Welcome to my class! I am looking forward to work with you this term, and hope that I will be able to share with you my interest in marketing and related disciplines.

As you attend class, partake in the discussions and develop knowledge of marketing, you will come to realize that the topic covers much more than selling. Actually, selling is but a fraction of the marketing activities. We will discuss economic systems, your and other cultures, consider different forms of families, investigate how products come to exist and are then marketed, how consumers respond to price variations, where they expect to find products, and how to communicate with those customers. Altogether, this should be an enjoyable experience, but the experience will depend heavily on the level of involvement you choose to bring to the classroom.

A significant portion of your grade is based on your personal participation in the class. As explained in the syllabus, participation is not equivalent to being physically present, but refers to your personal decision, to asking question, suggesting answers, sharing of ideas and experiences, and so on. While I am aware that there are cultural issues that may hinder you from speaking publicly, still, it is something that you will have to consider and do to grow, as an individual, and as a student. If you need help to speak in class, do not hesitate to let me know and we will work out a system that you are comfortable with. For instance, for the very shy students, we may start with a pre-agreed question that you could have prepared and then move on towards more impomptu questions. Just let me know if you have difficulties speaking in front of your classmates and we will create opportunities.

Altogether, the purpose of this class is for you to acquire knowledge and understanding, not to memorize questions and answers. As you will learn, you have been involved in marketing for quite some time already, even though you may not have known it. As we progress through the course material, you may find yourself thinking that you already knew some of the issues but had not thought about it. Therefore, focus on understanding and incorporate this new knowledge, rather than memorize. Once you graduate, your employer and supervisor(s) will expect you to be able to identify and suggest solutions; no supervisor expect memorization!

Finally, and as illustrated below, humans have always undertaken marketing activities.