Module: LV-4002 Marketing Mix Submitted to: Submitted By: Daw Su Shwe Yi Win Ms. Moe Pwint Khin Level (4) Batch (1) Digital Campus Date of Submitted 6.7.2023 1 Table of Contents 1. Executive Summary................................................................................................ 3 2. Introduction ............................................................................................................ 3 Task 1 ............................................................................................................................. 4 3. The Use of Seven Elements of the Marketing Mix ................................................ 4 4. Relationship Between the Different Elements of the Marketing Mix .................... 6 5. Digital Tools and Techniques Within the Marketing Mix ...................................... 8 Task 2 ........................................................................................................................... 10 6. Overview of the Marketing Mix ........................................................................... 10 7. Case Study: Application of a Coordinated Marketing Mix and Digital Marketing for "TechGear" Smart Home Devices .......................................................................... 11 7.1 Analysing the Application of Coordinated Marketing Mix .............................. 11 7.2 Analysing the Use of Digital Marketing Tools and Techniques ....................... 12 7.3 Analysing the Benefits of a Coordinated Marketing Mix ...................................... 13 7.4 Assessing the Benefits of Digital Marketing ......................................................... 13 8. Conclusion and Recommendation ........................................................................ 15 9. References ............................................................................................................ 16 2 1. Executive Summary This study thoroughly examines the marketing mix and how it applies to Hard Graft Tools, a medium-sized power tool manufacturer. The corporation intends to switch from selling through retailers to directly selling to customers via new stores and online platforms in response to a change in strategy. Seven components make up the marketing mix: the product, price, place, promotion, people, process, and tangible evidence. Additionally, the research investigates the connections between these components and the digital technologies and strategies that can be used to improve the marketing mix. It also includes a case study that examines the integrated marketing mix and digital marketing tactics used for a particular good or service. The advantages of a well-coordinated marketing mix and digital marketing are evaluated with an emphasis on their importance in attaining corporate goals. 2. Introduction The business landscape is constantly evolving, necessitating companies to adapt and refine their strategies to remain competitive. In this context, the role of marketing becomes critical in driving customer engagement, enhancing brand visibility, and achieving business growth. This introduction sets the stage for the assignment, which focuses on the marketing efforts of Hard Graft Tools, a mediumsized company producing power tools. In a substantial shift in business strategy, Hard Graft Tools plans to abandon traditional retail channels to interact directly with customers through brand-new stores and online platforms. The organization is seeking a freelance business consultant with the necessary skills to help the Senior Management Team (SMT) create a solid marketing strategy to ease this transition. The marketing mix, encompassing the seven key elements of product, price, place, promotion, people, process, and physical evidence, is a comprehensive framework for guiding strategic marketing decisions. Understanding these elements' relationships and cohesive integration is vital for developing a successful marketing strategy. Additionally, digital marketing tools and strategies have emerged as powerful assets in today's technologically driven world, enabling organizations to use online platforms and communicate with customers in novel ways. 3 Task 1 3. The Use of Seven Elements of the Marketing Mix A fundamental marketing idea, the "marketing mix," includes seven essential components. Each component is crucial in forming a company's overall marketing strategy. The purpose of each element is described below: (1) Product: This element focuses on a company's tangible or intangible offerings to its customers. It involves determining the product's features, design, quality, and branding. The goal is to create a product that meets customer needs, stands out in the market, and provides value. For instance, a smartphone manufacturer might provide various products with various screen sizes, camera features, and storage capacities to accommodate a range of customer preferences. (2) Price: Pricing involves determining the monetary value of the product or service. It requires consideration of factors such as production costs, competitor pricing, customer perceptions of value, and market demand. Setting the right price ensures profitability, competitiveness, and customer-perceived value. To position their products as exclusive and premium, a luxury car manufacturer might charge a high price for their cars, whereas a low-cost airline might charge less to entice budget-conscious passengers. (3) Place: Place refers to the distribution channels and locations through which products or services are made available to customers. It involves choices regarding logistics, supply chain management, retail partners, and sales channels. The goal is to ensure the product reaches the target market efficiently and conveniently. A multinational beverage company may distribute its products through various channels, including supermarkets, convenience stores, vending machines, and online platforms, to ensure broad accessibility. 