Full disclosure of marketing objectives. What is marketing in simple words: types and functions, goals and objectives, strategies and plan

04Feb

Hello! In this article we will talk about marketing in simple terms- what is it, why and how to apply it in the enterprise.

Today you will learn:

  1. What relates to marketing, functions and types of marketing;
  2. What are the marketing strategies in the enterprise, and what does the marketing plan consist of;
  3. What is marketing in business and how to distinguish it from business to consumer;
  4. What is it and how not to confuse it with a financial pyramid;
  5. What is internet marketing and its benefits.

The concept of marketing: goals and objectives

There are at least 500 definitions of marketing. Often, with such an abundance of definitions of this concept, it is difficult to understand what relates to marketing.

Explaining in plain language marketing is the activity of an organization aimed at making a profit by satisfying the needs of customers.

In a broad sense, many marketers consider marketing as a business philosophy, i.e. the ability to study the market, the pricing system, predict and guess the preferences of customers, effectively communicate with them in order to satisfy the needs of consumers and, accordingly, make a profit for their enterprise.

Based on the definition, it is logical that purpose of marketing in the enterprise is customer satisfaction.

And the well-known economic theorist Peter Drucker notes that the main goal of marketing is to get to know the client so that the product or service can sell itself.

To achieve the goal of the organization, marketing activities involve solving the following tasks:

  1. Detailed market research, in-depth analysis of customer preferences;
  2. Careful study of the pricing system in the market and development of the pricing policy of the organization;
  3. Analysis of competitors' activities;
  4. Creation of a range of goods and services of the organization;
  5. Release of goods and services corresponding to demand;
  6. Service maintenance;
  7. Marketing communications

When solving marketing problems, it is necessary to be guided by the following principles:

  1. Studying the production capabilities of the enterprise;
  2. The process of planning methods and programs for marketing a product or service;
  3. Market segmentation;
  4. Constant updating of goods and services, ways of their marketing, improvement of technologies;
  5. Agile response of the organization to ever-changing demand.

Marketing Functions

Marketing performs a number of functions:

  1. Analytical;
  2. production;
  3. Function of command and control;
  4. Sales function (sales);
  5. Innovative.

Analytic function involves the study of external and internal factors affecting the organization, the study of consumer tastes and the range of goods. It should be noted that it is necessary to analyze internal environment organizations in order to control competitiveness in the market.

production function includes the development and development of new technologies, the organization of the production of goods and services, the organization of the purchase of material and technical resources necessary for the enterprise. In addition, the production function refers to the management of the quality and competitiveness of the finished product or service, i.e., compliance with the quality of the product in accordance with established standards.

Command and control function ensures the process of planning and forecasting at the enterprise, organization of the communication system, information support and risk management.

Sales function includes the pricing and commodity policy of the organization, provides a system of product distribution and expansion of demand.

Innovative function in marketing plays the role of developing and creating a new product or service.

To solve problems and achieve goals in marketing activities, it is necessary to apply the following marketing methods:

  • Market research:
  • Poll;
  • observations;
  • Methods of demand formation and sales promotion;
  • Analytical methods:
  • Analysis external environment organizations;
  • Consumer analysis;
  • Analysis of existing products;
  • Planning the range of future products;
  • Development of pricing policy;
  • Information Methods:
  • Advertising;
  • Personal selling;
  • Propaganda;
  • Consultations.

Thus, based on the definition, goals, objectives, functions and methods of marketing, we can conclude that the science of marketing is focused exclusively on the consumer and the satisfaction of his needs.

Types of marketing

According to demand distinguish between the types of marketing presented in table 1.

Table 1. Types of marketing depending on demand

Type of marketing

State of demand Task

How to solve the problem

Demarketing

Tall Lower demand

1. Raise the price

conversion marketing

Negative Create demand

1. Development of a plan for promoting a product or service

2. Re-release of goods

3. Cost reduction

promotional marketing

Is absent stimulate demand

Reasons for lack of demand must be considered

Developmental marketing

Potential Make potential demand real

1. Determine the needs of buyers

2. Create a new product or service that meets these needs

Remarketing

Decreases Restore demand

Look for ways for a new revival of demand

Synchromarketing

fluctuates stimulate demand

1. Adjust the price (lower if necessary)

2. Promotion of a product or service

Supportive Marketing

Corresponds to the offer stimulate demand

Properly conduct pricing policy, stimulate sales, conduct advertising, control costs

Counter marketing

Irrational Reduce demand to zero

Stop product release

  • Demarketing - a type of marketing that is aimed at reducing demand. This situation is possible when demand significantly exceeds supply. To deter consumers, the organization raises the price of a product or service, refuses advertising and tries to reorient the client.

