Ms - Exploring marketing concepts
 

Exploring Marketing Concepts allows members to demonstrate their understanding of basic marketing principles through an objective test. This event introduces members to key concepts such as market research, promotion, branding, and the strategies used to sell products and services.,

Event Overview

Division: Middle School
Event Type: Individual
Event Category: Objective Test, 50-multiple choice questions (breakdown of question by competencies below)
Objective Test Time: 30 minutes
Career Cluster Framework Connection: Marketing & Sales
NACE Competency Alignment: Career & Self-Development, Communication, Critical Thinking

Items Competitor Must Provide: Sharpened Pencil, Conference-provided nametag, Attire that meets the Florida FBLA Dress Code

 Competencies

· Marketing Fundamentals

· Product/Service Management

· Channel Management

· Marketing-Information Management

· Pricing

· Selling

Test questions are based on the knowledge areas and objectives outlined for this event. Detailed objectives can be found in the study guide included in these guidelines.

District

Check with your District Leader for district-specific competition information.

State

Eligibility

·         FBLA membership dues are paid by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on December 1 (or earlier date specified by District Director) of the current school year.
·         Members may compete in an event at the State Leadership Conference (SLC) more than once if they have not previously placed in the top ten of that event at the National Leadership Conference (NLC). If a member places in the top ten of an event at NLC, they are no longer eligible to compete in that event.
·         Members must be registered for the SLC and pay the state conference registration fee in order to participate in competitive events.
·         Members must stay within the official FBLA housing block of the official FBLA hotel in order to compete.
·         Each district may be represented by participant(s) based on the Florida FBLA scaled quota system found on the Florida FBLA website.
·         Each competitor can only compete in one individual/team event and one chapter event (Annual Activities, Community Service Project).
·         Each competitor must compete in all parts of an event for award eligibility.
·         If competitors are late for an objective test, they may be disqualified or permitted to begin late with no extension of the time as scheduled.
·         Participants must adhere to the Florida FBLA dress code established by the Florida Board of Directors or they will not be permitted participate in the competitive event.

Recognition

·         The number of competitors will determine the number of winners. The maximum number of winners for each competitive event is 5.

Event Administration

·         Test Duration: 30 minutes.
·         This event is an objective test administered at the SLC.
·         No reference or study materials may be brought to the testing site.
·         No calculators may be brought into the testing site.

Tie Breaker

·         Ties are broken by comparing the correct number of answers to the last 10 questions on the test. If a tie remains, answers to the last 20 questions on the test will be reviewed to determine the winner. If a tie remains, the competitor who completed the test in a shorter amount of time will place higher.
·         Results announced at the State Leadership Conference are considered official and will not be changed after the conclusion of the State Leadership Conference.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

·         FBLA complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by providing reasonable accommodations for competitors. Accommodation requests must be submitted through the conference registration system by the official registration deadline. All requests will be reviewed, and additional documentation may be required to determine eligibility and appropriate support.

Penalty Points

·         Competitors may be disqualified if they violate the Competitive Event Guidelines or the Honor Code.

Electronic Devices

·         Unless approved as part of a documented accommodation, all cell phones, watches, electronic devices, and headphones must be turned off and stored away before the competition begins. Visible devices during the event will be considered a violation of the FBLA Honor Code.

National

If you are competing on the National level, be sure to see National guidelines at https://www.fbla.org/divisions/fbla-middle-level/competitive-events/

Study Guide: Competencies  

This study guide shows the skills and knowledge you’ll be tested on for this event. Objectives followed by a two-letter, three-digit code in parentheses are based on the National Business Administration Standards from MBA Research and Curriculum Center. Some objectives also reference MBA Research's Learning Activity Packages (LAPs)—resources with readings, activities, and assessments to help you learn. For more information, visit MBAResearch.org/FBLA.

Marketing Fundamentals (10 test items)

1. Describe marketing functions and related activities (MK:002, LAP-MK-002) (CS)

2. Explain marketing and its importance in a global economy (MK:001, LAP-MK-901) (CS)

3. Explain the concept of market and market identification (MP:003, LAP-MP-003) (CS)

4. Explain the concept of marketing strategies (MP:001, LAP-MP-001) (CS)

5. Explain employment opportunities in marketing (PD:024, LAP-PD-024) (CS)

Product/Service Management (5 test items)

1. Explain the nature and scope of the product/service management function (PM:001, LAP-PM-001) (SP)

2. Describe the uses of grades and standards in marketing (PM:019, LAP-PM-019) (CS)

3. Explain warranties and guarantees (PM:020, LAP-PM-920) (CS)

Channel Management (5 test items)

1. Explain the nature and scope of channel management (CM:001, LAP-CM-001) (CS)

2. Explain the nature of channels of distribution (CM:003, LAP-CM-003) (CS)

Marketing-Information Management (5 test items)

1. Describe the need for marketing data (IM:012, LAP-IM-012) (CS)

2. Identify data monitored for marketing decision making (IM:184, LAP-IM-184) (SP)

3. Explain the nature and scope of the marketing-information management function (IM:001, LAP-IM-001) (SP)

Pricing (5 test items)

1. Explain the nature and scope of the pricing function (PI:001, LAP-PI-001) (SP)

2. Explain factors affecting pricing decisions (PI:002, LAP-PI-902) (SP)

3. Promotion (5 test items)

4. Explain the role of promotion as a marketing function (PR:001, LAP-PR-901) (CS)

5. Explain the types of promotion (i.e., institutional, product) (PR:002, LAP-PR-902) (CS)

6. Identify the elements of the promotional mix (PR:003, LAP-PR-903) (SP)

Selling (15 test items)

1. Explain the nature and scope of the selling function (SE:017, LAP-SE-017) (CS)

2. Explain the selling process (SE:048, LAP-SE-048) (CS)

3. Explain the role of customer service as a component of selling relationships (SE:076, LAP-SE-076) (CS)

4. Acquire product information for use in selling (SE:062, LAP-SE-062) (CS)

5. Acquire knowledge of client’s products/brands (SE:360) (CS)

6. Explain company selling policies (SE:932, LAP-SE-932) (CS)