Unit 3-Decision making to improve marketing performance (3.1, 3.2 and 3.3) Flashcards
Define marketing.
The management process responsible for identifying, anticipating and satisfying customer requirements profitably.
What does the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) define marketing as?
More than just advertising
Give the 1st 4 examples of what range of activities marketing involves.
- Market research
- Setting prices
- Designing and using promotion methods, including advertising
- Designing the product and packaging
Give the 1st 4 examples of what range of activities marketing involves.
- Market research
- Setting prices
- Designing and using promotion methods, including advertising
- Designing the product and packaging
Give the 2nd 4 examples of what range of activities marketing involves.
- Deciding where to sell the goods/services
- Managing distribution channels
- Customer service and communicating with customers
- The method of selling the good/service
As described in the definition of marketing, what are the 3 main purposes of marketing?
- Anticipating consumers’ wants
- Satisfying customers’ wants
- Meeting the needs of the business
How can you anticipate consumer wants?
Through carrying out market research to discover what the customer wants and what might make them purchase the good/service
What can anticipating consumer wants be used for?
Analysing the market the firm intends to enter, including:
Market size
Number of rivals
Current trends
Average prices charged
To know how to best deal with them when designing their strategy
How can a business satisfy customer wants?
Design a marketing strategy to attract customers and build a company brand and reputation.
How will the business design a marketing strategy?
Use a range of variables known as the marketing mix (the ‘Seven Ps’) to do this.
How does marketing need to help meet the needs of the business?
Marketing should help ensure a firm achieves its aims and objectives.
What are some examples of aims and objectives marketing should help a firm achieve?
Survival
Sales growth
Market share gains
Profit maximisation
Social responsibility and ethics
Define the term ‘marketing objectives’.
Specific goals/targets of the marketing department
What must marketing objectives be in line with?
Firm’s overall corporate objectives
Why must businesses set marketing objectives?
To determine what they must do in their marketing strategy to help achieve their overall company objectives.
Give some examples of marketing objectives a firm may set.
Increase sales volume and sales value
Brand image and awareness
Market and sales growth
Increase market share
Build brand loyalty
Define ‘market size’.
Total volume of sales of a product or the value of sales of a product.
What does sales volume measure?
Number of items sold or produced.
What does sales value measure?
The financial worth of the items sold.
Why may firms set objectives or targets to maximise their sales volume or volume?
To simply maintain what they have, particularly in difficult times.
How can businesses increase marketing size?
Either convince consumers to:
Buy more goods/services
Pay more for the same good/service
What will having a large marketing size attract?
Many competitors
Why do many firms choose to operate in smaller niche markets?
Mass markets have many competitors.
Give an example of a firm choosing to operate in a niche market.
Hornby operating in the model railway business rather than other larger mass appeal toy markets.
Give the 1st set of additional 4 marketing objectives.
- Increase size
- Market positioning
- Security/survival
- Successfully launch a new product or end unsuccessful products.
Give the 2nd set of additional 4 marketing objectives.
- Increase product awareness
- Innovation and developing new products
- Differentiation
- Add value to existing products
Give some examples of how a business can increase size.
Increase:
Sales revenue
Market share
Sales volume
What is market positioning?
Appealing to particular or new market segment.
Why do firm’s set marketing objectives for security/survival?
It is a common objective for new start-up firms,
Those in difficult financial positions
During a recession
What does differentiation mean?
Creating a unique selling point and making the brand stand out from rivals.
What does adding value to existing products mean?
Carrying out methods to ensure consumers are willing to pay a high price for the product/service.
What are some methods adding value to existing products includes?
High quality
Strong brand image
Excellent customer service
What is sales growth?
Percentage change in sales {volume or value} over a period of time for a specific brand.
What is market growth?
Percentage change in sales {volume or value} over a period of time for a whole market.
Formula for percentage change.
(New figure - original figure/original figure ) x 100
Formula for market growth.
( New market size - original market size/original market size) x 100
Formula for sales growth.
(New sales - original sales/ original sales) x 100
Why will firms want to enter markets that are growing?
To maximise sales.
What will market growth attract?
Many rivals
Market growth can be difficult to achieve for one firm so they may set targets to move into new growing markets by doing what?
Targeting new customers
Developing new products
Completely diversifying
What does ‘completely diversifying’ mean?
New products in new markets
Give example of firms which have set targets to move into new growing markets.
Microsoft and Lenovo moving into the mobile phone market in recent years
List 5 factors which influence market growth.
- Economic growth
- Type of product
- Social changes
- Demographic changes
- Changes in taste and fashions
How does economic growth influence market growth if a country’s economy is growing?
Employment, pay levels and therefore consumers’ disposable income will be higher resulting in better sales and market growth, particularly for luxuries such as holidays.
How does economic growth influence market growth if a country’s economy is declining?
Consumers’ disposable income will be lower which may see them buying less or switching to cheaper products.
Some goods may see sales increase, especially those that focus on low prices, such as Primark and supermarket own-brands.
How does the type of product a business sells affect market growth?
Luxury products will grow in sales most when the economy is growing and suffer when people are more worried about their spending.