A prime example is the use of demarketing in the cold season, when the demand for electricity increases many times. Since this can adversely affect the entire power grid system, and very expensive equipment can fail, marketing workers develop programs to reduce demand or redirect it.

  • conversion marketing - a type of marketing aimed at creating demand. It is used in case of negative demand for a product or service. To do this, they develop a plan to promote a product or service, lower prices or re-release the product. To promote a product or service with negative demand, advertising and PR are used.
  • promotional marketing used when there is no demand. It is necessary to stimulate demand, taking into account the very reason for the lack of demand in the first place.

There may be no demand for products if:

  • The product is not relevant in the market;
  • The product loses its value;
  • The market is not ready for the emergence of a new product or service;

In order to interest the buyer and increase demand, the company uses tools such as a sharp decrease in the cost of a product or service, increased advertising activities, the use of trade marketing methods, etc.

  • Developmental marketing - a type of marketing in which potential demand must be turned into real. That is, it is necessary to determine the needs of buyers and create a new product or service that meets these needs.
  • Remarketing used in a situation where you need to revive demand. That is, the demand for products is falling and it needs to be restored by introducing new characteristics and features into a product or service. For example, Clear Vita ABE Anti-Dandruff Shampoo was first created with the new Zinc Pyrithione formula and the unique Vita ABE formula for both men and women. Subsequently, Clear experts proved that the scalp of men and women has a different structure, and released a line of shampoos Clear Men and Clear Woman.
  • Synchromarketing - a type of marketing in which it is necessary to stimulate demand, as it fluctuates. Synchromarketing aims to smooth out irregular demand through flexible pricing and various ways product promotion. This type of marketing is usually used in case of seasonal demand or any other cyclical fluctuations, as well as climatic factors which have a strong influence on demand. A striking example of the use of synchromarketing is the offer of various set meals and business lunches in cafes and restaurants in daytime at a reduced price. Since there are much fewer visitors during the day than in the evening, therefore, daytime prices are lower than evening ones.
  • Supportive Marketing an organization uses when demand matches supply and needs to continue to stimulate demand for a product or service. To maintain demand at the proper level, it is necessary to correctly conduct a pricing policy, stimulate sales, conduct advertising, and control costs.
  • Counter marketing It is used when there is a constant irrational demand for products, which is contrary to the interests and well-being of the population. In such a situation, it is necessary to stop production and carry out anti-advertising. Counter marketing tools are used on products such as alcohol and tobacco products.

Based on market coverage There are mass (undifferentiated), concentrated (target) and differentiated marketing.

The concept of undifferentiated marketing involves a product designed for all market segments. Product differentiation is not carried out, products are sold at low prices.

With concentrated marketing the situation is reversed. Goods or services are designed for a specific group of customers.

When using differentiated marketing forces are directed to several market segments. But it is worth noting that a separate offer is created for each market segment. This type of marketing is considered more promising in relation to the previous two types.

Marketing strategies and marketing plan

There are 2 levels of marketing in an enterprise:

  • Tactical;
  • Strategic;

Tactical, or otherwise, operational marketing involves the development of short-term plans to achieve the goals of the organization.

Strategic Marketing is aimed at developing long-term prospects for the operation of the enterprise in the market. That is, the internal capabilities of the organization to influence the external environment of the market are evaluated.

Marketing strategies are classified into the following groups:

  • Market expansion strategy;
  • Innovation strategy;
  • Diversification strategy;
  • reduction strategy.

Market expansion strategy otherwise called the strategy of concentrated growth. That is, the company's strategy is aimed at horizontal development, conquering most of the market in the fight against competitors, improving existing products or services.

Innovation strategy otherwise defined as an integrated growth strategy. That is, the activity of the organization is aimed at vertical development– creation of new goods and services that will have no analogues.

Diversification strategy the organization chooses if the probability of "survival" in the market with a certain kind product or service is very low. Then the organization can produce a new product or service, but at the expense of existing resources.

Reduction strategy is used for a long stay of the enterprise on the market for more efficient operation. The organization may reorganize or liquidate.

Marketing strategies are also distinguished by market coverage:

  • Mass (undifferentiated) marketing strategy;
  • Differentiation strategy;
  • Individualization strategy;

Mass Marketing Strategy directed to the whole market. Market advantage is achieved by reducing costs.

Differentiation strategy focused on capturing most of the market segments. The advantage is achieved by improving the quality of products, creating a new design, etc.

Consumer individualization strategy directed at only one segment of the market. The advantage is achieved by the originality of the product or service for a specific target group of customers.

