Modern marketing concepts

Marketing is an important tool for establishing communication between the manufacturer and the buyer. The development of marketing concepts allows us to work out a number of ways to achieve commercial tasks important for the enterprise. There are several basic concepts on the basis of which each company makes decisions on demand management. The first marketing concept of marketing and management appeared more than 100 years ago, but in some conditions it still has not lost its relevance. Let's talk about the main modern marketing concepts and their specifics.

The concept of marketing

In the late 19th century, in connection with the growth of industrial production and competition in the consumer goods markets, the prerequisites for the formation of marketing arise. At the beginning of the 20th century, he distinguished himself into an independent science of managing the actions of market participants in order to increase the profitability of business. Later marketing is specified as a set of measures for the interaction of the producer and the consumer. The marketing goal recognizes the need to satisfy the needs of the consumer and make profit. In the 1930s, the first theoretical positions of the new science began to form. General provisions on demand management are developed and basic marketing concepts are born. Marketing does not become a dry theory, it always remains a more practical activity.

In the most general form, marketing is considered a special kind of human activity, which is aimed at studying and satisfying human needs. However, its main goal is to manage the market and demand in order to maximize the profits of the organization. Marketing, therefore, becomes one of the most important management functions.

The essence of the marketing concept

Entrepreneurs are constantly in search of a new, optimal program of actions that would help increase the profitability of the business. Of these needs, marketing and its concepts have grown. Philip Kotler, one of the world's top marketing theorists, argues that the marketing management concept is a new approach to doing business. Marketing concepts answer a strategically important question, which is the most important tool and the possibility of making a profit. The answer to this main question is the essence of this phenomenon. At the same time, marketing concepts are not some abstract theories, but the most applied administrative decision.

Goals of marketing concepts

The producer of goods in modern conditions is forced to think permanently about how to sell it. Today there are almost no empty markets, so everywhere you have to fight with competitors and look for techniques that would help increase sales. Proceeding from this, the main goal of the marketing concept is the formulation of tasks that need to be solved in order to reach the desired indicators. The concept of marketing allows the company to adapt to changing market conditions, helps to manage demand and is an important tool for strategic planning.

Marketing concepts and management

Marketing is one of the components of management, the manager must understand for whom he produces the goods and how it should be promoted to the buyer. Marketing concepts of the organization are an element of strategic planning. At any level of management, the manager must plan the activities of his organization or department for a relatively distant future, for this he needs to understand where to move. And the marketing concept of management just answers this question. However, it is not a ready-made recipe, in each specific case the manager needs to analyze the situation on the market and create his own interpretation of the generalized concept. Therefore, work on marketing management is a complex process, including analytical, creative and strategic components.

Evolution of marketing concepts

For the first time, marketing concepts begin to form in the era of the birth of marketing. These were natural reactions to the situation on the market. The conceptualization and formulation of the concepts is already taking place after the producers started using this model. Actually the development of the marketing concept as part of the management activity appears later. Researchers note that the evolution of marketing concepts moves along a trajectory from the goals and requirements of the manufacturer to the needs of the consumer. And the more the markets develop, the more profound interests and characteristics of the consumer are taken into account when planning marketing. The peculiarity of the evolution of marketing concepts lies in the fact that when new models appear, the old ones do not lose their viability. They may become less effective and then not in all cases. New concepts do not "kill" the old ones, it's just that these "newcomers" become more productive for many spheres of production, but old models continue to work and can be used in some markets.

Production concept

The first concept of marketing emerged during the period of active production growth in the US and Europe in the late 19th century. At this time, the market of sellers dominated, the purchasing power of the population was quite high, and demand in many markets exceeded supply. Then there were no concepts of marketing analysis, and all marketing goals were focused on production. The interests and needs of the consumer were not taken into account, there was an opinion that a good product would always find its buyer. It was also widely believed that you can sell any quantity of goods. Therefore, the source of the main profit was seen in the increase in production volumes. The main struggle with competitors lay in the price field. Entrepreneurs sought to improve production, increasing volumes and reducing costs. It is during this period that there is a desire to automate production, there is a scientific organization of labor, active searches for cheap raw materials are conducted. During this period, enterprises had a weak diversification, concentrating their resources on the release of one product. The concept of improving production is also applicable today in markets where demand exceeds supply, especially with the release of a new product, which is not yet available from competitors.

