Strategic human resource management is related to the development of human resources strategies in synchronization with the mission, vision and objectives of an organization in a way such that the organization’s goals are accomplished. An organization should have the ability to frame such human resource strategies which will enhance the overall productivity of the organization (Durai 2010).
The strategic human resource management in Tesco has been like the backbone of the company in achieving success at the time of diversification into different sectors for business activities. The organization through its strategic HRM has been able to develop its business embedded with technical expertise, integrity and customer oriented globally (MacLachlan 2009). For developing a vibrant strategic linkage of human resource with its corporate strategy the company had designed a transformational coaching programme for the growth and capability development of its mangers followed by an effective feedback procedure. The programme aimed at communicating business priorities of the organization to its personnel and building effective leaders as its competitive advantage (Churchard 2010). In order to augment the customer value the organization invests highly on recruitment, employee’s training and infrastructures (TESCO 2012). Tesco maintains a healthy relation with its union partner and believes in employee’s participative decision making process for the accomplishment of organizational goals (Wilton 2010).
With a change in organizational culture Dell has been able to build a strong position in the market. The company shifted its focus from just attaining growth to talent management, leadership building and framed global vision (Scott 2006). Dell strives for building a competitive strategy for becoming a low cost player in the market. To have an alignment with its business strategy the company renders its human resource services with the help of technology that is through web. Through the company’s intranet its HR team have been able to carry out various HR activities with the help of a variety of web applications such as hiring applications or tools, management reports, automatic employee reference system, updating of employee’s information to cite a few. This has helped the organization to increase the performance of its employees in many ways such as development in productivity, self-service, outsourcing as well as self-service. Along with these the company has been also able to reduce its cost of carrying out human resource operations as less manpower is required in performing automated activities and it is less time consuming as well (Gary & Varkkey 2010).
Assess the purpose of strategic human resource management activities in an organization (Siemens case study)
The key purpose of developing a strategic human resource management is to have an alignment between the human resource strategies and organization’s business strategies. Such integration will help an organization in attaining sustainable competitive advantage. Integration in human resource signifies an alignment between the human resource policies and the policies of other business operations in an organization such as finance, informational technology, marketing, production to cite a few (Vedd 2003). However, the purpose of designing a strategic human resource management is not only having an integration between HR and corporate strategy rather the aim is also to have an integration between decisions regarding the organization’s personnel with the expected output of the organization. An organization need to align human resource management with the corporate planning system, focus on the human resource activities that will help in the accomplishment of organizational goals and should undertake actions that will help in building strong personnel-management relationships (Dhar 2008).
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Explain the link between strategic management and leadership
Strategic management is defined as decisions taken by the managers in framing strategies in a way so as to augment organization’s performance and achieve competitive advantage (Thompson & Martin 2010). Strategic leadership is referred as potentiality of a manager to utilize strategies and attain mission and vision of an organization as well as to guide and motivate other members of the organization to achieve organization’s objectives (Hill & Jones 2012).
Both leaders and managers act in the organization to achieve the common goal of the organization. Where managers are concerned about shaping strategic ideas and plans to achieve organizational goals leaders are concerned about undertaking strategic actions to attain the goal. The linkage between strategic management and leadership can be well described using the Drotter pipeline model which identifies six key passages through which a leader grows and is also helpful for the management to develop leaders in the organization (Charan et al. 2010).
As per the pipeline model in case of first passage that is transition of a leader from managing self to managing others, organization need to ensure that the leader understands what is the organization’s expectations. At this passage a leader need to develop effective communication skill, able to handle conflicts, delegate work properly and should seek 360 degree feedback for own improvement. In case of transition from managing others to managing managers, a leader should inhibit the role of a coach and mentor. Leader should be able to create a competent team and use organization resources effectively. In case of third passage from managing mangers to functional manager, a leader need to think and act strategically and should be aware of the recent trends. In the fourth transition from functional manger to business manager, a leader needs to have a shift in values and perceptions so as to handle the entire business functions. During the fifth passage, from business manager to group manager, a leader need to have the capability to broader long term goals of an organization and undertake strategic decisions. In the sixth transition from group manager to enterprise manager that is the CEO need to be responsible for building leadership, implementing various decision making methods to cite a few (Charan et al. 2010).