4 (4) Promotion: Promotion encompasses all activities communicating the product's value to the target market. It includes advertising, public relations, sales promotions, direct marketing, and personal selling. The purpose is to create awareness, generate interest, and persuade customers to purchase. For example, a company specializing in sports shoes could launch an advertising campaign featuring professional athletes wearing their shoes to promote their performance, durability, and style, to persuade consumers to make a purchase. (5) People: People refers to the individuals involved in delivering the product or service, including employees, sales representatives, and customer service personnel. It emphasizes the importance of hiring, training, and empowering the right people who can provide exceptional customer experiences and build strong relationships. Hotel employees are essential to ensuring a satisfying experience for guests in the hospitality sector. Proficient concierge services, attentive restaurant staff, and well-trained, aimable front desk personnel can influence the level of customer satisfaction. (6) Process: Process represents the activities and steps in delivering the product or service to customers. It includes everything from order processing to after-sales service. Ensuring efficient and effective processes enhances customer satisfaction and builds loyalty. A fast-food chain may optimize its order-taking and food preparation procedures to ensure prompt service and minimize customer wait times. (7) Physical Evidence: Physical evidence refers to the tangible elements that customers perceive when interacting with the company. It includes the physical environment, packaging, branding materials, and other tangible cues that shape customer perceptions. Strong physical evidence can reinforce the brand image and create a positive customer experience. For instance, to improve the overall customer experience, a cosmetics company might offer appealing and educational product packaging, complete with clear labelling, aesthetically pleasing designs, and product samples. 5 Figure 3-1 The Seven Elements of the Marketing Mix By considering and managing each element of the marketing mix, businesses can create a cohesive and integrated strategy that aligns with customer needs, effectively positions the product or service in the market, and ultimately leads to customer satisfaction and business success (Makosiewicz, 2022). 4. Relationship Between the Different Elements of the Marketing Mix The different elements of the marketing mix are interconnected and interdependent, meaning they work together to create a cohesive and effective marketing strategy. The relationship between these elements can be summarized as follows: (1) Product and Price: A product's features, quality, and positioning all affect how valuable it is perceived to be, which impacts the pricing strategy. As a result, the product and price elements are closely related. For instance, a high-end fashion label that sells luxurious clothing with distinctive designs can charge more than a retailer of clothes for the public. (2) Promotion and Place: The elements of promotion and place are interconnected because the marketing channels and distribution plans selected have an impact on the promotional activities. To reach its target audience, which is more likely to interact with digital channels, a technology company launching a new smartphone might concentrate its promotional efforts on online platforms, social media, and influencers. 6 (3) People and Process: The people and process components work together to create seamless customer experiences. This is because the effectiveness of the people involved in providing a service is essential to this. For instance, to ensure smooth patient appointments, effective billing procedures, and top-notch patient care, a healthcare organization's medical staff and administrative staff should collaborate. (4) Physical Evidence and Promotion: Promotion activities can emphasize tangible features of a good or service to build trust and credibility. To entice potential guests, a hotel chain, for instance, may highlight elegant room designs, cutting-edge amenities, and breathtaking views when marketing its luxury accommodations. (5) Price and Promotion: Since pricing strategies can impact the promotional system, price and promotion are frequently linked. For instance, a retail store offering a limited-time discount or a "buy one, get one free" promotion can engender a sense of urgency and persuade customers to purchase. (6) Place and Process: The place and process components are intertwined because the distribution channels chosen to determine how efficiently and effectively a good or service is delivered. For instance, a grocery store that implements an online ordering system with a home delivery service streamlines the purchasing process and offers convenience to customers. These illustrations show how the various components of the marketing mix are interdependent and need careful consideration for a successful and cohesive marketing strategy. The relationships between these components should be examined and matched to ensure consistency, customer satisfaction, and overall business success (UKEssays, 2017). 7 5. Digital Tools and Techniques Within the Marketing Mix Digital tools and techniques play a crucial role in modern marketing strategies. They offer numerous opportunities to reach and engage target audiences effectively. Here are some digital tools and methods that can be included within the marketing mix: Social Media Marketing: Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube provide opportunities to connect with and engage a wide range of audiences. Businesses can build brand awareness, generate leads, and drive customer engagement through targeted advertising, content creation, and community management. Search Engine Optimization (SEO): SEO strategies increase a website's prominence in search engine results. By optimizing website content, meta tags, keywords, and backlinks, businesses can increase organic traffic and improve their website's ranking, leading to higher visibility and potential customer acquisition. Pay-Per-Click Advertising (PPC): PPC campaigns like Google Ads allow businesses to display targeted ads to specific audiences. Advertisers pay only when their ads are clicked, making it a cost-effective way to reach potential customers. PPC campaigns can drive website traffic, generate leads, and increase brand visibility. Content Marketing: Content marketing involves creating and distributing valuable, relevant, consistent content to attract and engage a target audience. Blogs, articles, videos, infographics, and e-books are content formats used to provide information, solve problems, and build brand authority. Email Marketing: Email marketing enables businesses to communicate directly with their audience, nurturing leads and building customer relationships. Companies can deliver relevant content, promotional offers, and updates through personalized and targeted email campaigns, encouraging customer loyalty and driving conversions. 