Product concept

In the first half of the 20th century, the market is gradually saturated with goods, but demand is still ahead of the offer. This leads to the emergence of a marketing concept of the product. At this time, the production has almost been brought to perfection, the productivity of labor is no longer possible and the idea arises that it is necessary to improve the product. The consumer no longer wants any product, he starts to make claims to his quality, so the manufacturer's task is to improve the product, its packaging and characteristics, and also tell the buyer about it. There is a need for advertising, as an instrument to alert consumers about new and special qualities of the goods. At this time, the idea prevails that the consumer is willing to buy a good product at a reasonable price. Therefore, competition from the price sphere is gradually moving into the plane of measuring the properties of products. This concept can be applied even today in those markets where demand is roughly balanced with supply, when there is sufficient purchasing power among the population that is ready to choose a quality product. This concept takes into account such important factors as consumer properties of goods and commodity policy.

The concept of commercial efforts

In the late 30-ies, there is a balancing of demand and supply in almost all consumer markets. There is a need to make some special efforts in order to attract a buyer. At this time the market of the seller and the buyer is formed. At this time, demand comes to the fore in matters of increasing the company's profit. The goods and production have been maximally improved, but all the goods can not be realized or sold too slowly. Therefore, the company's marketing concept should be aimed at improving the sales process. At this time, there are ideas about the stimulation of demand and the special role of points of sale and sellers. In this period, merchandising is formed, as a specific activity to organize sales and stimulate the buyer to purchase at outlets. Manufacturers are already beginning to understand that the goods can not be quickly sold without the cost of advertising. At this time, the formation of the market of advertising services begins. Entrepreneurs have the illusion that with the help of good advertising you can sell anything you like. In this period there is such a special sphere of activity, as the training of sellers, the theory of sales begins to be formulated. Of course, this concept of intensification of commercial efforts can be realized today in markets where the consumer does not think about purchasing this product, but has the means to buy it. The purpose of this concept is to develop a sales network, improve sales tools.

The actual marketing concept

In the 50s of the 20th century, all major markets were filled with goods, and the period began when the supply exceeded demand. In this concept, much attention is paid to the consumer and his needs. The manufacturer no longer wants to sell what he managed to produce, but thinks about what the buyer would like and begins to produce it. In this connection the marketing concept of the enterprise undergoes significant changes. Marketers have a lot of resources to spend on studying the behavior of consumers. They need to know what are the values, needs and interests of the consumer, what is his lifestyle, where he happens, what he is striving for. And on the basis of this knowledge, the entrepreneur formulates his proposal for the buyer. It should be noted that while all the old approaches are preserved: the goods must be of good quality, the production - the most effective, the points of sales should stimulate the buyer to purchase the goods. During this period, the idea of a marketing complex that embraces all levels of the enterprise's activity begins for the first time. In this concept, there is a purely marketing goal - the satisfaction of the needs of the buyer and this builds the opportunity for profit. And the concept marked a global turn of marketing to the buyer, now in all markets the main character is the consumer, and for him the manufacturer does the maximum to lead to a purchase. The consumer now seeks to buy the product that most satisfies his needs. Therefore, the product must exactly meet its requirements. The buyer is even willing to overpay, but get exactly what he wants.

Socio-ethical concept

In the late 1970s, the era of intensive consumption and production led to the depletion of Earth's resources. A powerful social movement is rising in defense of the environment and against excessive consumption. And new marketing concepts could not ignore these changes. A concept of social and ethical marketing is being formed, which is quite actual today. This complex concept requires balancing three principles: the interests of society, the needs and needs of the buyer and the profitability of the business for the entrepreneur. Within the framework of this concept, a special role was assigned to public opinion, the image of the company, on the formation of which the entrepreneur should spend certain resources. At the stage of saturation and glut of the market, consumers begin to understand that endless economic growth leads to serious damage to the environment and wants the manufacturer to take care to stop damaging the environment. This requires companies to modernize production, the introduction of new products in the range, corresponding to new environmental and safety assessments. The purpose of the manufacturer in this concept is the introduction of new production standards and the conviction of the buyer in the safety of his product. Also there is such task of marketing as education of the consumer, training to its new standards of life.

