1. Starter question
3.1.4 Product life cycle

2. What is a life cycle? Put these stages of our life cycle in order
Teenager
Child
Birth
Middle Aged
Pensioner
Conception
Young Adult
Baby
Alphabet
3.1.4 Product life cycle
3.1.4 Product life cycle

3. Learning Objectives
All– Identify five phases of the product life cycle. (D/E grade)
Most– Describe the features of each stage of the cycle and how net cash flow is affected (B grade)
Some – Explain how the marking mix might change during each stage (B/A grade)

4. Product Life Cycle
A product life cycle shows the sales of a product over time.
There are five stages associated with the product life cycle:
Research & Development (R&D)
Introduction
Growth
Maturity
Decline
A business may use extension strategies to prolong the life of the product when it is in decline.
3.1.4 Product life cycle

5. The Product Life Cycle Sales Revenue Time
All– Identify five phases of the product life cycle. (D/E grade)
The Product Life Cycle
Sales Revenue
Iphone 6
Iphone 5
The product life cycle shows the stages through which, it is argued, a product passes over time. Get them to put the handout in to their book. You need to have this copied down in your book.
Iphone 7
Time

6. Product Life Cycle R&D Introduction Growth Maturity Decline
The product does not yet exist as companies are putting in a lot of money and time to develop a new product
Introduction
The product is launched onto the market. This might be expensive as the firm advertises in order to promote the product
Growth
Consumers become familiar with the product and repeat custom is built up
Maturity
Sales reach a peak and start to level off. Competition becomes stronger
Decline
Product sales start to fall and the firm will decide on an extension strategy or discontinuing the product
3.1.4 Product life cycle

7. Write the names of the products on to the PLC in the correct stage
XBOX One

8. All– Identify five phases of the product life cycle. (D/E grade)
Challenge
THINK ABOUT THIS – What are the main factors that determine the length of the product life cycle? What might push them into decline?

9. They are not all the same shape/length!
Can you think of 2 products with a short PLC and 2 products with a long PLC?

10. Product Life Cycle Examples
3D Televisions: 3D may have been around for a few decades, but only after considerable investment are 3D TVs available for the home, providing a good example of a product that is in the Introduction Stage.
Blue Ray Players: With advanced technology delivering the very best viewing experience, Blue Ray equipment is currently enjoying the steady increase in sales that’s typical of the Growth Stage.
DVD Players: Introduced a number of years ago, manufacturers that make DVDs, and the equipment needed to play them, have established a strong market share. However, they still have to deal with the challenges from other technologies that are characteristic of the Maturity Stage.
Video Recorders: While it is still possible to purchase VCRs this is a product that is definitely in the Decline Stage, as it’s become easier and cheaper for consumers to switch to the other, more modern formats.

11. Product Life Cycle
Marketing Strategy - Product Life Cycle
As you watch this video clip make some additional notes on the product life cycle
3.1.4 Product life cycle

12. R&D Stage Why spend so much?
What is happening to NET CASH FLOW at this time?
Primary/secondary research, market research. What is the benefit of spending almost 9=$9 billion on research and development? Why do you think Microsoft need to spend so much money on research and development compared to Apple when Apple are so successful and spend so little
Describe the features of each stage of the cycle and how net cash flow is affected (B grade)

13. What is happening to NET CASH FLOW at this time?
Launching the product
Why is the launch stage so important?
How do Apple do this so well?
Marketing, advertising, creating awareness
So on or under your product life cycle you can put some of those things, so marketing, advertising, creating awareness.
What is happening to NET CASH FLOW at this time?
Describe the features of each stage of the cycle and how net cash flow is affected (B grade)

14. What is happening to NET CASH FLOW at this time?
The Growth Phase
In the growth phase of the cycle, what should be increasing?
What will happen to your competition?
Sales and profit
Sales and profit? What can you do to deal with competitors? What competition has apple face as their ipad starts to grow in sales??
What is happening to NET CASH FLOW at this time?
Describe the features of each stage of the cycle and how net cash flow is affected (B grade)

15. What is happening to NET CASH FLOW at this time?
Product maturity
The product reaches a peak in terms of sales
What is happening to NET CASH FLOW at this time?
Describe the features of each stage of the cycle and how net cash flow is affected (B grade)

