Marketing Flashcards
What is Marketing?
Marketing is the process responsible for identifying , anticipating and satisfying customer requirements profitability.
What is market research?
The collection of information from consumers and people who may become consumers, finding out whether they like or will buy the firm’s products
Purpose of Market Research
To find out info about customers and what customer are most like to buy
To reduce the risk of selling the wrong products or services
To find out the best place to sell a product/service
What is primary research?
Primary research is also known as field research. It is the collection of original information and is carried out by making direct contact with consumers.
Methods of primary research
Observation
Testing
Interviews
Questionnaires
Consumer panels
Advantages of primary research
- information is up-to-date, more relevant and accurate
- competitors will not have access to info/research giving a competitive advantage
- The business can design the research, so they can obtain exactly the info they want
Disadvantages of primary research
- can be very expensive - not at their job
- very time consuming - not at their job
- difficult to obtain - people may not want to fill in questionnaires, surveys
What is secondary research?
Also known as desk research. It is research using published statistics,data and other information which have already been collected and analysed.
What are some examples of methods of secondary research
Government publications
Internet
Newspapers and journals
Firm’s internal records
Advantages of secondary research
- The Information is cheap to obtain
-The information is usually available immediately
-Businesses can find out what it’s competitors are doing
Disadvantages of secondary research
- the information may be out-of-date , not relevant
-Every other business can view this information- no competitive advantage - The data was originally collected for a different purpose, may be difficult to make sense of
Methods of primary research - Questionnaires and Interviews
Most common method. Can be conducted by telephone, face to face, mail or the internet/e-mail
Advantages of Questionnaires and Interviews
- Info is taken directly from people who are or will be customers
-Questioner/Researcher can help people understand the questionnaire
-The questions are designed to find out the exact info the business requires
Disadvantages of Questionnaires and interviews
-Some people do not want to be stopped and asked questions
-People can misunderstand and give misleading responses
-It is a slow method and can be expensive
Methods of primary research - Observation
Involves watching or observing the reactions of people to products
Advantages of observation
- cheap for the business
- Does not inconvenience customers
Disadvantages of observation
- less accurate and open to interpretation
- not suitable for all products
Methods of primary research - Consumer Panels
Involves taking responses from people who regularly sit in on panels and give their personal opinions on different products or other consumer information. They are selected for their expertise and knowledge.
Advantages of Consumer Panels
- very detailed information can be gathered
-they are skilled,impartial,experienced and give high quality answers
Disadvantages of Consumer Panels
Can be quite expensive, must pay those on the panel
Methods of primary research - testing
Involves members of the public being given samples of the product and being asked for their opinion on it
Advantages of testing
- Straightforward to organise
- Consumer’s first hand opinions are given
Disadvantages of testing
- May not test a cross-section of the public, only certain people may attempt it
- not suitable for all products
What is Sampling?
Sampling is a form of market research. It involves questioning a selection or a sample of people.
It would be impossible to interview or questionnaire every single person, so sampling is used to find out the views of a selection of the population.
Why do Businesses use Sampling?
· It is impossible to carry out market research on every customer and every potential customer.
. Using sampling makes primary research more manageable for the business as it would be impossible to survey everyone.
· It saves the time and money.
What is the Method of Sampling - Random Sampling
A random sample is where people are randomly selected and asked their opinions on a product.
The random sample may be taken as every tenth person who walks down the street.
There is a possibility that some of the people questioned may not be familiar with the product or even interested in it.
The results of the random sample are of most use when the product is used by everyone, for example a chocolate bar.
Advantages of Random Sampling
· Personal opinions are given by those surveyed.
· Everyone has a chance of being chosen.
· Random surveys are easy to organise and cheap as respondents are chosen at random.
Disadvantages of Random Sampling
· Results are not accurate unless the sample is very large.
· The method is not suitable for all products.
· It doesn’t always reach the most appropriate people.
What is the Method of Sampling - Quota Sampling
Is where interviews are held with a set number of people who fall into predetermined categories and reflect the type of product.
