Bringing Truth, Joy, and Eternity into the Classroom: Using Perfume to Teach Introductory Marketing

Abstract

This paper explains how to reinforce the teaching of basic marketing concepts through a simple group experiential exercise. After dividing the class into small groups, the exercise involves spraying perfume on students’ wrists and instructing each group to develop a marketing plan that targets the segment of the market that they consider to best fit the perfume product. The paper clearly outlines how to prepare and run the exercise, some perfumes that the instructor might consider using, and what students will learn about marketing through the exercise. The paper concludes with some ideas on how to integrate our Christian faith into the learning experience.