Friday, 28 April 2017

MARKETING PRINCIPLES (SM8)

Introduction

Marketing is an essential part of business that needs to be done suitably for ensuring profitable results in business. It is important that business ventures need to adopt different principles for marketing that are unique. This will help in gaining competitive advantages in both international as well as local market. Every business enterprise had to understand their position in market before undertaking any ethics for businesses. Competition has to be suitably maintained in order to for attaining success in business. For convincing customers and creating brand awareness among them, companies need to develop new processes of marketing. This will help in maintaining their position in market. In this study, organisations like Vodafone UK and Starbucks are being taken as an example for understanding processes of marketing. In what way, marketing mix is being conducted for gaining advantages in competition are also clearly depicted in following study.

Task 1

1.1 Explaining several elements of marketing process

In the opinion of Sheth and Sisodia (2015, p.45), the different tactics are applied for marketing the product by the company. Starbuck is a famous Coffee maker whose business factor is analysed as follows:
The first factor is to analyse the situation of market. Here, situation refers to the perception of customer toward the product. The Starbuck has analysed that the process of making product should be present in front of public, so their belief about the transparency of policy of the company become stronger. Therefore they advertised about their manufacturing process on their website in a brief manner.
As considered by Frederiksen et al. (2013, p.17), the loyalty of company should be known to people and the service they provide should be customer oriented. The customer should not get the feeling that company is trying to sell the product for their own profit. Thus, the psychology of customer should be understood by the sales executive. There is one point where a customer is compelled to think about purchasing the product.
Some element is mentioned in the given context where a sales person can pressurize customer by telling the deadline of the low price of a product and also mentioning the comfort of the person has relation with customer. As considered by Armstrong et al. (2014, p.67), personal needs of customer play an important role for the sales person when he is selling the product, but he has to inter relate the benefit of product with customer need.
In the opinion of Nowak et al. (2015, p.2406), market research analysis is another important element for to give the feedback of customer’s needs. Once the analysis of market has taken place, the next thing comes in the picture is approach toward the undesired customer. Nowadays, sales world has expanded its wing to everywhere that even people are aware of the traditional way of selling. So, rather hard core selling of the product, an executive should make good relationship with the customer for a long run.

1.2 Evaluating benefits and costs of marketing orientation for a venture

In the opinion of Walker (2014, p.17), marketing orientation comprises of those strategies which would lead to a good relationship with a customer and increase their profitability margin. It becomes important for the organization to evaluate the cost and benefit of a product. These two terms are interrelated to each other. As considered by Cooke and Dayton (2015, p.132), the customer always wants the best quality of the product so that his expenditure on a product will be useful. In the mentioned context, the hard core selling for gaining the profit and selling the car as per the comfort of a customer are explained nicely. The theory is applicable for the organisation also.
In the opinion of Challagalla et al. (2014, p.15), there is two type of company who sell the product for gaining the profit and selling the product for customer satisfaction. Evaluation of cost includes cost of designing the product, product quality, transportation charges and service tax etc. The customer will appreciate company’s product if he is satisfied with its usage. Sometime company increase the quality of product to reach the customer desire but it has to increase the cost as well. Above context also explain that if the sales executive is selling for gaining profit only and customer understand seller perception then information about this strategy of a company will be distributed by the customer to his relative and friend lead to the bad name of an organisation.   

Task 2

2.1 Macro as well as micro environment factors affecting decisions of marketing

Macro elements affecting decision of marketing: Starbuck, which has started its journey from 1971, become able to establish itself in the market of UK. The dynamic nature of market with changing time has to be analysed with the help of market analyst. Starbuck has started a program of getting reward points earn from expenditure by a customer and from that points, he/she will get free drink and food. This methodology will attract that customer who spends more money or they are very rich. The market is flooded with people who earn average and spend limited. These people become a macro factor that can influence Starbuck’s business. Technology becomes one important element for the growth of an organisation. Starbuck already has taken the help of social network i.e. Facebook, for declaring about the points and reward. Therefore, by a social network, a company has increased the consumption of its product.
In the opinion of Hastings and Domegan (2013, p.14), the geographical element of some place is an important reason for the business of an organisation. The organisation should aware of the fact whether its product has been used in the rural area also. That would enhance the business with new experience of what people of a rural area like in the product.
The age of people also affects the business of the organisation because of their choices in the product. An old person might not like much the hot coffee, because of health issue. It is a responsibility of organisation to plan their services as per the age of people. 
The employee, investor, and shareholder of an organisation are the micro element which influences the business of a company. An employee of a company sells the product, deal with customer and handle the management team, so they influence the economic condition of the organisation. The company has to hire a skilled worker, in case company is dealing with high technical business, has to give high salary to their employee. 
The competitor company increases the demand of customer about the product with its quality and benefit. Thus, the satisfaction level of customer increases which put the organisation in pressure. 

