Marketing elements

Product and price

 There are two marketing elements that have been presented in this module. Product is the first marketing element and in this case, the products are tangible and they are presented in both local and overseas in order to meet the consumer demand.  Product is the key element and companies pay attention to the product as the key determinant of the economy (Barker & Angelopulo, 2006).  For example, PepsiCo has applied the marketing element in its organization by ensuring that the target markets in local and overseas get variety of quality products (food and drinks in different segmentations).

 Price is another important marketing element and in this module, price plays a significant role in making profit.  The important thing to not here is that price is made with respect to how customers values the product. This is because, if customers have a little value on the product, then the price should be low and vice versa (Barker & Angelopulo, 2006).  In this case, the company has applied the marketing element by providing variety of products meaning that the price will be different and customers will purchase the product with respect to their purchasing power.

Between price and product, I think that the product is most important.  First, business cannot move forward or expand without a product.  In other words, a product must be developed in order to apply other marketing elements such as price, place and promotion (Hoffmann, 2008).  Other point is that in order to enter in both local and global markets and get a competition position, there must be a product which will meet the consumers’ desire.  

Product as marketing element is associated with advantages in that it increases market share and company’s market power through providing target market with quality products. In addition, product increases profit and positive sales growth through developing unique products which are able to compete in the market (Hoffmann, 2008).  Another advantage is that a product can develop the economies of scale which will then help the business to manufacture many products at low cost.

Both price and product are similar with other market elements such as place and promotion.  This is because, when a business has developed product and price, it cannot make profit or get a position in the competition market without developing promotion (Hoffmann, 2008).  In other words, for customers in global markets to know about the product, the company should   use all means of advertisement and creat a proper place where customers will get the product.

Other point is that the application of product, price, place and promotion is the same. This is because, in creating place and promotion, company should first develop product and price.  The point is that a certain product should move together with price. In addition, company should take a step to promote the product so that customers can get the message and create a decision to purchase the product (Hoffmann, 2008). Finally, customers need to see the product physical for them to value and purchase it. This indicates that the application of the marketing elements is the same and all elements must be inclusive in order to achieve the competitive advantage (Hoffmann, 2008).

Reference

Barker, R., & Angelopulo, G. (2006). Integrated organisational communication. Cape Town: Juta

Academic.

Hoffmann, S. (2008). Are the 4 P's of international marketing of equal importance to all firms? What

factors might cause some to more or less important than others?: A short article. München:

GRIN Verlag GmbH.

Trends in Retailing

In the retail industry, customers are increasingly demanding a new experience in relation to the buying process. As such, they expect more personalized and relevant buying experience that will offer more value. The experience relates to the various trends which have informed the preferred and easy buying process from enquiring, delivery and payment. The retail industry is moving towards a subscription economy, a model that is changing the approach of the consumers to ownership where attitude towards owning products is changing. These customers are having more interest in renting various products especially from high value street brands. In the delivery of products aspects such as crowd sourcing is making the process quite cheap by providing new services that take advantage of freelance workforce or the journeys already being made by retailers (Deloitte, 2016). This has resulted to very quick deliveries with some taking a little time as an hour.

Many savvy retailers are tapping into the advancements in deep analytics, machine learning and even artificial intelligence to achieve more personalized buying experience. This means that consumers are turning to digital platforms where retailers obtained personal details such as profiles in social media, buying histories and interests. This is providing an opportunity for the retailers to provide a selection of products which is tailored towards customer needs. In addition, the use of social media is informing the adoption of direct buying in social channels since these networks are integrating commerce more successfully (Pearson, 2016).

Moreover, retailers are endeavoring to bring about internal re-organization changes through fundamental restructuring in order to respond to Omni-channel. This involves designing the operations around consumer experience instead of using a channel, and traditional departments are brought together so as to facilitate real-time transactions (Pearson, 2016).

References

Pearson, B. (2016).7 Under-The-Radar Retail Trends for 2017. Retrieved from: http://www.forbes.com/sites/bryanpearson/2016/12/28/7-under-the-radar-retail-trends-for-2017/#3d53c32d1ba7

Marketing Plan for Flipping houses in Cincinnati, Ohio

Situational Analysis

Business Context

House flipping business is currently going through a significant and dynamic transformation through the increased awareness of the ability of flipping houses to generate income as well as a cheaper strategy of acquiring homes. House flipping business has been a popular practice ever since individuals realized that houses or better referred to as homes cannot only be utilized as a source of shelter provision as it can also be utilized in  generating profit (Boardman, 2013).  Houses flipping business is the act of buying houses that require to be repaired or renovated and then handling the repair before selling them at a higher price.  Profits from houses flipping are generated from the act of buying houses that are characterized by low prices and then selling them at an increased price often when the market is characterized with rapid rising.

 On the other hand, these profits can be obtained through buying of properties that requires being repaired thus making the necessary fixes before a sale. According to Boardman, (2013), Flipping houses in Cincinnati, Ohio is characterized with high benefits since most individuals are in need of obtaining a home. In addition, the market is characterized by high rapid changes. However, over the last few years, houses flipping for generation of profits have not been a beneficial activity since most of the investors bought the houses when the prices were very high and now the houses prices have declined. Marketing is thus important in attaining the success of the business as well as planning for better generation of profits in the future.  The current m housing market necessitates products that are well equipped and maintained. The corporation offers quality and affordable goods that are effective in meeting the general needs of the consumers.

With the changes that have been brought by modernity, there is a necessity to offer housing products that are highly innovative to cover the needs of the young generation which is covering an essential part in the flipping market today in Cincinnati, Ohio. Deacons housing investment is a licensed and a registered property corporation that is based in Cincinnati, Ohio. The corporation looks forward to assisting an increased number of people to acquire housing at an affordable price.  Currently, the business is going through some preparation and the business is set to be opened to the entire public soon.  The corporation provides sophisticated approaches in enhancing the entire need of consumers being fully satisfied. The necessity of flipping houses for the corporation is justified and validated on its general ability to offer long-term value to the consumers (Boardman, 2013).  From research, it is clear that flipping houses business is linked with increased profits generation and particularly in Cincinnati, Ohio where the population is rapidly growing in the recent years.  This can thus be described as a direct connection between homes and consumers. However the flipping business in Cincinnati, Ohio cannot be regarded as the best as it requires some developments in areas of prices as well as innovativeness.  In the purchasing trend of houses in Cincinnati, Ohio the young generation between the ages of 25 to forty years is leading.  This thus raises the general necessity of using strategic strategies in marketing the business as the availability of house that can be flipped is still high.  The e-commerce marketing approach for the business is currently not the best and thus there is a necessity to generate strategic directions on how the corporation can be successful and particularly to the young people.

