Lesson 15Market Segmentation, Targeting, and Positioning

Lesson ObjectivesWhen you have completed this lesson you will be able to;Summarise the relationship between market segmentation, targeting and positioningIdentify and describe the major variables for consumer segmentationOutline how companies select target markets and implement segmentation strategiesShow how market segmentation and the marketing mix are interlinked in the positioning strategy

The STP ProcessSegmentation is the process of classifying customers into groups which share some common characteristicTargeting involves the process of evaluating each segments attractiveness and selecting one or more segments to enterPositioning is arranging for a product to occupy a clear, distinctive and desirable place relative to competing products in the mind of the consumer

Target MarketA market is a set of all actual and potential buyersA target market is a group of people toward whom a firm markets its goods, services, or ideas with a strategy designed to satisfy their specific needs and preferences.Any marketing strategy must include a detailed (specific) description of this.

Advantages of Segmentation (pp 164 - 165)The process of breaking up a homogeneous market into heterogeneous segments forces the marketer to analyse and consider both the needs of the market and the companys ability to competently serve those needs thereby making the company better informed about its customersCompetitor offerings and marketing positioning must also be analysed in this context so the company must consider what its competitive advantages and disadvantages are, helping it to clarify its own positioning strategyLimited resources are used to best advantage, targeted at those segments that offer the best potential

Requirements for Effective Segmentation Size, purchasing power, profiles of segments can be measured. Segments can be effectivelyreached and served. Segments are large or profitable enough to serve. MeasurableAccessibleSubstantialDifferential

Actionable Segments must respond differently to different marketing mix elements & programs. Effective programs can be designed to attract and serve the segments.

Steps in Segmentation, Targeting, and Positioning 1. Identify Basesfor Segmenting the Market2. Develop Profilesof Resulting Segments3. Develop Selection Criteria4. Select TargetSegment(s)5. Develop Positioningfor Each Target Segment6. Develop MarketingMix for Each Target SegmentMarketPositioningMarketTargetingMarket Segmentation

Step 1. Market SegmentationLevels of Market SegmentationMass MarketingSame product to all consumers (no segmentation)Segment MarketingDifferent products to one or more segments(some segmentation)MicromarketingProducts to suit the tastes of individuals and locations (complete segmentation)Niche MarketingDifferent products to subgroups within segments(more segmentation)Local MarketingTailoring brands/ promotions to local customer groupsIndividual MarketingTailoring products/ programs to individual customers

Step 1. Market SegmentationBases for Segmenting Consumer MarketsGeographicDemographicAge, gender, family size and life cycle, or income PsychographicSocial class, lifestyle, or personalityBehaviouralOccasions, benefits sought, user status, usage rate, loyaltyNations, states, regions or cities

Step 1. Market SegmentationBases for Segmenting Business MarketsBasesfor SegmentingBusinessMarketsDemographicsPersonalCharacteristicsSituationalFactorsOperatingCharacteristicsPurchasingApproaches

Segmenting Business MarketsSegmentation by customer size or geographic locationFour segments of business customersProgrammed buyersRelationship buyersTransaction buyersBargain hunters

Step 1. Market SegmentationBases for Segmenting International MarketsPolitical/LegalCultural Intermarket EconomicGeographicIndustrial Markets

Linking the ConceptsUsing the segmentation bases youve just heard about, segment the Irish clothing market.Describe each of the major segments and subsegments.

Step 2. Market TargetingEvaluating Market Segments (developing selection criteria)Segment Size and GrowthAnalyze sales, growth rates and expected profitability for various segments.

Segment Structural AttractivenessConsider effects of: Competitors, Availability of Substitute Products and, the Power of Buyers & Suppliers.

Company Objectives and ResourcesCompany skills & resources relative to the segment(s).Look for Competitive Advantages.

Step 2. Market TargetingMarket Coverage StrategiesSegment 1Segment 2Segment 3Segment 1Segment 2Segment 3CompanyMarketingMixCompanyMarketingMixCompanyMarketing Mix 1CompanyMarketing Mix 2CompanyMarketing Mix 3MarketA. Undifferentiated MarketingB. Differentiated MarketingC. Concentrated Marketing

Step 2. Market TargetingChoosing a Market-Coverage StrategyCompany ResourcesProductVariability

Products Life-Cycle Stage

Market VariabilityCompetitorsMarketing Strategies

Linking the ConceptsAt the last linking the concepts, you segmented the Irish clothing market. Now, pick two companies that serve this market and describe their segmentation and targeting strategies.Can you come up with one that targets many different segments versus another that focuses on only one or a few segments?How does each company you choose differentiate its marketing offer and image?How has each done a good job of establishing this differentiation in the minds of targeted consumers?

Step 3. Positioning for Competitive AdvantageProducts Position - the way the product is defined by consumers on important attributes - the place the product occupies in consumers minds relative to competing products.

Marketers must:Plan positions to give their products the greatest advantage in selected target markets,Design marketing mixes to create these planned positions.

Step 3. Positioning for Competitive Advantage: StrategiesAgainst aCompetitorUsageOccasionsAway fromCompetitorsProductAttributesProductClassBenefitsOfferedUser Class

Steps to Choosing and Implementing a Positioning StrategyStep 1. Identifying Possible Competitive Advantages: Competitive Differentiation.

Step 2. Selecting the Right Competitive Advantage: Unique Selling Proposition (USP).

Step 3. Communicating and Delivering the Chosen Position.

Step 4. Support the positioning strategy with a unique marketing mix

Developing Competitive DifferentiationProductServiceImagePeopleAreas for CompetitiveDifferentiation

Selecting the Right CompetitiveAdvantagesCriteriaforDeterminingWhichDifferencestoPromoteAffordableSuperiorProfitablePreemptiveDistinctiveImportantCommunicable

Step 4 Supporting the positioning strategyAt this stage the company has decided on its positioning strategy and must now design a marketing mix to support this strategy. The next part of the course looks at Developing the Marketing Mix

Reviewing the ConceptsDefine the three steps of target marketing: market segmentation, market targeting, and market positioning.List and discuss the major levels of market segmentation and bases for segmenting consumer and business markets. Explain how companies identify attractive market segments and choose a market coverage strategy.Discuss how companies position their products for maximum competitive advantage in the marketplace.