Revision

All my assignments are out of the way now. All I have to do is to come up with a convincing study plan that will take me through to the exams and deliver the results.

I'll have to check and see ho many distinctions I have. If I have enough that a distinction overall is a possibility I'll put the effort into delivering on one or 2 of the exams and hope to pass on the others. If not then I'll spread the effort more widely.

Tonight when Senay is out I'll do a study plan

Start of IM

Did the online induction yesterday hich was a matter of talking about myself - always difficult and doing a few simple tasks.

Also managed to read 2 more chapters in the book. Need to check back on the ebsite later :)

Lunchtime Roundup

Time for a swim. First though a progress report. Chapters 6 and 7 are dust.

Both were intersting and useful reading. 6 was basically on export channels for manufacturers. It was useful seeing the channels that manufacturers have available and understanding how distributors can fit into them.

Chapter 7 was a lot more in detail on how to implement some of the channels and was interesting in how to make some of them work (sorry about the grammar.)

Now for some refreshment and letting my subconcious get to work :)

IM Progress

I'm up to chapter 6 inb the textbook having decided to read the textbook first andf then go back to the lesson notes.

Progress has been variable as the exhibition in Singapore and 2 weeks of firefighting at work have meant I've worked the last 2 wednesdays.

Other than that things are good. Todays target is to finish at least chapters 6 - 10 of the text book.

Let you know how I get on

D

Starting International Marketing

OK so this modules objectives are :

• understand the challenges facing marketers in the international market place
• analyse issues involved in the creation of international marketing strategies
• plan effective international marketing mix strategies
• understand the issues inviolved in implementing international marketing strategies and mix.

The module is a combination of online and traditohal DL work.

I have to complete lessons 1 to 10 bty the first week of January. Then there are two periods of online activity  in February and march followed by an assignment which has to be done over the month of May for submission in June.

There is also a websiteb for the course which has additional information but at the moment I don't know how to access it .

One of the key components are the online groups which are moderated on my WBS and my contribution is required and will be assessed. 

It all sounds like fun though Nanny Warwick is lurking in the background to ensure that I behave. :) 

Quick summary of the Module Lessons 

1. Drivers and Challengers - what are the challenges and what are the criteria for creating a successful international strategy
2. Strategies - thinking about standard strategies, balancing global and local strategies and the issues involved in creating international brands
3. Market Selection - the process of selecting a market, and the stages involved. What the challenges are in doing the analysis and market research
4. Products and services - implications of designing effective product and service strategies amd to identify internation consumer trends and challenges in marketing industrial products, Finally identifying distinctive characteristics of services and the challenges in IM.
5. Business to Business Relationships -understanding the relationship perspective on marketing, and to see how this helps IM.
6. Pricing - how are pricing strategies developed, what constrains the top and bottom of price ranges, and the fun of pralell markets.
7. Promotion - how to create effective strategies and work out what needs to be standard and what can be localised
8. International channels - JVs', alliances, subsidiaries etc
9. Changing channels - internet and global retail
10. IM Organistations - what are they like and what are their characteristics.

Lots of challenges here but they seem to be missing the point of it all which is the opportunities . 

Other than that the module outline sounded really boring and dull. Well I'll start reading and find out. 

Operations Strategy Finished

Operations strategy is finished. I just submitted TMA D online and that's it as far as the work goes for it until I start revising for the exams in a year stime.

I got 78% on TMA C which was pleasing. The marking on this seems to have been relatively easy. it is not the most academic of subjects and a lot of the answers to the questions are either straight forward or require lots of common sense and experience applied. 

I haven't actually read any of the model answers or the tutors comments yet - but I have saved them to the PC so they'll get read in due course.

I can't remember what i am due to start next - I think it is marketing which is an online module. Having had a quick gander at what is involved I see that the title is international marketing and export management which is right up our street. Definitely useful for the business right now - though some of it I will know and other parts will be totally new.

I think I'll go for a run in a bit and then start on the preparation work in a bit before heading off swimming later.  Actually I'll start a new post :)

Operations Strategy TMA C done and handed in

Ok that's another TMA done and handed in in in my inimitable non-academic style. I had a pang of guilt just before I submitted it about not putting aheader on or a bibliography. But I didn't consult anything and wrote what seemed common sense based on the module reading.

I don't know how I did but coincedentally I got TMA A and TMA B back today and got 70% in one and 78% in the other so I can't be doing anything too badly wrong. not really interested in reading the feedback today as I hate feedback with a passion. Need to dowbnload the answers soon and see what i actually caught and the thousand and one things that I didn't catch.

Next up is the readinf for TMA D and then theb assignment itself which is on something called Dresding Wilson.  A quick look at the reading suggests that I have to do Lesson 8 on sustainable alignment, Lesson 9 on substitutes for strategy and Lesson 10 on Implementation.

I'll get the reading done over the next few days as that is pretty much pick up and put down and then do TMA D next wednesday