Professional Skills
What you need to know about marketing
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In any organisation many staff become involved in marketing issues with colleagues from other areas of expertise within the organisation, in day-to-day discussions, within working groups or teams, and sometimes with external partners. Non-marketing staff need to understand the basic concepts of marketing in order to contribute to these discussions. This short course is intended for managers in organisations where there is a degree of separation between functions and will explain marketing concepts and demystify marketing jargon in order to help them understand and contribute to marketing activities.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | GB076 |
| Credit points | This is a non-credit bearing course. |
Register for the course
This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees may vary by country.
What you will study
This short online course will be of interest to those who are not primarily responsible for marketing within their organisation, including those new managers who need to relate beyond the confines of their unit and those managers, at any level, whose role includes elements of production, delivery or service provision to others external to, or within, their organisation. The course will afford an understanding of the basic terminology of marketing, enable engagement in meaningful marketing discussions and facilitate better and more informed decisions based on marketing information.
During the course you will:
- understand the position of marketing within your organisation and the concept of a market-led organisation
- identify your customers and understand the reason for segmenting and targeting them
- appreciate the value of, and techniques for, carrying out basic market research
- understand the need for a marketing strategy and be aware of the concept of the marketing mix – product, price, place and promotion
- develop the skills necessary to contribute to marketing plans within your organisation
- appreciate the purpose of advertising and recognise good advertising practice
- consider future marketing scenarios
- relate these to your own position and role within your organisation.
The strong link between course learning and your work practice creates relevant, enduring and transferable outcomes. It requires no more than 30 hours of your time in total, over whatever period suits you. But the learning is far richer than more expensive one- to three-day workshops. Register online today and start tomorrow – no need to wait!
The course features the distinctive strengths of The Open University (OU) from its years of expertise in work-based learning:
- The convenience of accessing its clearly presented and sequenced materials, activities and support whenever suits you and wherever you have access to the dedicated website – if you prefer, you can print key materials to work on them offline.
- The support of an expert learning adviser who can clarify study materials, answer questions and help you relate the course to your specific needs.
- A work-based activity helping you to connect the course to your individual and organisational context and needs. At the end of the course you send this to the learning adviser, who provides personal feedback.
- Certification of completion from the OU for those who complete the course. You can use this to demonstrate your continuing professional development (CPD) activity to your employer and/or professional body. (NB The course does not carry academic credit points.)
Entry
Although there are no formal academic requirements to study any of our CPD courses, you are expected to have some experience in the field and the course assumes a familiarity with the subject.
For each course you can register and begin at any time during the life of the course. You can study at your own pace and submit your work-based activity at any date before the final submission date for the course. Information about the final submission date is available when you register for the course.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
The study materials are delivered wholly online. Learners who use screen readers or who cannot use a mouse will not be able to access some materials or some activities without assistance. Written transcripts of the audio interviews are available on the website. If you are a new learner with the OU, make sure that you have our publication Meeting Your Needs.
Study materials
What's included
All learning materials, exercises, study support and the work-based activity are delivered entirely online.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new computer since 2005 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual.
Learner support
Expert, confidential learner support is available when you need it from a learning adviser, who will respond to you direct within 24 hours. Other support is available via the GB076 forum, library, StudentHome website and computing helpdesk.
Work-based activity
The work-based activity for this course has been designed as an integrated ongoing activity that you submit at the end of your study. It will allow you to reflect on your learning and how to use it in your professional work.
Professional recognition
Successful completion of the course enables us to recognise your achievement of the course learning by issuing an OU certificate that you can use to document your commitment to continuing professional development in your personal portfolio, or to provide evidence to employers or professional body.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | GB076 |
| Credit points | This is a non-credit bearing course. |
Study explained
- Special fee arrangements
- - the OU has relationships with many professional bodies, and as part of those relationships members may be entitled to special fee arrangements.
- Study explained
- - all you need to know about distance learning with the OU.
Your questions
We may have already answered it in our frequently asked questions.
Or contact an adviser in our Student Registration & Enquiry Service Email or call +44(0) 845 300 60 90+44(0) 845 366 60 35
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