Corporation Description

Vision Statement, Strategic Intention, and Mission Statement

Deacon's investment company is a corporation that is aiming at delivering excellent services to the consumers in the context of helping individuals to own homes and manage them. The corporation plans on the provision of favorable surrounding to all the consumers at affordable prices. The business will be focused on facilitating houses fixing after buying them and before selling them to the consumers, sale facilitation, maintenance of property and the provision of the houses sellers with an adequate guide.

Vision Statement

The vision of the corporations is to become the preferred option for consumers and those that wish to sell their houses to the corporation in the entire United States by the end of the next five years.

Mission Statement

Our corporation is mainly established with the objective of assisting houses buyers and those that sells to us. This is through ensuring that they acquire housing properties of their personal options with affordable prices and preferences. The corporation will additionally be helping them in effective housing management.  The corporation, therefore,  aims  at offering unique housing experience through giving  property convenience and offering an increased variety  of products to select from. In addition, the corporation is objected at offering exceptional deals through the sale of quality and affordable houses.  Consumers are the main priority of the corporation and the corporation will strive to ensure that it becomes the housing destination that is widely trusted.   Lastly, the corporation wishes to respect all the involved associates via developing chances for personal growth and as teamwork development simultaneously in a rewarding and an environment that is full of joy.

Market Goals

It is factual that the flipping housing market in Cincinnati, Ohio can indeed be described as a booming market. This, therefore, implies that the involved investors will at all times remain attracted by the market based on the acquired benefits as well as growth.  It is no doubt that there is a difficulty in viewing multi-millions who holds no slight interest in investing in the flipping market (Ripaldi, 2015).  Most individuals think that the flipping business is characterized by unprofessionalism but that is not true because the business is doing well and it is being conducted by experts.

In a real sense the more that individuals acquire housing the higher the opportunity of Housing Corporation to secure more deals and the higher the housing prices. In addition, as long as consumers are continuously in search of houses and some getting better houses then there will always be a business for the flipping houses corporation (Ripaldi, 2015).  We hold perfected marketing and sales strategies and the business will reach the ground in a high run.  The corporation is very optimistic that it will meet and even pass the general target of creating profits from the first operation month and then the business will gain the capability of growing above Cincinnati, Ohio in America within a time period.  The corporation has been able to examine the flipping houses market and the chances in the industry particularly in Cincinnati, Ohio has been established thus developed the sales forecast that is very strategic and consumer friendly.

The corporations aim at being listed amidst the top five flipping houses corporation in America within a span of at least five years.  In addition, the corporation hopes on becoming the number one priority in regard to flipping housing business services in Cincinnati, Ohio within the next two years. Finally, the corporation needs to build a self-sustaining flipping houses business that will encourage and contribute to the general development of the United States economy.

Marketing Budget

For the flipping housing company, the marketing budget is 10,000 dollars for the first year after the official of the business to the market. This is done so because the corporations have thoroughly studied the market and thus the business entirely understands that in order to win consumers at ease there must be trustworthiness as well as adequate competent (Smilansky, 2009).   A good relationship is an additional key aspect when it comes to attaining and surpassing the target market and for the corporation, it will be fully objected at gaining young individuals who want to own houses in Cincinnati, Ohio as they are the major target for the corporation.  Moving forward the corporation will budget for about 5 and 10 percent of the general annual income that will be focused on promoting and marketing the business in Cincinnati, Ohio so that it can attract more investors from the domestic and the global regions.

Market Analysis

From the recent report, it is clear that the flipping housing investment is on the rise. In the year 2009 statistics reveals that the general revenue that was collected from the flipping market was approximately 9 billion dollars in America (Smilansky, 2009).  Regardless of the continuing expectation of the slow of housing prices in 2015 the industry was still characterized by adequate growth (Smilansky, 2009).  During the third quarter of last year flipping, apartment housing sector grew very high in the United States. This resulted.

Despite the fact that the sales that are developed from houses flipping are less as compared to that that is generated from actual estate housing it is no doubt that this sector is  still experiencing development in Cincinnati, Ohio. In Cincinnati, Ohio the flip houses investment market is highly fragmented and based on statistics it is clear that the involved companies generate less than twenty-five percent of the housing industry general revenue (Stanyer, 2014).

In the year 2014, the federal government of Cincinnati, Ohio spends close to a hundred million dollars on residential properties particularly in the coordination of repairing facilities.  The involve flipping corporation in the year totaled to 12 in Cincinnati, Ohio (Stanyer, 2014).  The operation condition in the industry as we move on is expected to remain as positive in the following five years and there is growing prediction that thereafter the condition will slow in the future due to trends and preferences changes  that will be influenced by increased modernization.  This is the rationale as to why in the following few years the value of construction and sale houses is likely to experience huge growth based on developed consumer confidence as well as low rates of interests which will generally cause a rise of the housing stock in general.  It is additionally significant to note that the Cincinnati, Ohio houses ownership level will additionally rise. 

However with the changing preferences, more consumers will require equipped and well-structured houses and the housing business may be required to adopt additional measures in development (Stanyer, 2014).  It is thus significant for flipping houses corporations to make a diversified market position so that their operation in the future can be sustained. Accommodation is ranked among the top requirements of humans and this is the reason as to why young individuals are striving to acquire houses. This is the major factor that drives individuals to operate housing businesses (Stanyer, 2014). In addition flipping housing business unlike real estate it necessitates less starting a fund and good revenues can thus be generated within the shortest period.