Siemens needs to apply the Drotter pipeline model to overcome the leadership issues in the organization such as the case of bribery (News 2012). Moreover, organization needs to improve the link between management and leader since employees are reluctant to report to the management in case of any operational issues (The Economists, 2014).
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Concept of Resistance to change
Resistance to change in simple words can be defined as opposition exerted for not accepting a proposed alteration in existing set up (Lewis, 2011). Resistance towards change is mainly triggered among individuals because of two reasons. One is the fear of unknown that change will bring in and secondly the anticipations of effects that might alter the comfort level of individual in their present circumstance under changed environment (Heinrich, 2004). Resistance to change in organization occurs primarily in circumstances when particular set of organizational stakeholders are not in favor of a change that is to be initiated. They in such a scenario depict apathetic approach by not accepting and espousing change. Resistance to change in organizations is generally not accepted and considered to be negative phenomenon (Lewis, 2011). But on the other hand this resistance provides for a scope to organizations to review change strategy and make modifications based on stakeholder criticisms and thus implement an improvised strategy (Ford & Ford, 2010).
Change is a natural phenomenon and bound to occur but human acceptance towards change in generally low due to which it is resisted. Change in organizations in undertaken as an approach to deal with external environmental factor which generally results in higher efficiency and effectiveness of employees (Phillips & Gully, 2013). But on the other hand, this change can be stressful and have other negative consequences thus affecting employee productivity and motivation adversely (Phillips & Gully, 2013).
Resistance to change and Fiume ceramic
When changes were initiated in Fiume Ceramic by Leveoak after its takeover the same were resisted by existing employees of Fiume. The reasons to resistance can be categorized under 3 heads as explained below:
Job Considerations: The existing ceramic designers and creative specialists were trained in traditional pottery and thus lacked skills in dealing with modernized approach which was prevalent in USA. The inability and fear of not acquiring right skills for using new technology was their major consideration.
Personal Considerations: Ceramic designers and creative specialists were very closely knit with the heritage and tradition of Florence of which they were very proud of. When the change was initiated it was difficult for them to compromise with such rapid changing culture that hampered their personal beliefs in their traditions.
Social Factor Considerations: The thought of shifting to a new land that is USA which required settling in different culture was a major social factor that resulted in employee resignation. This required employees to move out of their comfort zone and start afresh.
Evaluation of Change management process adopted by Fiume ceramica
The change process adopted by Leveoak in Fiume Ceramic was sudden and executed in an unplanned manner which resulted in such massive discontentment among employees. Leveoak overtook Fiume as a part of its expansion strategy when the company suffered financially in 2014. This was a sudden opportunity that was materialized by Leveoak. The main aim of Leveoak after takeover was to bring about a complete change in organizational culture which had been ruling Fiume Ceramic for more than 115 years. In order to do so, Leveoak implemented a series of changes for ensuring that the loss making organization converted itself into a profitable one in quick span of time. In pursuit of the same Leveoak put into operation cost cutting mechanisms like sourcing resources from China and shifting manufacturing to USA which resulted in employee resentment.
The employees prior to the takeover of Fiume Ceramic by Leveoak experienced very little change and thus over the time developed a very rigid attitude against changes. This change was executed as an immediate reaction to prevailing conditions in Fiume without undergoing much research. The employees within Fiume were more of inert recipient of change strategy rather than being an active contributor in the same. As employees were not sure about the outcomes of change they resented the same. Further they developed a feeling of losing their organizational rich old heritage which added to their fears. Overall the change process adopted by Fiume was very aggressive and not planned which resulted in a chaotic condition within the organization.
