There are three discussion topics. Choose any two topics.

Post your main topic responses by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Saturday. Make value-added reply posts to at least two of classmates by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Tuesday.  A minimum of two reply posts is required, but three or more value-added replies to classmate threads may earn maximum credit.  

Respond to each topic as a separate thread, and label your post by topic number so that it is clear which topic is being discussed.  

Supporting your views with references:  

When you make an assertion of fact, state that it is based on your own experience or provide an in-text citation for the reference source you used to support your response.  A minimum of two sources is required for the main topic, and for each of  the reply posts.  For maximum credit, you will need three or more.  You will also need a minimum of two references to support your reply responses to classmates.  For maximum credit, you will need three or more. 

Regarding sources: Internal sources include the material in our course content. These references are for the marketing concepts in the topic. External sources include the research you perform in order to apply the marketing concepts to products/services, competitors, industries, and customers. Use the marketing experts in our course content. 

See the grading rubric for specific criteria and expectations for the discussion assignment.  

TOPIC 1: Channel Partners 

PROMPT: Based on your readings this week, what would be your top three criteria for evaluating the performance of supply chain partners? Be sure to cite the reading in your response.

TOPIC 2: Supply Chains

PROMPT: Choose a product that you used today. Look up where it was made and the different channel partners used to deliver that product to you. Are you surprised? 

TOPIC 3: Pricing 

PROMPT: Describe the concept of price bundling. Why might a company initiate this pricing strategy? Give an example of a company for which you are a customer that implements price bundling and how the combined pricing strategy affects customer behavior. (Think about the telecommunications industry, restaurants, software, etc.)  

Rubrics