Target Market

The flipping housing company targets individuals from different social classes as it offers affordability. However, the business is more objected on young individuals who are amid the ages of 25 and 40 years’ as they are currently the highest buyers of flipped houses in Cincinnati, Ohio.  It is easy to say that most of the individuals are currently in need of houses but establishing reliable and trustworthy consumers can be difficult (Villani, & Davis, 2007). It is thus important to establish that attracting the target market goes beyond online advertisement as there has to be evidence on the ground.  The corporation will rely mainly on developing better relationships with individuals in the community. This will thus be achieved through social responsibility as well as the word of mouth from the well-trained employees. The current market requires more dynamism and this can only be achieved through being a consumer-centered organization.

Marketing Plan: SWOT Analysis

It is without a doubt that the flipping housing business is the cheapest and simplest form of getting into housing actual investment (Villani, & Davis, 2007).  In fact, all that is necessarily is to be a holder of housing knowledge as well as hold a better understanding of the changing trends in the market.  As a corporation, we are mainly objected at maximization of our general strengths as well as chances and solve the existing threats and weaknesses.

Strengths

The corporation primary lies on the fact that we hold a healthy working association with individuals who sells and acquires housing properties in Cincinnati, Ohio, and America in general.  In addition, we are characterized by trust, better management of relationships as well as honesty which is highly required in business.

Weakness

Our primary is that we are a fresh flipping housing corporation and thus it will require the execution of increased efforts in attracting more consumers to our products as well as awareness creating.

Opportunities

These are many opportunities in the housing market and as a corporation; we are willing to grab each chance that comes our way in proving that we are particularly the best.

Threats

 The major threat is competition.  In Cincinnati, Ohio there are well established Housing Corporation that may hinder our ability. In addition, there are strict federal policies and international economic housing decrease may also be a major threat.

Competitive Advantage

Deacons’ Housing Investment Corporation is an obvious fresh business in the market. However, the corporation has well researched the market and understands that consumers are best attracted through the utilization of honesty, trust, and excellent consumer relationships management. The corporation is designed in a manner that it can handle increased competition as well as changing market trends.

Sales and Marketing Strategy

Deacons Corporation aims at maximizing profits generation in the flipping housing industry through the deliverance of high quality as well as affordable houses to the esteemed consumers.  With the development of the property market, it means that investors will highly be attracted to the market (Villani, & Davis, 2007). These changes will thus help the corporation in securing better deals in the market.  The corporation will utilize the internet as well as relationship building as the primary marketing strategies in creating of products and corporation’s awareness.

Pricing Strategy

The primary sector of the business is ensuring that the corporation works within the provided budget in delivering satisfaction to consumers. The pricing of houses in the market is influenced by factors such as location, size, structure, type materials utilizes as well as additional factors (Williamson, 2015). However, the corporation will work on offering affordable houses that will mainly be influenced by value and satisfaction of our consumers. Because the corporation cannot be able to control the general pricing it will work on modification of prices structure based on the market trends.

Unique Sales Superiority

The superiority and uniqueness of the corporation's sales are that it has devised approaches that are aimed at minimizing litigating risks and maximize profits through reducing the buying rates and utilization of high maintenance and repairing strategies.  The consumers are bound to gain different advantages when they are patronized with our corporation.  This is because the corporation aims at centering on consumers as the major priority thus the property’s value is bound to increase against the depreciation of the market in general.  In addition, the corporation will ensure that the consumers are treated with the highest respect and also abide by all the connected housing policies and thus there will not be any outsourcing of any specific demographic (Boardman, 2013). Consumers will thus acquire affordable and high-quality houses, adequate money value as well as a free consultation.

Marketing Strategic Alliance

In reference to the property industry, there is almost a zero possibility of the involved competitors in forming strategic marketing associations (Williamson, 2015).  This is because most of the corporations are mainly objected at maximizing their profit as well as the sales of houses. However, Deacons will seek to form an alliance with other corporations in forming better structures to overcome future threats.

The corporation will utilize different approaches in retaining consumers which are basically the main ways of developing consumer experience.  In order to retain consumers the corporation will work on effective management of properties, offer affordable prices, ensure that there is a constant relationship with consumers to get their feedbacks or areas that they would want the corporation to develop and create a platform where consumers can gain points for the purchases that they make. In addition, the corporation will ensure that the consumers are involved in decision making.  This will help in creating a sense of belonging, trust as well as loyalty amid the corporation and the consumers (Williamson, 2015).

Consumers will additionally be offered with after sales services which may involve repair and maintenance of the houses for a particular period depending on the agreement and structure of the property.  The business marketing approach is based on ensuring that consumers are offered with incentives in order to retain them, gain a better reputation and attract more consumers (Williamson, 2015).  The certain of loyalty will enable the corporation in retaining consumers without defaulting thus building a better image in the market. This will assist the corporation in becoming the suitable option for consumers who need to acquire properties at reduced prices.

            Conclusion

Deacons’ flipping housing investment Corporation has the opportunity of securing a large market segment in with the targeted market and marketing strategies. Through this the corporation will be able to gain and retain consumers as it will be offering quality and affordable properties. This is unlike what the competitors are currently offering thus securing a well strategized position in the market. With this the corporation will be able to attain continuity even in the future which is characterized by numerous uncertainties.

            References

Boardman, M. (2013). Fixing and flipping real estate: Strategies for the post-boom era. New York: Apress.

Ripaldi, T. (2015). Wake up, america!. Place of publication not identified: Creation House

Smilansky, S. (2009). Experiential marketing: A practical guide to interactive brand experiences. London: Kogan Page.

Stanyer, P. (2014). Guide to investment strategy: How to understand markets, risk, rewards and behaviour.

Villani, R., & Davis, C. (2007). Flip: How to find, fix, and sell houses for profit. New York: McGraw-Hill.

Williamson, M. (2015). The everything guide to flipping houses: An all-inclusive guide to : buying . renovating . selling.

MARKETING

Brands becoming activists

With respect to the current economic world, business sustainability continues to be affected by environmental, social, political, and economic factors. Because of these factors, companies will be forced to put more efforts in these issues so that they can boom with their corporate values. This then means that business organizations will be more effective as much as the brand activism will be focusing on issues in which they have extensive legitimate role to play in their industry (Holt, 2004).

