Being a Business major, the importance of critical thinking has been continually stressed. We are encouraged to read between the lines to uncover the underlying issues at hand. Being able to go beyond the content at the surface and analyze the deeper meaning of any given issue is a skill that is vital to success in the real world. Marketing incorporates the skill of critical analysis with the ability to think creatively. Marketing courses at PLU have taught me how to use my creativity to create awareness, interest, desire, and action; an ability that is vital in the marketing world. Through my Marketing Research course I was able to demonstrate my abilities in these areas. In a group of three, we were paired with a local business who needed help in growing her business. This project required creativity,and teamwork to develop marketing strategies to address this issue. After conducting intense marketing research, critical analysis of the results was required in order to provide our client with beneficial recommendations. Below is a link to our final project: