The findings from this case study suggest that a preferred balancing work and family program would involve a modest time investment, be low cost, and involve the workplace, the community, and family members. The program would teach personal, resource management, meal planning and relationship skills that would help participants address their work family concerns. The material would be packaged in a variety of user-friendly scarce family time. The program would be promoted primarily through personal means. Montana Extension's Balancing Work and Family program, developed along these lines, is currently in its early implementation stages.
Questions remain regarding the utility of a marketing approach in program development.
Clearly this is the case in the consumer product industry. This is less clear in terms of educational program development. Businesses which ignore consumer needs die soon. We suspect that programs not designed to meed specific needs of the target population will also. Return to home page For more information, contact Stephen F. Duncan , MSU Health and Human Development, Herrick Hall, Bozeman, MT 59717.