Transcript Ch 10 PP
Unit 3: The Marketing Mix
Chapter 10
What Is a Product?
Learning Goals
Explain why product is the primary P of the
marketing mix
Explain the four characteristics of services
that distinguish them from goods
Describe the good-service continuum
Describe and give an example of each of the
four product element categories
Summarize the purpose of product
strategies
Describe and draw the stages in the product
life cycle
Activity – Fad or Fizzle?
Each of the products below - whether a good, service,
or idea - was conceived as the next "big thing," but
only some succeeded. Can you tell the successful fad
from the fizzles?
Beanie Babies
McPizza
Homeless American Girl doll
Kardashian Kard
Furby
What Is a Product?
The _______________
is
Product
the primary P in the
marketing mix
It is the first element of
the marketing mix to be
decided
If you do not have a
product to sell, you do not
need a place, price or
promotion
What Is a Product?
What does a customer actually buy when he
or she buys a product?
When you buy an automobile, are you buying
just metal, cloth, plastic, and glass formed into
a machine?
No
You are actually buying transportation, the
ability to safely and easily get from one place
to another
You may also be buying independence and
prestige
What Is a Product?
When you buy a ticket to a concert, are you
just buying a place to sit for two hours?
No
You are actually buying the enjoyment of
the show, the ability to tell your friends
about it, and a break from the stress of
your daily life
What Is a Product?
In Chapter 1, we learned that a product is
anything that can be bought or sold
A product can be …
A good
A service
An idea
Types of Products
Products are usually grouped into one of two
categories;
1. Consumer products
Product sold to customers for personal use
2. Business products
Products sold to businesses for business
use
Types of Products
Products can also be described as
______________
or _______________
Tangible
Intangible
A tangible product is something that exists
physically and can be touched
Goods are tangible
E.g. a cellphone
An Intangible product is something that exists,
but is not physical and cannot be touched
Services and ideas are intangible
E.g. a haircut or the idea to “buckle up for safety”
The Service Economy
Throughout the nineteenth and much of the
twentieth centuries, Canada was an industrial
economy
The main products of an industrial economy are
___________________
Tangible Goods
At this time, the majority of people in the country held jobs in
manufacturing, mining, or agriculture creating tangible
goods
Toward the end of the twentieth century, the basis of
the Canadian economy shifted from industry to
knowledge
The main products of a knowledge-based economy are
Services
_____________
The Service Economy
A ______________________
is an economy
Service Economy
in which most of the GDP (Gross Domestic
Product) comes from services and most of
the workers have jobs in the services
industry
Today, services account for about 78 percent
of GDP in the Canada
Therefore, Canada is considered to be have
a Service Economy
Characteristics of Services
Services are different from goods in four
ways
Services are;
1. Intangible
2. Inseparable
3. Variable
4. Perishable
These characteristics of services can
present special problems for marketers
1. Intangible
Services are intangible, meaning they cannot be
touched or tried out before purchase
For example, when you shop for a car, you can kick the
tires, choose a colour, and go for a test drive. However,
when you buy a concert ticket, you cannot try the concert
out beforehand
Services are tough to represent in marketing as it
can be difficult to show a picture of the service itself
Examples of intangible products are;
A concert
Cellphone service
Insurance
2. Inseparable
Services are inseparable, meaning the
production of the service cannot be
separated from the ______
Use of the service
Services also cannot be separated from the
______________
of the service
Producer
In other words, the service cannot be separated
from the person who performs the service
For example, suppose you go for a haircut.