The concept of interaction

In the second half of the 20th century marketers begin to understand that it is necessary not only to take into account the needs of the consumer, but also to involve him in the relationship. The consumer is accustomed to standardized relationships, typical situations and they do not cause him emotions. Therefore, for differentiation from competitors, it is necessary to form an individual relationship with the consumer. Interaction with the company creates emotional attachment for the buyer, allocates a producer from a number of similar ones. All previous marketing concepts were guided by logic and reason, and this model is aimed at emotion. In such a concept, an important role starts to be given to communications, the producer establishes individual, trusting relations by involving the buyer in interaction. New concepts of marketing communications not only require complex solutions, but are built on the account of the individual characteristics of the buyer. In this concept there is such a concept as the life cycle of the relationship with the buyer. It distinguishes 3 stages: interest in the product, purchase and consumption. In this approach, much attention is paid to postpurchase behavior, in which it is necessary to create a sense of satisfaction for the buyer. The aim of communications is customer loyalty to a product or brand. Marketers understand that in conditions of glut of the market and fierce competition, it is cheaper to keep the old buyer than to attract a new one.

International concept

At the end of the 20th century marketing began to develop rapidly, and several concepts appeared that generally fit into the system of the interaction model, but they have significant features. Thus, the globalization of markets leads to the emergence of marketing concepts designed for intercultural and interethnic interaction. Establishing relations with representatives of different cultures and nationalities requires a special approach. Specialists distinguish such international concepts of marketing activities as the concept of expanding the domestic market, the concept of a multinational domestic market and the concept of a global market. In each case, the enterprise faces the goal of developing new markets. At the same time, the marketer should build communication in the context of the specifics of the internal and external environment.

Innovative concept

At the end of the 20th century, the process of the emergence of highly specialized marketing concepts occurs. One of the brightest models is the innovative version, which is associated with the promotion of high-tech, new products. As with the marketing concept of the product, this version is based on the fact that the consumer is offered an improved product. However, due to the fact that the information environment is changing rapidly today, marketers are promoting digital and innovative products using new methods: Internet tools, integrated communications, social networks. In the innovative concept, the elements of the traditional commodity model, as well as the marketing of relations, organically merged. The goal of marketing is not only to stimulate the buyer to purchase goods, but also his education. Before you sell it, for example, an innovative gadget, you need to form a certain level of competence.

Modeling concept

At the end of the 20th century, the global world entered a new economy, which is associated with the enormous development of digital technologies. For each person, a flurry of information collapses and he develops protective mechanisms against overload. This leads to the fact that many traditional advertising messages cease to be effective. For example, there are already whole generations of people who do not watch TV, the audience of print media is sharply reduced. In addition, the highest saturation of the market with goods leads to the fact that a person begins to experience difficulties with the choice. Man by his nature can not make a choice among 10-120 units of the goods, and he himself reduces the number of alternatives to 3-5 titles. He focuses on his values, myths, stereotypes that unconsciously control consumer behavior. And here the problem arises in the fact that the old marketing concepts do not allow achieving the desired goals. And marketers are developing a new model, according to which a person is inspired with thoughts about the value of any goods, a mythology of goods is created, a certain pattern of behavior is formed in the buyer, which leads him to purchase goods. Examples of such "introduction" of goods into the unconscious consumer are many. The brightest example is the Apple brand, which creates mythology, its ideology and today there is a whole formation of people convinced that only the goods of this brand are the best and exclusive.

Marketing concepts and strategies

Marketing is always connected with planning the future activity of the enterprise. The company, seriously thinking about its future development, has its own concept of marketing strategy. Typically, such private models include elements of several models: socio-ethical, interaction, innovation, commodity or sales. The main value of the existence of marketing concepts in the ability to use them when developing their own company strategy. All modern concepts of marketing activities are built on integrated communications. And today it is difficult to find a producer who would not use the media mix in his promotion. Therefore, it is precisely the harmonious synthesis of the components of several concepts and allows each manufacturer to find his way to success.