Suggested Alternative Change Management Strategy
As an alternate change management strategy, Leveoak should resort to planned and deliberate strategy (Hill & Jones, 2011). The main purpose of such strategy is to pursue change as a part of organizational long term strategic approach rather than a sudden one.
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Strategic Analysis: Internal & External
SWOT Analysis:
Strengths: Brand image is a key strength of Starbucks. It has successfully created awareness for the specialty coffee category while maintaining superior brand recognition even without heavy advertising.
Another strength lies in its strong market position and global recognition. Starbucks has a significant presence across the globe and has operations in over 60 countries. Starbucks is also the most recognized brand in the coffeehouse segment and is ranked 91st in the best global brands of 2013 (Interbrand, 2013). This helps the company to gain significant competitive advantage in expanding internationally and gain higher growth domestically and internationally. Over the years, they have achieved commendable economies of scale with superior distribution channels and supplier relationships.
Moreover, they give prime importance to the product quality in spite of a higher production output (Starbucks, 2013). Store location is another strength. They target premium, high-traffic, high-visibility locations near a variety of settings, including downtown and suburban retail centers, office buildings, university campuses, and in select rural and off-highway locations across the world (Starbucks, 2013). The main aim for the firm is to make their stores a ‘third place’ besides home and work (Starbucks Website, 2014).
Starbucks has great employees. They enjoy benefits like stock option, retirement accounts and a healthy culture. It was rated 91st in the 100 best places to work for by Fortune Magazine (CNN, 2013). Social responsibility initiatives by Starbucks create great goodwill. They build goodwill among communities where they operate (Starbucks, 2014). Starbucks has a diverse product portfolio that caters to all age groups (Globaldata, 2013). Starbucks uses technology effectively. They make significant investments in technology to support their growth every year (WSJ Blog, 2013).
Weaknesses: While Starbucks differentiates its products with high quality and a Starbucks experience, the premium prices could prove as its weakness in developing countries. Moreover, their aim to expand rapidly might make them lose their uniqueness due to overcrowding and saturation. Another weakness is that 75% of its profits are based off its coffee products and other specialty beverages (Starbucks Corporation, 2010).
However, its weaknesses don’t outweigh its strengths, which is a positive thing.
Opportunities: There is an opportunity to expand into emerging & developing markets. India has recently joined the list with a joint venture entry (WSJ, 2013). They can leverage their size, experience, financial prowess and efficiencies to make new market share (Forbes, 2013). Moreover, there is an opportunity to expand their product mix. Starbucks has started to expand their product mix by venturing into the Tea and fresh juice product offerings with a smart acquisition strategy (Seeking Alpha, 2012).
Threats: Increasing competition from Dunkin Brands, McDonalds, Costa Coffee, Pete’s Coffee etc is a key threat. Another threat is price volatility of high quality coffee beans, which is not under Starbucks’ control.
Overall, Starbucks has more opportunities for business than threats.
Porter’s Five Forces: Porter’s Five Force Model allows for proper identification of the landscape of the industry (Thompson, Strickland, & Gamble, 2007).
Suppliers: Starbucks understands the importance of the health of the overall supplier ecosystem (Iansiti et al, 2004). Supplier relationships are treated as partnerships. Since the high quality coffee beans that Starbucks uses as inputs are scarce, the threat by suppliers is Moderate.
Customers: Since the product offerings and the brand are highly differentiated, Starbucks faces a very low threat of customers. 80% of Starbuck’s revenue comes from regular customers who visit an average of 18 times/month (Rae & Jeneanne, 2006). Moreover, Starbucks is able to drive consumer preferences and knows how to move a product upscale, thereby making the threat from customers Low.
Competitors: It is hard to define a basis for competition for Starbucks. Analysts identify Dunkin Donuts, McDonalds, Nestle and Caribou Coffee as Starbucks’ competitors (Hoovers, 2014). The competitors are growing and expanding rapidly as well. Hence, the threat from competitors is moderate to high due to the increasing number of companies competing along undefined lines.
