This document provides the instructions for Assignment 1 which asks students to discuss factors influencing strategy development in changing economic times. Students are to write an initial response of approximately 300 words discussing three topics: 1) key factors for establishing product differentiation in a post-recession environment, 2) whether luxury goods marketers should abandon premium pricing, and 3) how shifts in societal attitudes affect how consumer goods marketers view the customer value chain. Students must then review and comment on at least two peers' responses by a specified date. The assignment will be graded based on the thoughtfulness of the initial response, participation in peer discussions, and writing quality and use of citations.