The haircut does not exist until the
hairdresser cuts your hair. In addition, the
haircut does not exist without the hairdresser
3. Variable
Services are variable, meaning that they are _______
Unique
A service only exists once and is never exactly
repeated in the same way again
Because services are inseparable, the customer often
thinks of the service and the service provider as one in
the same
For example, the product of the hair salon is not just the
haircut. The product is also the stylist who cuts the hair
Have you ever gone to a new salon, had a bad haircut,
and refused to return? Was it the salon that gave you a
bad haircut or the stylist? A friend may have received an
excellent cut from another stylist at the same salon
3. Variable
This variability can lead to _______________
Quality Control issues
It is very hard to make sure that each service
provider gives the same quality service
E.g. different hairdressers may give different quality haircuts
For this reason, there are certification programs for
doctors and other professional service providers
However, even with certification, another problem
that occurs is when a service provider leaves a
business, customers often follow the service
provider
E.g. When a popular hairdresser leaves a salon, many
customers will follow the hairdresser and leave the salon
4. Perishable
Services are perishable, meaning services
cannot be __________
Stored for later use
Some goods are perishable, such as milk and
seafood, however most can be stored until
needed, such as jeans which can be stored in a
warehouse until needed by retail stores
For example, unsold concert tickets cannot
be stored and sold at a later time, because
once the concert is over, the tickets are
worthless
Overcoming Service
Obstacles
Service providers need to be creative in developing
strategies to overcome these obstacles
See example below
The Good-Service
Continuum
Many products are combinations of good and service
E.g. a restaurant meal is a combination of a good and
a service
The food itself is a good
The preparation and serving of the food is a service
Products can be visualized as being on a good-service
______________
Continuum
On the left end, the products are purely tangible goods, for
example, soap
On the right end, the products are purely services, for example,
tutoring
In between are the products with varying combinations of
goods and services
The Good-Service
Continuum
Pure
Goods
Soap
Books
Pure
Services
Restaurant Meal
Cellphone
Legend
Amount of goods
Amount of services
Tutoring
Concert
Day 1 Assigned Work
Students please complete the following;
K & U Questions #1 & 5 on page 153
Thinking Questions #1 & 2 on pages 153 &
154
Product Characteristics Worksheet
Hardcopy provided
***Save As Ch 10 Day 1 in your Unit 3 folder***
Day 2 Response Journal
What is the purpose of packaging?
List all the functions packaging performs.
***Save As Nov 27 in your Response
Journal Folder***
Product Elements
Products have many elements that can be
changed to meet customer’s needs
The elements of a product can be grouped
into four categories
1. Basic product
2. Usage
3. Protection
4. Name
1. Basic Product
Once you know what product you will sell, you
can then begin to make basic product
decisions about …
A. Quality
B. Features
C. Options
A. Quality
During product development, the company must
decide on the quality of the product
While keeping the target market in mind
____________
is the level of excellence in something
Quality
Customers have different ideas of what good quality is
A product that meets the quality needs of one target
market might not meet the quality needs of a different
target market
For example, a chocolate bar from a vending machine might
be the right quality level for a quick snack. It might not be the
right quality level for a Valentine's Day gift for your boyfriend or
girlfriend
A. Quality
The level of quality will affect the cost to
produce the product and therefore its price
There are 3 general quality levels;
i. Premium quality
Highest quality materials and therefore highest price
ii. Moderate quality
Good quality materials and therefore moderate price
iii. Value quality
Usually an adequate level of quality
Combines the lowest price with the best possible
quality at that price
B. Features
Both goods and service have features
For a good …
A physical characteristic
• For example, the physical features of a
cellphone include its size and colour
For a service …
One of the tasks that will be done as
part of the service
• For example, the service features of a
cellphone include voice mail and call waiting
C. Options
An __________
Option is a feature
that can be added to a
product at the customer’s
request
For example, options on an
automobile might include a
sunroof, leather seats, and a
high-end stereo system
Options enable the
customer to customize the
product to his or her
specific needs and wants
2. Usage
Many products are designed to be
assembled, installed, or used in some way
Part of the product decision is how to help
the customer make the best use of the
product
If customers do not know how to properly
use a product, they are likely to get
frustrated and become dissatisfied
They may then return the product or just
never buy from you again
2. Usage
Aspects of usage include;
A. Instructions
Clear instructions are an essential part of many products
Some companies provide videos, classes, or seminars to help
customers use their products
B. Installation
Installation is the process of placing a good where it will be used
and making the good ready for use
C. Technical support
Complex products have a tendency to develop problems from
time to time
Many companies that sell complex products offer technical
support
Technical support consists of people who are available to help
customers with problems
3. Protection
Protection consists of product elements that
protect the product from harm, both before
and after purchase
Protection includes;
A. Grades and standards
B. Packaging
C. Warranties and guarantees
D. Maintenance and repair services
A. Grades and Standards
Measurable
Grades and standards are _______________
attributes that describe the value and utility of a
product
For example, when buying certain food products,
such as butter or eggs, consumers may look for the
"Canada Grade A" symbol on the packaging
Likewise, Transport Canada has mandatory safety
standards that automobile manufacturers must meet
As a point of customer assurance, marketers will
promote these attributes because they often impact
customer-buying decisions
B. Packaging
Packaging serves many functions;
Protect a product from damage
Appropriate packaging is necessary to keep foods
fresh and healthful
Also, many fragile products such as computers
and lamps are carefully packaged to prevent
damage
Promotion
The “face” of the product
Often is the first thing that attracts a customer
Part of the product’s identity
B. Packaging
Make products easier to stack or display
in stores
Protect the customer
For example, using plastic bottles instead of glass
for beverages and child safety caps for medicines
Discourage theft
Provides product information
Content labelling, nutritional information, weight,
etc.