New Entrants: Entry barriers in this industry are not high enough to discourage competition. However, Starbucks has developed skills, competitive positioning, knowhow and consumer base which is very difficult for new entrants to create. Thus, the threat of new entrants is Low, but that doesn’t mean complacency for Starbucks.
Substitutes: On a product level, substitutes include tea, soft drinks, energy drinks, smoothies etc. Starbucks sells these in its stores as well, thereby eliminating the threat. On a venue level, the substitutes might be the experience that customer can have at other bars and cafes. Despite this, a person who wants that particular environment will always choose the coffee shop over other substitutes; therefore, the threat is low.
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The proposal made by the study is that before, there have been a few studies done surveying elements affecting e-learning result. Along these lines, the reason for this study was surveying mediating pretended by readiness elements within of e-learning outcomes. The intention was deciding availability elements capacities in connection between e-learning factors and e-learning outcomes. In the push to accomplish this goal, the preparation elements were separated into noteworthy classes, which incorporate specialized, social and authoritative.
Research Motivation
The inspiration of this examination was the truth e-learning evidently assumes a vital part in modern educating and learning. E-learning is a developing system used to prepare individuals while likewise supplementing traditional methods. As indicated by trends, this method of inclining spotlights on creation on a created society while supporting creativity and development. In addition, the new outlook changes education from one that is instructor based to learner based. Thusly, investigation of the topic is inescapable when one mulls over the fluctuating commitments made for purposes of founding a general public. In the educational division, it rises as a genuine marvel that has increased extreme prevalence in the public arena. Components that make his idea imperative and mainstream in modern society identify with various advantages which incorporate lessening of costs, backing of customary educating and in addition end of space and confinements on time progressed by traditional education techniques. Besides, the nature of education in distance learning frameworks depends incredibly on level/nature of electronic information sources and other pedantic materials as opposed to relying upon nature of instructors and capacity of sharing data. The rate of e-learning development is on the rise with the present number being 35.8 percent and studies show America causes $ 40 billion every year keeping in mind the end goal to encourage educations that are innovation based. Considering these elements, it is unthinkable accordingly to overlook the area of learning in light of effective changes and impacts it causes to the procedures of learning in present day society.
Past Literature and Studies Details
The study is an exhibition of different written works assessed in the past in the field of e-learning. This type of data is of extraordinary significance as it helps in deciding examination holes identified with restricted ranges or those not yet contemplated. As indicated by the study, larger part of specialists has examined two or three e-learning perspectives through utilization of various methodologies. Countless have unveiled e-learning suitability in help of education. Some studies make it less demanding to acknowledge novel techniques in change of e-learning results. A few analysts then again have done studies that exhibit regardless of advantages produced from the method of taking in; the procedures of e-learning still have shortcomings. An expansive rate of e-learning courses for case demonstrates high drop-out rates. All things considered, mulling various foundations of high learning are liable to embrace the learning framework, it is of extraordinary significance for experts and specialists to have a superior seeing how such shortcoming is taken care of in addition to preparation of associations to apply new frameworks of learning.
Also, the writing points of interest studies completed with respect to different e-readiness angles that empower organizations to proficiently apply e-learning. As per the study, e-readiness characterizes the capacity to proficiently, as well as adequately utilize electronic media in associations. The concentrate additionally shows suitable methods for seeing how shortcomings of this kind can get handled in model improvement of learning. Several analysts thusly give two or three models that can address how diverse components influence results of e-learning. Such studies, for instance delineate outline measurement comprehensive of innovation, learner control, human measurement and cooperation including understudies and instructors impact on e-learning adequacy.
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In this Technology’s age, God is always there. Without the help of God we can’t take a single step forward in our daily life.
Maha Shivaratri or ‘The Night of Shiva’ is celebrated all over India on the 14th moonless night in Phalgun. It is very auspicious festival on which people keep fast and chant ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ all night. Sweets like saboodana kheer, cashewnut barfi, shivratri raita, aloo khichdi, potato pumpkin pancakes and tikki along with Thadai (Bhaang) is distributed.