The development of a marketing strategy consists of seven stages:

  1. Market research;
  2. Assessment of the organization's capabilities;
  3. Assessment of competitors' capabilities;
  4. Setting goals for marketing strategy;
  5. Research of market segments and consumer interests;
  6. Positioning development;
  7. An economic evaluation of the strategy is underway.

Stage 1. An analysis is made of macroeconomic indicators, the political, social and technological situation, as well as the influence of international factors.

Stage 2. To assess the capabilities of an enterprise, an economic analysis, a marketing analysis, an assessment of production capacities, an assessment of portfolios and a SWOT analysis are carried out.

Stage 3. Includes an assessment of the organization's competitiveness. Strategies of competitors, strengths and weak sides ways to establish superiority over competitors.

Stage 4. The next step is to set the goals of the marketing strategy.

Stage 5. Includes customer needs research as well as methods and time to market.

Stage 6. Specialists receive certain recommendations for managing the enterprise.

Stage 7. An assessment and analysis of the economic strategy and control instruments is carried out.

Summing up a little, we can conclude that the marketing strategy reflects a plan to achieve the goals of the company, which evaluates the production capabilities and financial budget of the organization.

The marketing plan is inextricably linked with the marketing strategy of the enterprise, that is marketing plan implies a special document reflecting the goals and objectives of the organization's marketing, as well as marketing strategies that will be applied in practice.

To concretize the marketing plan, a marketing program is drawn up, which will indicate who is doing what to do and how to do it.

To implement a marketing plan, you must adhere to the following principles:

  • The principle of rolling planning;
  • The principle of differentiation;
  • The principle of multivariance;

Rolling scheduling principle applied depending on the market situation. This principle involves the introduction of adjustments to the current plan. For example, a marketing plan is designed for 3 years, but the market situation changes quite often, so every year it is necessary to make amendments and adjustments to the plan in order to be competitive.

Principle of differentiation suggests that an established product or service cannot be liked by everyone. Therefore, using this principle, it is possible to carry out a reorientation to serve any category of consumers selected according to certain criteria.

The principle of multivariance provides for the development of several marketing plans at the same time for all possible situations.

The structure of the marketing plan is as follows:

  • Define the mission of the organization;

The mission of the organization involves identifying strengths in order to become successful in the market.

  • Compile a SWOT analysis of the enterprise;

SWOT-analysis - This is a situational analysis that reflects the strengths and weaknesses, opportunities of the organization, as well as threats under the influence of internal and external environmental factors.

  • Set marketing goals and strategies;

It is advisable to set goals and define strategies for each area separately.

  • Development of the organization's pricing strategy;
  • Choice of market segments;

In this block, when choosing market segments, the emphasis is on reducing costs and increasing sales efficiency through sales volume and prices.

  • Scheme for selling a product or service;

Here it is necessary to highlight the distribution channels for products, whether they work effectively, in what quantity and how they are implemented in the organization.

  • Implementation tactics and methods of sales promotion (marketing);

At this point, it is necessary to determine the methods for selling goods or services that could be successfully used both in the short term and in the long term.

  • After-sales policy;

Here we need to constantly improve the after-sales service system. It is necessary to compare the level of service with competitive enterprises, improve the skills of employees, monitor their communication skills. In addition, it is worth providing certain guarantees and Additional services to their customers and compare them with their competitors.

  • Conducting an advertising campaign;
  • Formation of marketing costs;

When drawing up a marketing budget, it is necessary to take into account all planned expenses, incomes and highlight the projected net profit organizations.

Thus, it should be concluded that the marketing plan is simply necessary for the successful organization of the enterprise. This is a kind of map that helps you navigate the economy in general, conduct an efficient business and be competitive in the market, making high profits.

Marketing in business or B2B marketing

Marketing in business or otherwise it is called marketingB2 B (business-to-business, business to business) is determined as business relations between industrial enterprises in a market where goods and services are not for final consumption, but for business purposes.

B2B marketing should not be confused with marketing B2 C(Business to Consumer, business for the consumer), which implies marketing relations in the market where goods and services are created for final consumption.

Marketing in business has distinctive features and characteristic features:

  • Demand in business activities stems from consumer demand;
  • An organization purchases a product or service to achieve its stated objectives. That is, a business purchase is targeted rather than a consumer purchase. The client buys this or that product to satisfy himself. That is, a consumer purchase is emotional in nature;
  • Volume of purchased goods or services. The enterprise buys goods and services not by the piece, but by tens and hundreds of pieces, that is, it makes large purchases;
  • The risk of buying an enterprise is much higher than buying an ordinary consumer. The profit of the organization depends on it;
  • Business purchases are made by professionals in their field. The purchase decision is made by several experts in the field;
  • In B2B marketing, the seller knows the needs of the buyer better and interacts closely with him;
  • An enterprise that makes a business purchase hopes for further cooperation with the seller company. Therefore, the provision of guarantees, service and installation play a significant role here.

