Training Plan Template Student Name

Training Plan Templatestudent Name

Training Plan Template Student Name: _________________________________________ Date: ________________________________________________ Training Plan Template Introduction (Describe the purpose of the training plan) Scope (Describe the scope of the training, such as initial training for new employees, staff training on important topics, etc.) Objectives (Describe the objectives or expected results of the training. Express objectives as actions that the users will be expected to perform once they have been trained.) Background (Provide an overview of the training curriculum.) Training Requirements (The training audience and the time frame in which training must be accomplished.) Roles and Responsibilities (Identify what staff will provide training) Training Evaluation (Describe how training evaluation will be performed using the Kirkpatrick levels) Training Strategy (Describe the type of training (ex: classroom, computer, shadowing, etc.); and the training schedule) Constraints/Limitations (Identify all known constraints and/or limitations that could potentially affect the training.) Example Student Response to Discussion Post Answer Question 1 - It sounds like you and your wife did a lot of homework in finding your car seat, including gathering information from various sources from personal, to commercial to public!

I think in this situation though, information search via experiential sources would benefit you as well. Actually using the products that could be identified as alternatives would be a great way to gather information on what attributes are most important to you and your wife. Taking a friends child, with their permission of course, and going through a few motions you would typically do yourself, like getting the baby in the car seat, from the car seat to the stroller etc. would be a great way to evaluate each option. Just like you would test drive a car by actually being behind the wheel, I think this type of information search, and in turn, evaluation of alternatives could have greatly helped the purchase decision process.

Also, I wonder if any intervening factors came into play in the purchase decision. I know with major purchases, the factor of attitudes of others, usually will intervene for my husband, meaning his “motivation to comply with other person’s wishes” (second type of this factor from Kotler and Keller, 2016). It ends up he usually agrees with what I want! In this situation, I wouldn’t be surprised if maybe you were influenced by your wife’s preference as well, and were more likely to go with what she wants. Overall I am sure you made the right choice and will be interested to see what you think of it once it is truly in use!

Question 2 – For your VALS results, I find it interesting that you do not completely agree with the results. I myself found my results to be quite accurate. Since of course I don’t know you well I can’t comment on whether or not I agree with yours, but maybe taking the two results and combining them might provide a better understanding. For example, with you saying you do not worry about trends, which is an Experiencer trait, it might relate to the Innovator trait of being confident to experiment and looking toward the future. You might not be worrying about the trends or actively following them, but in your actions of experimenting, you maybe are a part of starting the trend which you don’t realize.

Just something to think about for how that particular result came about. Assignment: Read the discussion questions and answers below and write a written response ( at least half page, single space for each answer ) by working in the textbook pdfs (see attachments labeled pg and pg , be sure to use them as references at least once in each of your responses). If you need to see a student example ( do not use this answer, this is just for reference) of a response to a discussion post by another student, see attachment that’s labeled “Response Post”. Question 1: Discuss the five stages of the Buying Decision Process by applying them to an example of a recent or important purchase that you have made as a consumer.

Answer: In today’s economy, consumers have more power than ever over the goods and services they purchase. With modern technology as advanced as it is, consumers have the ability to price out items and find deals at the drop of a hat. These advancements have led to less impulse purchases and we as consumers are placing more thought into what we are consuming. According to the Wall Street Journal (2014), “customers are now browsing online first and then coming into stores on a mission. Shoppers who once spent two hours at a women’s apparel retailer are down to 45 minutes.†These changes have led to a much more extensive Buying Decision Process.

According to Kotler and Keller (2015), “Consumers don’t always pass through all five stages – they may skip or reverse some” (P195). However, when making larger purchases and even some smaller purchases many times consumers will use a 5 stage model as I did when looking for a new home. Stage 1- Problem Recognition: In February of this year, my current lease was up at the apartment that I was renting. The problem in that situation was evident that I needed to either find a new place to live, or renew my lease with the current apartment complex even though they were requesting a significant “inflation adjustment” in order to live there again. According to the Wolters World video, I clearly had a functional problem and needed to serve a purpose, finding a place to live.

