promotion - Answers Karen works as a salesperson for Wüsthof, a company that makes cutlery and
kitchen knives. She is driven to make as many sales as possible to as many people as possible in order
to increase her commission. Although she has many great customer relationships, she also has a
reputation for overly aggressive sales tactics. Karen has been able to convince customers to purchase
more expensive knives even after they say they are not interested. As a result of Karen's high sales,
she is a top sales associate at the company.
Recently, however, Karen's sponsor has been informed of complaints that customers have levied
against Karen accusing her of "badgering" them into buying products. The sponsor meets with Karen
and tells her it is unacceptable to pressure consumers into purchasing items they do not want.
Refer to Scenario 1.1. Which variable of the marketing mix does this issue involve?
promotion - Answers An indie nail polish brand, Holo Taco, conducts in-depth marketing research to
determine what customers want. Its long-wearing nail polishes are made with the highest quality
holographic glitter. The company creates buzz around its product offerings by discussing the product
weeks before it is launched. This anticipation builds up until the product is launched, resulting in
wide-scale sales that often result in its website selling out of the newest product.
Refer to Scenario 1.2. Holo Taco's skills at creating buzz for its newest product offering weeks before
its release is an example of what marketing variable?
product - Answers An indie nail polish brand, Holo Taco, conducts in-depth marketing research to
determine what customers want. Its long-wearing nail polishes are made with the highest quality
holographic glitter. The company creates buzz around its product offerings by discussing the product
weeks before it is launched. This anticipation builds up until the product is launched, resulting in
wide-scale sales that often result in its website selling out of the newest product.
Refer to Scenario 1.2. Holo Taco's emphasis on marketing research is used to enhance what variable
of the marketing mix?
customer satisfaction - Answers Christopher, the CEO of a linguistics company, worked with his chief
technology officer to develop an information system to discover customers' real needs. Christopher
uses the information to create satisfying products for his target market, increasing his sales revenue
and profit. He strives to perfect his marketing mix to keep business booming. Christopher embraces
the marketing concept. What is the major focus of the marketing concept?
relationship marketing - Answers What deepens the buyer's trust in the company and increases the
firm's understanding of the customer's needs as the customer's confidence grows?
do to satisfy customers - Answers Scenario 1.3.
Dylan manages a highly reputable cybersecurity business. This company has been voted as having the
best cybersecurity software. Consumers appreciate the fact that they can make secure transactions
without worrying about privacy or identity theft. Dylan knows that the company's product far
surpasses that of the competition. One thing has been bothering him, though. In order to put so many
resources into ensuring the best software, Dylan had to lay off employees at the customer call center.
Recently, consumers have begun complaining about long wait times when they call in with a problem
or concern. Although its cybersecurity software is still considered one of the best, customer
satisfaction with the firm's customer service has plummeted. Dylan does not understand why
consumers are getting so upset. He believes the exceptional software more than makes up for long
waiting periods and other issues with its customer service. "After all," he says, "they can't have it all. If
I invest more in customer service, that means less investment on ensuring the quality of our product
offering."
Refer to Scenario 1.3. Dylan has asked you, a marketing consultant, to give him advice. He cannot
understand how a cybersecurity company with the best product offering in the industry could get
such low satisfaction ratings simply because the customer service is not up to par. You suggest that
Dylan has a narrowly defined view of the company's product offering. You tell Dylan that successful
marketers should define their products as what they _______.
objective; subjective - Answers Dylan manages a highly reputable cybersecurity business. This
company has been voted as having the best cybersecurity software. Consumers appreciate the fact
that they can make secure transactions without worrying about privacy or identity theft. Dylan knows
that the company's product far surpasses that of the competition. One thing has been bothering him,
though. In order to put so many resources into ensuring the best software, Dylan had to lay off
employees at the customer call center. Recently, consumers have begun complaining about long wait
, times when they call in with a problem or concern. Although its cybersecurity software is still
considered one of the best, customer satisfaction with the firm's customer service has plummeted.
Dylan does not understand why consumers are getting so upset. He believes the exceptional software
more than makes up for long waiting periods and other issues with its customer service. "After all," he
says, "they can't have it all. If I invest more in customer service, that means less investment on
ensuring the quality of our product offering."
Refer to Scenario 1.3. On your advice, Dylan decides to invest more in customer service training and
hiring. Satisfaction increases, but not to the level Dylan thinks it should be. He conducts a marketing
research study and finds that while most consumers like the product many would like to see
additional software available. However, what type of software customers want tends to vary by
customer. Dylan has come to believe that customers just do not know how to assess value correctly.
Dylan appears to believe that determining value is a(n) _______ process, while in reality the process
of assessing value is highly _______.
marketing concept; sales orientation; market orientation - Answers objective; subjective
Assessment question
Scenario 1.1.
Karen works as a salesperson for Wüsthof, a company that makes cutlery and kitchen knives. She is
driven to make as many sales as possible to as many people as possible in order to increase her
commission. Although she has many great customer relationships, she also has a reputation for overly
aggressive sales tactics. Karen has been able to convince customers to purchase more expensive
knives even after they say they are not interested. As a result of Karen's high sales, she is a top sales
associate at the company.
Recently, however, Karen's sponsor has been informed of complaints that customers have levied
against Karen accusing her of "badgering" them into buying products. The sponsor meets with Karen
and tells her it is unacceptable to pressure consumers into purchasing items they do not want.
Refer to Scenario 1.1. Karen's sponsor tells her that it is important for her to determine her
customer's needs and then find the product that best meets those needs, regardless of price. She
recommends that Karen adopt the _______. In other words, Karen should move from a _______,
where she is focused on using her aggressive direct selling talents to maximize profits, toward
embracing the more customer-centric _______.
market orientation - Answers An indie nail polish brand, Holo Taco, conducts in-depth marketing
research to determine what customers want. Its long-wearing nail polishes are made with the highest
quality holographic glitter. The company creates buzz around its product offerings by discussing the
product weeks before it is launched. This anticipation builds up until the product is launched, resulting
in wide-scale sales that often result in its website selling out of the newest product.
Refer to Scenario 1.2. From the information provided about Holo Taco and its marketing strategies,
Holo Taco most likely embraces a _______.
greenpeace - Answers which of the following institutions would most likely to market an idea as its
main product?
the non-monetary cost of time - Answers Carol needs a ride to downtown Denver. She is not very
familiar with the area and is running late for an appointment. In the Uber app she sees an UberX ride
is $18. Carol is irritated by the price. Although there is likely a less expensive ride available on another
ridesharing app, Carol does not check for other rides and pays for the UberX since a driver is already
nearby and the ride will arrive at her destination quickly. Different cost considerations impacted
Carol's decision, but clearly one stood out above all others. Which cost exerted the most influence
over Carol's decision to pay $18 for a ride?
purchase risk - Answers Brandy is a frequent shopper at REI. She reluctantly purchases a pair of
climbing shoes that are more expensive than she would like. After a month of frequent use, Brandy
regrets her purchase and decides to return the shoes. REI gladly accepted the worn shoes because of
its 100% satisfaction guarantee which allows customers to return products up to one year after
purchase. This is an attempt by REI to reduce what type of cost?
marketing environment forces are uncontrollable, so marketers do not plan for them - Answers
which of the following statements about the marketing environment is false?
marketing environment forces - Answers when petco decided to eliminate pet food with artificial
flavors, colors, and preservatives from its stores, it was most likely responding to which of the
following?