Assessment item 4
Evaluating marketing strategy and recommendations
Value: 40%
Due date: 27-May-2017
Return date: 20-Jun-2017
Length: 3000 words
Submission method options
Alternative submission method
Task
The final stage of the marketing audit is for you to evaluate how well the marketing mix of the organisation is performing for your chosen organisation. NB: as before, if you have a large range of product offerings, it is a good idea to focus on just one.
Incorporating theoretical concepts into your discussion from chapters 7-14 and with the use of other theoretical sources and secondary research, please discuss the following:
1. Outline and describe the 8 marketing mix concepts theoretically and apply the components to one of your products offerings. As part of your application be sure to explain and evaluate all of the 8ps’ of marketing (product, prices, promotion, distribution, partnerships, people, processes and physical evidence).
2. Given your evaluation of your overall marketing strategies, the competition and broader contemporary issues facing marketers today, provide recommendations for your organisation. Your recommendations should focus on each of the 8ps and illustrate how contemporary issues may impact on your organisation and its marketing strategy.
For example, for this report, contemporary issues may include, but are not limited to, Corporate Social Responsibility, social media interactions, advances in technology, ethical concerns, environmental concerns and globalisation etc.
More information on how to complete this assessment will be provided on Interact 2
Rationale
This assessment assesses the following learning outcomes:
be able to apply the marketing mix and aspects of branding and positioning to a specific target market and be able to evaluate competitors' programs; and
be able to discover and evaluate how contemporary issues of environment, social media and other technology, society and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) might affect marketing.
Marking criteria
Criterion :The various skills to be assessed Fail (0-49%) Pass (50-64%) Credit (65-74%) Distinction (75-84%) High Distinction ( 85%)
Communication Skills
This is about the presentation of the work including :Structure, Format, Grammar, including images

Value 10% Poor grammar, spelling, punctuation, concepts were not clear, no paragraphs or formatting- no images, tables or illustrations
Some grammatical errors, sentences were clear and complete clear structure and formatting using headings, and sub headings, some illustrations and diagrams, but not explained and only decorative
Minor grammatical errors, sentences were clear and complete, structure and format were used to aid the reader including diagrams, tables and images, that were relevant to argument, but were still not fully explained or described
Free of grammatical errors
Structure and format were clear Sentences were well constructed. Language was concise. Excellent use of diagrams, images and tables that were both visually appealing as well as clearly relevant and explained
Free of grammatical errors
Structure and format were clear, logical and consistent. Sentences were well constructed. Exceptional use of diagrams, images and tables, clearly relevant, explained and insightful links made

Theoretical analysis skills
This criterion is about defining, describing and evaluating the concepts that were found when researching the topic
Value 40% Concepts were not defined, described or evaluated, mainly listed without explanation
Concepts were defined, there was an attempt to provide descriptions with examples to explain, limited analysis
Clear and relevant definitions and descriptions with examples, some attempt to develop analysis by comparing and contrasting of concepts
Clear definitions, descriptions with examples and analysis of concepts with comparison, with clear evaluations and conclusions
Clear definitions, descriptions with examples and analysis of concepts with highly insightful and perceptive comparisons, evaluations and conclusions

Application skills
This criterion is about linking theory to a specific context, explaining how it relates to a product/company, contemporary issues and making recommendations
Value 40% There was no or limited application to the case study, no examples provided no recommendations
Case study was described and identified. The context was connected briefly to theory, but the recommendations were not well supported by arguments
Case study was described and identified. The context was connected to theory with clear links. There were relevant market discussion and recommendations were supported
Case study described and identified and insightful evaluations were made. The context was connected to theory with clear, creative and logical links. There were relevant, well supported recommendations and market discussions with explicit connections to theoretical arguments
Case study described and identified and insightful evaluations were made. The context was connected to theory with exceptional, logical and imaginative links. The market discussions and recommendations were highly relevant , realistic and supported with explicit connections to theoretical arguments
Referencing Skills
This criterion was about the application of APA referencing
Value 10% There was limited or no attempt at in text or end of text referencing
There was an attempt to apply referencing, but style and application were inconsistent and some points remain unreferenced
Referencing applied. However style/application was inconsistent with some errors in text/reference list Both the in text and end reference list were consistent in terms of style and application of APA6.
Both the in text and end reference list were consistent in terms of style and application of APA6. Referencing apparent in all places where expected.

Presentation
Report format should be used for Assessment Three.
You need to include an executive summary for the third assessment, table of contents etc
Use an abbreviation of the questions as your section headings and sub- sections for each of the 8ps of marketing and each contemporary issue you are addressing in your report
Referencing should use APA 6th edition- see CSU library for tutorials and guide
Tip- remember your word count- you will not be able to discuss everything, so choose the most relevant issues given your organisation- be sure to justify your choice as part of your argument.