May provide product instructions
B. Packaging - Canadian
Labelling Requirements
In Canada packaging and labelling must follow
specific requirements as set by the
government
The purpose of these regulations is to protect
consumers and help them make the best
choices when shopping
B. Packaging - Canadian
Labelling Requirements
Some of these requirements are;
False or misleading packaging is against the law
Most packaged foods require an ingredient list
Labelling must appear in English and French
Product must be clearly identified
Quantity of product must be expressed
In units of volume, weight or quantity
E.g. 1L, 200 g, 25 pieces
Product must include the manufacturer and
dealer’s name and address
B. Packaging - Canadian
Labelling Requirements
C. Warranties and
Guarantees
To convince customers of the quality and reliability of
their products, marketers often provide a …
Warranty
A written document which states the quality of a
product and promises to correct certain problems,
should they occur
E.g. most new automobiles have a warranty
Guarantee
A promise that the product has a certain quality or will
provide satisfaction
Usually used in promotions
E.g. some pizza delivery services guarantee pizza in
half an hour or it is free
D. Maintenance and Repair
Services
Complex machines often require regular
maintenance
E.g. cars
May also need periodic repairs
Maintenance and repair services should
be planned when the product is
developed
The availability of these services may
affect the customer’s buying decision
E.g. when you purchase a car, you have a
choice of dealers. Some consumers might
choose to buy from the dealer with the
most convenient service department
4. Name
The name includes;
Product name
Brand name
Product’s “personality”
Choosing the right name for a product is a
critical part of the marketing mix
You will learn more about names and
branding in chapter 11
Product Elements Overview
Product Elements
Basic Product
• Quality
• Features
• Options
Usage
• Instructions
• Installation
• Technical support
Protection
• Grades and standards
• Packaging
• Warranties and guarantees
• Maintenance and repair services
Name
• Product Name
• Brand Name
• Personality
Day 2 Assigned Work
Students please complete the following;
K & U Questions #7 & 8 on page 153
Product Elements Worksheet
Hardcopy provided
***Save As Ch 10 Day 2 in your Unit 3 folder***
Day 3 Response Journal
Like humans, products go through a life cycle
of their own. As a marketer, how might I be
able to tell if a product is reaching the end of
its “life”?
***Save As Dec 1 in your Response Journal
Folder***
Product Strategy
A __________________
Product Strategy consists of all of
the decisions made about a product
It starts with the decision about which product to
offer
• It then proceeds to decisions about product
elements, keeping the target market in mind
A product strategy can help distinguish your
product from the competitors
Must balance meeting customers’ needs and
beating competition with the costs of
production and marketing
Product Life Cycle
Products go through a life cycle similar to the human
life cycle
As humans, we are born, grow, reach maturity, then age and
eventually die
Product Life Cycle
A _____________________
consists of the stages
that a product or a product category goes through
from beginning to end
The product life cycle has four stages;
1.
2.
3.
4.
Introduction
Growth
Maturity
Decline
Product Life Cycle
The stage in the life cycle of a product is
based on _______
Sales of that product, including
all brands and generics
All sales of a product are often referred to as
_________________
Industry Sales
For example, to determine the life cycle of
cellphones, you would gather industry sales
information for cellphones from the time they
were introduced to the present
Product Life Cycle
The product life cycle is often shown on a graph
The graph plots _______
Sales on the y-axis and ______
Time on
the x-axis
Sales are expressed in dollars
Time is expressed in months or years
Product Life Cycle
The curve on the graph shows the rise and
fall of industry sales for a product (in dollars)
over time
The stages of the product’s life cycle are
based on the shape of the curve, which
represents changes in the number of sales
__________
can be made at each stage of a
Profit
product’s life cycle, but the marketer has to
know how to market the product at each
stage
Profits over the Product
Life Cycle
Industry profits change over the life cycle of a
product. Notice that during the introductory stage,
no profit is being made.