16. Decline
The product has seen its day and is going out of fashion and replaced by new products.
Launched in 2001, but 12 years and 26 devices later, the generation-defining iPod range looks like it's about to fade into history without so much as a whimper.  "I think all of us have known for some time that iPod is a declining business," said Apple boss Tim Cook earlier this week.
What is happening to NET CASH FLOW at this time?
What is happening to NET cash flow at this time?
Describe the features of each stage of the cycle and how net cash flow is affected (B grade)

17. Task: Complete the table using your knowledge of the product life cycle and the notes available. How does each stage affect:
Sales Revenue Expenditure Net cash flow
Challenge (A grade): State which element of the marketing mix would be MOST important at each stage – then explain why.
Most– Describe the features of each stage of the cycle and how net cash flow is affected (B grade)
Some – Explain how the marking mix might change during each stage (B/A grade)

18. Quick Quiz
1. How many stages are there in the PLC?

19. Quick Quiz
2. Which stage of the PLC is MOST LIKELY to show a negative cashflow (less money coming in than going out)
Maturity
Introduction
Decline
Growth

20. Quick Quiz
3. Which stage of the PLC is a business mostly likely to be focusing on the promotion of the product
Maturity
Introduction
Decline
Growth

21. Quick Quiz
4. The duration of the PLC is the same for all products True or False

22. Quick Quiz
5. Which stage of the product life cycle is likely to have the strongest cash flow (more coming in than going out)

23. Which Stage?
6. Costs of manufacturing may still be high as investment is made, for example, in machinery or equipment.

24. Which Stage?
7. The product is in a highly competitive market.

25. Which Stage?
8. If a product is likely to damage the business’s reputation it may be withdrawn.

26. 9. The first stage of the product life cycle is the introduction?

27. 10.Products can only stay in maturity for a limited time?

28. 11. All products must go through every stage of the product life cycle?

29. 12. At the start of the product life cycle cash will be negative?

30. 13. Changing the image of a product is a form of extension strategy?

31. 14. No two life cycles are likely to be the same?

32. 15. The actions of competitors are likely to affect the length of the stage of the product life cycle?

33. Product Life Cycle – Extension strategies
Used when a product reaches maturity to try and extend its life and stop it going into decline
Targeting new markets
Revitalising the image of the product
Rebranding
Redesigning
Repackaging
These may be supported with a new promotional campaign
Think of a product that is in need of an extension strategy.
How would you extend its life cycle?
3.1.4 Product life cycle

34. Extension strategy

35. EXTENSION STRATEGIES Change appearance or packaging
In order to keep the product on the market longer, company's have extension strategies. The most common ones are:
Change appearance or packaging
Develop wider range TO MEET CHANGING TASTES/NEEDS
Find new markets for the product
Find new uses for the product

36. Find new uses for the products, for example

37. Finding new markets, for example

38. Develop a wider product range. For example

39. Develop a wider product range. For example

40. Aiming the product towards specific target markets, eg

41. Changing appearance or packaging, eg

42. Product Life Cycle
Impact of extension strategies on other aspects of the business:
Operations management
Research and development is required
Finance
Increased costs for product development and promotion
Marketing
The 4ps will need to be considered
People
Has the business the human resource skills required to develop the product
3.1.4 Product life cycle

43. Product Life Cycle – question time
Kit Kat 2 Finger: Two Finger Kit Kat is the UK's number one biscuit. The 2 Finger Kit Kat was launched in the 1930s alongside the 4 Finger variant, and has remained a best–selling biscuit brand ever since. In the beginning, the 2 Finger Kit Kat was only produced as a milk variant, but is now available in Milk, Mint, Orange, Dark and Cookies and Cream. Annually we sell enough 2 Finger Kit Kat to go round the world more than one and a half times! Have a break with two crispy wafer fingers covered with milk chocolate, Kit Kat contains 107 Calories and no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives - a great lunchbox treat! (source:
Look at figure 1. At what phase was Kit Kat in 1930?
Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3
Phase 4 (1)
Look at figure 1. What is phase 2 called?
Introduction
Maturity
Decline
Growth (1)
Have Nestle made efficient use of extension strategies? Justify your answer. (5)
3.1.4 Product life cycle

