Imagine You Are Taking On The Role Of A Marketing Manager

Imagine You Are Taking On the Role Of A Marketing Manager In Either Be

Imagine you are taking on the role of a marketing manager in either Best Buy (case study completed in Unit II) or IBM (case study completed in Unit IV). You are making a presentation to the executive team regarding corporate issues/challenges and your recommendations. Remember that this is an internal company presentation; thus, you do not need to cover the company/organizational details. At a minimum, your presentation should include the following items. Problem(s)/opportunities of the company with details: This should include multiple organizational topics including, but not exclusively, motivating internal employees.

Potential solutions (three to five) for the problem(s) along with multiple strengths/weaknesses of each: This should include an explanation of how key international aspects impact the problems and ultimately the business. Recommendations including strong detailed rationale: Select at least one, but not all of your potential alternatives. This should include an analysis of processes that influence the control and management of the organization. Implementation of recommendation: This should include an explanation of how you will implement the recommendation with professional and ethical integrity. Your PowerPoint presentation must be at least 10 slides in length, not including the title and reference slides.

You must use at least two academic resources. Follow APA Style when creating citations and references for this assignment. APA formatting, however, is not necessary. Use of speaker notes to explain each slide is also required.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

In an increasingly competitive global marketplace, corporations such as Best Buy and IBM face numerous challenges that threaten their market position and operational efficiency. As marketing managers, it becomes crucial to identify these challenges, explore viable solutions, and develop strategic recommendations that foster sustainable growth. This paper examines the core issues impacting these companies, evaluates potential solutions, and proposes an implementation plan grounded in ethical and professional standards.

Corporate Challenges and Opportunities

Both Best Buy and IBM operate within dynamic environments characterized by rapid technological advancements, evolving consumer preferences, and global economic fluctuations. For Best Buy, a primary concern revolves around declining brick-and-mortar sales amidst the rise of e-commerce giants like Amazon. Additionally, motivating internal employees and aligning their objectives with organizational goals remain persistent issues, especially in a retail setting where customer service quality directly influences sales (Kotler & Keller, 2016). Conversely, IBM faces challenges related to transitioning from traditional hardware and software services to cloud computing and AI-driven solutions. Employee resistance to change, coupled with international market disparities and regulatory complexities, pose significant hurdles to IBM’s strategic initiatives (Brynjolfsson & McAfee, 2014).

Opportunities for both companies lie in leveraging technological innovations to improve operational efficiencies and customer engagement. For Best Buy, expanding online channels and enhancing omnichannel service offerings could revitalize sales. IBM’s opportunity exists in capitalizing on the growing demand for cloud computing services and artificial intelligence, particularly in international markets where digital transformation is accelerating.

Potential Solutions

Addressing these challenges requires tailored solutions. For Best Buy, potential solutions include:

• Investing in employee training and motivation programs to enhance customer service and sales performance.
• Developing a seamless omnichannel platform that integrates physical stores with e-commerce.
• Expanding online product offerings and personalized marketing strategies.

For IBM, solutions could involve:

• Accelerating the transition to cloud services with targeted international market strategies.
• Implementing change management programs to reduce employee resistance.
• Strengthening global partnerships to facilitate market penetration.

Each solution has distinct strengths and weaknesses. For instance, investing in employee training can improve service quality but requires significant time and resources (Shah & Ward, 2003). Developing omnichannel platforms improves customer experience but involves complex integration challenges (Verhoef et al., 2015). Expanding online offerings may increase sales but risks of overextension exist.

Recommendations with Rationales

Based on the analysis, a prioritized recommendation for Best Buy is to develop an integrated omnichannel platform that enhances both online and in-store customer journeys. This aligns with current consumer shopping trends favoring seamless experiences and can be complemented by targeted employee training programs to support the initiative. For IBM, a strategic focus on accelerating cloud service expansion in international markets is recommended, supported by targeted local partnerships and robust change management strategies to mitigate employee resistance.

Implementation Strategies

The implementation of these recommendations requires a structured approach. For Best Buy, this involves designing a phased rollout of the omnichannel platform, starting with pilot stores, followed by an organization-wide implementation. Training programs should be integrated into the launch phases, emphasizing customer-centric service standards and technical proficiency.

IBM’s cloud expansion strategy must incorporate market-specific entry approaches, leveraging local partnerships to navigate regulatory environments. Change management initiatives, including internal communication campaigns and employee engagement efforts, are essential to address resistance and embed cultural shifts.

Adherence to ethical standards involves transparent communication with stakeholders, ensuring data privacy and security in digital initiatives, and fostering a corporate culture that values continuous learning and innovation.

References

• Brynjolfsson, E., & McAfee, A. (2014). The second machine age: Work, progress, and prosperity in a time of brilliant technologies. W.W. Norton & Company.
• Kotler, P., & Keller, K. L. (2016). Marketing management (15th ed.). Pearson.
• Shah, J., & Ward, P. T. (2003). Lean manufacturing: Context, practice bundles, and performance. Journal of Manufacturing Science and Engineering, 125(2), 173-181.
• Verhoef, P. C., Kannan, P. K., & Inman, J. J. (2015). From multi-channel retailing to omni-channel retailing: Introduction to the special issue. Journal of Retailing, 93(2), 174-181.