Stage 2 – Information Search: The second stage of the buying decision process is to seek out information. This information can come from a variety of sources. According to Kotler and Keller (2015), there are 4 major sources of which consumers with turn to for information. The four sources include: personal sources, commercial sources, public sources, and experiential sources. I used multiple sources when looking for a place to live because I was concerned about price, location, the condition of my residence, previous tenants that have lived on the property and other pertinent information that must be taken into account when looking for a place to live.

I asked other personal friends and family how they found homes in the area that I was searching. I also went to the public and used an agent to help find and narrow down some location for my next home. This was a major decision that I was about to make so I wanted to make sure that I searched reasonably for information. Stage 3 – Evaluation of Alternatives: The third step in the process is to evaluate your alternatives. I needed to look at all of my different options and prior to purchasing and make sure that I had done my due diligence.

I did have slight brand loyalty to the complex that I was already at. The apartment was nice, the living conditions were great, I really enjoyed the location but I was frustrated with the price increase. I was also looking at a few houses because I wanted more space to live in, a yard and to not have to deal with constantly being able to hear people around me. In doing so, I compared my choices using multiple determinant attributes, (Woltersworld 2012). Stage 4 – Purchase Decision: In the previous stage, I had to determine my most preferred living area and prepare for the purchase stage.

Throughout the Buying Decision process, it was imperative that I evaluate all of my options, not make an impulse decision and find the location that was right for me. I eventually settled on a house in the Buckhead area, called up the real estate agent and went to sign the lease and finally paid my deposit and made the transaction. Stage 5 – Post Purchase Behavior: The fifth and final stage in the buying process is the post purchase behavior. Companies strive to give customers the maximum amount of customer satisfaction so that they will consider them and use them in the future for their purchases. In my specific situation, I was ecstatic and still am at the location, size and features of the house that I am in.

I had a few moments of dissatisfaction because of how old the house is. There were a few appliances that I had difficulty with. The AC unit was old and had not been tended to in a while and this caused for a significant power bill one month. Other than that, I have been extremely happy with my purchase. Each step of the purchasing process is extremely important for a customer to make the right decision.

As I mentioned previously, I believe that the 5 stages are now more relevant than ever and companies must continue to improve in order to meet customer demands. Question 2: Discuss the VALSTM approach to Psychographic segmentation. Take the VALS Survey and discuss your results. Do you agree with your survey results and why/why not? Answer: Psychographic segmentation uses psychology and demographics to better understand customers (Kotler&Keller, 2016).

Companies are able to divide consumers into different groups in order to attack their target market in the most efficient and profitable way. The VALs framework that is discussed by Kotler and Keller stands for values, attitude, and lifestyle. The VALs approach classifies US adults into eight primary groups: innovators, thinkers, achievers, experiencers, believers, strivers, makers and survivors. These different groups are divided up from the dimensions that a consumer exhibits, primarily consumer motivation or consumer resources and according to Kotler and Keller, the primary motivators are ideals, achievement and self-expression. Vals results- My results showed that I am primarily an experiencer and my secondarily and achiever.

As an experiencer, I have access to high resources and self-expression motivation. I fall into a category that loves physical activity, goes against the mainstream, sees myself as very sociable and have a heightened sense of visualization. According to the text, those with self-expression motivation also desire activity, variety and risk. Achievers are goal oriented, hardworking, scheduled, and put myself first. I am mixed with my results.

I agree with certain sections of my segment, but do not agree entirely as I imagine is pretty common. I do agree that I am sociable, love physical activity and tend to go against the mainstream. However, I absolutely do not think I am up on the latest fashions, nor have I ever been too concerned with my attire. I tend to wish that I was more spontaneous but in many instances I find myself being somewhat reserved. I also believe that I share many of the same characteristics of innovators in that I am constantly wanting to learn, am future oriented and thoroughly enjoy problem solving.

Paper For Above instruction

The comprehensive understanding of consumer decision-making processes and psychographic segmentation models plays an essential role in developing effective marketing strategies. This paper explores the five stages of the consumer buying decision process demonstrated through a personal example and discusses the VALS psychographic segmentation approach, analyzing its relevance and accuracy based on personal survey results. Integrating theories from Kotler and Keller (2016), along with contemporary research, this discussion elucidates how firms can tailor their marketing efforts to meet consumer needs efficiently.