Conversely, in case brand ends up taking up a target of change in the business world i.e. in all subject regarding society, nature or people, in the process of developing marketing strategy, this can be perceived as being a mission brand which supports social-environmental activism (Holt, 2004). For years that have passed, there are various factors which have affected industries or companies. For instance, brand activism used to be engendered by notions of its impact it enhancing business performance. This is because, this used to be a significant paradigm which now offers an analysis of the reflections corporate mission marketing just in line with the mission brand concept

Nonetheless, there are various approaches which can be used to address this trend. Since business organizations are extensively becoming environmental activists, making the brand to become one of its activists continues to make good business sense. Regardless of that, it should be noted that there is the need of scrutinizing everything whether which corporate brand activists promises to be having the capacity of making it enjoys the economies of scale (Mukherjee & Banet, 2012). This is to say that in the process of integrating brand activists in the company, all stakeholders will be in the position of functioning as the litmus paper of the corporate brand activism. 

To sum up, technological development, industrialization or globalization extensively impacts the performance of a business either positively or negatively. In this context, brand activists are of utmost significance. Therefore, transforming the brand to become its activists implies that it boost the image of the business to the general public. 

Bibliography

Holt, D. B. (2004). How brands become icons: The principles of cultural branding.

Mukherjee, R., & Banet-Weiser, S. (2012). Commodity activism: Cultural resistance in neoliberal times. New York: New York University Press.

COMMODITY FUTURE PROJECT

Soybean

Describe your game plan when you initiated your first trade

With respect to my first trade, my first plan was visualizing the trade over and over again. While allowing the progress to take place, I had to let the market prove me right or wrong. Moreover, although my plan was to do this exercise several times, I was mentally rehearsing as well as practicing its peak performance i.e. just creating an effective routine.  At this point, what it meant to me is that I was able to establish an effective routine strategy which connected all the strategies and through repeating this process over and over is was to become the trader I know is inside me (Ang, 2014).
Why you decided on a particular commodity (soybeans or wheat) to pursue

The reason for deciding to pursue soybeans is basically because its future quotes are relatively promising and achievable. Conversely, soybeans is relatively or readily available hence the expenses to be incurred it acquiring them was to be minimal. 

How you decided which side of the market to be on first (buy or sell)

With respect to the above considerations, I decided to take the buying side of the market. The implication for this is because the soybean buying side is comparatively better unlike the selling side because I had the potential of making a lot more from such an investment which is technically true but far from the average case (Ang, 2014).

What was the trend in futures prices prior to your transaction?

Considering the current market situation, the future prices for soybeans is likely to be better because of the increasing perceptions of the clients about this product. In connection to that, I had to design my prices before embarking on this transaction. Therefore, the prices for the whole of November include;

(1016’6   1031’0     1015’5      1021’0       1030’4       1024’4)/8

1016’6/8   1031’0/8     1015’5/8      1021’0/8      1030’4/8       1024’4/8

1.01675      1.0310      1.015625      1.0210         1.0305           1.0245

Section 2: graphical representation

Section 3

Based on the graphical representation, ultimately, all the sources needed for trading the soybeans as well as the fluctuations in the market over a short-term is influenced by various factors. One of these factors is buyers’ psychology.  The technical traders buying are based on the volume or price fluctuations remains to be the heaviest users of psychology in the market. In other words, it was difficult to predict what the market was to do, based on the customers’ perceptions on soybeans.

Another factor is the buyers’ expectations. The market price fluctuates due to the fact that people perceive that is now worth less or worth more. Although news caused price fluctuations, price movements often exceeded the change which underlined the value of the soybeans which the information indicated.  Moreover, this swing is coupled with the psychology of the traders in the market. This in return overshadows the general impact of the real news item (H.N.W.II, 2016).

There are various economic factors which caused increase or decrease in future prices. Nevertheless, in most cases, demand changes because of the changes in price of the soybeans with other factors held constant. It is these factors which determine the level or position of the soybeans in the graph. It can be noted that whenever there is a change encountered in the non-price factors, a right or left shift can be witnessed in the demand curve.

In connection to that, because of the availability of the substitute goods, the price of the soybeans dropped. The reason for this trend in this day was because buyers had an alternative to buy hence posing a great challenge. The prices had to fluctuate till an equilibrium price was obtained. Because of this trend, supply and demand was much impacted i.e. there was no need of supplying more yet the quantity demanded was relatively low (Moore & Longenecker, 2008). The only option that remained was to maintain the market equilibrium price. All this happened on November 16^th 2016

Section 4

Profit = {(cost of sale-(buying price + other expenses)}

            = (1.0245-1.01675) x 8 x 1000  

            = 7.75^-3 x8 x 1000

            =0.062 x1000

            = 62 – broker fee

            =62-45

            =$17

With regard to the above computations, although I didn’t lose my money, the reasons for realizing relatively low returns are because of the factors discussed above. In other words, as a trader the strategy I had is making decisions of instinct together with the use of probabilities and numbers so as to arrive at the decision of investing. Since the market responded positively to my expectations, my probability was to make at least $0.01 on a trade. My profit was to be linked with the various measures for example the rate of return, the buying price and so on. All this entails the amount of profit to be earned in relation to the total amount in invested in the business. Additionally, so as to determine whether my investment was to do well, I had to compare it with the return that was to be in the position of obtaining from such a low-risk investment opportunity (Moore & Longenecker, 2008).

Reference

Ang, A. (2014). Asset management: A systematic approach to factor investing.

Moore, C. W., & Longenecker, J. G. (2008). Managing small business: An entrepreneurial emphasis. Australia: South-Western/Cengage Learning.

HIGH NET WORTH INVESTING. (2016). Place of publication not identified: MARSHALL CAVENDISH INT'L.

bloomberg.com, reuters.com

http://www.cmegroup.com/trading/agricultural/grain-and oilseed/soybean.html?optionExpiration=F7

Competing in International Markets

            The abroad extension has been the main expansion plan for the café corporations from Yurn to McDonald’s and the Domino’s.  Chipotle is at a halt in its untimely phases of expansion in the outer regions of U.S and its progressing gradually.  The corporation has 12 global eating places and has maintained their plans of opening extra restaurants in years to come including some in Germany.  The American style of the Mexican food seems to have a little attraction in the United Kingdom than the log burgers and the pizza do.  Chipotle has not been so much successful as it is known that most of those living in London are not familiar with its brands.  If I was the CEO of the company I would much focus on the increase of the marketing process (Wylie, 2009).

