Dell Essay

Marketing you business is about how you position it to satisfy your market needs. There are four critical elements in marketing your products and business. They are

Product: the right product to satisfy the needs of your target customer

Price: the right product offered at the right price

Place: the right product available at the right place to b bought by the customer

Promotion: informing the potential customers of the availability of the product, its price and its place

PRODUCT

A product is what the company has to offer to the customers. It is anything that is offered to satisfy the needs or wants of a customer. It is tangible or an intangible service. Customer research is the key element in effective marketing mix. CASE STUDY: 3M CORP.

You may become the sole supplier to a reseller who, in turn, might sell only your product. You may be able to promote your product as prestigious with this method, though you might sacrifice sales volume. Specialty products tend to perform better with exclusive distribution.

CASE STUDY: DELL COMPUTER

Dell Computer began its business by selling PCs directly to consumers, while most competitive PC makers were selling through distributors and mass-market retailers. To address customer needs, Dell's business model went beyond product design. By advertising in magazines, selling directly to consumers over the phone, and later, through an online store, Dell fulfilled customer needs such as customization, personalized service and support, and quick access to the latest technology.

At the same time, Dell used its direct customer relationships to research consumers' needs and requirements so it could continually refine its product offerings. Although Dell was usually not in retail outlets where people normally shopped for PCs, the company earned a competitive advantage by focusing on a "place" strategy that offered people a more direct and personalized