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Performance Exam
1st Semester Marketing Principles
You will have 4 days to complete and submit your performance exam.
Please save all of your work in one file – clearly labeling each day - and
save it as your last name and performance exam. You will submit all 4 days
into one dropbox.
DAY ONE: THE MARKETING MIX (25 points)
Article
MASHED POTATOES, GREEN BEANS — IN A BOTTLE?
Holiday food-flavored drinks back by popular demand
Bottles of Turkey & Gravy soda and Green Bean Casserole soda sit at the Seattle headquarters of
Jones Soda Co. on Nov. 5.
By Ted S. Warren / AP SEATTLE
Jones Soda Co. takes the idea of a liquid diet to a new low. How does Green Bean Casserole
Soda strike you? And how about an aggressively buttery-smelling Mashed Potato Soda?
Even the creators of the fizzy concoctions at this small Seattle soda company can hardly
stomach the stuff. But last year's unexpected success of the Turkey & Gravy Soda means
another round of bizarre food-flavored soft drinks. As an added bonus — they're calorie-free.
This week Jones Soda Co. launches a full meal deal of five Thanksgiving soda flavors, from the
bile-colored Green Bean Casserole to the sweet — but slightly sickly — Fruitcake Soda. Last
year's Turkey & Gravy is also back on the menu.
If you think it sounds less than appetizing, you're not alone.
"Oh, man, I can't drink that!" cries out company chief executive Peter van Stolk, after pouring
himself a drink of mashed potatoes.
To banish the buttery aftertaste, he recommends a chaser of Cranberry Soda, the only one of
the holiday bunch that doesn't make you want to pick up a toothbrush.
Drinking last year's savory Turkey & Gravy was no picnic, either, but that didn't stop people from
clamoring for it, pushing bidding on auction site eBay Inc. up to $63 for a two-bottle set.
Calorie- and carb-free, vegan and kosher
This year Jones plans to produce up to 15,000 five-packs of the 12-ounce bottles, which come
complete with utensils (a straw and a toothpick). The sodas may not be as satisfying as a real
holiday meal, but they can boast being both calorie- and carb-free, not to mention vegan and
kosher.
Beginning Thursday, they'll be on sale at some Target Corp. stores throughout the country, and
at other retailers, for between $14.95 and $16.95, with proceeds benefiting Toys for Tots. Ads
will be on television and the web, featuring people sitting down to a “meal” of five bottles of
soda. Print ads will feature Santa drinking a Turkey Soda before taking off in his sleigh.
Known for its quirky ads and offbeat bottle designs, Jones traces its roots to a soda distribution
operation that began in 1987. But it wasn't until the mid-1990s that the company began its own
line of sodas, cultivating a following among skaters, surfers and snowboarders with unusual
flavors like blue bubble gum, green apple and watermelon. These days, Jones soda, juice and
energy drinks are available nationwide at stores including Target, Albertson's and Safeway.
Five tasters were assigned to the task of perfecting the holiday flavors, although van Stolk said
most other employees ended up trying the sodas sooner or later.
In the early stages, the staff grew deeply divided over mashed potato versus sweet potato: "It
was like red versus blue," van Stolk said, referring to the recent presidential election.
In the end, he called it for mashed potato, arguing it was the more familiar food.
Jones isn't the only company to find that people have a certain fascination with foods that make
you go "yuck." There's the real-life version of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, made famous by
the Harry Potter books and featuring tastes like Vomit, Booger and Earthworm. And millions of
Americans regularly tune in to reality shows to watch contestants eat things like spiders and
snails.
Experts say part of the human fascination with such foods is the omnivore's natural tendency to
try a varied diet. But there's also a certain group of people who are simply novelty seekers who
get a thrill out of more extreme gastronomical adventures, said Virginia Utermohlen, an
associate professor of nutritional sciences at Cornell University.
For those people, she said, the thinking is, "So long as I know it's not going to kill me, it might be
just interesting."
Barbara Rolls, nutritional sciences professor at Penn State University, said research shows
young people are more likely to try new foods, but she speculates it's not just nature.
"It's that bravado factor," she said.
And for some, Rolls added, the risk will have a reward.
"Who knows, maybe it really tastes good," she said.
Activity
Using the information in this article, determine the Marketing Mix for Jones’ Thanksgiving Sodas.
Place the information in the correct area: product, price, place, or promotion.
PRODUCT PRICE
Ex: Calorie free 1.
1. 2.
2.
PLACE PROMOTION
1. 1.
2. 2.
DAY TWO: GLOBAL ANALYSIS (25 points)
Outsourcing
Outsourcing of jobs to workers in foreign countries has become a controversial issue in recent
years. Using the Internet and the library, research the issue by reading articles in recent news
magazines and newspapers.
Activity
What are the prevailing arguments against the outsourcing of jobs, and how are they answered
by the companies that use outsourcing? What is your opinion on the balance of pros and cons -
and what are some possible solutions to the dilemma?
DAY THREE: INTERPERSONAL SKILLS (25 points)
Parking
Your coffee shop sits in a strip mall next to a small restaurant. The owner of the restaurant has
complained to you about parking: There are not enough spaces available for his customers
during lunch and dinner hours.
Activity
What are some suggestions you might offer to alleviate this situation? Prepare an outline for a
conversation between the two owners: List your suggestions and the pros and cons for each.
DAY FOUR: PREPARING FOR THE SALE (25 points)
Choosing a Contractor
Using the Internet, locate six companies that offer sales training.
Activity
How would you go about choosing which one, if any, to use for your company? Develop a
feature-benefit chart that applies to such service providers.
Save all of your work into one document – clearly labeling each day - named as your last