2.2 Proposing segmentation processes for products in markets

In the opinion of McNeil et al. (2015, p.93), the segmentation has a different form. Usually, a market can be segmented socio economically, demographically, geographically and psycho graphically. The best example is segmentation of Starbuck who analysed the market in a proper way. The socio-economic segmentation is a division of market-based on the financial status of people and their income. The business of Starbuck will grow if he sells his product without confining itself, prosperous people. It should put some small shop around the city so that average earning people can take their services. In the opinion of Dubuisson (2013, p.685), demographic segmentation is dividing the market based on gender, community. Therefore, when Starbuck is expanding its business outside of UK then it has to understand the taste of people of that particular community toward the product.
The psycho graphically division of market is most important and complex element for an organisation to implement. The company understands or analyse the thinking of people toward a product, what kind of attitude they are possessing for the services of a company.

2.3 Choosing target strategy for particular product or service

In order to accomplish the target, an organisation is making some strategies for attracting its customer and increases the consumption of its good and profitability. It has already discussed earlier about the segmentation of Starbucks. This itself is a form of strategy. Starbuck should start the Happy Hour scheme for its consumer and it should be like that if some customer is taking coffee in between 4 pm to 6 pm then he will get the 20 to 25 percent discount. This 20 to 25 discount will vary with the last three-month relationship of a customer with Starbuck.
This has already mentioned that segmenting the market is a form of strategy to attract the customer. Starbuck should start their business all over the world without confining itself in the barrier of border and community. Many Asian countries have good market for coffee, so the company should invest in this market for expanding the business. The company through website and social network inform its consumer and other people about the new changes take place in their product.

2.4 Demonstrating in what way, behavior of purchaser impacts on marketing activities

In the opinion of Kim et al. (2014, p.42), there are different kind of behavior a customer possesses toward the organisation and its product. Consumer behavior affects the strategy of the company and the quality of a product. As considered by Migliori et al. (2014, p.91), consumer behavior varies as per his lifestyle, geography and past experience with an organisation. The product consumption increases, for example, the rate of Starbuck’s coffee decrease, the people who urged to drink coffee in the past but not able to buy because of its high cost, would suddenly go to consume the Starbuck product. Their behavior would change suddenly because of a rate of coffee, motivate more people to attach with an organisation and enhance their business.  Past experience of a customer has the taste of the services of organisation and updating themselves with information of a company. These old customer sometime do investment with an organisation and become the shareholder of a company.
The family of consumer and his background influences the business of a company. A person would not entertain the product if he has no knowledge about the product. Suppose Starbucks has a business of coffee but it is unique from coffee normally made in a small shop, so if a person is lacking in knowledge then he will compare Starbuck coffee with street coffee and his approach will also be like that.

2.5 Proposing new positioning for a particular product

According to Johnston and Marshall (2016, p.669), Positioning of products need to be done in such a way that it will help in gaining extra benefits in business. Starbucks has launched new services of Happy Hours, where people will get huge amount of discount if they visit outlets of Starbucks at a particular time. Positioning of such services needs to be done suitably so that people get attracted and come to enjoy those services. Target market has been set for this service and it is positioned in every outlet of Starbucks in city. As a result, when people will get to know about such service, they will be eager to visit outlets of this company. Anderson et al.  (2014, p.210) commented that target market needs to access new product or service that are initiated by any venture. Based on this, products or services are required to be placed in market.
Young generation has been targeted for this service that is why; positioning of such service is being done right in that time when youth can access it. This will help in attaining extra advantages in business and competitive advantages can be gained easily by this entity. Positioning strategy is completely based upon demand and requirements of customers. This company has considered these criteria so that satisfaction can be provided to people in large amount. This will help in maximising profits of this company and build a good reputation in front of customers. Moreover, proper positioning will lead to gain loyalty of users towards this brand (Starbucks Coffee Company, 2017).

Task 3

3.1 Explaining in what way products are developed for sustaining advantages of competition

Being a marketing manager of HSBC, it is significant that products of bank need to be developed in such a way, that it would help in sustaining competition in market. Different innovative and creative services, as well as wide range of products, are required to be provided to people in order to gain their attention. Financial products of HSBC includes home loans, insurance, net banking and ATM facilities. These products have to be developed in such a way that people finds interest in using these services. Munar et al.  (2014, p.386) mentioned that product design has to be done in an attractive way for attracting customers towards a particular venture. In products of HSBC, unlimited longevity is provided so that attention of people can be sought successfully.
Moreover, needs of customers, their demands and expectations are required to be understood so that extra advantages can be gained in businesses. This bank can provide several types of account facilities for people that would help to indulge more customers under their services. It is important for every enterprise to improve their products quality in accurate way so that competition can be maintained (Walker, 2014, p.6). This bank can provide variety of loans for house construction, buying lands and apartments. In addition to this, it can provide business loans for different business houses at easy installment scheme. As a result, it leads to provide people with every modern banking facility that would ease work process of people. In this way, if up gradation in services is done, competition can be easily sustained in business sectors (Hsbc.co.uk, 2017).

