Chapter 5 Flashcards
If you mention distribution, many people will likely think of moving boxes through physical channels to distributors and retailers for sale to end-users.
DISTRIBUTION IN A SERVICE
CONTEXT
In services though, often there is nothing to move.
Experiences, performances, and solutions are not physically shipped and stored.
DISTRIBUTION IN A SERVICE
CONTEXT
Meanwhile, informational transactions are increasingly conducted via electronic
channels.
In a typical service sales cycle, distribution embraces three interrelated flows, which partially address the question of what is being distributed:
DISTRIBUTION IN A SERVICE
CONTEXT
WHAT IS BEING DISTRIBUTED?
In a typical service sales cycle, distribution embraces three interrelated flows, which partially address the question of what is being distributed:
- ________________________________ — distribution of information and promotion materials relating to the service offer.
The objective is to get the customer interested in buying the service.
Information and promotion flow
WHAT IS BEING DISTRIBUTED?
In a typical service sales cycle, distribution embraces three interrelated flows, which partially address the question of what is being distributed:
- __________________________ — reaching an agreement on the service features and configuration, and the terms of the offer, so that a purchase contract can be closed.
The objective is often to sell the right to use a service (e.g., sell a reservation or a ticket).
Negotiation flow
WHAT IS BEING DISTRIBUTED?
In a typical service sales cycle, distribution embraces three interrelated flows, which partially address the
**____________________— many services, especially those involving people processing or possession processing, require physical facilities for delivery.
Here, distribution strategy requires
development of a network of local sites. For information processing services, such as Internet banking and distance learning, the product flow can be via electronic channels, employing one or more centralized sites.
Product flow
WHAT IS BEING DISTRIBUTED
- The flow perspective on what is being distributed can relate to the ____________
as well as to supplementary services of the Flower of Service.
core service
WHAT IS BEING DISTRIBUTED
- Distinguishing between core and supplementary services is important, as
many core services require a ________________, which severely restricts
distribution.
physical location
WHAT IS BEING DISTRIBUTED
- For instance, a live performance of a Broadway show must take place at a
_________ in Manhattan (until it goes on tour).
theater
WHAT IS BEING DISTRIBUTED
However, many of the _____________ _________ can be distributed widely and
cost-effectively via other means.
supplementary services
HOW SHOULD SERVICES BE
DISTRIBUTED?
Does the service or the firm’s positioning strategy require customers to be in direct ____________ with its personnel, equipment, and facilities?
physical contact
HOW SHOULD SERVICES BE
DISTRIBUTED?
(As we saw in Chapter 1, this is ___________ for people-processing services, but may not be necessary for other categories.)
If so, do customers have to visit the facilities of the service organization, or will the service organization send personnel and equipment to customers’ own sites?
unavoidable
HOW SHOULD SERVICES BE
DISTRIBUTED?
Alternatively, can ______________ between provider and customer be completed at arm’s length through the use of either telecommunications or physical channels of distribution?
(The three possible options are shown in the first column of Table)_
transactions
Be familiar with how services can be ___________ using three main options, and understand the importance of distinguishing between distributing core and supplementary services
distributed
HOW SHOULD A SERVICE BE
DISTRIBUTED?
Customers visit the service ____
site
HOW SHOULD A SERVICE BE
DISTRIBUTED?
The ____________ of the service factory locations and operational schedules are important when the customer has to
be physically present.
convenience
HOW SHOULD A SERVICE BE
DISTRIBUTED?
__________ providers go to customers
Service
HOW SHOULD A SERVICE BE
DISTRIBUTED?
Unavoidable when the service is _________
immovable
HOW SHOULD A SERVICE BE
DISTRIBUTED?
More ____________ and time-consuming for the service provider
expensive
HOW SHOULD A SERVICE BE
DISTRIBUTED?
Service transaction is conducted __________
remotely
HOW SHOULD A SERVICE BE
DISTRIBUTED?
Achieved with the help of _____________ and telecommunications
logistics
The use of different channels to deliver the same service not only has
vastly different cost implications for a service organization; it also
drastically affects the nature of the service experience for the customer.
CHANNEL PREFERENCES VARY
AMONG CUSTOMERS
Although electronic self-service channels tend to be the most cost-effective, not all customers like to use them. This means that if we want to migrate customers to new electronic channels, we may require different strategies for different segments
CHANNEL PREFERENCES VARY
AMONG CUSTOMERS
For complex and perceived high-risk services, people tend to rely on personal channels. For example, customers are happy to apply for credit cards using remote channels, but prefer a face-to-face transaction when obtaining a mortgage.
Individuals with higher confidence and knowledge about a service and/or the channel are more likely to use impersonal and self-service channels.
Customers who look for the functional aspects of a transaction prefer more convenience. This often means the use of impersonal and self-service channels.
Customers with social motives tend to use personal channels.
Convenience is a key driver of channel choice for the majority of consumers.
Service convenience means saving time and effort rather than saving money.
Channel Preferences Vary Among
Customers
Channel Preferences Vary Among
Customers
For complex and perceived high-risk services, people tend to rely on __________ channels.
For example, customers are happy to apply for credit cards using remote channels, but
prefer a face-to-face transaction when obtaining a mortgage.
personal
Channel Preferences Vary Among
Customers
Individuals with higher confidence and knowledge about a service and/or the channel are more likely to use ____________ and ____________________.
impersonal
self service channels
Channel Preferences Vary Among
Customers:
Customers who look for the _________ aspects of a transaction prefer more convenience. This often means the use of impersonal and self-service channels.
functional
Channel Preferences Vary Among
Customers:
Customers with _________motives tend to use personal channels.
social
Channel Preferences Vary Among
Customers:
______________ is a key driver of channel choice for the majority of consumers.
Convenience
Channel Preferences Vary Among
Customers:
_________ convenience means saving time and effort rather than saving money.
Service
DISTRIBUTION OF SUPPLEMENTARY
SERVICES IN CYBERSPACE
Five of the supplementary services are ________________-based
information
DISTRIBUTION OF SUPPLEMENTARY
SERVICES IN CYBERSPACE
These services can all be distributed _____________. They are:
Information
Consultation
Order-taking
Billing
Payment
electronically
DISTRIBUTION OF SUPPLEMENTARY
SERVICES IN CYBERSPACE
Distribution of information, consultation and order-taking has
reached ____________________ levels in global service industries (e.g., hotels, airlines, car rental companies)
very sophisticated
Information and Physical Processes of
______________ ________________________
Augmented Service Product
USING _____________ FOR SERVICE
DELIVERY
WEBSITE
IMPORTANT FACTORS THAT ATTRACT
CUSTOMERS TO USE __________________
Convenience
Ease of search (obtaining information and searching for desired items
or services).
Broader selection.
Potential for better prices.
24/7 service with prompt delivery.
This is particularly appealing to customers whose busy lives leave
them short of time.
ONLINE SERVICES
WHERE SHOULD A SERVICE
FACILITY BE LOCATED?
Unless a service is delivered __________, location decisions for physical sites
have to be made.
A _________ site location requires a sizable investment and a long-term commitment.
Due to its fixed nature as a result of long leases and high investments into a site, a firm _________ easily move to another site or convert to another format.
remotely
physical
cannot