EDITORIAL: MARKETING – A DYNAMIC CAREER CHOICE

Marketing is an art as well as a science! Studying it is the science - practising it is the art.

There is literally a niche in marketing for everyone. If you're more analytical, you'll love research and strategy, if you're more creative, you'll be attracted to the creative side of promotion. If you're a bubbly people's person you'll find your place in public relations or services marketing. If you're a fusion of both the analytical and the creative, you'll enjoy diversifying and/or specialising in one of the countless disciplines of marketing, with career path opportunities second to none. Boring? Never!

But, the relevant education and experience to apply a wide range or marketing techniques, and the right skills, ability and imagination are fundamental to your success as a professional marketer.

Marketing encourages independent and critical thinking. It stimulates that passion to solve problems, it challenges your mind to be creative and innovative – all qualities that inspired Innocentia Mfusi to study towards a career in marketing.

Marketing wasn't a difficult choice for me," said Mfusi. "The Diploma in Marketing from the IMM Graduate School of Marketing provides an internationally recognised qualification, and at level six on the National Qualifications Framework, is highly respected and recognised by organisations. IMM GSM graduates are in demand by industry. And, with the value and practical component of the diploma you can confidently enter the job market as the programme provides an understanding of the functional areas of business management, such as Business Law and Business Communication, with a strong focus on the different aspects of marketing."

"As a true marketer, I have learnt that I can meet the significant need to work under pressure and work well with people. Success in marketing also depends on the fact that you need to be a good communicator and be able to utilise relevant techniques to achieve and be effective in your marketing role, ensuring a meaningful process in delivering the brand identity. Marketing encompasses all the activities and procedures essential to meet customers' needs, at the right price, time and place."

"Having attained my qualification, I have grown imm ensely – not only personally, but also in my job, having started as a student advisor and consultant at the IMM Graduates School of Marketing, I now co-ordinate the company's marketing activities."

"I have a commitment and desire to achieve, to help those around me. And seeing others succeed in their marketing education is most rewarding. One of the seven ‘Ps' of the marketing strategy is p eople - understanding them and their personal, cultural, social and psychological profiles is essential to meet their needs."

"Besides the fact that I attend as many short courses to keep abreast of the industry, my marketing education isn't going to stop there. I have a passion to ‘learn so much more'. I intend studying towards a Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing – as I said, it's about challenging my mind, being a provider of solutions."

To provide more information about marketing as a career, the IMM GSM in Berea , Durban , will be hosting an Open Day on Saturday 30 June from 9am to 1pm. Consultants will be available to discuss the various IMM marketing programmes and study and career options. For further information call 0861 IMM GSM or visit www.imm.co.za.

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Issued by: Kathy Mumford

On behalf of: The IMM Graduate School of Marketing

For further information: Kindly contact Kathy Mumford

on 011 628 2000

Date: 18 June 2007

Ref: Success Story Innocentia KZN