3.2 Describing in what way, arrangement of distribution is done for providing convenience to customers

As per Kaski et al.  (2017, p.700), services and products is required to be distributed evenly so that every person can be linked with those services. This bank needs to distribute their products in almost every branch of this bank. Moreover, new branches can be opened up that will assist people to use these services properly. Moreover, net banking, as well as net banking facilities, can be updated for placing such services for people. This bank can concentrate large numbers of commercial people, who will deal with this bank in large amounts. Therefore, profit, as well as competition, can be properly sustained in market.
Financial institution is a place that provides services by maintaining huge security and privacy (Kuvaas et al.  2015, p.11440). This bank needs to develop their security system and bring latest technology for securing accounts of people. In this way, if service distribution is done, it will lead to bring more satisfaction within customers. This will help in resolving any conflict in mind of people regarding any service. Moreover, accessibility of such services needs to be done at every point of city. If distribution is done over wider area, massive numbers of customers can be brought into services of this venture. Facilities need to be provided for each customer individually so that full usages of such service are done thereby, maintaining huge competition in market.
Figure 1: Marketing Mix
(Source: Kaski et al.  2017, p.700)

3.3 Explaining process of setting prices to show objectives of ventures

Toomey et al.  (2017, p.270) opined that for holding strong position in market, proper pricing strategy needs to be undertaken so that advantage can be gained. HSBC bank holds huge share in market because it has maintained reasonable pricing structure of their services and products in market. It has to deal with every obstacle of market tactfully and sustain inflation rate of market properly. While maintaining all these hurdles, this company has to know in what way, price need to be set so that profit, as well as competition, can be easily maintained. Huge control in market is set by this entity and it follows every guideline of UK financial sector properly.
It has kept reasonable rate of interest as well as provides different type of loans for people including home loans, business loans and personal loans. In addition to this, it has provided huge rate of interest for people, who are holder of life insurance of HSBC. Repayment process of loans has been set at a particular tenure so that people can easily repay their debt. Extra activity and function like advance payment of loan and replacement of loan are not being charged from people. This bank can develop their structure of price by adding premium deals in their work structure. This means people can get some subsidies when they repay their loan earlier. This will help in taking a big leap towards maintaining good competition in market.

3.4 Illustrating in what way, promotional activities are integrated to attain objectives of marketing

HSBC bank does not provide any gap while promoting their products in market as well as in front of people. Gallego et al.  (2014, p.220) commented that promotion activities need to be organised duly in order to encounter with more number of people. Since this bank has branches in many places across globe, promotional activities need to be effective so that it can be able to cover up such vast area. This company maintains their own catalogue of service, which has been designed in a creative way. Every person attached with this bank gets this catalogue after ending of a fiscal year. It promotes their services using commercials, messages and by delivering brochures to people, who visit branches of this bank.
This bank can uptake another innovative way of reaching people by placing different signboards in every portion of city. This will help people to know about their new services and find interest in those services. Moreover, it can display their terms and loan services in LED screens in every branch. This will help in attracting customers and place news regarding their services to existing customers also. Besides, staffs of this bank need to develop their communication process correctly so that they can influence users by their words. Moving service users towards a particular service can be done by uttering such words that can motivate people to use those services (Naim et al.  2015, p.5). This venture can uptake this process of promoting so that people can be easily brought under their services.

3.5 Analysing elements of extended marketing mix

In the opinion of Smith et al.  (2014, p.2455), extended marketing mix in another name of service marketing mix that includes another 3 P’s namely People, Process and Physical Evidence.
People: People are important part of marketing mix because people are that element, who defines every service (Smith et al.  2015, p.1175). In this bank, people play a vital role because every service has been incorporated in business only for people. Based on their expectations and demand, new and creative services are implemented. This helps in conducting business in a suitable manner thereby, uplifting this organisation into another level.
Process: As mentioned by Berk (2016, p.40), process can be stated as in what way, services are provided to customers. Quick services are provided by this financial corporation in order to maintain a good image in front of people. However, quality of services needs to determine accurately so that people cannot raise a complaint against them. This will lead to bring huge importance to services that are provided for people.
Physical Evidence: Oude Mulders et al.  (2016, p.450) claimed that physical evidence helps in ascertaining whether tangible or intangible services are provided to people. For creating satisfaction among users, elements that are tangible need to be provided with services. Intangible services are not seen but can be felt while using it. Similarly, this bank provides less interest rate for different category of people so that every section of people can use it suitably.
Figure 2: Extended Marketing Mix
(Source: Smith et al.  2015, p.1176)