Network marketing

Network marketing (MLM - multi-level marketing) is a technology for selling products from manufacturer to consumer, which is advisory in nature and is transmitted from person to person. At the same time, the so-called distributor can not only sell the product, but also attract new sales agents to the company.

The business plan of an MLM company suggests that distributors:

  • Have you used this product yourself?
  • Selling a product to customers;
  • Involved other sales agents to create a network of business entrepreneurs.

The manufacturer is responsible for organizing delivery. It ensures that the goods are received by the distributor at home. For the effective work of sales agents, master classes, seminars are provided to develop sales skills and achieve success in their business.

For an entrepreneur network marketing is an attractive business because it does not require experience and a large initial capital investment.

For the buyer network marketing also looks good, as truly responsible MLM companies provide quality products and a guarantee for them. In addition, before buying a product, the consumer receives all the necessary information about it and receives the product at home.

Network marketing provides for active and passive income. The agent earns active income from the volume of sales. And passive income is created by creating and actively developing a subnet of distributors.

Nevertheless, at least at first glance, network marketing is seen as an attractive business, in addition to advantages, it also has a number of disadvantages.

Table 2. Advantages and disadvantages of network marketing

To attract a potential distributor to the MLM business, you can use the following methods:

  • Look for partners among your surroundings;
  • Look for partners among the environment of your friends and acquaintances;
  • to promote products;
  • Search for partners through social networks;
  • Meet new people and involve them in this species business.

When it comes to network marketing, then immediately there is an association with such a definition as a financial pyramid, the activity of which is prohibited on the territory of the Russian Federation.

The main difference between network marketing and financial pyramids is that the profits of MLM companies are divided among distributors, taking into account the contribution of each. And the financial pyramid receives income due to the number of attracted people and their contribution to a non-existent product.

In addition, network marketing can be distinguished from financial pyramid presence:

  • marketing plan;
  • The management and articles of association of the company;
  • the products themselves;
  • Learning systems.

The financial pyramid does not have a specific marketing plan, it is very confusing and incomprehensible. The management of the company is anonymous and, moreover, there is no charter of the enterprise. There is no assortment of goods, there are only a couple of units of dubious products. Also, there is no training system or it costs a certain amount of money, for which cheap advertising brochures are issued.

In network marketing, training of sales agents is provided for free, or for a nominal amount, training disks, books, or videos on the Internet are issued.

Vivid examples successful development network marketing companies are Amway, Avon, Oriflame, Faberlic and Mary Kay.

Summing up a little, we can conclude that network marketing is aimed at promoting the product and rewarding the distributor for the work done, and the main purpose of the financial pyramid is to attract people and their financial investments.

Internet Marketing

Internet marketing is currently a relevant innovation for the promotion of goods and services.

Internet Marketing is the application of traditional marketing activities on the Internet.

Purpose of Internet Marketing– making a profit by increasing the number of visitors to the site or blog, who in the future will become buyers of certain goods and services.

Tools to increase sales of goods and services and increase the number of site traffic are:

Helps to create and strengthen relationships with a specific target group that subscribes to the newsletter.

  • Traffic arbitrage - buying and reselling traffic at a higher cost;

Internet marketers are faced with the following tasks:

  • Promote products and services using;
  • Create interesting content for the target audience;
  • Process the received information;
  • Monitor the operation of the site;
  • Maintain the image of the company on the Internet;
  • Recruit specialists with a narrow focus to perform a specific job.

Online marketing includes the following elements: product, price, promotion, place.

Internet marketing involves strategies such as:

  • Viral marketing;
  • Integrated online marketing;

Viral Marketing is the most complex yet most rewarding online marketing strategy. She is focused on creating interesting information, which everyone will view hundreds of times, constantly like and repost.

Viral attraction of people is applied with the help of:

  • Use of videos;
  • Use of online games;
  • Use of the company's website;
  • Writing a provocative article that can cause resonance and will be discussed among users;

Efficient work and success can be obtained as a result of a combination of viral marketing in social networks with advertising.

The main advantages of viral Internet marketing are simplicity and speed of action. In addition, viral Internet marketing is cost-effective, as it does not require special expenses. The Advertising Act does not apply to viral advertising. That is, there is no censorship, no restrictions, which makes internet marketing more free.

Essential disadvantage of viral online marketing there is insufficient control over the process, and the feed material may be distorted.

Integrated Internet Marketing implies a set of various resources and advertising channels to promote a product or service to the market.