E.g. a quota sample might consist of 50 per cent makes ad 50 per cent females, or ten people from defined age groups, such as under 18, 18-68, and 69 and over.
Advantages of Quota Sampling
· Results are more accurate than in random sampling – gives the business confidence that results are reliable.
· It is more likely to reach the most appropriate people.
· Personal opinions are given by those surveyed.
Disadvantages of Quota Sampling
· The composition of the population in the area must be known in order for the correct proportions to be interviewed.
· Not suitable for all products.
What is Qualitative Data
This type of data is non-numerical and aims to provide explanations for changes in trends and tastes in the market.
An example of this type of data is customer opinions or feelings about specific topics of interest to the business.
It is usually gathered using open-ended questions, e.g. ‘What do you like about the product and why?’
It usually includes descriptive information and it provides a business with detailed information that cannot be expressed in a graph or chart.
While qualitative data gives detailed information, it can be time consuming and costly to gather and analyse.
What is Quantitative Data
This type of data is numerical and measures changes in the topics of interest to the business.
An example of this type of data is an indication of the size of the market or percentage market share.
It is usually gathered through the use of closed questions, such as ‘yes’ or ‘no’ responses, multiple-choice options or a rating system.
Results can often be expressed in a graph or chart.
It has the benefit of being simple and quick to analyse. It can also be analysed in a way that gives easy-to-understand results.
However, quantitative data lacks specific opinions and doesn’t always allow a business to see exactly what its customers think.
What is Market Segmentation?
Market segmentation is the selection of groups of people who would be most interested in a particular product so that the product can be targeted at them. Targeting the correct segment of the market is vital to ensure the business achieves sales.
How can the market be Segmented?
AGE - Cartoons aimed at children or hearing aids
GENDER - Females may be more interested shape/colour of a car
while men may be more interested of the performance
ETHNIC BACKGROUND - food,music,clothes
REGION - Gaelic football, American football
SOCIO/ECONONIMC CLASS - luxury cars aimed to the rich
LIFESTLYE - sportier people have healthier foods
What is The Marketing Mix?
The marketing mix describes all the key activities which are used in marketing a business’s products. This is important as it enables a business to satisfy the needs of customers, which helps the business to be successful.
These are referred to as the four Ps; Price, Place, Promotion and Product
What is the Product?
the product or service the customer needs
What is the Product life cycle?
The product life cycle is a model which charts the stages a product will typically go through over its lifespan in 6 stages.
Explain the Product Life Cycle stage - Research and Development
· This stage takes places before the product is on the market.
· Usually market research would be carried out on the product and it would also be tested e.g. for mechanical products (Xbox).
· It is an expensive stage for the producer because research is expensive which means the costs are high and no income is coming in.
· Therefore, it is in a loss making position.
Explain the Product Life Cycle stage - Introduction/ Launch
· Sales are low and profits will be negative.
· The business uses sales promotion to try and increase sales.
· The product would still not be in a profit making position because sales would not be high enough to cover the costs from stage 1.
Explain the Product Life Cycle stage - Growth
· Sales increase rapidly as people are aware of the product.
· Sometimes, the price of the product may be lowered due to other producers beginning to provide competition.
· The product will be in a profit making position as sales cover the initial costs
Explain the Product Life Cycle stage - Maturity
· This is the longest and most common stage – sales are maintained and the product is well established.
· Often profits are at their highest.
· Sales continue to grow but at a slower rate due to the intense competition.
· This stage would be longer for household product and shorter for fashion items because the new craze takes over.
Explain the Product Life Cycle stage - Saturation
· This is the highest point in the product lifecycle.
· Competition will still be high but there are no new competitors at this stage.
· Sales will not increase because new customers cannot be found.
· Profits would still be good but will not grow further.
Explain the Product Life Cycle stage - Decline
· Sales are falling.
· Profits are falling.
· The business may not be covering their costs.
· Some businesses will usually have prepared for this stage by having a second product ready for introduction to the market.
How to extend the product life cycle?