8 Influencer Marketing: Influencer marketing involves collaborating with influential individuals or social media personalities with a large and engaged following. By leveraging their influence and credibility, businesses can reach their target audience, build brand awareness, and drive customer engagement. Website and User Experience Optimization: A well-designed and userfriendly website is essential for effective digital marketing. Optimizing website structure, navigation, load speed, and mobile responsiveness enhances the user experience and increases the likelihood of conversions. Data Analytics and Tracking: Digital marketing tools provide extensive data and analytics to track and measure the performance of marketing campaigns. By analysing metrics such as website traffic, conversion rates, engagement, and customer behaviour, businesses can gain insights and make data-driven decisions to optimize their marketing efforts. These digital tools and techniques allow businesses to target specific audiences, measure campaign performance, and adapt marketing strategies in real-time. By incorporating these tools within the marketing mix, companies can effectively reach, engage, and convert customers in the digital landscape (HILLIER, 2023). 9 Task 2 6. Overview of the Marketing Mix The term "marketing mix" refers to a company's combination of tactical and controllable marketing tools used to elicit the desired response from its target market. It consists of every strategy the business can use to increase demand for its products and/or services (Armstrong, 2008). The ultimate objective of any business is to provide a good or service that will stand out to potential customers to get their preference over rival brands. Marketers can combine the four main ingredients in this unique selling proposition (USP) in various ways to get varied outcomes. Usually referred to as the "4Ps," these four components are product, price, location (distribution), and promotion (Fig 6-1). Fig 6-1 Marketing Mix (Adapted from Armstrong, Kotler, & Silva 2006) In addition to the traditional 4Ps, digital marketing tools, and approaches are crucial in the digital era. Businesses can improve their marketing efforts and reach a wider audience by utilizing digital platforms, social media, content marketing, search engine optimization, email marketing, and other digital channels. 10 Overall, the marketing mix acts as a map for businesses to travel through the complicated marketing world, allowing them to successfully meet client wants, set themselves apart from rivals, and accomplish their corporate objectives. 7. Case Study: Application of a Coordinated Marketing Mix and Digital Marketing for "TechGear" Smart Home Devices A made-up firm called ‘TechGear’ specializes in creating smart home appliances including smart speakers, thermostats, and security systems. The company now sells its goods through retailers, but it intends to change its approach and start selling to customers directly through new stores and online marketplaces. The use of a coordinated marketing mix as well as digital marketing tools and tactics for TechGear's smart home products will be examined in this case study. 7.1 Analysing the Application of Coordinated Marketing Mix (1) Product: For homeowners looking to automate their homes, TechGear's smart home gadgets provide cutting-edge functionality, easy integration, and convenience. The products' user-friendly interfaces, connectivity with well-known smart home ecosystems, and regular software updates are built into the design to ensure peak performance. (2) Price: TechGear has a competitive pricing approach based on research and analysis of the market. The pricing strategy strives to provide customers with value while retaining the company's profitability. Depending on the product and its features, prices may change. (3) Place: TechGear intends to open additional retail stores in prime areas to display its smart home gadgets. Additionally, the business will establish an online presence through its website and e-commerce platforms to reach a larger audience and support direct sales to clients. (4) Promotion: TechGear will use various promotional techniques to increase consumer interest and demand for its innovative home products. These tactics may consist of public relations efforts to obtain media attention, influencer, and industry 11 expert involvement, participation in trade events and exhibitions, and targeted advertising campaigns through digital platforms. 7.2 Analysing the Use of Digital Marketing Tools and Techniques TechGear will make use of digital marketing tools and strategies to connect and interact with its target market: (1) Search Engine Optimization (SEO): TechGear can increase its organic search exposure and draw potential consumers actively looking for smart home gadgets by optimizing the company's website and product pages for relevant keywords and guaranteeing a user-friendly experience. (2) Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising: TechGear can execute tailored PPC ads on search engines and social media platforms to target demographics and increase traffic to its website or product pages. This type of advertising makes it possible to target audiences precisely and measure the outcomes. (3) Social Media Marketing: TechGear will create a significant presence on wellknown social media sites, including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. The business may raise brand awareness and promote user engagement by providing interesting content, sponsoring sponsored posts, and cultivating a community of innovative home specialists. (4) Email Marketing: TechGear can create a database of past and present clients to send them niche emails. To foster client relationships and encourage repeat purchases, these campaigns may include product updates, special deals, and tailored recommendations. 