The structure of integrated Internet marketing is as follows:

  • Strengthening traditional marketing;
  • Processing of all market segments;
  • Advertising profit reports;
  • Sales control in branches;
  • Building unified system promoting a product or service;
  • Construction of telephony;
  • Sales training;

Under publicityPR) refers to increasing brand awareness. This strategy should be used by all companies, regardless of position, as it helps to increase company revenues, attract potential customers, and the brand becomes recognizable and popular on the Internet.

Having considered the goals, tools and strategies of Internet marketing, we can highlight its advantages:

  • Large coverage of the target audience;
  • Getting information at home;
  • Small advertising costs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I would like to say that marketing is very interesting science for entrepreneurs. Knowing how a marketing plan is drawn up, when and where to apply a particular marketing strategy, you can remain competitive in the market. long time while making a good profit. And, having mastered Internet marketing, you can achieve even greater success in.

Marketing: Lecture Notes Loginova Elena Yurievna

5. Goals and objectives of marketing

5. Goals and objectives of marketing

Marketing- This social science so it affects a lot of people. For a number of reasons (education, social status, religious beliefs, and much more) the attitude to this discipline is ambiguous, giving rise to contradictions. On the one hand, marketing is an integral part of the life of a product, on the other hand, it carries a negative perception: the creation of unnecessary needs, develops greed in a person, “attacks” with advertising from all sides.

What are the true goals of marketing?

Many believe that the main goal of this science is sales and promotion.

P. Drucker (management theorist) writes as follows: “The goal of marketing is to make sales efforts unnecessary. Its goal is to know and understand the customer so well that the product or service will fit the customer exactly and sell itself.”

It does not follow from this that sales and promotion efforts lose their importance. Most likely they become part of the marketing activities of the enterprise to achieve the main goal - maximizing sales and profits. From the foregoing, we can conclude that marketing is a kind of human activity, which aims to satisfy human needs and wants through exchange.

So, the main goals of marketing are the following.

1. Maximization possibly high level consumption - firms are trying to increase their sales, maximize profits using various methods and methods (introduce fashion for their products, outline a sales growth strategy, etc.).

2. Maximization consumer satisfaction, i.e. the goal of marketing is to identify existing needs and offer the maximum possible range of a homogeneous product. But since the level of customer satisfaction is very difficult to measure, it is also difficult to evaluate marketing activities in this area.

3. Maximization of choice. This goal follows and, as it were, is a continuation of the previous one. The difficulty in realizing this goal lies in not creating branded abundance and imaginary choice in the market. Yes, and some consumers with an excess of certain product categories experience a feeling of anxiety and confusion.

4. Maximizing the quality of life. Many tend to believe that the presence of a range of goods has a positive effect on its quality, quantity, availability, cost, i.e., the product is “improved”, and therefore, the consumer can satisfy his needs to the maximum, improve the quality of life. Proponents of this view recognize that improving the quality of life is a noble goal, but at the same time, this quality is difficult to measure, so sometimes contradictions are born.

Marketing Tasks:

1) research, analysis, assessment of the needs of real and potential buyers;

2) marketing assistance in the development of a new product (service);

3) provision of after-sales service;

4) marketing communications;

5) research, analysis, evaluation and forecasting of the state of real and potential markets;

6) research activities of competitors;

7) sale of goods (services);

8) formation of assortment policy;

9) formation and implementation of the company's pricing policy;

10) formation of a strategy for the behavior of the company.

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For any enterprise, there are three options for working in the market.

The first option is the so-called mass marketing"when an enterprise offers the same product or service to all consumers, without taking into account some differences in their requirements. The most striking illustration of the use of mass marketing is the words of Henry Ford that every buyer has the opportunity to purchase a car" of any color, provided that this color is black". Mass marketing is possible in conditions when:

  • there is a shortage in the market (even if it is insignificant);
  • buyers are price sensitive and have a fairly low solvency.

At the same time, to take advantage of a mass marketing strategy, your business must be able to produce large quantities of goods (for economies of scale) and have reliable access to raw materials. The main benefits of mass marketing are low production costs, the ability to keep prices low, and low marketing costs. However, this option also has dangers - the loss of the market when abrupt change tastes, fashion, technology, as well as the lack of skills to work with several groups of buyers with different needs. It should be noted that today there are practically no markets left in which mass marketing can be successfully applied.

The second option is " concentrated marketing"when an enterprise selects one group of buyers with similar needs and releases a product or provides a service that best suits the needs of this particular group. At the same time, the product may not satisfy the requirements of all other groups of buyers. In order to adhere to a concentrated marketing strategy, an enterprise must find enough large group buyers with the same tastes, relatively low sensitivity to price, who pay great attention to the quality of a product or service and have a high solvency. To use a concentrated marketing strategy, an enterprise needs to have some kind of know-how: to produce non-standard products that competitors cannot quickly copy. As a rule, this strategy is chosen by enterprises with limited production capacity. The advantages of concentrated marketing is the ability to overprice your products due to their uniqueness, as well as relatively low marketing costs. The main danger for businesses that focus on concentrated marketing is that they become dependent on the group of customers they serve, on unexpected changes in their tastes and preferences.

