Using Military Strategy to Teach Marketing Strategy: Preparing Students for the Global Economy

Young Americans have a distinct knowledge deficit regarding history, culture, and geography (Hess, 2008; National Geographic, 2006) that is so severe that they “lack even the most basic skills for navigating the international economy” (National Geographic 2006, p. 7). This manuscript provides an outline for a marketing strategy course that is designed to address these deficits. By applying concepts from military strategy to marketing strategy – with a strong emphasis on historical and geographical literacy – students achieve a deeper understanding of marketing strategy and a more flexible use of strategic principles across a variety of contexts, time frames, and national boundaries.