Step $1$: Begin your assignment by selecting a clear problem faced by a company or with a specific product. It is recommended you do this during the first half of the course $($weeks $1-2$ ideally$).$ As you move through the course, add insights from each week$$s learning so that your final marketing proposal addresses the following:

A clear business problem, including a concise explanation of why it is a problem

Example: A company$$s Cause$-$Related Marketing strategy is not increasing sales or customer loyalty and you want to understand why

An identification of the marketing mix, and what external and internal factors are influencing consumer behavior and decisions $($Week$$s $1-3)$

What you need more information about in order to understand the problem better: What do you need to know in order to develop a solution? $($Week$$s $4-6)$

What research methods you would use to gather this information $($see Appendix A$).$ What is your plan to uncover the information? $($Week $6)$ Example: Will you run focus groups, email surveys, review customer satisfaction ratings, etc