The Six Markets Model

The Six Markets Model/Framework illustrates an expanded view on where Marketing can be applied. It identifies Six Key market domains where organizations should direct marketing activity and where the development of detailed marketing strategies may be needed. Apart from existing and potential customers, those markets are: Referral markets; Supplier Markets; employer recruitment Markets; influence Markets; and internal Markets. 1. Customer Markets Customer markets are characterized by long-term relations between buyers and sellers. Long-term relations evolve if buyers trust sellers to provide high quality and if sellers are trustworthy. However, changes in the terms of this implicit contract may antagonize customers and disrupt the relation. We experimentally show that mutually beneficial long-term relations frequently prevail in markets for experience goods, and that price rigidity after a temporary cost shock is much more pronounced if price increases cannot be justified by cost increases. Hence, long-term relations on customer markets mitigate market failure Continue reading

Total Quality Management (TQM) Approach

Quality is a continuous process that can be broken anywhere in the system of supply and customer service. By letting every person know how their activities help fulfill customer’s requirements, the organization can motivate their employees and supplies to provide quality consistently. They must also realize that throughout the organization they will have both internal customers and’ supplies to those outside the organization. In general, a process helps to change a set of inputs into desired output in the form of products or services. Proper investigation of the inputs and outputs of the organization help to determine the action to be taken for the improvement of the quality. The quest for continuous improvement of quality is a continuous cycle. The process on which continuous improvement is based is generally known as “Deming Wheel“. The wheel represented below shows a continuous movement in a certain direction. The idea behind this that Continue reading

Different Types of Reports Used in Business

After thorough study, collection of all relevant facts and information and proper scrutiny and analysis of a problem relating to past or present, submission of the conclusions supported by statements and other relevant data etc. is called a report, which offers suggestions for solution of the problem studied. A report is a formal communication written for a specific purpose; it includes a description of procedures followed for collection and analysis of data, their significance, the conclusions drawn from them, and recommendations, if required.  The information present in the report is needed to evaluate progress and plan future action. Reports provide feed back to an organization to guide future course of action. According to C.A.Brown, “A report is a communication form of some one who has some information to some one who needs that information.“ The goal of making reports is to make the information as clear and convenient and accessible Continue reading

Impact of Service-Dominant Logic on Strategic Marketing and Relationship Marketing

The Stephen Vargo and Robert Lusch paper “Evolving to a New Dominant Logic for Marketing” (2004, Journal of Marketing) redefines and redirects the age-old economic view of goods and services. Their paper states, “Over the past several decades, marketing has been evolving toward a new dominant logic… The evolving logic represents a shift away from the exchange of tangible output (goods) toward the exchange of services, which are defined as the application of specialized competences (knowledge and skills), through deeds, processes, and performances for the benefit of another entity or the entity itself.” This philosophy of marketing argues that firms are not really providing goods, but are actually rendering a service to consumers through their goods. This new service-dominant logic view of marketing has already made a huge impact on both the strategic marketing and relationship marketing of firms and will continue to further impact future marketing strategy. For nearly Continue reading

Definition and Concept of Industrial Relations

An Introduction to Industrial Relations Industrial relations constitute one of the most delicate and complex problems of the modern industrial society. This phenomenon of a new complex industrial set-up is directly attributable to the emergence of ‘Industrial Revolution”. The pre-industrial revolution period was characterized by a simple process of manufacture, small scale investment, local markets and small number of persons employed. All this led to close proximity between the manager and the managed. Due to personal and direct relationship between the employer and the employee it was easier to secure cooperation of the latter. Any grievance or misunderstanding on the part of either party could be promptly removed.   Also, there was no interference by the State in the economic activities of the people. Under such a set-up industrial relations were simple, direct and personal. This situation underwent a marked change with the advent of industrial revolution — size of Continue reading

Application of Direct Marketing Tools in Industrial Marketing

Direct Marketing  is a recent activity that has come up and is used extensively by the  industrial marketers. The various tools used in direct marketing are direct  mails, telemarketing and online marketing channels. A direct marketing  channel does not involve any intermediary and the sale is done by the  company by directly contacting the target customer. As the cost involved  in direct marketing activity is much less compared to the cost of company  sales force directly meeting the customers, many industrial organizations  prefer this tool. This tool aids the sales force to gain entry into  prospective customer’s office where prospective customers are identified  beforehand and are informed about the company products. Direct Mail The existing and prospective customers are mailed promotional letters, catalogs, CD’s etc. by the industrial marketers where they are provided with necessary information about the company’s products and services and any schemes or offers it has. This Continue reading