And finally, the third option - " differentiated marketing"when an enterprise focuses on several groups of buyers and adapts its product / service to the requirements of each group. It is advisable to use this behavior model in saturated markets where there is no obvious shortage, in conditions of high competition. To use this model, an enterprise must have a flexible organizational and production structure.The main advantage of this option is that, focusing on different groups consumers, it is possible to minimize the risks, therefore, the company will have high market stability. Among the disadvantages are the high costs of marketing and production, the impossibility of economies of scale, the need to develop their own strategy for each group of buyers.

Thus, an enterprise can focus on the entire market at once, on one or several groups of consumers. Since you have already conducted a SWOT analysis, you have a sufficient level of knowledge about the market, consumers, competitors, as well as the capabilities of your enterprise, in order to choose from three possible options for working in the market the one that will be most effective in your situation.

A group of consumers with similar needs and similar responses to marketing stimuli (advertising, public relations, etc.) is a market segment. In order to apply concentrated or differentiated marketing, the company must first divide the market into segments and select the most attractive ones.

To divide the market into segments, it is necessary to select the so-called "segmentation variables". This can be geographic location, gender and age of buyers, family composition, income level of buyers, desired benefits when buying, buying behavior, and many other parameters. For example, buyers of billiard equipment can be segmented by the purpose of the purchase (for themselves or for an organization), by income level (high, medium), by degree of professionalism (professional, amateur, beginner). At the same time, it is necessary that the variables chosen for segmentation really make it possible to distinguish groups of buyers that differ significantly from each other. For different products, these variables may be different. For example, it makes no sense to segment car buyers by hair color, but shampoo manufacturers successfully use this criterion by releasing shampoos for blond hair.

After you select the segments, you need to collect information about the representatives of each segment - who they are, what they need, etc. Once you have collected this information, you can begin to select the segment (or segments) in which you are going to work. In order for a segment to be attractive enough for an enterprise, it must meet the following conditions:

  • Be measurable: it should be possible to clearly define the boundaries of the segment and assess its capacity and potential;
  • Be large enough to enable the company to achieve the planned financial results in terms of turnover and profit;
  • Be achievable - consumers within the same segment must be sufficiently similar to each other so that they can be offered one marketing program;
  • Be stable: the needs of the buyers that make up this segment should remain relatively unchanged for a sufficiently long time.

When choosing a target segment (segments), you can be guided by the following criteria:

  • segment size (determined by the magnitude of demand, which is calculated based on the number of consumers, the frequency of consumption of this product and the amount of consumption per capita);
  • the presence of competitors and the level of competition in this segment;
  • compliance of the company's products with the requirements of this segment; the company has the necessary resources and technologies to work in this segment;
  • potential of the segment (how the segment will develop in the future).

By segmenting the market and choosing the target segment (or segments), you can answer the first question: who are the buyers of the company's products and services. Next, you should determine for what reason consumers should buy exactly the products of your enterprise, how it differs from the goods and services of your competitors, in other words, what is its distinctive advantage.

Positioning: what makes you different

Positioning - the actions of the enterprise aimed at creating a certain image of the product or the enterprise itself in the minds of consumers.

Successful positioning must be based on the distinctive advantage of the product or enterprise. A differentiating advantage is something that a business or one of its products possesses that its target customers really want and that competitors don't yet have.

In other words, to discover a distinctive advantage, you need to find a characteristic that:

  • does your product have?
  • needed by buyers
  • not available from competing products.

To do this, make a list of the strengths of your product (service) or business. For example, this could be a long shelf life (for milk) or round the clock work(for the store). Then check if your competitors have these advantages (again, the results of the SWOT analysis will come in handy here). All strengths, which not only you, but also your competitors, cross out - they are not suitable for the role of a distinctive advantage. Next, you need to check whether your unique strengths are needed by your customers.

If you don't find a feature that satisfies all three conditions of distinctive advantage, you can do one of two things. The first way is to take the strengths of your product, which are needed by consumers but shared by competitors' products (which, however, do not emphasize it), and make it your "differential advantage". The second way is to take the unique strength of your product, not important on this moment for consumers (but in line with general market trends), and through advertising, sales promotion and public relations to convince consumers of the importance of this parameter, thus making it a differentiating advantage. An example here is Jonson & Jonson, who did this when they promoted their "pH 5.5" skin care products. Before this ad appeared, consumers were not interested in the acidity level of products, but now the word "corresponds to natural pH" can be found on every second cosmetic product.

