Your initial meeting with your new boss went very well and you are now working in a department that supports the company's strategic planning for growth in the industry. Your department head has asked you to do research from a newcomer's perspective to inform existing company marketing directions. He has asked you to write a short paper detailing the three top trends in the industry and focus on what you think is the most important issue in these trends. He is hoping to use your research to position your department to launch a new strategic plan.

This is your first real task and you are excited and a little nervous about the assignment. You think you have a sense of the industry but know you need to do more research to be accurate in your analysis. The ability to spot trends in your industry is an important skill, and your boss wants to spend energy and capital on new growth areas, products, and services. Writing for Entrepreneur, Spader (2007) offers ideas about how to Spot the Latest Trends.

Your assignment is to produce an essay of 1,000-1,300 words in which you identify three trends in your industry, discuss them briefly, and then focus on a single issue that is especially important. You are to provide citations for at least SIX RESOURCES. These should be a mix of journal articles from the UMUC library, and pertinent and valid websites or online materials pertaining to your trends. You will cite your sources' ideas properly in correct APA format.

Your headings will follow this general pattern:

Your paper's short title (First level heading) (This will precede your introductory paragraph. Please refer to sample.)

Top Trends in the _____ Industry (Second level heading)

An important emerging issue (and what it means in context to the industry) (Second level heading)

Conclusions (First level heading)

References (On a new page, centered, not bold)