);
2. That country's economic system(s);
3. That country's stage of market development;
4. Whether there may be any exchange rate risk in selling products in that country; and
5. Whether that country is a member of any trade area and if so, whether this effects what your company wants to do.

About Chipotle (NYSE:CMG): Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, develops and operates fast-casual and fresh Mexican food restaurants. As of November 10, 2015, it operated approximately 1,900 restaurants, including 17 Chipotle restaurants outside the United States and 11 ShopHouse Southeast Asian Kitchen restaurants. The company was founded in 1993 and is based in Denver, Colorado.

Thanks and feel free to email me if you have any questions.