Ch. 11 - Developing and Managing Product

One of the biggest challenges faced by product managers and product companies is to ensure that they create valued product that users/ customers want. For Apple most of its current product are considered a modification of the previous version of all of their products. Apple’s product development strategy does not involve releasing breakthrough technologies, year after year. Rather, disruptive innovations—such as the iPod, iTunes, iPad, and the iPhone—are unleashed, collapsing entrenched market competitors. Then, the world’s most innovative company improves on its advance product by implementing stable releases, adding features and functionality that delight its customers

 

Ch. 8 - Segmenting and Targeting Markets

Finding and attracting new customers is usually if not a far more difficult task than keeping your current customers. Apple the leading innovating tech company has been able to do it seamlessly. Lets’ switch gear a little bit. Think about how much time and energy you spend when you’re move into a new neighborhood looking for a perfect hairdresser or the perfect dry cleaners. Why was it so important to find the perfect one? The answer is simple, we need that one place, that one thing or one device which is worry free hassle. I think that’s why Apple is so successful. Their strategy enables them to study the market segmentation. As oppose to simply trying to stuff a product, in a burrito-style. Creating one product for a particular use case -- an iPad for reading, an iPod for listening, and an iPhone for apps). Apple‘s success is   not because it has become the biggest company in its various industries, but because it has thought carefully about how to sell products.

Ch. 15 - Marketing Communications

Apple basically control the media period. They can access their customers whenever they needs them.  Have you noticed what they’re doing here? Apple isn’t content with being a leader in sales alone, they want to own the market itself, which explains why they’ve planned iTunes as the major music provider that it is, and why the iPad, having the luxury of being the first. It is very rare that a company could turn an ordinary press conference into a live global event. Their secret lies beyond expectations. Their product lines and design standards are the core philosophy of their communicating success. Which is the user doesn’t always know what they want. To conclude Apples' communicating strategies involve both paid and earned media

Ch. 10 - Product Concepts

 Apple Company has always been admired among all ages, various countries, and cultures. They managed to distinguish themselves from their competitors by creating and innovating new ideas in the tech market. Apple’s purpose is to introduce luxury lifestyle trough high quality, creativity, colorful themes, and unique feature products. The company is well aware of its targets market and use it towards the planned adolescence style of branding. Started with only one product the computer " Apple 1" now had sold a range of products like Mack Book air, iPod, iPad, iPhone, Apple watch, TV, etc... Apple built their brand trough consistent designs. They keep it simple and classy. 
 

Ch. 17- Personal Selling and Sales Management

Steps in The Selling Process Of The iPhone 7  

     

Ø  The first step is generating a lead:  (i.e. When Professor Joel Evans, visited the Oculus Apple Store was there communication between him the potential buyer & the salesperson)

Ø  Qualifying leads: (was he equipped to buy the product, were they receptive to him) that has to be determine by the salesperson

Ø  Approaching the customer and probing needs: (when Prof.  Evans went in the Apple store did the salesperson study him or any research on him i.e.… what he likes as a customer, needs assessment …genre…etc...)

Ø  Developing and proposing Solutions: (When Prof. Evans needed a change in the watch bracelet did they give him a better solutions or ideas for his need?)

Ø  Handling objections: (There were some objections but the salesperson did lose the deal in the end he/ she did not do well) you should always try to negotiate a deal so you may keep your customer

Ø  Closing the sale:  (there was no deal made)

Ø  Following up: (Prof. Evans did not tried to follow/up) he was not well received he left…they lose a big potential buyer!

Ch. 16 - Advertising, Public Relations and Sales Promotion

Perfection is achieved not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away. -- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, 1939

Advertising industries had long holding the cards in consumers’ decision making. Marketers are realizing that offering more copy, complexity, and more information – isn’t working like it once did. With estimates that the average American sees anywhere from 250 to several thousand ads or marketing messages every day, there’s simply no way to keep pace if your strategy is to be ‘bigger and louder’. Instead, brands need to think strategically about how to stand out among the clutter. Apple is my favorite example of simplicity in marketing. Take their Mac versus PC ads: 2 guys just standing and talking, set against a white background. No lengthy list of product features, no mention of price, no professional voice actors with emotional voice-overs, or even information on how to buy a Mac. Each ad aims to make one point, and one point only: one way in which Macs are better than PCs.

Ch. 6 - Consumer Decision Making

 

After Reading chapter six from “MKGT 10”, and watched “The Merchants of cool” from Frontline in PBS I was stunned. I could not believe how far both the media and marketers would go to win the teens markets. The documentary was very informative. As a mother myself, I never taught corporations and advertising industries had any interest in our teens / youth. Chapter six describes the importance of consumer behavior which the documentary did an extensive research on teens as well. My conclusion is that culture and trends plays a significant role on our decision making. Their impact on society have made it the ultimate target for lunching any new product. An example of that would be the release of the I-Phone 7.   Whenever Apple sets a new dates for the I-Phone 7 or a new product it always boil down to consumers camping out the night before in front of the main store.