             My evaluation has shown that only one percent of the Londoners know about the brand without prompting compared to the 16 percent of those who know about Manger and 23 percent of those who are aware of the McDonald’s brands. London will become a developing market until the awareness of Chipotle brands are raised there.  Another challenging issue is the pricing.  As for America, pricing is mainly an issue for many of the Londoners.  Many dinners have had a psychological obstacle against paying more then $5 for the lunch items and this compared to the fact that Chipotle food is highly priced strategy and needs to be changed so as to attract more customers (Wylie, 2009). 

            Best Buy is the top most suppliers of machinery products, services and resolutions. The company gives professional services at fare prices to the customers, the small business owners and the scholars who visit their stores and they are currently having operations in the U.S and Canada. As for the staff workers, the employees’ knowledge and passion are recommended through payments, benefits and other rewards that are among the best in the industry such as the industry leading employee discounts on the greatest products (Hitt, Hoskisson & Ireland, 2013).  

            Many of the companies that compete in the international markets are at the aim of gaining costs and advantages.  If the company increases its sales levels by entering in a new country, it gains economies of the scales that lower its production costs.  Growing internationally has some challenges for dealing with the suppliers.  The development of the international expansion leads many businesses buy and have many suppliers in huge numbers.  This gives the company a stronger influence when negotiating prices with its suppliers (Hitt, Hoskisson & Ireland, 2013).    

Student 1: SS: Under Armour

I agree with Amour’s argument because Chipotle is preparing to commence a new beckon of awareness with their burrito product in an established market.  The restaurant stands to be different from the other competitors because it does its business differently in terms of food, restaurant and advertising.  It focuses on its quality on the ingredients which makes new interests and culture to how to have fast foods through many promotional events.

Student 2:JS: Chick-Fil-A

I agree with the remarks of Chick-Fil-A due to the fact that most of the entrepreneurs such as Chipotle practice the building and maintaining the local customer as it is their main road to success. Like Chipotle, when other companies achieve this goal, they feel comfortable and are ready to expand internationally.  So that a business may be converted from domestic to international, some factors must be considered which cannot affect the local company.     

References

  Hitt, M. A., Hoskisson, R. E., & Ireland, R. D. (2013). Strategic management: Competitiveness & globalization : cases. Mason, OH: South-Western, Cengage Learning.

Wylie, K. (2009). Marketing Analysis Chipotle Mexican Restaurant and Applebee's Restaurant. München: GRIN Verlag GmbH.    

Marketing Strategies: Summary

A thorough study on marketing function has informed my understanding that   mangers need to turn marketing information into customer insights by first carrying out marketing research on their needs. I have leant that understanding customer motivation behind their behavior will help in identifying their needs and this forms the right basis carrying out segmentation of the market. Further study has shown me that human connection between a brand and customer relates to almost all personal decisions made.

The marketing function has made me learn that having a solid business model is the initial step of marketing strategy. I view that a good business model enables a firm to flexible towards target market by adapting internally and forging alliances. An effective business model direct marketing strategies towards attaining present and future competitiveness for a sustained or growing market share across all market segments  identified. I think that is such a model, strategies and customer value must be addressed so as it can be more generic than a marketing strategy. I view a combination of competitive market strategy analysis with business model as requiring market segmentation and developing value proposition for all segments.

In discussing pricing and its role in marketing, I would convince marketers that it is not the least element but the major component in profit generation for the overall market. As a business man, I must set prices after considering the price at which processing cost and goods acquisition are taken care of.  Strategic pricing forms the major element for business success since it determines whether will return or not.  Given that strategic comes in different ways I would , as a business partner , consider comprehensive pricing as it consist of various aspects that allows for profit increment or reduction over time.

I perceive that different companies provides different brands and the company should develop strategies that appeal to customers. Most customers will be attracted to a brand that will offer very distinct features as compared to similar brands in the market and thus will consider buying it. I think that it is important for a brand to form oneness in people across the world. By becoming part of the people’s culture, brand encourages consumer choices and increases the marketing practices between customers and manufactures.  Brands may however affect our culture especially due to pictures trending on social media.

The reputation of a company and its brand takes time and effort to build but it can be destroyed instantly. There is a need for organizations to ensure that the image is properly management especially through proactively managing their social media. A reputation does not get lost due to a crisis but the manner in which a firm communicates and manages it. It is important o have a plan that can be used in reputation management by use of social media after a crisis

Marketing strategies: Pr & reputation

In this presentation, I have leant three important things relating to reputation creation, maintenance and rectification after it has been destroyed. I have deduced that a reputation of a company takes time and effort to build but it can be lost instantly. Secondly, I have learnt that there is a need for organizations to ensure that the image is properly management especially through proactively managing their social media.  In addition, an image that has been damaged, more so through the social media is not lost due to a crisis but the manner in which it is communicated and solved (Katariina, Juusola,n.d, 13).  The reputation of a firm can be built and maintained through social media as a major channel. I reckon that this would include choosing the right networks that can support the information relayed to the public about the organization an one that can influence the public understanding of the organization.  This is due to the fact that a good percentage of the public use social media many times a day making one of the best weapon that can be used in influencing the identity, image and hence reputation (CARROLL, 2013, 40).   There lots of social networks can be used in the provision of shareable but valuable content. I think that a stronger brand reputation would be built if a firm focuses sharing content that viewers in the social media would want to share.  This is better than just posting content for the purpose of meeting arbitrary publishing periods or which includes subjects which only the management wants to read(CARROLL, 2013,41). Therefore, I am certain that all content shared should support the band identity, image and thus reputation.