Maha Shivaratri is a hindu festival celebrated annually in reverence of the God Shiva It is believed to be the day Shiva saved the universe by drinking “haalaahala” the poison that emerged from the churning of the ocean (samudra manthana). While most Indian festivals are celebrated during the day, Shivaratri is celebrated during the night by keeping a “jaagaran” – a night-long vigil as its believed that Lord Shiva saved the universe from darkness and ignorance. This day is also believed to be the day that Shiva was married to the Goddess Parvati. The Maha Shivaratri festival, also popularly known as ‘Shivaratri’ (spelt asSivaratri, Shivaratri,Sivarathri, and Shivarathri) or ‘Great Night of Shiva’, marks the convergence of Shiva and Shakti. Maha Shivaratri is celebrated on the Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi of Hindu calendar month Maagha as per Amavasya-ant month calculation. As per Poornima-ant month calculation, the day is Krishna Paksha Trayodashi or Chaturdashi of Hindu calendar month Phalguna which falls in February or March .. Of the twelve Shivaratris in the year, the Maha Shivarathri is the most holy.
The festival is principally celebrated by offerings of Bael leaves to Shiva, all-day fasting and an all-night-vigil (jagaran). All through the day, devotees chant “Om namah Shivaya, the sacred mantra of Shiva. Penances are performed in order to gain boons in the practice of Yoga and meditation, in order to reach life’s highest good steadily and swiftly. On this day, the planetary positions in the Northern hemisphere act as potent catalysts to help a person raise his or her spiritual energy more easily. The benefits of powerful ancient Sanskrit mantras such as Maha Mrityanjaya Mantra increase greatly on this night.
In Nepal, millions of Hindus attend Shivaratri together from different part of the world at the famous Pashupatinath Temple. Thousands of devotees also attend Mahasivaratri at the famous Shiva Shakti Peetham of Nepal.
In Indo-caribbean communities throughout the West Indies, thousands of Hindus spend the auspicious night in over 400 temples across the country, offering special jhalls to Lord Shiva. In Mauritius, Hindus go on pilgrimage to Ganga Talao, a crater-lake, turned into the main Hindu prayer site of this sole Hindu majority African country. Maha Shivaratri is the mainnm Hindu Festival among Hindu diasporas from the Northern Indian State of Bihar.
On Maha Shivaratri, Nishita Kala is the ideal time to observe Shiva Pooja. Nishita Kala celebrates when Lord Shiva appeared on the Earth in the form of Linga. On this day, in all Shiva temples, the most auspicious Lingodbhava Puja is performed.
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Generally In a passive infrastructures cellular companies like Bharti Airtel,Vodafole,Idea has got their Own passive infrastructures cell like Indus towers is a joint venture of Bharti,Vodafone & Idea.Similar Reliance cellular companies also has got their Own passive Infra division which is known as Reliance Inra. Each of this divisions have got cirlces like Punjab circle, Delhi Cirlce,Haryana circle,ROB circle,west bengal circles,Up East Circle,UP West Circles,Maharashtra & Goa Circle etc on Pan India basis. Briefly described below of each circle SCM Process headingwise. Below is the flow chart step by step.
Monthly Roll Out Plan From User divisions like Deployment & Networking divisions : There shouldbe Monthly Roll out plan for New built projects & upgrade from Deployment divisions. Similar process for Operations & maintenance divisions.
I
Warehouse Stock Verification
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Data for Material In Transit & Open PO
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Assessment of Net Material requirement
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Allocation of Requirement to Vendors as per SOB (Business Share)
PO Placement as per SOB–Each vendors/Suppliers will receive po for supply of cellular equipments to the respective cirlces.