 

Ch. 14 - Retailing Post on customer service and atmosphere at Apple Store in Oculus

Retailing - Customer Service and atmosphere at Apple Store in Oculus

I recently visited the Apple store, at the Oculus in the World Trade Center it was a different type of experience for me. Let’s just say my expectation was way over my head. It was late, maybe 9 or 9: 30 pm I stopped there to conduct my research. When I came in a sales representative, who was already engaging a customer approached me. He said: “Can I help you with something? I answered I am here for a project to find out how Apple's customer service worked. He was a bit hesitant and he walked away. I was left on the floor on my own. I looked at most of their product. Like many places I made various observations. For instance, their prices are not listed comparable to other electronic store. Another thing I noticed you can actually play or try their product instantly.  A prime example was, I tried their MacBook air it I wrote a sentence on it. Some of their iPhone has live cameras in which I took a picture with.  No one seems to care about a new customer. No one approached me anymore. All my excitement flew out the windows. I taught living the store I would feel like another person….like I am big or something….In the end it was just a dream. Will I go back again? NO.

Ch. 5 - Developing a Global Vision - Is Walmart Good For America?

My answer is no.  I will not pretend nor sugarcoat my opinions about this retail giant. Walmart business practice is unfair, and bad for the American consumer. Their main focus is to keep everything at a lower price. How did they do it? How can a small company can expand so fast yet keep their customers happy? It does come with a price. Their strategy is that Walmart buys and exports goods at lower cost which allow them to sell these items in the US at lower rate than other competitors. They won’t stop until they get their goods at the desired price.  If you are one of its suppliers you either agree to its betting price or else you’re out. When factories or plant like Rubbermaid could not keep up with their bargain price they auctioned their companies, which resulted in thousands jobs lost. Walmart saw an opportunity with China trade by having their plant at cheaper labor they took advantage of it. This business move has cost us billions in trade deficit.  In the end this partnership is more beneficial to China and Walmart than the US. It has also destroy most competitors big time

 

Ch.18 - Social Media and Marketing

One of the most significant advantage that companies have is promoting their business through marketing. Traditionally marketing was done through T.V. ads, newspaper and posters. All that has change with the spread of Social media taking over our world. Marketers had to step up their game, get on board or else they will miss out on great opportunities. With Social media marketers and Companies have created new approach on how to address the consumer’s needs. Social Media has made it easier for companies to target and provide the product directly to its customers. An example would be during live Super Bowl 2017 Pepsi was trending big on Twitter. The ad that was promoted had reached its audience. It brought Pepsi to the number one trend during the half-time show. This type of marketing has become very successful as social media is very popular among different generations. However, not every business chose to use social media for marketing, or even marketing at all. Apple for instance, they just keep it simple. If they have a billboard ad it is basically a picture of the product or the I-Phone and no words at all.

 

Their  message is simple! “Evolution in every dimension.” In order words: Transformation in every way possible.

Ch. 2 - Strategic Planning for Competitive Advantage: Swot Analysis for the IPhone

 Strategic Planning for Competitive Advantage 

I do not own an iPhone 7.  To help me with my SWOT analysis I asked a co-worker who owned one and surprisingly I found most of my research based on her answers. I noticed a lot of good features about it and it is really cool and easy to use.

Strength: ·        Apple’s advertising capabilities which create brand awareness ·        Loyal consumer base always support with the release of a new version ·        Apple targets high end customers ·        Multi-Apps control ·        Water resistance ·         Apple’s electronic payment system allowing consumers to buy by tapping your phone against a sensor at the till.

Weaknesses ·        Over Independence on iPhone sales ·        High End but overpriced devices is likely to lose the battle for emerging markets to cheaper android devices. ·        Incapability with other OS (Operating System) are quite different than some of its rivals like android and windows. ·        The headphones jack holes are used for  charging ·        The battery life and / or one hardware

Opportunities ·        Apple has a unique position to take advantage of the growing internet of things market. ·        With iPhone and iPad becoming common in corporate

Threats ·        Risk of data breaches ·        The rising of the U.S dollar ·        Other smartphone maker like Samsung continue to cut into Apple’s market especially with cheaper offerings for similar products. ·        Very limited ability to customize compared to other smart phones.

Source: tweakyourbiz.com

Marketing 100 Chpt 1 (Overview)

  

Marketing and Brief Summary and Goals

       Like most readers when I heard the word “marketing” two words came in mind selling and advertising. In Marketing 100 the first chapter gives a detail summary of what marketing is about. The existing relations between customer and a product. This chapter also describe the differences between sales and market orientations. I learned quite a lot in just a small time. I learn to listen to the consumers and customers, what might interest them in buying the product. I have also learn the essence of running a business does not solely rely on sales values. The company ought to empowering its employees in customer service skills by providing quality training, and maintaining highest standard. I have learn different approach in earning customer’s trust which help bring in more business to the company. After all paying attention to these loyal customers are valuable to achieve any company’s goals.


                                                            


My lesson: We all part of marketing it is not only our duty as consumers to educate ourselves on a new product but to appreciate all the works it takes to produce it as well.

 

Ch. 1 - Overview of Marketing Mission Statement / Brief History for Apple and IPhone

Apple’s Mission Statement:

Founder Steve Jobs, the owner of Apple, primary purpose was to create "great technology that makes a contribution to the world by making tools for the mind that advance humankind." 

His vision was to craft a family based culture with technology that improves people's lives. When Steve died, Tim Cook continued the culture of Apple Company. The iPhone7 which was launched last year in September 2016 had more feature than the first generation of iPhone. Prior to the 7 Apple had already created 6 different types of smartphone. Each of them had one feature less than the other. When 7 was lunched the iPhone commercial success has been credited with reshaping the smartphone industry and make Apple the world’s most valuable Tech giant company