12 7.3 Analysing the Benefits of a Coordinated Marketing Mix Benefits of the integrated marketing mix for TechGear's smart home products include: (1) Consistent Brand Messaging: A coordinated marketing mix ensures that all communication channels transmit a similar brand image, messaging, and value offer. Customers' brand identification, trust, and loyalty are increased due to this consistency. (2) Targeted Reach: TechGear may better target its marketing initiatives to reach and engage potential customers by being aware of the target population's preferences, needs, and demographics. This focused strategy improves conversion rates and client satisfaction. (3) Enhanced Customer Experience: TechGear can provide a seamless and integrated customer experience thanks to a coordinated marketing mix. Customers will have a seamless experience from product research and purchase to post-sale support, increasing their happiness and advocacy. (4) Increased Sales and Revenue: A well-coordinated marketing mix can enhance TechGear's sales and revenue when adequately implemented. The business can bring in new clients, keep hold of its current clientele, and encourage repeat business by effectively utilizing several marketing components. 7.4 Assessing the Benefits of Digital Marketing The following benefits of digital marketing are exclusive to TechGear's smart home products: (1) Broad Reach and Targeting: TechGear can target demographics, regions, and interests using digital marketing platforms which have a broad reach. Through precise targeting, marketing initiatives are made to reach those more likely to be interested in and benefit from smart home technology. (2) Cost-Effectiveness: Digital marketing provides cost-effective solutions with improved measurement capabilities compared to traditional marketing strategies. 13 Based on real-time data, TechGear may more effectively manage money, monitor the success of campaigns, and optimize marketing initiatives. (3) Interactivity and Engagement: TechGear may engage with customers directly through social media, comments, and feedback, thanks to digital marketing. This two-way communication encourages participation, develops connections, and offers insightful information for enhancing products and consumer pleasure. (4) Data-Driven Decision Making: TechGear can measure the success of marketing initiatives, spot patterns, and make data-driven decisions thanks to the rich data and analytics digital marketing solutions provide. This allows the business to improve plans for improved outcomes and return on investment. TechGear may successfully switch from selling through retailers to directly marketing its smart home gadgets to customers by implementing a coordinated marketing mix and utilizing digital marketing tools and tactics. Consistency, targeted reach, improved customer experience, and more sales and revenue benefit the well-coordinated marketing mix. Digital marketing, on the other hand, offers a broad audience, cost efficiency, interaction, and data-driven decision-making. By combining these strategies, TechGear can efficiently sell its smart home products, draw clients, and establish itself as a market leader. 14 8. Conclusion and Recommendation In conclusion, the switch of Hard Graft Tools from retail sales to consumer direct marketing creates an exciting opportunity for the business to grow its market presence and profitability. Hard Graft Tools can engage with clients, add value, and increase sales by utilizing a coordinated marketing mix approach and digital tools and approaches. To ensure a successful implementation, it is recommended that Hard Graft Tools: (1) Conduct in-depth market research: Develop a full grasp of consumer preferences, market trends, and the competitive environment to guide product creation, pricing strategies, and marketing initiatives. (2) Create a strong brand identity: Invest in branding initiatives that convey the company's values, quality, and dependability to foster trust and set the business apart from rivals. (3) Enhance customer engagement: Improve customer engagement by using digital marketing tools like email campaigns, social media, and content marketing to build strong relationships with clients, share insightful information, and solicit feedback. (4) Optimize the online shopping experience: Enhance the online shopping experience by designing intuitive and aesthetically pleasing online stores where customers can browse, make purchases, and get help for a seamless and pleasurable buying journey. (5) Monitor and analyse performance: Performance should be regularly tracked and evaluated, including website traffic, conversion rates, client comments, and sales statistics. Make data-driven decisions, find areas for improvement, and adjust strategy using these insights. By implementing these suggestions, Hard Graft Tools will better manage the transition to direct marketing, draw in and keep clients, and forge a competitive edge in the marketplace. The company may unlock new development potential and experience long-term success in the power tool sector by coordinating its marketing mix and strategically utilizing digital tools. 15 9. References Armstrong, K. &. (2008). Kotler, P. & Armstrong, G. (2008). Fundamentos de marketing 8va edición. Pearson Educación México. Retrieved from www.bing.com: https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=41f7bda1d5340840JmltdHM9MTY4ODY wMTYwMCZpZ3VpZD0zN2Q4YTcyOC01NGYwLTZiYTktMDE4NC1hOD FkNTU1YzZhMTMmaW5zaWQ9NTE3MA&ptn=3&hsh=3&fclid=37d8a728 -54f0-6ba9-0184a81d555c6a13&psq=kotler+and+armstrong+2008&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3c uYWNhZGVt HILLIER, W. (2 January, 2023). 12 Digital Marketing Tools You Should Know About in 2023. 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