Marketing paper Sample APA Style Instructions: Review the video case study "Geek Squad: A New Business for a New Environment" on pp. 88-89 in your textbook. Keep this case study in mind as you complete this assignment. Write a 1,050-word report using your company or one with which you are familiar (if you prefer, your facilitator can assign one to you). Answer the following questions for your chosen organization. •Explain what the specific key environmental forces are that created an opportunity for your company. •Identify if there have been changes in the purchasing patterns of your organization's target market in recent years. •Conduct an environmental scan for your chosen company to identify key trends. For each of the five environmental forces (social, economic, technological, competitive, and regulatory), identify trends likely to influence your company's marketing efforts and product offering in the future. •Explain what differentiation strategy your company should undertake to encourage their target market to choose them over other competitors. •Analyze what lessons you might learn from the Geek Squad case study. Include at least three references, at least one of which must come from the University Library. Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.

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Marketing Plan Report
[Author]
[Institution]

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Introduction
For Geek Squad, as they are based on technological products and advancements, the key
environmental factors that created an opportunity were the technological factors. As they focus
their services to improve and install computers and software applications, the changes in
technology and more use of computers and Smartphones have given Geek Squad the opportunity
to enhance and expand their services. The more the technology will advance and people will use
them, the more the need of professionals and skilled people will be needed. As the technologies
are getting more complicated, people need more assistance to deal with their problems from
installation to after services (Ruhe, 2011).
Social factors in the environment are another major force that created an opportunity for
the Geek Squad. The more usage of computers and software application by women and children
mean more assistance required as they usually depend on outside services in order to fix their
devices. Economic factors have resulted in more spending on luxuries and an improved standard
of living under which people buy the latest technological products and want to use the most
recent devices. This buying power means more need for technical assistants who would help.
These changes in the environment mean more opportunities for service providers such as Geek
Squad.
The target audience of the Geek Squad is the people who use technological products. The
demographics say that not only the younger generation but the children and middle aged
population are also greatly in use of computers, laptops, and Smartphone devices. This means
that the purchasing pattern has strengthened greatly as more people are buying these devices and

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using them. The purchasing patterns of people to buy technological devices are strengthening in
the recent years. New technologies come out and people buy the most updated products as soon
as they are released. This increases the opportunities for service providers such as Geek Squad.
The environmental forces including social, economic, technological, competitive, and
regulatory factors have a great impact on the future trends of the Geek Squad Company and their
marketing. The social factors show a trend of increased dependence on technological products.
Computers, laptops, and almost every business are using the applications to stay connected and
updated. This gives a rise to assistants and skilled professionals. The social factors influence the
company to market their products in the whole market according to the high standards of people
and areas where high income people live. The target marketing shouldn’t be divided through age
gaps but income levels as middle and high income class spends more on highly costly
technological products and services (Mayle, 2006).
Economic factors show a trend of increased consumer spending and strong purchasing
patterns for technological products in developed countries and most of the developing ones. The
luxurious spending on such costly products gives rise to the need for service providers. Hence,
Geek Squad should focus on the future prospects of the technological industry in order to plan
the marketing of their services. They should form partnerships or comply with the sales of the
computers and other products to build their future strategies.
Technological factors are the most important consideration of change in the Geek Squad
Company. The technological advancement and production in the environment is what would
derive the marketing plans and strategies of Geek Squad. They must ensure that they have the

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skilled professionals to deal with all the updated technologies and devices. They should market
their products in this way where they focus on diversity and availability for all kinds of products
to attract the users (Betz, 2003).
Competitive factors are important to consider as the technology industry is greatly rising
and so there is an increase in the number of people who require technical assistants. The
marketing strategies and plan of the company should be in accordance to the competitors. New
companies are entering the market with lower prices and better services. In order to keep their
services unique and different, they must use creative marketing techniques. With strong
marketing, they would be able to gain their broad market share.
The regulatory environment influences every business as it means focusing on the
changes of the legal policies and rules. These changes influence the marketing and operating of
the business. The company needs to focus on the future governmental policies and proposed
regulations in order to ensure their future trends. Based on that, the marketing of the services
should be carried out (Betz, 2003).
Differentiation strategies are highly needed for a company like Geek Squad as they focus
on the service provision and are facing increased competition. They already have partnerships,
uniforms, and specific cars in which they travel to make them distinctive. In order to be more
differentiated in the market, they should be more interactive with the customers and offer
discounts and packages with other technological businesses. Since they are in service business,
they can hire females and promote equality so that women who are increasingly using these
services can be more inclined towards their services. Trainings from these professionals can be

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offered to the clients to ensure that they can solve their own problems in the future. People love
learning new things so trainings and tutorials can be provided to them. On call complaints and
solutions can be provided to solve the problems right away on guidance through professionals on
call. Geek Squad must analyze what their competitors are doing and begin with a differentiated
pricing strategy which would allow them to be ahead of their competitors in terms of cost at
least. Then other factors should be considered including creativity, interactivity, and unique
service offers.
The Geek Squad case study teaches that how it is important to focus on the potential of
the market and using your business to achieve what is not yet achieved. It was the strategic
thinking of Stephens that led to the initiation of a big company. Before starting a business, the
future prospects and the current growth should be analyzed carefully. Stephen took a wise
decision which gave him a chance to earn big. Moreover, the environmental factors are important
to consider when planning future strategies and plans as these factors are constantly changing
and without complying with them, the business can’t survive. Geek Squad responded well to the
environmental factors which is why they are successful.

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References
Betz F. 2003. Managing Technological Innovation: Competitive Advantage from Change. NY:
John Wiley & Sons
Mayle D. 2006. Managing Innovation and Change. UK: SAGE
Ruhe G. 2011. Product Release Planning: Methods, Tools and Applications. USA: CRC Press