Strategy in Marketing Channels www.assignmentpoint.com
Marketing Channel Strategy Objective 1: 5 Marketing Channel Strategy Channel Strategy: The broad principles by which the firm expects to achieve its distribution objectives for its target market(s) www.assignmentpoint.com
Distribution Decisions Objective 2: 5 Distribution Decisions The role of distribution in the firm’s overall objectives & strategies The role distribution should play in the marketing mix The design of the firm’s marketing channels The selection of channel members The management of the marketing channel in order to implement the firm’s channel design effectively & efficiently on a continuing basis The evaluation of channel member performance www.assignmentpoint.com
Channel Strategy as Overall Corporate Objective 5 Channel Strategy as Overall Corporate Objective The higher the priority given to distribution, the higher the level at which it should be considered in formulating the organization’s overall objectives and strategies www.assignmentpoint.com
The Value Chain 5 Firm infrastructure Human resource management Margin Technology development Support Activities Margin Inbound Operations Outbound Marketing Service logistics logistics & sales Margin www.assignmentpoint.com Primary Activities
Determining the Priority Given to Distribution 5 Distribution does increasingly warrant the attention of top management, because competition has made the issue of distribution too important for top management to ignore. • Rayovac Corp. • WD-40 • Coca-Cola • Procter & Gamble Company www.assignmentpoint.com
Channel Strategy & the Marketing Mix Objective 4: 5 Channel Strategy & the Marketing Mix The essence of modern marketing management: To develop a marketing mix of product, price, promotion, & distribution (place) www.assignmentpoint.com
Emphasis on Distribution Strategy Objective 5: 5 Emphasis on Distribution Strategy Distribution is the most relevant variable for satisfying target market demands. Parity exists among competitors in the other three variables of the marketing mix. A high degree of vulnerability exists because of competitors’ neglect of distribution. Distribution can enhance the firm by creating synergy from marketing channels. IF: or or or THEN: The firm should choose distribution strategy for strategic emphasis www.assignmentpoint.com
5 Target Market Demand Firms should stress distribution when it serves customers’ needs in the target market. Marketing channels are so closely linked to customer need satisfaction because it is through distribution that firms can provide the kinds and levels of service that make for satisfied customers. www.assignmentpoint.com
Distribution advantages are not easily copied by competitors. Competitive Parity 5 Distribution advantages are not easily copied by competitors. Distribution advantages are based on a combination of superior strategy, organization, and human capabilities. www.assignmentpoint.com
Distribution Neglect 5 Competitors’ neglect of distribution strategies provides excellent opportunities. The channel manager must analyze target markets to determine whether competitors have neglected distribution and whether vulnerabilities exist that can be exploited. www.assignmentpoint.com
Distribution and Synergy 5 “Hooking up” with a mix of cooperative channel members will strengthen the channel. Because each channel member is an independent entity, rewarding opportunities exist for channel managers to cultivate cooperation among members. www.assignmentpoint.com
Differential Advantage & Channel Design Objective 6: 5 Differential Advantage & Channel Design Differential advantage, also called sustainable competitive advantage, occurs when a firm attains a long-term, advantageous position in the market relative to competitors. • Caterpillar www.assignmentpoint.com
Positioning the Channel 5 Positioning the Channel A firm that plans the channel and makes decisions by viewing the relationship with channel members as a partnership or strategic alliance that offers recognizable benefits to the manufacturer & channel members on a long-term basis • Infiniti www.assignmentpoint.com
Selection of Channel Members Objective 7: Selection of Channel Members 5 Because customers perceive channel members as an extension of the manufacturer’s own organization, members should: Reflect channel strategies the firm has developed to achieve its distribution objectives Be consistent with the firm’s broader marketing objectives & strategies Reflect the objectives & strategies of the organization as a whole www.assignmentpoint.com
Channel Strategy & Managing the Channel Objective 8: 5 Channel Strategy & Managing the Channel How close a relationship should be developed with the channel members? How should the marketing mix be used to enhance channel member cooperation? 3 Strategic Questions How should the channel members be motivated to cooperate in achieving the manufacturer’s distribution objectives? www.assignmentpoint.com
Closeness of Channel Relationships 5 Factors to consider Distribution intensity Targeted markets Products Company policies Middlemen Environment Behavioral dimensions www.assignmentpoint.com
Marketing Mix in Channel Management 5 Product strategy Marketing Mix Pricing strategy Distribution strategy Promotion strategy www.assignmentpoint.com
Motivation of Channel Members Objective 9: 5 Motivation of Channel Members Portfolio concept: A tool for motivating different types and sizes of channel members participating in various channel structures who may respond differently to various motivation strategies. www.assignmentpoint.com
Evaluation of Channel Member Performance Objective 10: 5 Evaluation of Channel Member Performance Channel manager’s involvement in evaluating member performance is integral to developing & managing channel Have provisions been made in the design and management of the channel to assure that channel member performance will be evaluated effectively? www.assignmentpoint.com