Q Situation Analysis: The purpose of this individually written assignment is to learn about business and industry by using and aggregating relevant information from our online database library. This assignment will also help you develop the background and situation analysis for your marketing plan. The tools you'll learn through this assignment will be invaluable not only for this class, but as you proceed through the program. YOU WILL NOT PASS THE COURSE WITHOUT TURNING IN YOUR SITUATION ANALYSIS Required elements of the Situation Analysis • Brief history and background of the company including current customers (no more than a page). • Industry analysis, trends, growth, main competitors. This is an analysis of the industry as a whole, not just the company you are researching. (Use textbook as your example) • SWOT analysis. (table format - YOUR analysis, not sourced. Again, use textbook as your example) • The paper should end with a marketing recommendation based on YOUR secondary research findings and analysis of the situation - like you would make if YOU were the consultant. • You MUST research one of the companies listed below using at least five (5) properly cited references from our online database library. If you choose to cite information from the company's website, this is considered a 6th reference. You are not allowed to use Wikipedia or blogs, or other editable internet cites as citations. • You must use APA reference and style format for full credit - including title page & section headings. • No more than four pages of content, double-spaced. (Does NOT include Title or Reference pages) • A late paper will not be accepted; however, you will have until 11:30 p.m. on the due date to submit it. Otherwise, you'll get a zero. • If the content of the paper is poorly developed or if the paper is poorly written, referenced, punctuated and/or grammatically insufficient, it will be returned without a passing grade. You will then have the option to re-write the paper but the highest grade you can receive for the re-write is a C (you can receive less than a C). You will have five days to submit the re-written paper. If the paper is still insufficient after the second pass, you'll receive no credit for the assignment. All second attempts or re-writes need to be requested and approved by me within five (5) days of the grade posting. • If a paper has been plagiarized in any way, you'll receive no credit, no second chance. • Companies to choose from: o The Toro Company – either mowers or snowthrowers o Dell o Caterpillar o Entegris Situation Analysis will NOT be accepted unless you submit the company name (from above list) to the Assignments Folder by Due Date.