What actually is marketing? Many people think of marketing as only sales and advertising because every day we are bombarded with TV commercials, flyers, catalogues, sales calls, and commercial e-mail. However, selling and advertising are only one element of marketing. Today, marketing must be understood not in the old sense of making a sale but in a contemporary and holistic sense of satisfying customer needs. In this book the authors develop the Quintessential Marketing Arena by following the logic of the three major steps of the marketing process. Along this process they present the fourteen most important marketing instruments that occur during this process. Having read this book: You will have a basic understanding of marketing and the process of marketing management You will know the most important marketing instruments and how they interact You can develop your own marketing plan based on the Quintessential Marketing Arena

Having read this book: You will have a basic understanding of strategy and the process of strategic management. You will know the most important strategy tools (incl. the respective original literature) and how they interact. You will be aware of the focal areas and considerations of strategy in practice. You will be able to analyze and interpret business information with regard to the underlying strategic notions.

Successful business communication is more than simply speaking your client’s language. At the heart of all effective communication lies a fundamental understanding of human behavior. The natural result of globalization is a level of behaviors that we all share and expect. However, underneath this level are many other influencing factors. We tend to view the situation around us according to our own expectations which are often shaped by our cultural backgrounds. What happens, though, when our cultures are so different that the expectations collide? This book combines theory and practice in a way that helps you as a busy intercultural manager understand what others are communicating to you and those around you. We take apart real examples of intercultural business interaction and show you how deeply embedded cultural norms are found within a simple conversation. Then we offer you important tools and principles that you can use to improve your own intercultural business communication. After reading this book, you should have a good understanding of the basic culture types, and be able to identify most cultures based on the principles described here. Additionally, you will know which social issues, attitudes, and values appear even in the most rational business negotiation. Most importantly, your cultural awareness will help you build successful and lasting relationships with your clients across regional and global boundaries.

This book from the Quintessence series offers essential know-how on the theory and practice of sales, the main turnover and value driver of any business. Sales can be seen as the “front line” where key business successes are prepared and put into practice. Sales managers and salespeople, but also professionals from production, technology, and marketing will benefit from the concise presentation of the relevant topics. Having read this book, you should have a good understanding of the key stages of the sales process from acquiring new clients (or selling to old ones) to closing the deal, and be familiar with the most typical sales performance issues described here. Moreover, in order to create a strong sales environment, you will know which qualities are needed both by sales leaders and ideal salespersons, and how to build a winning sales team and a high-quality sales organisation. Finally, by applying the principles of sales-centric business management, you will be readily equipped for immediate and lasting sales success.

Imagine an Age of Exploration full of alchemy, human dissection, sea monsters, betrayal, torture, religious controversy, and magic. In Europe, the magic is thin, but at the edge of the world, where the stars reach down close to the Earth, wonders abound. This drives the bravest explorers to the alluring Western Ocean. Christopher Sinclair is an alchemist who cares only about one thing: quintessence, a substance he believes will grant magical powers and immortality. And he has a ship.