The other important point I learnt is that online tools can be used in the management of reputation of a brand.  Such tools are very important in communicating the appropriate information to the public. This involves avoiding advertisements that can be considered offensive, handling of third-party content and the management of any crisis that may arise. I understand this to be the major point of reputation management especially by use of social media. This goes hand in hand in the maintenance of the said reputation.  I think that not participating on social media may make things to go wrong, given that the nowadays people are always on social media. Therefore, customers may want to have the information of their company to be at their finger tips especially when it comes to notices (CARROLL, 2013, 41). I consider that reputation management should also include managing the risk of the reputation. Management should adopt a forward-looking approach and having a preemptive mindset when it comes to such risks.  This should be done with a consideration that a reputation will not be lost the arising crisis but how such crises are solved after the damage (CARROLL, 2013, 40). Therefore, I have learnt that social media is a very powerful tool that can be used in mitigating risks related to reputation damage. Managing of reputation damage would require that a firm has a social media plan already, which can direct employees on what they should or should not do (CARROLL, 2013, 41).  I reckon that the plan should include an assessment of the nature of the situation, developing of key messages that can respond to the crises and communicating effectively to through the social networks.

References

Katariina, Juusola(n.d).Marketing management (mgt520).1-19

CARROLL, C. E. (2013). The Handbook of Communication and Corporate Reputation. New York, NY, John Wiley & Sons.  40-42http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:101:1-2014121610593.

QUALCOMM and Cisco future prospects and risk evaluation

QUALCOMM future prospects can be understood from a SWOT analysis point of view given that it will provide a strategic view of the firm’s businesses and its operations. The analysis will offer a comprehensive view of the strengths that can be used to overcome weakness and the potential opportunities that will enable the firm to face any possible threats. The strengths of the firm arises from a strong market base and its focus on research and development enables the firm to continue being leader in the development and commercialization of the a CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) which is a digital communications technology, OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) technologies and LTE (Long Term Evolution) that are used in wireless applications for cellular communication (QUALCOMM INCORPORATED, 2015). The firm also owns some substantial intellectual properties related to the above mentioned technologies and also develop other key technologies used in the development of tablets and handsets which largely play part in the demand for the end-user. The firm holds about 12,600 US patents some of which are pending application for the CMDA and other related technologies (QUALCOMM INCORPORATED, 2015). These products enable the firm to have an expanded customer base. It also enjoys format diversifications and which enables it to a large pool of customers. This goes hand in hand with a strong recognition of the brand and formats that are very innovative. In addition to a wide geographical coverage, the firm boasts of a firm client base in its loyalty program. The customer base installed is huge and the firm has entered into long-term contracts with them. Another source of strength is the strategic alliance the firm has been able to forge with foreign partners like Casino who offers exchanges for best practices (QUALCOMM INCORPORATED, 2015).  However, the firm is faced with various weaknesses that have to be considered by potential investors. A major weakness is it has weak presence in technologies that are non CDMA. The recall for the brand is also limited given that the firm does not engage in considerable global marketing meaning that faults in products may not be rectified.  

The opportunities that the firm can advantage of include a subscriber base that is growing constantly. In addition there is a rapid increase in the adoption of the 4G and 3G technologies informed the fact that customers are increasingly acquiring multimedia assets and graphics that are handheld. On the other hand, the firm is faced with various threats with the major ones relating to policies on SDO intellectual property (QUALCOMM INCORPORATED, 2015). Such threats also involve various latent litigations and in the market landscape adverse economic conditions globally that threaten growth.

The Cisco System brand can also be analysed in terms of future prospects and on the basis of SWOT analysis. The strengths of the firm emerge from the diversity in the products and services it offers to its large customer base. This is a highly respected brand name as a result of its quality products and services known for their reliability and effectiveness making the brand to a very trusted one. The firm also embraces research and development which translated to the aforementioned quality (Cisco systems, 2016). The key strength is thus satisfied customers who help to promote the brand image. The firm is also credited with its high regard for effective governance and adherence to its ethical code forming part of its internal strength. The employees of the organizations are highly regarded leading to their excellent satisfaction. Such a firm code of ethic promotes honesty integrity and transparency which are indicated in the firm social responsibility engagement. For instance, the partnership between the Cisco Networking Academy and DeafAid, an NGO in Kenya has been of great help to the young people with hearing impairment in acquiring job skills which valuable enough to improve their economic situations and thus their standing in that society (Cisco systems, 2016). Various strategies are in place for financing some qualified customers for building, maintaining and upgrading the networks, a competitive advantage in getting business more so for the infrastructure projects.  .The firm is, on other hand, faced with some weaknesses beginning with a management structure that is too complex due to issues such as oversized workforce.  The other weakness includes its declining markets share for storage networking. The firm also has weak presence in BPO markets and technologies as compared to the market leaders in the global economy (Cisco systems, 2016). However, various opportunities are available to the firm chief of the m being potential for expansion by forming strategic acquisitions and alliances. The current infrastructure for smart grid, mobile broadband and Wi-Fi Home Calling could also increase demand for Cisco products and services. Other potential areas for growth include data mining or intensive applications (Virginia’s Community Colleges, n.d). The firm is faced with various threats that may hinder its future prospects. The market is awash with Open Source Competitors masking the firm to encounter very competitive rivalry. Such competitors include Avaya, Brocade, and Juniper which is the closest competitor more so in securities market – firewalls, VPN (Virginia’s Community Colleges, n.d).  The firm will have to brace an industry that is fast paced and which could make it to lose market share very quickly.

