2.3 Controllable factors
With all the emphasis on the uncontrollable factors you might be starting to think what is controllable in the marketing subsystem. The controllable factors for marketing centre around the marketing mix.
Consider this
Can you remember what the marketing mix is, its components, and what it is used for?
Of course you remembered that the marketing mix is made up of the four Ps ¾ product, place, price and promotion. The marketing mix makes up the marketing program that represents the outcome of the marketing planning process. At the same time decisions with regard to each of the four Ps establish the range of activities that will be taken to market the tangible products, services and/or ideas of the firm.
The marketing mix may be thought of as different weapons in the hands of the marketer. For instance, if your competitor uses the weapon of low price, you can respond with the same weapon or use the weapon of promotion to educate the consumer as to why your product is superior and worthy of its higher price.
The marketing mix of services is somewhat more elaborate prompting the need for an expanded marketing mix. It is generally accepted that there are three further Ps:
- participants (your textbook refers to this as 'people')
- physical evidence
- process.
We will deal with these further in later chapters. For the moment, you may want to familiarise yourself with the general idea by reading about the seven Ps in Kotler et al. (2004). The reading will also serve as a useful revision of the traditional marketing mix. In addition, Table 3.16 on page 111 of your text may be a useful point of reference for the activities contained within the expanded marketing mix.
In your text
Kotler et al. (2004) Chapter 3, pp. 109-112, 'Developing the marketing mix'.