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Market Research

4 posts
  1. Rodney Crow
    Rodney Crow avatar
    0 posts
    11/28/2011 10:11 AM
    This question is for all of you that have had to do your CGCS portfolio. I have 2 sections left to complete, and one of them is the "Market Place" (or market research) skills statement. What information did you guys include in this section other than the obvious competition numbers? Thanks in advance!



  2. Andy Jorgensen
    Andy Jorgensen avatar
    1 posts
    11/28/2011 11:11 AM
    Just sent mine in last week....

    First question I ask is, have you taken the class at the GIS "Preparing Your Way to Certification" yet? A great class, but it also answers lots of questions you might have. One of the items they give you is the booklet that has specific examples for each set of Skill Statements. I took that, then formulated my own response after reviewing the local competition, and even included competition from outside our local marketplace that also vies for our golfer's attention. I also included how we are set apart and what we do to attract golfers from the competition. Also included a statement about where we would be down the road in relation to the other courses in the area.

    Like I said, I just sent mine off and obviously haven't heard back from them yet. So I might be completely wrong in my response!



  3. Rodney Crow
    Rodney Crow avatar
    0 posts
    11/28/2011 1:11 PM
    Thanks for your reply, Andy! Yes, I took the class this past year and it has been very helpful. I just didn't want to rely too heavily on the example materials because I was trying to keep my submissions as original as possible.



  4. Andy Jorgensen
    Andy Jorgensen avatar
    1 posts
    11/28/2011 1:11 PM
    Agreed. However, I felt the example was very broad in nature and could have used some elaborating. I found that I was including as much information as possible in all of my responses, which sometimes got very lengthy, but was a suitable response.

    For this specific question, my response was probably much longer and detailed than others. We have many, many courses in our area that are similar to us that are all vying for the same potential homebuyer/golfer. Our local area is home to 25+ courses, so our competition is large. Some Superintendent's might have one course in the area that is considered competition. However, I didn't rule out any course, as in today's economy, we are vying for the same golfer that would spend $55 here or go down the road for $15.

    Good luck with the process! I have to say that completing the portfolio was one of the most rewarding things I have done in a long time. I have learned so much about myself, my company and the industry as a whole by completing it. I am also thankful for a very paper-oriented, process following Human Resources Director that insist we have several of the required documentation already in place. Several of the topics were cut and paste. Not sure I would have had such an easy time with some of the sections had she not been up my butt all these years getting me to complete job descriptions, reviews, etc... I did get discouraged along the way, but hammered it out and am now eagerly waiting for the review of the material to come back.



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