MBA PROGRAMME
JUNE, 2013 | | |
Background
In the mid-70s, Mark Juarez, an American combined work with studies when he studied marketing in California, USA. Mark practiced marketing in a sales company for about 2 years and felt dissatisfied with his job after which he quitted.
In search of job satisfaction, he travelled to Europe and worked odd jobs, after which he returned to the US where he started a landscaping company, which he later abandoned and travelled to Germany.
In 1987 while in Germany, Mark took interest in massaging and with the encouragement of a massage teacher, he learnt the trade as an apprentice in a massage school.
In just a year he became a massage therapist and eventually a teacher in the school.
With the experience gathered, Mark learned that the traditional techniques of massaging were tiring to the hands and were indeed the cause of “carpal tunnel syndrome”, a painful illness of the hands and forearms among massage therapist.
We are going to use CODS in the analysis of this case.
CODS is a planning tool or method used in evaluating businesses and products, etc.
C = Challenges
O = Opportunities
D = Developmental Need
S = Strength
CHALLENGES
* The old way of massaging was very painful. * Many massage therapists developed carpal tunnel syndrome, a painful illness of the hands and forearms. * Seeking a patent to protect his design. * Lack of capital.
OPPORTUNITIES * Mark dreamt of an idea that could aid in the massage work. * Product had good acceptance. * Possibility of adding sensors. * He