Discussion 1 : Marketing Management

Question One

·        Describe a company that you believe represents the 4Ps well and provide examples of why you believe they are successful at it.

Question Two

·        Describe a company that you believe does not do well at putting the 4Ps into practice and provide two examples of why you believe they struggle with it.

Question Three

·        What recommendations would you give the company who needs to update its approach? Search the Strayer Library and/or Internet for an article that supports your position and post the link in your thread for everyone to read.

Respond to Peer(s)

·        Read and respond to at least two of your classmates' posts.

Respond to Peer 1

T-Mobile is a telecommunications company that represents the 4P's well.

Product: T-Mobile offers a variety of the latest cellphone selections as their competitors. These products can be purchased online as well as in their stores. Also, T-Mobile products can be purchased in stores such as Best Buy.

Price: The prices of T-mobile's products is comparable with the other carriers. However, the company has created a payment plan to make the phone you want affordable as well as the data plan that you choose.

Place: It is so easy to find a T-Mobile store these days. They are located in malls and shopping centers. In addition to that, wherever these stores are located, T-Mobile has made sure that it stands out by painting them pink.

Promotion: T-Mobile started the "Uncarrier" movement by offering customers data plans with no-contract plans when other carriers required their customers to carry 2-year contracts. Along with the no-contract plans, T-Mobile offered unlimited data plans. In the malls on the weekends, I have rarely seen the T-Mobile store empty-there is always a crowd.

Also, T-Mobile's customer service is excellent whether by phone or in store. I recently had to go into the store for some assistance with a particular issue with my phone. Upon entering the store, I was approached by a technician, welcomed to the store, and asked what I needed and told approximately how long and if I minded waiting or would like to come back later. I decided to wait and before long the technician returned and solved my problem and I was on my way.

Another thing that T-Mobile has done is reward its customers regularly. Every Tuesday on the T-Mobile app called T-Mobile Tuesdays, the company offers its customers gifts, such as movie tickets at a reduced price and free coupon to places such as Dunkin Donuts and Baskin Robbins. This company shows that it appreciates its customers.

A company that does not represent the 4P's well is AT&T telecommunications. It is not always customer friendly. It is difficult to deal with their technicians regarding cost of their cellphones and their cellular plans. Also, the stores are not as recognizable as T-Mobile stores and the atmosphere is not warm. When I was looking to change my cellphone carrier, I went into an AT&T store and was turned off by their responses to my questions. I know they are in the business to make money; however, when you offend a customer, you have just lost a huge amount of business because that potential customer will share their story with others.

I would recommend that AT&T look at restructuring their current cellular plans by offering the best plan for each customer, update their training on customer service in the stores and on the telephone.

Respond to Peer 2

Question One

·        Describe a company that you believe represents the 4Ps well and provide examples of why you believe they are successful at it.

I believe Coca-Cola is an example of a company that represents the 4 P's very well. It is a company that has continued to attain success and maintained its market relevance over the years. They seem to get all aspects of marketing right and this can clearly be seen through the success all across the world. They always have the right products at the right price for the right customer and at the right place.

Question Two

·        Describe a company that you believe does not do well at putting the 4Ps into practice and provide two examples of why you believe they struggle with it.

In my opinion, Apple inc. is missing out on the utilization of the 4 P's. They don't seem to have harmony with the four P's. They may have the right product at one time but then have a wrong price point, well at least compared to other players in the market. They are doing well in the United States but the feeling is not the same for consumers in Africa and Asia. This sees competing companies such as OPPO and VIVO do better in certain markets where Apple used to dominate. "Fancy new designs, whether practical or not, are going to be the theme for 2019 and it will be the ones set by Android smartphone brands from China. Not Apple" (Pinto, 2018).

Question Three

·        What recommendations would you give the company who needs to update its approach?

I would recommend that Apple studies the market more to fully understand the trends of the consumers from different regions and observe the 4 P's in competitively reaching them. This way they will regain the edge they have always had, and this time they'll have worldwide dominance.