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Approval from Hierarchy
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Generation of PO Hard Copy
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Forwarded to Vendor for Acceptance
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Availability of Road Permit to Vendor
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Despatch from Vendor
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Recpt of Material at Warehouse
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Material Unloadind and Physical Checking
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Preperation of MRR
Material Planning is most essential for each month. It is to be prepared by the SCM department along with co-ordination of Deployment & operations/Maintenance deptt. It should be prepared headingwise & columnwise like 1) Infra materials-AC(0.9TR),DG(15KVA/25KVA),Shelter(3.0X3.6),BB(400AH/600AH),SMPS 22KW, MW Rack 2200 mm,Aviation Lamp,Fire Extinguisher,PIU 25 kva etc.,Total requirement in units should be in 3 columns like Warehouse stock, Goods-in-Transit,Open PO. after this, total consuptions , then Quantity to be Ordered, & lastly share of Business vendorwise.
Untis requirements should be as per New built requirements,Share/Upgrade,Cabex each month each departmental heads give this requirements to SCM Departments for the preparation of Procurement Planning.
The above Flow Chart is the Circle SCM process of each circle under
passive infrastructure Cellular companies.
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Hiring a digital marketing agency to extend your brand’s reach online can be one of the best choices you make in year 2016 – gave you onboard the right agency.
What does that mean? It implies that, as with any relationship, this one needs to set up full certainty and trust for a fruitful result.
With such a large number of alternatives out there, below are a few imperative contemplations before you begin the search.
- 1. Have plainly recognized objectives set up.
No one comprehends your business and your client’s superior to anything you. Along these lines, have particular objectives recognized preceding your quest for a digital marketing agency.
Basically saying, “I need to hire you to improve my business” won’t cut it. Of course, there are offices that will go up against you without a clear objective or plan, yet I can guarantee you that that never works out not surprisingly.
Rather, knowing precisely what you need to perform will offer the office some assistance with mapping out an achievable solution to achieve your objectives.
Would you like to drive online deals? It is safe to say that you are hoping to expand your social media audience, so you have an extensive hostage taking after to market to all the time? Would you like to run a marking effort to make your brand an easily recognized name?
You have to realize what you need to fulfil early. Any organization willing to go up against you when you can’t indicate your objective is after your money and could think less about your brand’s prosperity.
- 2. Ensure the digital marketing agency sees how to quantify ROI and general campaign achievement.
Your agency needs to have a firm handle on your numbers – if its staff members don’t know down to the penny the amount it expenses to produce each lead and deal, your campaign will be a disappointment. In particular:
What amount is it costing to create a lead from every traffic source?
What traffic sources are creating the most minimal conversion cost?
What homepages are changing over at the most elevated rate?
These are only a couple of the inquiries your agency ought to have the capacity to reply at any given time.
You have to likewise comprehend which measurements are totally good for nothing. In the event that an agency is boasting in light of the fact that a bit of content got 1000,000 impressions however can’t let you know what sort of return that meant, what great is that?
A half-million solutions of eyes on content branded with your agency name sounds awesome, however in the event that it doesn’t decipher into income, it’s a totally pointless metric.
I would recommend working with an office that is focused around the one metric that really matters: ROI.
Recall that, you are hiring a digital marketing agency to handle your online development since that is its claim to fame – you aren’t hiring these individuals to just let you know what you need to listen. Accomplice with an organization that you trust and feel 100 percent happy with working with, in light of the fact that this is a long term relationship.
I address every one of our customers by and by before we onboard them, particularly to examine our long term relationship approach.
You ought to do likewise: Trust that your digital marketing agency has your brand’s best concentration in mind.
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The Brand and its creation
“A brand can be defined as a specific name, symbol or design – or, more usually, some combination of these – that is used to distinguish a particular seller’s product”. Doyle et al. (2006, p.164)
Brands transform experiences and provide a difference. It carries a badge of recognition, trust and a promise of performance. Paul Feldwick as cited in (Ind, 2004).
Companies have different brand messages and the process is multi faceted as it is about different perceptions about the company which is created through press, interactions with people, the advertising, the layout of the website, the quality of the product and after sales services. (Ind, 2004). A company can have many branded products and still be relatively unknown to general consumer (like P&G). For e.g., Porsche was originally a group of five companies, but had only two major brands. This indicates that a company may have numerous product lines but its consumers and their perception towards it define a brand.