The trend in financial performance for both Qualcomm and Cisco indicate Qualcomm as being in a better position to increase the wealth of the owners due to its operations. As a major player in provision of generational wireless technologies, the firm operations continue to show a better growth informed by increasing conversion of wireless devices and networks to 3G or 4G around the globe. The financial statements indicate that Qualcom had a ROE (return on equity) of 17. 95 percent with a ROA (return on assets) being of 10.90 percent for the year 2016 in the third quarter (QUALCOMM, 2016). Even though the previous year had seen the rate of returns declining, the firm was able bounce back and thus improving return on investments better than Cisco. Though the return on equity level is low as compared to historical data or results, the increasing financial leverage was able to some, to some extent, offset those effects. With this kind of performance and various patents, the firm can still continue to dominate the market for mobile network as new markets and even more users are changing to 3G and 4G (Morning star, 2016). This means that the firm can still continue to experience improved return on investment as seen in the dividend yield for January 2015 which stood at 4.22 percent , fairly good as compared to Cisco. Cisco on the other hand may not match Qualcomm in increasing the owners’ wealth.  This is because the firm faces a big threat in networking market dominance arising from the emerging rivals. Companies such as ZTE and Huawei have brought about stiff competition for products offered by Cisco creating a major threat to profits from its operations (Cisco systems, 2016). The firm had returns on equity stood at 16.89 percent and return on assets was 8.83 percent, lower than those of Qualcomm (Stock Analysis on net, 2016). Moreover, the firm’s Operating Profit Margin was also lower at 25.71 percent in comparison to that of Qualcomm at 27.57 percent.  Qualcomm‘s operating profit showed a considerable improvement. The 2015 fourth quarter revenue together with Earning per Share for this firm met the expected results, with a major increment in capital return, where a record $14 billion returns on capital was realized for to the benefit of stockholders (QUALCOMM, 2016).

The non-recurring items include the gain on sales of wireless spectrum on the income statements of the QUALCOMM Inc. They were in real sense a part of operating activities’ gain. The other item includes the issuance of debt on the financial statements of Cisco INC which is actually a loss.  These items may influence on the determination of the profitability of the firm and therefore should be considered. For Qualcomm INC, the earning persistence is obtained from the revenues associated with non-monetary exchanges, tax compensation, and gains from the investments such as marketable securities. For the Cisco financial statements, earning persistence is seen in the form of interest income and the provision of income arising from the tax benefits.  

References

QUALCOMM (2016). Quarterly results. Retrieved from: http://investor.qualcomm.com/results.cfm

Virginia’s Community Colleges (n.d).Cisco Systems Business Portfolio for BUS100. SWOT analysis. Retrieved from: https://sites.google.com/a/email.vccs.edu/cisco-systems-business-portfolio-for-bus100/swot-analysis

QUALCOMM INCORPORATED (2015). Form 10-K. For the Fiscal Year Ended. Retrieved from: http://investor.qualcomm.com/secfiling.cfm?filingID=1234452-15-271&CIK=804328

CISCO SYSTEMS, INC(2016). Form 10-K. For the Fiscal Year Ended.

Morning star. Retrieved from: http://www.morningstar.com/markets.html

Stock Analysis on net(2016). Profitability Analysis. Qualcomm Inc. Retrieved from: https://www.stock-analysis-on.net/NASDAQ/Company/Qualcomm-Inc/Ratios/Profitability

Samsung's smart sneakers

Competitive strategies

Samsung as the important leaders in ensuring the world goes smart came up with smart sneakers that ensure the feet of the users remain balanced. The sneakers track the postures of the users since they have pressure sensors and even accelerators which are placed inside their soles. The sneakers are unique since users are able to work out and through IoFIT app, users are able to record themselves then watch the recording after working out. The sneakers are able to collect data which is then played as a video by the users thus they are unique and special. People who use these sneakers go with their phones to the gym since they will watch those videos later on through the app. Samsung has manufactured this new strategy as a competitive strategy from other manufactures since the sneakers are specially made thus unique from sneakers from other brands.

Market challengers’ strategies

An affordable price is a strategy Samsung uses so that it can market them to the people. The sneakers are affordable since a pair goes for $249 which is not very expensive bearing in mind the shoes are advantageous and smart. People who have invested in these shoes say that they are worth the money since the shoes are cushy and easy to work with. They are cheap compared to the services they come with and thus Samsung has sold the smart shoes since the prices are affordable since sneakers from other brands are not cheap either.

Market niche strategies and strategic intent

Samsung smart sneakers remain marketable since they are comfortable compared to sneakers from other brands such as Adidas. People prefer the Samsung sneakers since they are comfortable and are not so expensive. The retail price is about $249 which is worth since the smart shoes remain comfortable and popular among people. The smart shoes cannot be defined as failed products since they are loved by the users who love recording their work outs and later watching what was happening at the gym. Samsung products are trusted by people since it has had a previous history of manufacturing quality smart products such as electronics.

Supply Chain

The creation of value to gain competitive advantage in Domino’s supply chain is based on the strategic goal of maintaining a supply chain that is efficient and that is able to sustain competitive prices. To achieve this, the firm’s   adopts an approach of risk management and cost management within the domestic system of supply chain. This approach also adopted for cost and risk management at the store level. This step has been very critical to the firms’ in attaining about 1,115 franchisees in the United States which operates 4,475 local stores in U.S that also own. Serving as a support system and resource for its franchisees, the Domino’s headquarters is able to initiate value creation. The firm trains corporate workers on how to operate a store so that the business is pegged on the success of the all the franchised stores (Bell, Andrews & Shelman, 2013).  For quality enhancement, the local franchisees were allowed to source and buy their own supplies and ingredients in menu but Domino ensured that they approve of them. Moreover, the ingredients and the supplies had to be the approved ones. This enabled the firm’s domestic menu to reach its biggest state that also very diverse back in 2010, at the time when it offered various products options to its customers (Bell et.al 2013). For the purpose of remaining at the top in pizza- industry that is highly competitive and with relatively similar prices, the main pizza chain turned to differentiating themselves on the basis of customer experience, product quality and taste.  Domino assisted its franchisees in maintaining constant product quality and in the improvement of store economics by the use of various tools including some that firm had designed such as Spoodle and pizza oven.  Key equipment that assists in quality in product is the make-line equipment that was designed with the purpose of speeding up the making of pizza. It enables the pizza makers to worry less about wastage of food and hence, could use as little as 24 seconds in the preparation of a pizza (Bell et.al 2013). This means that there was reduced time for production, storage and delivery of the product as and when required by the customers.  These tools also ensure that stores are constantly producing high standard menu items, as expected by Domino and deliver them in a fast and efficient way. This also enables the firm to sustain efficiency as required in the delivery of pizza as a perishable product. The firm’s improved competitiveness is seen in that its franchisees became attracted to its local supply chain due to the consistency and efficiency that it has managed to sustain. The company’s value and competitiveness is also enhanced by encouraging the franchisees’ participation in a profit-sharing pact.   