What does it mean to say social changes influence market growth?
Changes in the general public’s behaviour will influence market growth.
Give the 1st example of how social changes influence market growth.
Consumers spending more time at home combined with low supermarket drink prices resulting in a decline in pubs but a rise in pay-for-TV services such as Sky and Virgin
Give the 2nd example of how social changes influence market growth.
An increase in working hours and working households has made consumers cash-rich but time-poor resulting in demand for convenience products like readymade meals and restaurants
Give the 3rd example of how social changes influence market growth.
The popularity of healthy lifestyles resulting in growth of certain healthy food products and e-cigarettes.
How do demographic changes influence market growth?
Changing make-up of the UK population may see certain types of product markets become more popular
Give an example of how demographic changes influence market growth.
UK has an ageing and increasingly diverse population = growth in certain trends of products that were previously more niche, cultural or age-specific items.
Give an example of how changed in taste and fashions influence market growth.
Trends on television such as cookery, or mobile phone popularity causing app sales growth.
Firms can influence what is popular and therefore market growth through their own marketing efforts.
What is market share?
Percentage of the total sales of a product or service achieved by one business compared with the total sales in the market.
What unit is market share presented in?
Percentage (%)
Formula for market share.
(Sales of one brand/total sales in the market) x 100
What is a market in business?
Consists of all buyers and sellers of a particular good.
What is the key difference between customers and consumers?
Customer is the one purchasing the goods.
Consumer is the one who is the end user of any goods or services.
What is market share a key measure of?
A company’s success as it compares its sales with those of its rivals.
How does a firm increase their market share?
Perform better than its rivals to take some of their customers.
How would a firm set out to achieve its objectives of becoming market leader?
Having:
Having highest market share
Maintain existing market share
Increase market share in particular section of the market
Give an example of a market leader who has seen their market share fall.
Tesco is currently market leader in the supermarket industry.
Has seen their market share fall from 30.3% in 2013 to 28.9% with intense competition.
Define ‘brand’.
The set of physical attributes of a product or service, together with the beliefs and expectations surrounding it – a unique combination which the name or logo of the product or service should evoke in the mind of the audience. (CIM definition)
What is the purpose of a brand?
To differentiate a company from its rivals.
What things represent a brand?
Names
Logos
Slogans, etc.
Define ‘brand loyalty’.
A measure of the degree of attachment that a consumer has for a particular brand. Loyal customers are more likely to make repeat purchases and less likely to switch to rival brands.
Why is brand loyalty essential?
It is considered much cheaper to retain existing customers than attract new ones.
Why is brand loyalty important for firms?
It will ensure customers return for repeat purchases
Firms will need to spend less on promotions as consumers are already convinced about the brand
Companies may be able to charge higher prices as it reduces a brand’s price elasticity.
What is price elasticity?
the amount demand changes as price changes
If consumers are more committed to the brand, they may be willing to pay higher prices even if they change-What does this mean about the consumers?
They become less price sensitive.
What are external factors define as?
Those outside the business, often listed under the heading PESTLE, that may impact what objectives a firm sets.
List 8 examples of external influences on marketing objectives and decisions.
- Political and legal factors
- Economic factors
- Social factors
- Technological change
- Ethical and environmental factors
- State-of-the-market factors
- Competitor actions
- Customers and supplies
How do political and legal factors influence marketing objectives and decisions?
Government policies impact marketing and what firms can do.
Multinational firms need to be aware of foreign legislation and policies. How do government policies impact consumer spending?
Give some examples of how political and legal factors influence marketing objectives and decisions.
Banning advertisements on cigarettes and unhealthy foods during children’s television
Taxation and spending cuts impacts consumer spending
How do economic factors influence marketing objectives and decisions?
Includes:
Growth or decline
Disposable income levels
Current level of interest rates
Can firm compete on price or quality
How do social factors influence marketing objectives and decisions?
What are existing tastes and fashions?
How do demographic factors impact a company’s objectives and actions?
How does technological change influence marketing objectives and decisions?
How do developments in technology impact marketing activities – for example, social media, mobile phones, apps?
How are rivals using technology?
What do consumers expect?
How is market research gathered?
How do ethical and environmental factors influence marketing objectives and decisions?
Do consumers care about these issues?
Do the company’s products cause any negative ethical issues?
Is there any legislation in this area?
Can higher prices be charged for more ethical products?
Are workers treated ethically?
How do state-of-the-market factors influence marketing objectives and decisions?
Is there growth in the market?
Is the company able to focus on growth, or just on survival?
How do competitor actions influence marketing objectives and decisions?
How intense is the rivalry?
How well are rivals performing?
Will they operate in a niche or mass market?
What are current market shares?
What strategies are they pursuing?
How do customers and suppliers influence marketing objectives and decisions?
What do consumers expect from the firm – for example, price, quality, service, reliability, etc.?
Can suppliers meet the expectations and needs of the firm?
What are internal influence?
Factors inside the business.
List 5 examples of internal influences on marketing objectives and decision.
- Business/corporate objectives
- Finance
- Human resources (HR)
- Operational issues
- Type of product
How does finance influence marketing objectives and decisions?
