Apple: iphone 7

Apple iPhone 7

            This week I’m here to talk about a product that has been dominating recent news, the new iPhone 7. The iPhone 7 was unveiled September 7, 2016 generating many different opinions on the product presented. As you probably already know, there were many changes made from the previous generation. These changes made by Apple were to help to keep their product modern and widely desired by consumers.

            When companies such as Apple release a new product projected to have a large positive impact on customers, they may do so by implementing the four Ps. The four Ps are a way for the company to make sure their needs will be satisfied. The steps to this reference consist of product, price, promotion, and place.

            A product is a good or service that is meant to satisfy the needs of   potential consumers. In this particular case the product is the newly developed Apple iPhone 7. You might ask yourself, what did Apple change to satisfy the needs of potential customers? If so, here are a few of the many new features:

-       No headphone jack

-       Water resistance

-       A10 processor

-       Better battery life

These four improvements were crucial in satisfying consumer needs and competing with other leading cell phone companies. Although viewed, as a deformity by some, the absence of a headphone jack is Apples attempt at creating an anti tangle, headache free listening experience.

            After the product in itself has been determined they must come up with a Price. The price is described as what is exchanged for the product. Apple has made it clear that the iPhone 7 with 32GB storage will cost $649. That is only one of the many options available to the consumer. The others are depicted in the picture below prices vary depending on the device’s memory capabilities.  Apple’s prices may not be the cheapest but consumer loyalty and the improvements will help to bring additional revenue and profit.

            Having completed the first two steps, a company must now promote the product to its target market. In Apple’s case this started when Tim Cook, the company’s CEO, unveiled the iPhone 7. Apple is a world renowned company with a large and loyal customer base. This being said, the reveal was talked about by millions of people all over the world including news stations reporting in many different languages. This publicity gave Apple the opportunity to reach all people across all cultures and make their new product known. Apple also uses TV commercials, social media, billboards and e-mails of current customers to promote their top of the line products. They’ve been known to publicly compare their product to other companies claiming that theirs is superior.

                                      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeoUELDgyM4

            The last step to the strategy is place. This focuses on how the consumer will get the product. The iPhone 7 will be available to customers through many different platforms. The primary means of the product reaching the consumer is through Apple’s website and retail stores. Apple stores are very common and are all over the world. Most large malls have a location and if not have a cell phone service provider. This brings me to the next option, which is buying an iPhone through your cellphone provider store where they typically combine the purchase of the phone with a service plan which benefits all parties Apple receives sales from the phone, the provider receives sales from the service plan, and the customer receives a new iPhone.

Works Cited:

http://www.iphone7buzz.com/iphone-7-release-date-specs-price-and-other-news/

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jaysondemers/2014/07/08/heres-the-simple-secret-to-apples-marketing-success/#3c358f1b63ab

http://www.purelybranded.com/insights/the-four-ps-of-marketing/

https://www.ama.org/publications/enewsletters/marketing-news-weekly/pages/killing-headphone-jack-best-decision-apple.aspx

Post 1: The Intro

Hi,

            I’m John Isola, a sophomore at Saint Michaels College in Colchester Vermont. I’m currently studying to receive a business major with a minor in Studio Art/ Photography. Over the course of this semester I intend to acquire a thorough understanding of marketing techniques, consumer interactions, and the most effective ways to be successful. After I receive my degree in Business I hope to work for an action sports company successfully helping in ways to connect with consumers. This will be the first of a series of posts for my Marketing class focused on marketing in the real world. This post will act as an introduction to marketing helping the reader gain a deeper understanding on the topic as a whole and as it relates to consumer trends.

           Marketing is found around every corner whether it’s a TV commercial, a billboard, or advertisement on the Internet. They are all effectively designed to grab your attention and most of the time accomplishes just that. Marketing is defined as, “the activity for creating, communicating, delivering, and exchanging offerings that benefit its customers, the organization, its stakeholders, and society at large”. In order for marking to take place, there are four factors that must be present. BelowI have listed these factors with an example of each:

           1.  Two or more parties with unsatisfied needs: In this particular example I’ve            just finished working out at the gym and I’m hungry. I don’t want to make food at home and I’m looking for a healthy alternative. Chipotle is an industry leading Mexican restaurant looking to sell their food to benefit the hungry customer.
       2.  The desire and ability to satisfy the needs: I’m looking to buy food and Chipotle is looking to sell food. I have the time and money to park and walk in the store to buy a burrito bowl. The employees are just waiting behind the counter to make the order efficiently and carefully.
      3.  A way for the parties involved to communicate: The transaction between Chipotle and I won’t occur unless I’m aware of a store location in my area. Chipotle also needs to strategically place their store locations where there is a high demand for their product. I get educated on a store location either through their store finder or simply driving past one. This creates the ability for the transaction to occur by showing me the most convenient location to dine.
      4.  Something that will be exchanged: In this example, I give Chipotle $6.25 in exchange for a chicken burrito bowl. My need is being satisfied from receiving a fast and healthy meal. Chipotle’s need is also being met by selling their food and receiving money from me. Both Chipotle and my needs are being met; we both end up satisfied, and have benefitted from the interaction as a whole.

                Marketing’s abundance in today’s society makes it a very important and a widely desired skill. The ability to have positive customer relationships and identify what the demand is within a market is beneficial for all. The market is described “as the group of people that have the funds to buy the product that is being offered”. In my blog posts to come, I will go further into additional marketing techniques and apply them to real world, current situations. That’s all for now, check in next week for more!

      Picture Links:

      http://d2mfp.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Marketing-Strategy.jpg
   http://www.chipotlefriendorfaux.com/assets/img/meals/Chipotle_Chicken_Salad_(With_Vinaigrette)_2x.jpg