The value of quality and consistency is regarded highly given that the company’s products have an influence on the brand image. Through transparency aspect saw the company adopt new technologies more so the use of networking sites like Facebook, Youtube and Twitter as their popularity increased (Bell et.al 2013). This technology enabled the firm to address issues in public perception especially of its products and facilitated the improvement of efficiencies in all of its stores.  In a 2009 scandal where employees recorded and posted a video online through Youtube showing food products being prepared in an unsanitary manner, the firm faced two main threats to the reputation of its brand and the perception of the firm by the company (Bell et.al 2013). The video had been video for over million times on youtube and the issue had spread throughout the online platforms such Twitter.   Rather than just trying to remove the video from the online platform- Youtube – the firm resolved to determine the culprits. The continuous growing effect of such viral sensations had been missed by the firm management and this meant that Domino faced a crisis on public relations which affected its reputation negatively in a big way for some days until it was determined that the video was just a hoax.  During the scandal the firm implemented a companywide policy whose focus was transparency and was turned into a major campaign when the firm resolved to alter the pizza recipe. This enable the firm’s pizza product to be graded higher than any other chain of pizza on the basis of general   satisfaction of customers , even though a survey had ranked the pizza products last in terms of taste along with other brands with countrywide presence(Bell et.al 2013). Furthermore, the firm ranking in top services delivery and low quality presented an opportunity for improving the firm’s weaknesses in turn enabling the firm to acquire more market share as compared to its competitors. Such an achievement can be attributed to the firm’s transparent and bold marketing campaign that was founded on open acknowledgment of taste problems with firm’s products. The campaign, through the social media and television showed customers who had complaints on the taste of pizza later acknowledge a new better taste (Bell et.al 2013). The achievements especially on increased market share showed that the risk taken in such a transparent approach were worthwhile.

The effectiveness of   the US supply chain model of the firm earned a strong following among the local franchisees who were also dedicated with 99 percent choosing to be customers of the supply chain (Bell et.al 2013). With such a following, the firm was able to have its new brand’s menu ingredients and supply to be sourced by local franchisees given that standard was highly observed. Furthermore, the supply chain system was centralized and vertically integrated in the manufacturing of dough and the distribution system with nationwide presence allowed the firm to attain low cost due to economies of scale and ensure quality is tightly maintained for the new pizza.

Macksood should implement the Domino supply chain model in reaching out to the international markets. The model grants exclusive rights of ownership to a master franchisee over the supply chain and stores for specific country, countries or region and then sub-franchise the brand within the market (Bell et.al 2013). Given that such a franchisee would be required to be deeply knowledgeable about local market and have access to the market, the Mucksood firm would not have to incur huge debt and financial burden of open stores in the foreign market. The model would allow the firm to achieve the necessary localization, faster expansion as the master franchisee would bear the financial burden in terms of capital required to recruit its own franchisees and establish new stores in the international markets. The firm would also put a threshold on the number of stores that a franchisee can open, so that it does not run into debt problems and that way keeping them profitable. This model would enable Mucksood to expand and grow in the international markets for its sandwich products on the basis of an efficient and locally established supply model.

Reference

Bell, D., Andrews, P., & Shelman M. (2013). Domino’s Pizza.  Harvard Business School.

            Market Plan

1. Price

            TechnixI is a smartphone product that is operating in a market that is highly innovative and with intensified competition. With the changing demands and preferences in the international market today, the smartphone will meet the demands of individuals adequately.  Based on its innovativeness the   product is bound to be characterized by high cost by since the corporation is new in the market the prices have to be favorable to attract a wider consumer segment. The product based can be done in three pricing strategies that are cost-based, value based as well as pricing that is based on the market.

1. Cost based: The cost will be set on the ranges of the incurred costs plus a determination cost.
2. Value based: This will involve pricing the product on the ground of its general worth and the associated services that it will provide the consumer with.  This will be grounded on the basis of the products innovative nature and the ability to meet the needs of the consumer which is the gained benefits rather than the incurred cost.

• Market-based: This is the strategy where the market will be given the opportunity of determining the prices as it is most common in the globalized market and especially in the technology industry.

1. The best pricing tactic for the product is market-based as it is more realistic and holds a higher capability of generating more consumers. Through the strategy, the corporation will utilize a low price approach than that which is offered by the competitors by at least 2%.
2. Promotion Strategy
3. Promotion Objective

The promotion objective is mainly grounded on developing awareness. This is mainly because the corporation has a new product that is not known by consumers. This, therefore, implies that the beginning promotional efforts should focus on developing an identity.  The awareness building will  thus be achieved  through reaching the  products consumers and inform them about  what  the product is  what  it entails through describing its general features and providing them with adequate information about what the product offers.  This will help in stimulating demand as more interest will be developed to the consumers.  Demand cannot be developed without first creating awareness to the maximum level.

1. Promotional Tools

The promotional tools that will be utilized in developing awareness are public relations, sales promotion, in-store product display, trade promotion, and sales promotion.

1. Promotion Schedule

            The promotions of the products will begin the following month and will be conducted consecutively.

1. 1) Public relation strategy will utilize the social media sites as well as advertisements. Posts will be posted regularly on the entire social media site holding a distinct message about the product. This will help in ensuring that the message of the product does not leave the minds of the social sites users.  This is cheap and a beneficial approach that will help in generating more benefits.

2). Trade promotion approach will entail the corporation offering a temporary discount to both the products retailers and wholesalers and this will be passed to their respective consumers thus triggering sales.  This will help in building more awareness in regard to the product.

3). Sales promotion will involve giving prices discounts and a coupon for the products consumers which will help in stimulating sales.

4). The corporation will utilize in-store product display at different stores such as supermarkets where there are a large number of persons coming in the store.  The public will be offered with leaflets after which if they agree to be the audience information in regard to the product will be provided to them in details.

            References

Röse, C., Baranovskis, J., & Huisman, J. (2011). Integrated Marketing Campaign: Using the Example of a Scientific Institute. München: GRIN Verlag GmbH.

Schindler, R. (2012). Pricing strategies: A marketing approach. Thousand Oaks, Calif: Sage Publications, Inc.