Definition of branding
“The brand is the property of the corporation (as trade marks, brands are intangible assets that are legally owned by companies to be bought, sold, invested in or milked to death as the formal owner sees fit). And itspurpose is to help the corporation achieve its goals, eg to maximize profits or shareholder value.” (Ind, 2003).Thus a brand has to evolve along with the company and grow with the aided and unaided consumer preferences (Kapferer, 2004).
Branding
Strong Brand recognition is not just created by advertising but it has to deliver the value simultaneously. Advertising would only shape up the perceptions about a particular product or service but the actual challenge is to deliver consistent value to the customers.
Brand is the “personality” of the company perceived in the consumer’s mind. To create a successful brand, a company needs to create awareness and the products needs to meet the functional needs of the customers. Advertisements and promotions will help to accomplish this to some extent, but creating a preference among the consumers is a difficult task. Many suppliers create awareness but may not be liked by large groups in the market. Therefore to be a successful brand it is important to also meet the psychological needs of the consumers. This adds value and builds confidence among people to desire a particular brand of product than the competitors. (Doyle, 2006)
Brand architecture strategy
Figure 2 The Brand Architecture (source: Kapferer ,2004)
Kapferer (2004) has defined six types of brand architecture strategies on the basis of the level brands and amount of freedom to define products and services. Product brand architecture is defined as the strategy to focus on a single product. Thus, it will have a distinct advantage of whole brand name for itself. For e.g. P&G have several products that are branded individually. On the other hand, Umbrella Brand architecture encompasses entire set of products under one brand name. Also, Source brand is similar to umbrella brand with one major distinction that in a source branding strategy, every product is a brand in itself. Although a Maker’s Mark architecture is very different in its approach as it focuses on branding products by its source manufacturer. But Endorsing brand use the benefit of endorsement as the emblem to promote the brand. (Kapferer ,2004)
Section 2: Brand positioning
“Positioning a brand means emphasizing the distinctive characteristics that make it different from its competitors and appealing to the public.” (Kapferer, 2004) It will help in streamlining all the marketing activities to focus on establishing its superiority in consumers mind. It will help to superimpose its association with consumer’s preference and in turn differentiate itself from the competitive products (Keller et al. 2002).
According to Kapferer (1997), positioning doesn’t confine a brand meaning and its actual potential. It merely answers to the consumer’s comparative analysis of similar products. It may boil down to following four questions:
- Why: It talks about the promises and benefits that a brand offers to its consumer.
- For whom: It describes the target segment of the brand.
- When: It refers to the occasions that would initiate the usage of brand.
- Against whom: It defines the main competitors of the brand that it may compete to acquire market share.
The following diagram would summaries these crucial questions regarding brad positioning:
Another very important tool for brand positioning is perceptual mapping in the market place (Jobber, 2001, Fill, 2002). Perceptual mapping is defined as the diagrammatic representation of consumer perceptions of the brand and its competitors in terms of pre-specified dimensions. These dimensions are shaped by the user preferences (Jobber, 2001). The four major steps for brand positioning, according to Aaker (1996), are determining the set of value prepositions, define target audience and then actively communicate their point of superiority. The pictorial representation of identification of a brand position and its future positioning opportunities is as follows:
Thus, Positioning is a two-step process. The first step is identification of target audience and major competitors in its target category. The second step involves communicating its point of competitive advantage in comparison to other brands in the same category (Kapferer, 1997).
Design and positioning statement
When a company decides to design its positioning strategies to streamline its marketing communications and brand attributes, it first needs to identify its brand meaning in its prospective consumer’s mind (Blythe, 2003). This means that consumers have their own set of perceptions towards any brand and the company should always take their consumer’s perception into account in order to design best positioning strategies. Theses in-depth analysis of consumer’s perception can lead the way to develop the positioning map or perceptual map for any competitive scenario (Kotler et al., 2001). These maps provide an aggregate view of complete segment highlighting the competitive positions of various market players (Hooley and Saunders, 1993).As pointed out by Blythe (2003), it must be mentioned that positions assigned to each brand “are based on average responses fromconsumers in the target groups.” There are two major frameworks for positioning:-
- According to De Pelsmacker et al (2007), the analysis of environment is mandatory to find out the desired position and feasibility of reaching that position. The framework to analyse this environment is based on 6 questions that assess the market position regarding actual and desired position, competitors, and available resources.
