Essay about Designing and Managing Integrated Marketing Channels Free Essay Example

The majority of producers of products use marketing intermediaries to sell their products to the customers. The marketing intermediaries make up a marketing channel (circulation channel or a trade channel). The marketing channel gets rid of the time, place, and possession spaces that separate gods and services from those who require or want them. A typical way of operating for a business is to acquire basic materials, use its expertise in creating the item and after that disperse to the client.

Companies have to convert this supply chain into a value network regarding establish and maintain partnership with various stakeholders.

Core proficiency for a company depends on developing a product which satisfies a specific need of the market. A company if it chooses to offer a product by itself than it is diverting from main line service resulting in functional problems. Marketing channel is ears and eyes of business in the market.

They supply business with important details of clients, rivals and other gamers in the market. Dell’s computer exclusively uses direct marketing (the Internet and express mail service) in reaching customers are various of marketing channel relying on the number intermediaries like merchant, wholesaler and supplier. Channels are also used by business offering services; for instance, healthcare facility and fire station have to tactically locate for individuals to reach without substantial efforts.

In designing marketing channel companies analyze customer needs and preference for a given product. Further marketing channel should fall in line with overall objectives of the company in cost and desired output level.

Companies then need to explore various marketing channels like direct marketing, tele-marketing, direct mail, etc. to find the right fit to reach the customer. Each channel short listed has to be evaluated on operational, cost effective and flexibility criteria. Once the channel is designed, companies look forward to selecting partners with characteristics, which have a positive impact for the product. Channel members need to get the right amount of training as to full understand their role with respect to customer and product. Companies need to develop a mechanism as to monitor functioning of marketing channels on criteria based on total customer satisfaction. After reviewing marketing channel companies should modify them to improve functioning and productivity.

Companies are looking forward to innovating business functioning as to stand up to the competition and changing market scenario. This has seen rise different types of marketing channel. In a vertical marketing channel, the traditional producer-wholesaler-retailer becomes one functional unit. This can be achieved through franchise or single ownership. In horizontal marketing channel two or more un-related agencies combine to exploit the market opportunities, for example, banks in super markets. In multi-channel marketing systems, companies use different marketing channels to reach different customer base or segment.

In vertical channel conflicts are between members of same channel. In horizontal channel conflicts are between similar service providers in a different channel. In multi-channel conflict arise when a different channel serves the same market. The first step in conflict resolution is to identify the cause for the conflict. Next step is to manage the conflict. This can be done by setting up clear mandate for each member and their role in the overall objective of the company. Further, joint membership, diplomacy and exchange of team members are other ways in resolving conflicts.

Companies need to design and manage marketing channels in such a way that they are always able to deliver value to customer.

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