Strategy in Marketing

The concept of selling something to some one when that someone doesn't really want to buy it, the concept always looks appealing. It tells you that "DUDE, you have SOME convincing power". :)
Well, I never thought that I was any good at it, not that I think that now, nor did I ever think that I would have any affinity about this subject.

After coming to this place, I thought what the hell, lets explore this field as well. And then I saw Kotler!!! :shocked:
A massive book with almost no concession for human beings. It talks about humans in a way which will put even the insomniacs to sleep and talks about interesting stuff in such a dull, dreary and monotonous manner that most of the junta will shy away from the subject altogether.

So the question which now arises is... Lets say your teacher of the subject isn't all that great (I am not saying mine isn't.... he is kinda awesome) then what the hell do you do so as to acquaint yourself with the subtle nuances of the subject so as to excel in the coming future???

I found an answer today... Well, in our college we had a F#%$^&g 12 hour session in operating a software called "markstrat".
I had been dreading this event for so many days now. Imagine, spending the weekend studying in the most rigorous way possible, and that too with loads of assignments piling up on your head!!!

When I went to the place,I found that the software ACTUALLY simulated a market of Monopolistic competition quite well. You are given a few products to start with... and they are already positioned in a way. You represent a marketing division of a firm which allots you some budget to spend in spreading the Brand awareness etc (u know the jargon rite???).

What you do is actually change the production levels, order reports form the market, make suppositions about the companies in the industry in which you are also there (application of game theory if you want :) ), and do loads of stuff you didn't think you would be able to do until the time you came to a high position in the hierarchial ladder in a hot shot organisation.

And it was SO GOOD.. You could also see the results of the decisions made in an hour from when u did make them. Each of the sessions, generally an hour each, was an year in the "MarkStrat world". Also the currency in which we were trading was MarkStrat Dollars!! :)

All in all, in case you are from a Bskool and this is the first time you are hearing of this particular tool... All I will request you to do is go out and ask your marketing prof to indulge u guys in such kind of an activity at least once and year..
It was so AWESOME today... WOW :)