- Kapferer (2004) proposed more extensive framework that includes 10 questions that might as well help in verifying the usage of current strategies.
Let’s take the example the perceptual map of the American car market described as one of the first used perceptual map in marketing (Churchill, 1991).
Above map includes the major player in automotive industry of the American market. It shows the differentiation of all the major brands and how they affect the consumer’s perspective about the brand. This analysis could help to design the overall branding strategies of a brand. As shown above, Porsche scores high on the scale of consumer preference in terms of status, social class and sports brand.
Brand positioning of Porsche:
“Positioning a brand means emphasizing the distinctive characteristics that make it different from its competitors and appealing to the public.” (Kapferer, 2004) It will help in streamlining all the marketing activities to focus on establishing its superiority in consumers mind. It will help to superimpose its association with consumer’s preference and in turn differentiate itself from the competitive products (Keller et al. 2002).
According to Kapferer (1997), positioning doesn’t confine a brand meaning and its actual potential. It merely answers to the consumer’s comparative analysis of similar products. It may boil down to following four questions:
- Why: It talks about the promises and benefits that a brand offers to its consumer.
- For whom: It describes the target segment of the brand.
- When: It refers to the occasions that would initiate the usage of brand.
- Against whom: It defines the main competitors of the brand that it may compete to acquire market share.
The following diagram would summaries these crucial questions regarding brad positioning:
positioning is perceptual mapping in the market place (Jobber, 2001, Fill, 2002). Perceptual mapping is defined as the diagrammatic representation of consumer perceptions of the brand and its competitors in terms of pre-specified dimensions. These dimensions are shaped by the user preferences (Jobber, 2001). The four major steps for brand positioning, according to Aaker (1996), are determining the set of value prepositions, define target audience and then actively communicate their point of superiority. The pictorial representation of identification of a brand position and its future positioning opportunities is as follows:
Thus, Positioning is a two-step process. The first step is identification of target audience and major competitors in its target category. The second step involves communicating its point of competitive advantage in comparison to other brands in the same category (Kapferer, 1997).
Design and positioning statement
When a company decides to design its positioning strategies to streamline its marketing communications and brand attributes, it first needs to identify its brand meaning in its prospective consumer’s mind (Blythe, 2003). This means that consumers have their own set of perceptions towards any brand and the company should always take their consumer’s perception into account in order to design best positioning strategies. Theses in-depth analysis of consumer’s perception can lead the way to develop the positioning map or perceptual map for any competitive scenario (Kotler et al., 2001). These maps provide an aggregate view of complete segment highlighting the competitive positions of various market players (Hooley and Saunders, 1993).As pointed out by Blythe (2003), it must be mentioned that positions assigned to each brand “are based on average responses fromconsumers in the target groups.” There are two major frameworks for positioning:-
- According to De Pelsmacker et al (2007), the analysis of environment is mandatory to find out the desired position and feasibility of reaching that position. The framework to analyse this environment is based on 6 questions that assess the market position regarding actual and desired position, competitors, and available resources.
- Kapferer (2004) proposed more extensive framework that includes 10 questions that might as well help in verifying the usage of current strategies.
Let’s take the example the perceptual map of the American car market described as one of the first used perceptual map in marketing (Churchill, 1991).
Above map includes the major player in automotive industry of the American market. It shows the differentiation of all the major brands and how they affect the consumer’s perspective about the brand. This analysis could help to design the overall branding strategies of a brand. As shown above, Porsche scores high on the scale of consumer preference in terms of status, social class and sports brand.
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