3 answers

YOUR LAST NAME - Performance Exam

DAY ONE: THE MARKETING MIX (25 points)

Product, Price, Place, Promotion for Jones’ Thanksgiving Sodas

PRODUCT

  1. Unique flavors: Green Bean Casserole Soda, Turkey & Gravy Soda, Mashed Potato Soda.
  2. Calorie-free, vegan, and kosher.

PRICE

  1. Retail price between $14.95 and $16.95 for a five-pack.
  2. Auction prices peaked at $63 for a two-bottle set.

PLACE

  1. Available at Target stores and other retailers nationwide.
  2. Online presence for orders and promotions.

PROMOTION

  1. Television and web advertisements featuring people having a “meal” of soda.
  2. Print ads with Santa drinking Turkey Soda.

DAY TWO: GLOBAL ANALYSIS (25 points)

Outsourcing: Arguments Against and Responses

Arguments Against Outsourcing:

  1. Loss of domestic jobs leading to higher unemployment rates.
  2. Negative impact on local economies and communities.

Corporate Responses:

  1. Cost savings made possible by outsourcing can help companies remain competitive, thus preserving some jobs.
  2. Outsourcing allows companies to focus on core competencies and improve efficiency.

Personal Opinion on Balance of Pros and Cons: The balance favors domestic workers' interests. However, the strategic use of outsourcing can lead to long-term growth for companies. A more equitable solution could involve supporting worker retraining programs and fostering industries that cannot be outsourced.

DAY THREE: INTERPERSONAL SKILLS (25 points)

Outline for Conversation between Coffee Shop Owner and Restaurant Owner

1. Suggestions to Alleviate Parking Situation:

  • Proposal for Time Slots: Designate certain hours for restaurant customers and coffee shop customers. Pros: Reduces congestion during peak times, ensures all customers have access. Cons: May frustrate customers who want to use both establishments at the same time.

  • Collaboration with Strip Mall Management: Request more parking spaces to meet demand. Pros: Larger parking area benefits all businesses. Cons: Costs and time required to negotiate this with mall management.

  • Alternative Parking Areas: Encourage customers to use nearby off-site parking options with shuttle services. Pros: Frees up direct parking spaces for restaurant/café use. Cons: Might deter some customers who do not want to walk or wait for a shuttle.

  • Staggered Business Hours: Adjust business hours slightly to spread out customer traffic. Pros: Diffuses peak parking demand. Cons: Requires both business owners' cooperation for a practical implementation.

