Discussion Three: Efficiency, Production and Marketing

Chapter 8 - Structuring Organizations for Today's Challenges

Focus on the phrase "today's challenges". Nobody could have foreseen the enormous change in workplaces that happened because of the pandemic and the almost instantaneous pivot to remote workplaces and the nature of "essential" vs. "nonessential" workers. All of the rules for structuring an effective and efficient workplace have undergone radical changes. What are the most important issues to address in order to insure that your business operates efficiently?

Chapter 9 - Production and Operations Management

Focus on where "things" are made. This requires a look at the supply chain - how the raw materials get to the manufacturing site, how they are changed into a useful product and then how the finished goods are distributed to the wholesalers, retailers and direct sale to the end user of the product. How is the globalization of the supply chain both useful and problematic?

Chapter 13 - Marketing: Helping Buyers Buy

Before the pandemic, Amazon and the internet completely changed the way consumers shop. The four "Ps" of marketing have undergone tremendous changes. How do businesses decide what products and services consumers will buy?

Discuss the following: the marketing concept, target markets, segmentation and value. How does the law of supply and demand impact price?

For this discussion, please use the key terms from chapters 8, 9 and 13 to comment on the statement above. Your grade will be based on your use of the key terms as well as how well your response demonstrates knowledge of the terms and the concepts in the chapters.