Product Life Cycle
The length of each stage
varies, depending on the
product
E.g. Ivory Soap was first sold in
1879, and it is still a strong
seller, therefore Ivory Soap has
a long life cycle
E.g. the Pet Rock sold only
during the gift-giving season of
1975, therefore the Pet Rock
had a very short product life
cycle
A product with a very short
life cycle is called a ______
Fad
Product Life Cycle
In the same time period, different products
are in different stages of their life cycles
For example, electric automobiles are in the
introduction stage, cellular phones are in the
growth stage, in-line skates are in the maturity
stage and CD players are in the decline stage
1. Introduction
_______________
Introduction is the stage during which
a new product is presented to the market
Typically, profit is not being made at this
stage because money spent on product
development has not yet been earned back
Goals of marketing at this stage include;
Get publicity
Explain product benefits
Persuade customers to buy
1. Introduction
A good example is in-line skates
Before 1984, few people knew about in-line
skates
Then the Rollerblade Company began marketing
in-line skating as a new and cool sport
To gain customer notice and get customers to try
the new skates, free Rollerblade in-line skates
were given to the rental shops along trendy
Venice Beach in California
What products do you believe are in the
introduction stage today?
2. Growth
It takes a while for a new product to "catch on“
Some products catch on quickly, others take
more time, and some products never get off
the ground
The __________
Growth stage of a product occurs
when sales and profits rise rapidly
Goals of marketing at this stage include;
Distinguish their brand from the
competition
Build brand loyalty
2. Growth
As the product becomes more successful, competitors
enter the market, and now there are many companies
competing for customers
At this stage, marketers may add new features and
benefits to make their product stand out from the rest
In the life cycle of a product category, one producer
usually takes the lead in introducing, marketing, and
selling the new product
For the in-line skate category, that leader was Rollerblade. Once
Rollerblade made in-line skates popular, competitors started
entering the market, and now there are several competitors
What products do you believe are in the growth stage
today?
3. Maturity
A product or product category reaches the
___________
Maturity stage when sales start to level
off
Goals of marketing at this stage include;
Continue to distinguish their brand
from others and build brand loyalty
Improve the product
Find new ways to keep the product
fresh and exciting
Find new markets for your product
3. Maturity
An example of a product that
found a new way to keep it
fresh and exciting is …
Old El Paso Tacos
An example of a product that
found new markets to enter is
…
Arm & Hammer Baking Soda
3. Maturity
Why do sales stop rising at the maturity stage?
Because the market is ______________
Saturated
A saturated market is one in which everyone who
needs, wants, and can afford the product has already
bought it
No more people will buy in a saturated market unless their
current product wears out, or new customers are born and enter
the market
In the in-line skate category, once all the people who want to
skate have bought their first skates, they do not need new ones
for quite a while
What products do you believe are in the maturity stage
today?
4. Decline
A product or product category reaches the
___________
Decline stage when sales begin to fall
Decline often occurs when a new technology begins
to grow
E.g. the product category of music CDs started
declining when the MP3 player technology started
growing
Goals of marketing at this stage include;
Develop new marketing strategies to boost sales
OR
Discontinue the product to prevent financial
losses
4. Decline
Deciding whether a product is at the end of its life
cycle can be particularly tricky
Why do products decline?
New technology makes the product obsolete
Fashions change
Trends change
Non-product related factor
A decline in sales may not indicate that the product is in the
declining stage of its life cycle
E.g. if there is a recession in the economy, car sales go down.
However, that does not mean that cars are at the end of their
life cycle
Crocs Article
4. Decline
When a product category starts declining,
marketers have to decide what to do about it
They can …
Develop marketing strategies to boost sales
OR
They can discontinue the product
Some marketers specialize in selling products
in the decline stage. They …
Buy large quantities at very low prices
Sell them at low prices, but still make a profit
• E.g. XS Cargo, KW Surplus, K & K Liquidation, etc.
4. Decline
Knowing the life cycle stage of the product and
product category helps marketers develop effective
marketing strategies
Often, different markets are targeted at different
stages of the life cycle
Different marketing mixes work better at different
stages of a product or product category's life cycle
For example,
High
During introduction prices are often ________
Lower
During maturity, the price is _________
During decline, the price is often ___________
Lowest
Day 3 Assigned Work
Students please complete the following;
K & U Questions #14, 15, 16 & 17 on page
153
Application Questions #3 & 5 on page 154
***Save As Ch 10 Day 3 in your Unit 3 folder***