The financial position of the business will determine what resources can be allocated to achieve the objectives.
Objectives allow firms to establish their priorities and therefore where finances should be allocated.
How does finance influence marketing objectives and decisions?
The financial position of the business will determine what resources can be allocated to achieve the objectives.
Objectives allow firms to establish their priorities and therefore where finances should be allocated.
How do business/corporate objectives influence marketing objectives and decisions?
The marketing objectives are set to ensure the marketing department contributes towards achieving the overall corporate objectives.
How does Human Resources (HR) influence marketing objectives and decisions?
The workforce will determine what marketing objectives can be achieved and the qualities of the workforce all impact their ability to achieve marketing objectives.
What qualities of a workforce determine whether it is good enough to achieve marketing objectives?
Size
Skills
Motivation
Level of training
Customer service
Decision making of workforce
How do operational issues influence marketing objectives and decisions?
A company must offer an integrated approach so if quality is a key brand feature than the marketing must focus on this and the product must match.
The operation must ensure the company can deliver on promises.
What are some key examples of promises the operation must ensure the company can deliver on?
Internet sales
Delivery times
Stock quantities
How does the type of product influence marketing objectives and decisions?
What is the company know for?
Does it have a unique selling point?
Has it established a reputation for a particular type of product?
Is it a necessity or a luxury?
What are the industry standards or marketing and budgets?
What does PESTLE stand for?
Political
Economic
Social
Technological
Legal
Environmental factors
What is PESTLE analysis used for?
Allows a company to form an impression of the factors that might impact a new business or industry.
List the 5 aspects of the market which firms need to analyse.
- Size of the market
- Growth in the market
- Market structure
- Segmentation of the market
- Social trends
What do firms do with the data which they acquire from different aspects of the market which they analyse?
See where they require improvement
Check whether a product is viable (achievable)
Identify opportunities and threats
Identify future trends
Firm can then devise new plans and strategies.
What questions does a business ask when it comes to analysing the size of the market?
Is it big enough?
Is it feasible (achievable) for the firm to operate in?
What questions should a business ask when analysing growth in the market?
Does the market have enough future potential?
What questions should a business ask when it comes to analysing market structure?
What level of competition is there?
How intense will the competition be?
What questions should a business ask when analysing segmentation of the market?
Who will the company be targeting?
What are their needs, wants and tastes?
What should a business look at when analysing social trends?
Changing lifestyles
Demographics
Fashions
What are the 3 different methods of interpreting marketing data?
- Correlation
- Confidence intervals
- Extrapolation
What is correlation?
A statistical technique which looks at the strength of the relationship between two variable and how they are related.
What is an independent variable?
The variable that causes a change in the other.
What is a dependent variable?
Variable that is impacted by the change in the independent variable.
What is positive correlation?
A direct relationship between two variables.
As the independent variable increases the dependant variable increases.
Give an example of a positive correlation.
As more is spent on advertising, sales increase.
What is a negative correlation?
An inverse relationship between two variables.
As the dependant variable falls the independent variable rises and vice versa.
Give an example of a negative correlation.
As investment in training increases, product defect falls.
What does no correlation mean?
There is no link between the two variables.
How is a positive correlation expressed numerically?
+1
How is a negative correlation expressed numerically?
-1
How do you work out how strong or weak a correlation is?
The closer the figure is to +1 or -1, the stronger the positive or negative correlation.
How are causation and correlation related?
Causation is the outcome of the correlation between the decisions you make.
Give an example of where something appears to be correlated but there is no causation. [NOT BUSINESS RELATED]
For example, obesity levels in the UK rising with the level of organic food sales increasing.
On a graph they would appear positively correlated but in reality have no impact on one another.
What can no estimated data be?
100% reliable
Why is correlation analysis important in business decision-making?
Understanding the impact of business initiatives on desired outcomes can help companies identify trends, uncover hidden opportunities, refine strategies, allocate resources more efficiently, and make better decisions overall.
What do confidence intervals help businesses do?
Understand how reliable an estimate is.
How confident they can be to act on the data when planning strategy and making decisions.
What does a confidence interval give?
The percentage probability that an estimated range of possible values includes the actual value being estimated.
What does a 90% confidence level mean?
A prediction will be correct 9 times out of 10.
90% of the time.
What percentage will most business use as their choice of confidence level when using data in decision-making?
95%
[NOT TO MEMORISE-JUST KNOW] Give an example of how confidence intervals work.
Business wishes to carry research on consumer’s views of their new product.
Impossible to survey the whole UK
Company survey 2000 people
A confidence interval can be created to give the range of possibilities and accuracy of the data in making decisions. The firm might predict that there is a 97 per cent chance that the overall trend −for example, that the majority of consumers liked the product− would be found.
The confidence interval in this example is 97 per cent, and the likelihood that the outcome if done again is outside the estimated range is 3 per cent.
If data had a confidence interval of 97 per cent it would mean that if a wide range of samples were taken the same data/answer would be found in 97 per cent of the samples.
Therefore it would not be found in 3 per cent of the samples in the long term.
What does extrapolation involve?
Using patterns in past data to predict (forecast) future level of sales for products or services.