Personal Blog

We were assigned to do a group project on creating the marketing communication plan for Mark and Spenser. The groups were consisting of 7 members with different nationalities. However, the differences in nationalities seemed not to create any big problems in working as a team. We never had any major issues or problems. We only got some minor issues, which can be talked to make it clear. Everyone in the group was helping with their great effort. We were assigned to do the different parts of work according to our experiences. We talked together as a group when there were any problems.

            The tasks are allocated according to our knowledge and strength. For example, someone who was good at graphic design, she was assigned to design the logo, the website and the art works. There were two members who were good at Mathematics and analysis. They were responsible for the budget control and analysis part. Two members were assigned on the research part. And, two members were mainly responsible for the creative idea. Overall, we had each other deciding on several topics such as the creative idea and activities. We usually assigned a member with a particular task and then come to talk about the assignment on the next meeting. We got a regular meeting on every week.   

            However, there are some challenges. Firstly, due to the differences in nationalities, some members had difficulties in communicate in English, especially in some artistic ideas. There were three members who came from Thailand, including me. It was quite hard in order to explain the artistic idea in English. However, the groups were willing to understand what we would like to explain. They tried their best in understanding us. Also, we used the visual presentation to show the idea and better explain the idea. Secondly, our group was a little bit slow in the work progress. The work seemed not to progress much in each meeting. However, we were trying to make it on time. We used Facebook group in order to communicate when the members were at home. 

            For me, I personally had to adapt my work pattern to match with other members. I usually like to work alone by dividing the work into several different parts. And, members will be wholly responsible for those assigned parts. However, in this group, members needed to decide the several topics as the group agreement. It was quite a good way of working because by deciding as a group, it came up with different opinions from different people. It could yield to a better decision. The way that I went to achieve it is to come to the meeting regularly. In doing so, I could listen to different opinion and be able to make a better decision.  

            This project taught me several things. The most important one was how to work with people from different nationalities and culture. I came from Thailand and I did not had much opportunities to work with people from different backgrounds. It was good for my future module and career. In the second semester, there will be several subjects with group assignments. I would be better to cope with several people. In addition, it was a great opportunity for my future career if I work with foreigners. 

Challenges and Opportunities from the course

1. Discuss the challenges and opportunities that you have identified so far with your programme. Explain how you will address the challenges and make the most of the opportunities presented. 

I am freshly graduated from my Bachelor’s degree last August. I continue my master’s degree right away in September. This is one of my challenges with the programme. Most students in class are well educated and have many years of work experience. Some come from marketing field experience. Normally, the class is about to discuss about a particular topic. The lecturers are trying to push us to give some experience, idea or the discussion. The problem for me is that I have no work experience at all and do not know what to discuss about. Some topics are about how to get the job via Linkedin or making your online present. I am not familiar with those topics because I did not have a chance to find a real job yet. In addition, I cannot imagine how important it is when to get the real job. To solve this problem, I try to listen to the discussion as much as possible. I know many important things that I need to do in order to find a job in digital marketing field, for example having a connection, being present in an online world, developing new contacts, tracking and commenting on the blogposts of key contributors, keeping in touch, real time, with project participants, etc. They are something that I have never done before. I am always online but I only chat with friend. I did not do something to stimulate my online present.

The second challenge might be about the cultural difference. I am Thai and normally we are quite shy. I do not like to be standing out in the crowd. We are shy to express the opinion and especially the different opinion. It is like an Asian culture. To solve this challenge, I find myself more comfortable to discuss in a smaller group. Usually, the lecturer will ask for an opinion in a whole room and the lecturer will find it disappointing when the class keeps quiet. I think the cultural difference could be one of the causes.

The programm gives me lots of opportunities to improve my skills, especially the digital marketing skills. There is a Digital Champion, which allows students to operate in the project. I went to the first lecture of Digital Chamption program. It was like an introduction of how important of your online profile effect you as an employee. This is what I have never known before. I think it is a very good project. It allows us to apply our lesson in theory into a practicable lesson. Additionally, it could build up our work profile by attending the project. It helps us in differentiating our profile from other candidates. On the 7^th of November 2012, there was an event called “Social Media for Researchers”. I went to the event and it was really good. The lecturer showed some websites and tools that are widely used for researching. I think I could use those sources in my future dissertation. In the future, I plan to join more events because I could gain more knowledge that is not available in the classroom. Also, the events are all free! I can learn several things without paying just a penny! I felt so sorry that I missed several digital marketing events. By doing so, I could gain more marketing experience that I have never had.

In addition, the Marketing in the 21st century is a virtual class. I am studying in Digital Marketing programm and I really use the digital tools. There is one class that students allow to have a chance in using several digital tools. Lisa has invited Dr Paul Harrigan, a guess speaker, to talk about social customer relationship management via Skype. It is the experience that I have never met before. We use Google Doc in class to share our examples and discussion. I think it is very effective way of learning as a real digital marketing student.