Exam 7: Customer-Driven Marketing Strategy: Creating Value for Target Customers

What does a company focus on when using an undifferentiated marketing strategy?

Refer to the scenario below to answer the following question(s). Ruben Delgado was making wooden pens and pencils, which had unique engravings, as a hobby until Simon Yoder recognized Ruben's talent. Simon immediately ordered 250 pens and pencils of various styles to be displayed in his shop's showcase. Within three months, the wooden pencils were a hit with all students! Ruben Delgado had never thought of marketing his talent, but Simon's enthusiasm and the recent sales were enough to change his mind. With limited resources, Ruben contacted three additional specialty shops within 100 miles that were situated near schools. He explained his manufacturing processes and engraving options to each. All three shop owners placed a trial order. Within two months, just prior to the holiday season, each shop owner placed an additional order. Ruben was ecstatic! "I figured business would slow down after that," Ruben stated, "but in February I was contacted by Elmore Distributors. At that point, I had to make a huge decision about how far I wanted to go with this business." Elmore Distributors provides products for school fundraisers in a seven-state area. Ruben was offered a two-year contract and immediate inclusion in Elmore's promotional flyer. Ruben Delgado accepted the offer and, along with it, the responsibility to produce thousands of wooden pens and pencils. "I had to get a grip on the magnitude of this project," Ruben added. He decided to place his major focus on the large contract with Elmore. However, to avoid placing his total emphasis with one customer, Ruben continued nurturing his four previously established accounts without targeting any additional customers. "At this point, I had set up an assembly line in a rented building," Ruben explained. "I had to hire three full-time employees to work the line while I managed the customer orders and purchased materials." Ruben paused. "But I can't take the Elmore project for granted. It might not always be there. I'll have to have a good alternate plan if that day comes." -Inter-market segmentation refers to forming segments of consumers who have different needs and buying behaviors in a given geographical region.

Jean Malone, a market researcher, recently found that most people in Bradburg County purchase automobiles with predominantly functional designs and prefer darker colors. Which of the following marketing strategies should Jean most likely recommend to an automobile dealer interested in opening a dealership in Bradburg County?

Refer to the scenario below to answer the following question(s). Ruben Delgado was making wooden pens and pencils, which had unique engravings, as a hobby until Simon Yoder recognized Ruben's talent. Simon immediately ordered 250 pens and pencils of various styles to be displayed in his shop's showcase. Within three months, the wooden pencils were a hit with all students! Ruben Delgado had never thought of marketing his talent, but Simon's enthusiasm and the recent sales were enough to change his mind. With limited resources, Ruben contacted three additional specialty shops within 100 miles that were situated near schools. He explained his manufacturing processes and engraving options to each. All three shop owners placed a trial order. Within two months, just prior to the holiday season, each shop owner placed an additional order. Ruben was ecstatic! "I figured business would slow down after that," Ruben stated, "but in February I was contacted by Elmore Distributors. At that point, I had to make a huge decision about how far I wanted to go with this business." Elmore Distributors provides products for school fundraisers in a seven-state area. Ruben was offered a two-year contract and immediate inclusion in Elmore's promotional flyer. Ruben Delgado accepted the offer and, along with it, the responsibility to produce thousands of wooden pens and pencils. "I had to get a grip on the magnitude of this project," Ruben added. He decided to place his major focus on the large contract with Elmore. However, to avoid placing his total emphasis with one customer, Ruben continued nurturing his four previously established accounts without targeting any additional customers. "At this point, I had set up an assembly line in a rented building," Ruben explained. "I had to hire three full-time employees to work the line while I managed the customer orders and purchased materials." Ruben paused. "But I can't take the Elmore project for granted. It might not always be there. I'll have to have a good alternate plan if that day comes." -The relative power of buyers affects segment attractiveness.

Briefly describe occasion segmentation.

Refer to the scenario below to answer the following question(s). Ruben Delgado was making wooden pens and pencils, which had unique engravings, as a hobby until Simon Yoder recognized Ruben's talent. Simon immediately ordered 250 pens and pencils of various styles to be displayed in his shop's showcase. Within three months, the wooden pencils were a hit with all students! Ruben Delgado had never thought of marketing his talent, but Simon's enthusiasm and the recent sales were enough to change his mind. With limited resources, Ruben contacted three additional specialty shops within 100 miles that were situated near schools. He explained his manufacturing processes and engraving options to each. All three shop owners placed a trial order. Within two months, just prior to the holiday season, each shop owner placed an additional order. Ruben was ecstatic! "I figured business would slow down after that," Ruben stated, "but in February I was contacted by Elmore Distributors. At that point, I had to make a huge decision about how far I wanted to go with this business." Elmore Distributors provides products for school fundraisers in a seven-state area. Ruben was offered a two-year contract and immediate inclusion in Elmore's promotional flyer. Ruben Delgado accepted the offer and, along with it, the responsibility to produce thousands of wooden pens and pencils. "I had to get a grip on the magnitude of this project," Ruben added. He decided to place his major focus on the large contract with Elmore. However, to avoid placing his total emphasis with one customer, Ruben continued nurturing his four previously established accounts without targeting any additional customers. "At this point, I had set up an assembly line in a rented building," Ruben explained. "I had to hire three full-time employees to work the line while I managed the customer orders and purchased materials." Ruben paused. "But I can't take the Elmore project for granted. It might not always be there. I'll have to have a good alternate plan if that day comes." -Marketers usually limit their segmentation analysis to only one major variable.

What is product position? What functions do perceptual positioning maps serve?