1.3 Development of marketing
There are three to four stages in the development of marketing philosophies and analysts feel that each stage evolves from the preceding stage. The first stage is a production-orientation where the general management philosophy is that if a product is available and affordable, it will sell itself.
Following this stage is a sales-orientation (or selling) where the philosophy is that high-pressure sales tactics are the means of increasing sales and thus profitability.
The third stage, a marketing-orientation , is based on a more complex philosophy where emphasis is placed on determining the needs and wants of potential customers, and then seeking to meet them in a better way than your competitors do. Some texts, including Kotler et al. (2001), mention a fourth stage ¾ societal marketing orientation , in which emphasis is placed on ecological and ethical issues instead of a materialistic lifestyle.
Figure 1.2 provides a graphical representation of the first three orientations: note how the marketing orientation includes a feedback loop. Why don't the other orientations include a feedback loop?

Figure 1.2 Production, sales and marketing orientations
Source: Perreault and McCarthy (1993)
As organisations tend to practise different marketing philosophies, it is quite common to see all these philosophies in action within a single industry. The next reading will help to explain the development of marketing further. Ensure that you understand how marketing has evolved and why a marketing orientation is central to successful marketing. Please turn to the reading now.
In your text
Kotler et al. (2004) Chapter 1, pp. 18-22, 'Marketing management philosophies'.
Activity 1.3
Compare the four orientations as discussed earlier, with the five 'concepts' explained in your text. How does the product concept differ from the production concept?
Consider this
Perhaps you can cite shipping companies that have a sales orientation or ports that have a production orientation. What criteria are you using to make your judgement?
On the other hand you are probably becoming increasingly aware of shipping companies and ports that are practising a marketing orientation.