DAY FOUR: PREPARING FOR THE SALE (25 points)

Choosing a Sales Training Contractor

| Company Name | Feature | Benefit | |--------------|---------|---------| | Company A | Customized training programs | Tailored content to fit specific business needs | | Company B | Track record with similar businesses | Proven success in industries like yours | | Company C | Ongoing support after training | Continuous development and reinforcement of skills | | Company D | Experienced trainers with industry background | High relevance to current business challenges | | Company E | Flexible scheduling | Minimizes disruption to regular business operations | | Company F | Comprehensive assessments and feedback | Measurable improvement in sales performance |

Conclusion for Choosing a Contractor: I would consider aspects such as the specific needs of my sales team, the contractor's experience, flexibility, and the long-term benefits of continued support. I would also evaluate their approach to training effectiveness based on feedback and assessments.

(Note: The student's last name should be filled in at the header. This response is structured for clarity in organizing the performance exam.)

make it sound 8th grade and add some slang

YOUR LAST NAME - Performance Exam

DAY ONE: THE MARKETING MIX (25 points)

Product, Price, Place, Promotion for Jones’ Thanksgiving Sodas

PRODUCT

  1. Super weird flavors like Green Bean Casserole Soda and Turkey & Gravy Soda (yuck!).
  2. Totally calorie-free, vegan, and kosher—so you can sip guilt-free!

PRICE

  1. You can snag a five-pack for around $14.95 to $16.95.
  2. Some folks even paid $63 for two bottles on eBay—crazy, right?

PLACE

  1. You can grab these sodas at Target and other stores all over the country.
  2. They’ve got an online store too, so you can order your weird drinks from the couch!

PROMOTION

  1. Check out their ads on TV and online with people chugging these sodas like it’s an actual meal!
  2. Print ads will show Santa sipping Turkey Soda before he takes off in his sleigh—super funny!

DAY TWO: GLOBAL ANALYSIS (25 points)

Outsourcing: Arguments Against and Responses

Arguments Against Outsourcing:

  1. It’s a total bummer because it can cost people their jobs—no one wants to lose work.
  2. Local economies get hit hard; businesses close down, and towns suffer.

Corporate Responses:

  1. Companies say outsourcing helps them save cash, which keeps some jobs safe—kind of a double-edged sword.
  2. Outsourcing lets businesses focus on what they’re best at, which could lead to growth and, hopefully, more jobs!

Personal Opinion on Balance of Pros and Cons: Honestly, I think it’s pretty rough for people losing jobs. But I get that companies need to stay competitive. A cool solution might be to support retraining programs to help workers learn new skills and make it fairer for everyone.

DAY THREE: INTERPERSONAL SKILLS (25 points)

Outline for Chat Between Coffee Shop Owner and Restaurant Owner

1. Suggestions to Alleviate Parking Situation:

  • Time Slots: Set specific hours where restaurant customers park first and coffee shop customers park later. Pros: Keeps it chill during busy hours. Everyone gets a spot! Cons: Some customers might not vibe with the time limits and wanna bounce between the two spots.

  • Talk to Shopping Center Management: See if they can add more parking spaces for everyone. Pros: More spots for all businesses—who doesn’t want that? Cons: Could take a while and might cost some cash to figure out.

  • Alternative Parking: Let customers know about nearby parking and maybe set up a shuttle service. Pros: Opens up more spaces right in front of the shops. Cons: Some customers might feel it's a hassle to walk or wait for a ride.

  • Stagger Hours: Mix up the hours just a bit so both places aren’t packed at the same time. Pros: Helps balance out the parking craziness. Cons: Both owners need to agree on it to make it work!

DAY FOUR: PREPARING FOR THE SALE (25 points)

Choosing a Sales Training Contractor

| Company Name | Feature | Benefit | |--------------|---------|---------| | Company A | Custom training programs | Training made just for my team's needs—how cool is that? | | Company B | Proven success with similar businesses | They actually know what’s up in our type of biz. | | Company C | Ongoing support after training | They’ll keep helping us out even after the classes are done! | | Company D | Trainers with legit experience | They’ve been there and can drop some real knowledge. | | Company E | Flexible scheduling | Makes life easier so it won’t mess with our daily grind. | | Company F | Assessments and feedback | We can actually see how much we’re improving—like a progress report! |

Conclusion for Choosing a Contractor: To pick the best one, I’d look at what my team really needs, how experienced they are, and if they’re flexible with the schedule. Plus, it would be dope if they can keep supporting us after the training wraps up!

(Note: The student's last name should be filled in at the header. This version is more casual and relatable for an 8th-grade audience.)