Monthly Archives: January 2023

First Assignment of the semester:

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The thoughts behind the first task!

So far into this semester it has been an intense start to understand the new challenges and opportunities we are having to complete. At the beginning of the semester in the module digital marketing it was a structured plan to understand how to abstract the strengths and weaknesses from an assigned article to then construct it into feedback. This formed it’s own challenges as we had to develop new analytical skills, I found that this article:  ‘https://www.modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/2643/An-Overview-of-the-Analytical-Thinking-and-Problem-Solving-Soft-Skill.aspx’ created a well balanced ideology on how to approach an article with the analytical thinking behind it and allow us as students to venture further within the task to understand how these variables can contribute to a final product.

Further from this, it took commitment with this assignment compared to a typical essay. Being able to construct and analyse information takes longer to process to then explain it within the assignment. For me I had to work and take intermediate breaks to allow myself to still be engaged and understand what my next steps were. This assignment taught me how to plan my next steps and understand that these assignments take time to not only complete but to process and understand.

In one of the seminars, we were understanding how to analyse websites to further help not only with the current assignment of task one but the future assignment task 2 where we would be designing an infographic as well as completing a final blog. Understanding what attracts users to a website is important but today it was the analytical thinking of how it could be made better. Especially applying the trends of the modern market place to a company that is selling books and how they would compete with big producers such as Amazon and Waterstones.

After all the work that I have put in for this first assignment I hope the further reading and understanding will help contribute to a successful year. Keeping what I have learnt so far about analytical thinking will help provide support for my future tasks.

 

Task 1 and Task 2:

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During this module we have been challenged with three tasks, this being the third and an analytical task for the first as well as a digital marketing plan in the form as an infographic as the second.

Task 1: Being able to implement analytical thinking which we had been taught in the seminars was a difficult action to achieve as it told me to slow down when trying to analyse an assigned article and understanding what it told us and more importantly what it didn’t. This lead to a lot of questions being emerged and how as marketing students we would fill in the blanks. During this first task we had to apply a SWOT framework to segment the article and easily identify each element. 

This SWOT analysis framework helped me identify the main components when challenged with the analytical task and how I can use this framework especially to my advantage. Thinking in this strategic way was a challenge but eventually I was able to overcome it.

SWOT website I found helpful: https://www.mindtools.com/amtbj63/swot-analysis

Task 2: For our second task we were challenged with the task to create a digital marketing plan through an infographic. This I found especially difficult as I was using a new design platform called CANVAS where it would help construct that visually pleasing digital plan to help direct information across efficiently without the detail of a standard marketing plan. Throughout this challenge it was especially difficult to combine the creative elements alongside the standard data application, as if two foreign worlds were colliding in one task.

Here is a snapshot of the SOSTAC lecture specialising on tactics: This was one of the main frameworks I also implemented into mainly my first and second task to be able to use this as another form of analytical thinking:

Lecture: Tactics - SOSTAC

Task 3: Finally, the final task this blog! it is significant the broad horizon these tasks have covered. From analytical thinking to design to now opinion and reflection. This blog has provided it’s own challenges as well, so does every task. But these blogs have helped overcome a lot of these challenges as well as teaching myself more about my own thoughts and opinions which were almost taken over with the analytical thinking of the first task!

Final thoughts:

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This whole experience of creating a blog as well as achieving an infographic has brought both challenges and opportunities to expand my knowledge and skills. I feel confident in apply my skills to create future infographics and digital marketing plans in my potential future career. Applying the DEIP framework of building on from my mistakes has allowed me to except my mistakes and move on from them and be confident when applying these skills.

My Skills

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I have been able to update my skills if you like with the modern way to create an infographic with the use of the website CANVAS to help design and construct my second task. With the ability to now create these digital marketing plans through an infographic framework will allow me to apply this to future assignments as well as in the business industry:

Analytical thinking has also been a major skill I have developed through this module, as I now think twice before writing or executing a point. Thinking from both perspectives as well as understanding where these perspectives may have originated from.

I have always been a creative writer to having to critically write has brought challenges of it’s own, but especially with the tasks I have been able to implement new frameworks such as: SOSTAC, SMART as well as SWOT and PESTEL which I have carried through since my first year on the course. Creatively carrying these critical writing skills in has been a challenge however, with the application of DEIP I have been able to reflect and learn how to achieve it.

Challenges and Opportunities

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When confronted with these new assignments and new formats to use it was daunting to start. Despite the help given you will never understand a website or format until you play and understand for yourself how it works. I struggle with the change of using a new format such as CANVAS for task 2 and even this blogging format for this current task.

Despite this, after learning from my mistakes and reflecting on how to improve and learn (DEIP) it became evident that as long as I remind dedicated it would work out. After hours spent understanding these formats I can now use them to my ability, I am not saying I am a master! But I can definitely do the basics which is always a key building ground for expertise.

DEIP:

DEIP step by step

Using DEIP has been a massive influence from Boud, Keogh and Walker. Their format to help not only reflect on my own work and learn but to do it from others as well. This has been a great way to improve my work and apply it to others as well.

I used this reflective writing website to further my understanding of DEIP:  https://human.libretexts.org/Courses/Lumen_Learning/Book%3A_English_Composition_1_(Lumen)/01%3A_Success_Skills/1.18%3A_Reflective_Writing