The five stages of the Buying Decision Process: An application

The first stage, Problem Recognition, occurs when a consumer perceives a gap between their current state and a desired state, prompting the need for a purchase. For instance, I recently faced the need to find new accommodation after my lease expired. This functional problem was driven by economic factors such as rent increases and the need for more space. Recognizing this problem initiated my search for alternative residences, illustrating how problem recognition marks the beginning of the decision process.

The second stage, Information Search, involves gathering data from various sources. According to Kotler and Keller (2016), these sources include personal contacts, commercial sources, public sources, and experiential sources. In my case, I consulted friends and family for recommendations, visited public listings, and engaged a real estate agent to gather comprehensive information about available properties, aligning with the model's emphasis on diversified data collection.

Evaluation of Alternatives, the third stage, requires comparing options based on attributes such as price, location, and amenities. I assessed multiple residences, considering brand loyalty to properties I had previously stayed at, but also exploring new options like houses with yards for more space. This systematic comparison allowed me to weigh determinant attributes—factors influencing my decision—before moving to the next phase.

The fourth stage, Purchase Decision, materialized when I selected a house in Buckhead, contacted an agent, and finalized the lease by signing the agreement and paying the deposit. This step signifies the culmination of decision-making, reflecting confidence in the choice based on prior evaluation.

Post-Purchase Behavior, the last stage, involves assessing satisfaction after the transaction. I was generally pleased with my new home, though there were minor frustrations such as the old AC unit increasing utility bills. Overall, satisfaction levels influence future purchasing behaviors and brand loyalty. Recognizing these stages underscores the importance of companies ensuring positive post-purchase experiences to foster repeat business.

Analysis of the VALS psychographic segmentation approach

The VALS framework (Values, Attitudes, and Lifestyle) segments consumers into eight groups based on motivations and resources, helping marketers target specific audiences more effectively (Kotler & Keller, 2016). I personally completed the VALS survey, which categorized me as primarily an Experiencer, with secondary traits of an Achiever.

Experiencers are characterized by high resources and a motivation for self-expression. They tend to enjoy physical activities, challenge mainstream trends, and are sociable with vivid imaginations. I identify with these traits, as I value activity, social interactions, and have a competitive spirit that aligns with the pursuit of new experiences. Similarly, the Achiever segment reflects goal-oriented, disciplined individuals focused on achievement and status.

However, I find that some aspects of the VALS results do not fully resonate with my self-perception. For example, despite the Experiencer traits, I am not particularly fashion-forward or concerned with following trends. Instead, I see myself as more reserved at times, with a desire for continuous learning and problem-solving—traits that might align more with Innovators, who are confident, future-oriented, and open to new ideas. This discrepancy showcases the subjective nature of psychographic segmentation and highlights the importance of individual self-awareness in interpreting survey outcomes.

Overall, I agree with certain elements of the VALS classification, especially regarding sociability and physical activity, but I also recognize the model’s limitations in capturing the full complexity of personal motivations and behaviors. Nonetheless, using such psychographic tools offers marketers valuable insights into consumer preferences, enabling more targeted and effective engagement strategies.

References

• Kotler, P., & Keller, K. L. (2016). Marketing Management (15th ed.). Pearson.
• Wolters World. (2012). How to choose an apartment. YouTube.
• Wall Street Journal. (2014). Online shopping habits and consumer behavior. Wall Street Journal Reports.
• Wolters World. (2014). How to make smart home-buying decisions. YouTube.
• Schiffman, L. G., & Kanuk, L. L. (2010). Consumer Behavior (10th ed.). Pearson.
• Schiffman, L., & Wisenblit, J. (2015). Consumer Behavior (11th ed.). Pearson.
• Kotler, P., & Armstrong, G. (2018). Principles of Marketing (17th ed.). Pearson.
• Solomon, M. R. (2018). Consumer Behavior: Buying, Having, and Being (12th ed.). Pearson.
• Hoyer, W. D., MacInnis, D. J., & Pieters, R. (2013). Consumer Behavior (6th ed.). Cengage Learning.
• Assael, H. (2010). Consumer Behavior and Marketing Strategy. Cengage Learning.