44. Group Activity On A3 paper draw a product life cycle diagram
Choose one large organisation e.g. Apple and carry out some research into its product range
Add your chosen business’ product range to the product life cycle diagram
Do you think that the business has a balanced product portfolio? Justify your answer.
3.1.4 Product life cycle

45. End 5 Minute Test Draw a product life cycle
What is an extension strategy?
Why might an extension strategy impact on the finance department?
End
3.1.4 Product life cycle

46. Product Portfolio Analysis
Product portfolio analysis looks at the range of products and brands (product portfolio) that a firm has under its control. This type of analysis can help a firm identify where every single one of its products is positioned in the market.
Perhaps the most common type of product portfolio analysis that firms use to analyse their product mix is the Boston Matrix.
Richard Branson runs the Virgin Empire. How many different type of products does Virgin have under its control?
3.1.4 Product life cycle

47. Boston Product Matrix
This is a popular method for product portfolio analysis. It consists of four sections that allow a firm to assess its range of products as shown in the diagram below.
3.1.4 Product life cycle

48. High market share in a high growth market
Stars
High market share in a high growth market
These products enjoy increasing sales revenue (they equate to the growth stage of the product life cycle). However, because the market is growing other firms are likely to enter with similar products. There will be fierce competition between these firms to establish their own product.
Characteristics can include:
heavy promotional spending
increased capital investment in order to increase capacity
cash flow can often be negative at first
3.1.4 Product life cycle

49. High market share in a low growth market
Cash Cows
High market share in a low growth market
These are established products (that have reached the maturity stage of the product life cycle). The profits made through these products can be used to finance other products such as rising stars.
Firms will want to establish as many cash cows as possible.
Characteristics can include:
less competition from new firms entering the market
firms can spend less on advertising.
3.1.4 Product life cycle 49

50. Low market share in a high growth market
Problem Children
Low market share in a high growth market
With growth in the market a product can be very successful if there is enough demand. However, some products are unsuccessful and the firm will have to decide whether to persevere with the product or discontinue it.
A problem child (or question mark) will require a lot of attention, particularly in the form of marketing. This will cost the firm time and money.
3.1.4 Product life cycle 50

51. Low market share in a low growth market
Dogs
Low market share in a low growth market
Dogs are unlikely to be kept on by a business. With little growth in the market and little market share the company might see little scope for future profits.
This does not always mean that the company will discontinue the product. If there is a market, then some products can still be profitable.
3.1.4 Product life cycle 51

52. Select one person and one sentence.
A product is called a cash cow because a firm can ‘milk’ the product to finance other areas of the business.
When a firm looks at its range of products it is more likely to concentrate on cash cows and rising stars rather than dogs.
It is hoped that a star can go on to become a cash cow but many stars eventually become dogs.
In pairs
Practice round:
Take it in turns to pick one of these sentences and explain it to your partner.
Whole class
Select one person and one sentence.
Can you talk about your allocated sentence for 60 seconds without hesitation or repetition?
Stars are often funded from cash cows.
If sales of a problem child can be increased there is the opportunity for increased profits in the future and the product can be turned into a cash cow.
3.1.4 Product life cycle

53. Activity - Boston Matrix
In small groups try to think of products that fall into the following categories :
Stars – High market share in a high growth market
Cash Cows – High market share in a low growth market
Problem Children – Low market share in a high growth market
Dogs – Low market share in a low growth market
On A3 paper produce a Boston Matrix showing products that fall under each heading.
3.1.4 Product life cycle

54. Question time
The Boston Matrix categorises products in relation to market share and market growth. What name is given to a product that has high market share in a low growth market?
Cash cow
Rising star
Problem child
Dog (1)
Describe how the use of the Boston Matrix may benefit a business. (3)
Where would you place the McDonald’s Big Mac
On the Boston Matrix
On a product life cycle?
Justify your decisions (6)
3.1.4 Product life cycle

55. Activity - Product Life Cycle
Produce a product life cycle for a product of your choice. Use the internet to see if you can find the timeline of the product. Complete the time stages that the product went through during each stage of its lifetime:
Development
Introduction
Growth
Maturity
Decline
Extension strategy
If you are stuck look at some of the following: video recorders or cassettes, the Sony Walkman, vinyl singles or LPs, Playstation or any other similar type of product.
3.1.4 Product life cycle