Describe the function of marketing

Describe the function of marketing and demonstrate its importance to the overall success of the organization

Describe the importance of customer relations and customer satisfaction to marketers

Predict the reasons why it is essential for the marketing department to collaborate with other departments in the organization in order to be effective

Analyze the major challenges facing marketers

Illustrate the environmental forces that effect marketing

Explain how companies can position their products for maximum competitive advantage in the marketplace

Appropriately use investigative and research skills

Construct a systematic approach to the application of relevant marketing tools to a variety of situations

Demonstrate information-processing skills

Week 3 Research

Give an overview of the following distribution channels:
Channel levels: Direct versus indirect distribution
Channel organizations: Conventional, vertical, horizontal, and multichannel marketing systems
Analyze your target market’s needs, and explain what you know about your target market and what it wants from a channel of distribution.
Determine which of the following channel members you will use, and explain why:
Indirect: Retailer, wholesaler, dealer, manufacturer’s rep, and so forth
Direct: Catalog, telephone, sales force, and so forth
Discuss how many channel members you will use (intensive distribution, exclusive distribution, or selective distribution), and explain why.
Recommend a channel organization (conventional, vertical, horizontal, or multichannel marketing system), and explain why.
Your report must include a reference list. All research should be cited in the body of the paper. In-text citations and corresponding references should be included in your paper. For more information on APA style, please visit the APA lab. The paper should be written in third person, which means that pronouns like “I”, “we”, and “you” are not appropriate. The use of direct quotes is strongly discouraged.

Your assignment should contain a cover page, an abstract page, and a reference page in addition to the body. The body of the paper should be 2–3 pages in length, starting with a brief 1-paragraph introduction and ending with a short conclusion. The entire submission will be 5–6 pages in length.

Please submit your assignment as a Word document in APA format using the attached template.