Having chosen the target segment and having determined what can become the basis of positioning, you can proceed to setting the goals of your enterprise.

Enterprise goals: direction of movement

The purpose of the enterprise is the desired state that can be achieved by the coordinated efforts of all employees in a given period of time.

It is customary to distinguish between 3 types of goals: short-term (set for up to 1 year), medium-term (from 1 to 3 years) and long-term (over 3, sometimes over 5 years). However, long-term planning makes sense only in a stable economy, when there is a high probability that the situation will not change dramatically during this time. In our opinion, it is too early to move on to long-term planning in our conditions, so we will consider only short-term planning. However, the processes of setting goals for 1, 3, 5 years or another period do not fundamentally differ from each other.

The system of enterprise goals can be represented as a so-called. goal tree. The peak is the main goal of the entire enterprise for the period under consideration (in our case, a year). Further, the main goal is decomposed (broken down) into the goals of the functional divisions of the enterprise - the goals of the production department, the goals of marketing, the goals of the sales department, etc. These goals are formulated in such a way as to ensure the achievement of the main goal. Moreover, each "branch" of this tree does not describe a way to achieve the main goal, but a specific end result, expressed by some indicator. Next comes the further decomposition of goals already within each division: for example, marketing goals can be divided into sales, promotion, product development, research, etc. goals. Detailing can be continued up to the specific tasks that are set for each employee.

Goals can be set in the following ways:

For example, a company selling billiard equipment can develop in several directions:

  • increasing its share in the billiard equipment market in the region where it already operates (old goods - old market);
  • the offer of new goods and services in the market of this region, for example, the opening of their own billiard rooms (new product - old market);
  • search for new markets: sale of billiard equipment in other regions or to other groups of buyers than those with which the company is working now (old product - new market);
  • offering new goods and services in new markets; for example, the opening of billiard clubs in other regions (new product - new market).

In order for the goals not to remain only on paper, they must meet several important requirements.

  • Goals should be extreme specific. So much so that all the people involved in the process of achieving them understand what they are.
  • Goals should be measurable so that you can know that they have been reached. It is very useful to highlight not only the final, but also intermediate evaluation criteria in order to be able to check how far you have progressed in achieving the goal.
  • Goals should be achievable in terms of external factors and internal resources. When setting goals, you should feel that it is possible to achieve them within the agreed time frame. And at the same time, they must be complex enough that it is necessary to make efforts to achieve them.
  • Goals should correlate with others, more common goals, as well as with the strategic goals of the enterprise, and work to achieve them.
  • For each goal, there should be temporary s e frames. It is required to determine the term, both for the final result and for intermediate ones.
  • Goals should be flexible, they need to be set in such a way that they leave room for adjustment in accordance with changes occurring in the external environment of the firm.

There are two main methods of formulating goals: authoritarian and expert.

Using authoritarian method formulating goals, the head of the company sets goals individually. He can request the information he needs and / or listen to the opinions of experts, but at the same time he will make his own decision. The effectiveness of this method of formulating the goals of the enterprise depends on the competence of its first person.

Using expert method goals are formulated by a group of managers and / or specialists of the enterprise. As a result of the group discussion, the main problems of the enterprise and ways to solve them are identified. The advantage of this method, in addition to the opportunity to look at the problems of the enterprise from different angles and find out the opinion of all interested parties, is also the fact that when participating in setting goals, possible conflicts between managers are eliminated and their motivation to achieve the goals is increased. However, in a large team it is not always possible to come to a common opinion, in any case, the process of setting goals in this case may be somewhat delayed.

Summary

This article will help you answer three questions:

  • for which consumer group you are going to work;
  • what strengths of your products should be emphasized and fixed in the minds of consumers;
  • what goals your company is going to achieve in the coming year.

To answer the first question, you need to choose one of three options for working in the market: mass marketing (trying to please all customers at once), concentrated marketing (working for one group of buyers) or differentiated marketing (working for several groups of buyers). If you have chosen the second or third option, you need to divide the market into segments and evaluate each of them. And choose one or more to work with.

To answer the second question, you need to find a quality of your product (or enterprise) that consumers would like, but was absent from competitors' products. This quality will become your distinctive advantage, due to which the company will be able to compete in the market of your choice.

To answer the third question, you need to set the main goal of your enterprise for the next year, formulate the goals of each department (or employee - it all depends on the size of the enterprise), the achievement of which will contribute to the achievement of the main goal, then continue the decomposition of goals.

Goals may include:

  • the work of your enterprise in the old market with an existing product;
  • work in a new market with an existing product;
  • work on the old market with a new product;
  • work in a new market with a new product.

