What is Marketing?         


Marketing is a major function of a business firm indeed, of any
organization.  Marketing considerations are integral to decision
making by management at all levels of the firm.  Marketing
strategy plays a major role in determining overall business
strategy; as business success is based on the ability to satisfy
the wants and needs of consumers.  Marketing managers are
the catalysts for innovations and maintenance of the competitive
system; they must have a thorough understanding of marketing
processes and of the contribution of marketing to the whole
business.  The marketing curriculum is designed with these
needs in mind.

More directly, marketing deals with strategies, plans, and
activities oriented to the following purposes:

a) Understanding buyer behavior
b) Selecting target markets 
c) Guiding development of products and services          
d) Selecting channels of distribution
e) Determining prices
f) Developing and managing sales strategies
g) Researching and analyzing marketing data for the above    
    functions
h) Coordinating marketing programs internally and with        
    other functions in the firm or organization