A business aims to prolong the life of their products to maximise profits. This is typically done by making alterations to the product, which makes people want to have the latest variety or model.
Strategies used to extend the product life cycle - Modifying the Product
This involves business bringing out new designs of products, sometimes only making minor modifications.
The new model product is re-launched which entices customers to buy it.
Strategies used to extend the product life cycle - Altering the Packaging
The packaging of a product can be altered to give an updated appearance to the product.
Redesigning product packaging can increase awareness of the product; it can give the product an updated appearance.
Strategies used to extend the product life cycle - Reducing the Price
Reducing the price or discounting the product or service is frequently used to encourage sales e.g. 25% off or buy one get one free offers.
Strategies used to extend the product life cycle - Exporting the Product
Exporting the product to new markets or different geographical areas outside of their domestic market can increase awareness and sales of the product.
Strategies used to extend the product life cycle - Increasing the Advertising
Advertising the product through various media can increase customer awareness, for example advertising in local or national media, TV and radio or more recently social media
Strategies used to extend the product life cycle - Introducing New Varieties
Many businesses will produce different varieties or flavours of products to entice more customers to purchase them. E.g. Coca Cola have introduced ‘lite’ varieties so people on diets will still continue to purchase their products
Explain the Consumer Rights Act 2015
· Goods and services supplied must be of “satisfactory quality.” This means they must be produced properly and safely and free from defects.
· Goods must be fit for purpose for which they were supplied.
· Goods must be exactly as they are described on the packaging. They must match the description given to the consumer.
· All services must be given with reasonable care and skill, at a reasonable price and completed in a reasonable time frame. Where service delivery is unsatisfactory, a provider must re-supply the service at no additional cost.
Explain the Consumer Protection Act, 1987
· Goods supplied must be safe, any product not safe is deemed to be defective.
· A customer injured by defective products are entitled to sue for damages.
· Customers must use the product in accordance with the instructions provided and observe warnings associated with the product.
· Suppliers must not mislead customers in relation to product prices.
· Local council can seize unsafe goods and confiscate them.
What is pricing policy?
The pricing policy is the way in which the business sets a selling price which customers pay for the product or service.
Explain the pricing policy - Skimming
· It is most often used with new products when there is not as much competition in the market.
· This strategy sets a high price initially in an attempt to skim the market (like skimming cream of the milk).
· Some people will be willing to pay the higher price because the product is new and not many people would own it.
· The price will be reduced as competition enters the market.
· Skimming enables a business to gain high levels of sales revenue in the short term.
Explain the pricing policy - Penetration Pricing
· This strategy involves setting a low price at the beginning to gain entry into a market and then increasing the price once the place in the market is secure.
· It is used by a business to get into a market that is competitive.
· A business will use lower prices to attract customers away from competitors in the hope they will become regular customers. The business will then increase the price.
· This strategy ensures sales in the short term but means there might not be much profits.
Explain the pricing policy - Competitor-based Pricing
· Competitor based pricing involves accepting the price which competitors are charging for a product and charging a similar price either at the same level or slightly lower.
· Competition would be strong in this market and businesses would have to monitor competitor’s prices.
· Consumers can now compare prices easily using price comparison sites.
· Competitor-based pricing can lead to price wars with competitors competing on very low profit margins.
Explain the factor which effects price - Costs of Production
· A business will incur costs when producing a new product or service. The costs could include the cost of raw materials, electricity costs, rent etc.
· The business must be aware of the cost of production so the price charged to the customers will cover all these costs. It can also include the costs for selling the products.
Explain the factor which effects price - Need to make a Profit
· The overall aim of a business is to make a profit.
· Products must be priced at a level which covers the total costs and also leaves a margin of profit for the business.
· The highest level of profit is not always about charging the highest price as this can drive away customers.
Explain the factor which effects price - Competition in the Market
· Aim of a business will be to set a price which will encourage customers to buy their products instead of competitor’s products.
· To do this, the price will need to be lower than the competition if the goods are the exact same.
· The prices of competitors’ products must then be monitored.