The goals of your enterprise should be specific, measurable, achievable, correlated with each other, fit within certain time frames, and also be flexible. You can set the goals of the enterprise yourself or with the help of department heads and / or specialists.

In the next article, we will move on to developing a marketing program for your business.

The following materials were used in preparing the article:

  1. Westwood J. Marketing plan. - St. Petersburg: Peter, 2001. - 256s.
  2. Dibb S., Simkin L., Bradley J. A Practical Guide to Marketing Planning. - St. Petersburg: Peter, 2001. - 256s.
  3. Zavgorodnyaya A.V., Yampolskaya D.O. Marketing planning. - St. Petersburg: Peter. 2002. - 352p.
  4. Kotler F. Marketing management. - St. Petersburg, Peter Kom, 1998. - 896s.

Company goals and objectives are incredibly valuable to your brand and can either strengthen or weaken your bond with potential and current customers.

But understanding the meaning of these terms is not as easy as it seems. Often marketers consider goals and objectives to be synonymous. But it's not.

Brands must be able to formulate goals and objectives that will lead them to success.

Goals and Objectives: What's the Difference?

In marketing, the terms "goals" and "objectives" are usually not distinguished. But there is a difference between them. Understanding her can be the key to brand success.

  • Goals - general directions on which the marketing strategy is based. This is usually the expected result or benefit of the business.
  • Objectives are specific actions that need to be taken to achieve the goals.

First, the brand must formulate the goals or expected results of the marketing efforts. Then, focusing on the goals, it is necessary to draw up a list of actions and initiatives necessary for their implementation.

Let's say you want to improve your site's traffic and engagement rates. In this case, your goals will be to increase traffic and visitor engagement. Specific strategies to achieve these goals, such as publishing SEO content and promoting it on social media, are your tasks.

Use a SMART approach

When setting goals, use the SMART approach, according to which they should be:

  • Specific (Specific): focusing on a specific metric or performance indicator.
  • Measurable: measurable objectively.
  • Aspirational: Motivating to take action.
  • Realistic: In other words, achievable.
  • Time-bound: the effectiveness of which is evaluated after a certain period of time.

The following template will also help you formulate goals:

By ______ (time/date) ______ (company name) marketing team will reach ______ (number/measure) _____ (metric).

You can also use the “every ______ (interval)” benchmark to formulate recurring goals for the team.

From the foregoing, it is clear that “drive more traffic to the site” is not a SMART goal. Here's how it should be phrased:

“By the end of the second quarter of 2018, the JessWellsIncorporated marketing team will be generating 1,200 monthly visitors to the site.”

So much better.

When formulating goals, it is important to remember that they must be specific.

Marketing teams often have the following goals in mind:

  • Increase sales
  • Tell about a new product
  • Increase brand awareness

Such formulations are ineffective. They should always be supplemented with specific metrics:

  • Increase sales by 5%
  • Increase conversion on the landing page of a new product by 3%
  • Attract 1,000 website visitors and 10 new customers every month

The more specific your goals are, the easier it is to formulate tasks.

Setting goals

With specific, measurable goals in place, your team can begin to formulate goals. It is important to focus on data about your audience.

For example, if you find that consumers are actively responding to email marketing, this technique is definitely worth incorporating into your marketing strategy.

Common Mistakes

The following tests will help you avoid common mistakes:

  • Comprehensibility test. Are your goals and objectives clear and ambiguous (especially when it comes to measuring results)?
  • Expediency test. Are your goals important enough to justify the costs associated with achieving them?
  • Test “So what?”. If you can't explain why your goal is important, something needs to change.

SWOT analysis

If you're having trouble identifying the goals and objectives of your marketing efforts, use the SWOT brainstorming technique.

It involves analyzing internal and external factors and identifying the elements that set you apart from your competitors, as well as the obstacles to success.

SWOT stands for:

  • Strengths - Strengths (internal)
  • Weaknesses - Weaknesses (internal)
  • Opportunities (external)
  • Threats - Threats (external)

This approach will ensure that your goals and objectives align with the overall business goals. For this, the following points must be taken into account:

  • What are the strengths of our company? How is our marketing better than our competitors? What tools and resources will help us achieve our goals?
  • What are the weaknesses of our company? How can we improve our marketing plans? Do we have a resource constraint that will prevent us from achieving our goals?
  • What opportunities does our brand have? Can we create content that is interesting to readers? Can we benefit from the latest marketing trends?
  • What threats can affect our brand? What are our competitors doing better? Can the market situation or the characteristics of the audience prevent us from achieving our goals?

After answering these questions, it is important to bet on brand strengths and opportunities, while trying to minimize the impact of your weaknesses and external threats.



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