Task 4

4.1 Planning marketing mix for separate segments in consumer markets for Vodafone UK

(Refer to PPT)
Marketing mix for two separate segments of customers in markets for Vodafone UK is shown properly (Vodafone.co.uk, 2017).
Segmentation of product
Product: Vodafone provides different types of products for customers in market like unlimited data, messages and voice call services. Basic aim of providing such products is enhancing satisfaction level of customers and maintains good competition in market.  Tariffs rates are also reduced so that every people can incline towards using services of this company.
Place: This Company has delivered services to different places in city and also in suburbs. It has also tried to reach people in rural areas thereby, providing them with quality services.
Promotion: Promotional activities of every company have to be very captivating for attracting a large customer base (Damian et al.  2015, p.85). This company uses every possible technique of promoting their products. In order to gain trust of people, it advertises their products in local market as well as international market.
Price: Price of products in Vodafone is set in such a way, that every section of people in society can use it. Along with that, it has maintained reasonable price rate for unlimited calling and data services. Moreover, service quality did not degrade when cost rate was reduced by this venture. Huge competition is maintained in market.
Service Segment
Physical Evidence: Vodafone UK has installed its cables all over cities and has provided its services properly. It has opened up different stores in cities as well as rural areas in order to provide quality services to people.
Processes: Business processes of this entity are very smooth so that queries of customers can be solved properly.
People: People are given huge importance in workplace of Vodafone. Employees, who can deliver quality services to people, are recruited in Vodafone. Satisfaction of customers is also guaranteed by providing them with high-quality services.

4.2 Elucidating differences in products marketing to businesses instead of consumers for Vodafone UK

(Refer to PPT)
Frauendorfer and Mast (2015, p.220) claimed that business to business marketing is not similar as that of business to customer marketing. In business to business marketing, transaction occurs between two different business entities. Vodafone manages their business to business transactions suitably so that strong result can be gained. Entities that seek services from Vodafone are provided with high-quality service in order to maintain proper terms and conditions of business. This company provides service via wire line that is not limited within geographical boundaries of a country. Wireless communication process of this venture is very developed thereby, enhancing business to business marketing of this venture. This bears requirements of internet of other enterprises and delivers them with quality services. This adds great advantages to business of Vodafone. As opined by Ruben (2015, p.110), in B2B transactions, potential quality services need to be achieved in order to attain trust and loyalty of other brands. Vodafone provides services at minimal cost and risk related to those services are very less. This helps in operating properly in business arena and gaining notable advantages in business units.

4.3 Showing in what way and why international marketing of Vodafone differs from that domestic marketing

(Refer to PPT)
Domestic as well as international marketing are two different segments of marketing where marketing norms differs a lot (Nowak et al.  2015, p.4204). There are many areas like possibility, obstacles, earnings and expertise that differ a lot in case of marketing in these two segments.
International marketing
Domestic Marketing
International market provides Vodafone with immense opportunities to expand their business successfully. 
Chances of expansion in domestic market are not as high as that of international market.
When ventures market their products in global market, they have to face huge problem (Walker, 2014, p.6). This venture too had to face different problem while conducting business in this sector.
In national market, there is no such barrier that business sectors have to face while executing their business in this market.
Margin of profit is very high in global market.
Margin of profit is not high in domestic market and actual costs of products need to be kept reasonable.
Use of modern technology can be done in international market.
Local markets use traditional technology in comparison to that of global marketing.
Table 1: Difference in International as well as Domestic marketing
(Source: Cooke and Dayton, 2015, p.132)

Conclusion

The study shows that in what way, marketing principles can prove beneficial for any business house. It is important for every individual sector to maintain suitable competition in market. This adds glory to business enterprises and a huge recognition among people. However, it is required that people had to be treated properly while delivering services to them. This will lead to creating a brand awareness among them, which can be considered as a competitive advantage for business sectors. Different strategies need to be developed for better execution of businesses. In order to attract customers, marketing strategies need to be very appealing so that people can be involved under such services. Satisfying every individual purchaser is aim and objective of every business. This will lead to maximise profits of business and gain competitive advantage in business scenario. However, objectives of companies need to be followed accordingly for enhancing profit margin of every business firm.

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