Chapter 10: Product Concepts
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ANS: A
PTS: 1 OBJ: LO: 10-6 TOP: AACSB: Reflective Thinking
KEY: CB&E Model: Strategy MSC: BLOOMS: Level I Knowledge
Great Ideas for Teaching Chapter 10
Jon M Shapiro, Northeastern State University
Michael C Murphy, Langston University
Product Positioning for the Product Manager: A Capstone Experience for an Introduction
to Marketing Class
The objective of this activity is to encourage beginning students to think about product
positioning, its components, and its strategic implications. Pedagogically, we believe that the
right mix of theory and experiential learning increases student interest and enriches their learning
experience. This ongoing, sequential project can be introduced within the first few weeks of
class, regardless of the student’s knowledge base or the topical sequencing within a given
textbook.
Initially, students are directed to choose a product category that they find interesting. There are
two constraints: 1) the product must be sold in traditional (non-cyber) retail settings, and 2) the
number of competing brands should not exceed seven. The rationale for these constraints
follows. Regarding the first constraint, brick and mortar channels better allow the beginning
student to touch the product and fully examine differences among key attributes. In terms of the
second constraint, limiting the competitors to seven is more manageable, allows for a richer and
more focused analysis, and avoids complicating perceptual mapping. Additionally, if students are
unable to find product categories with such low degrees of competition, encourage them to focus
upon a subcategory (e.g., herbal tea instead of tea).
Which products do students pick, and why? The key thing is that if they find a category relevant
to their life (ideally, something that they use and enjoy), they will likely exhibit more passion
and do a more in-depth analysis. Based on experience, we find that food products such as peanut
butter, salsa, and frozen pizza work well; however, anything the student is interested will suffice.
The initial assignment requires the student to choose a retail setting and to record his or her
observations regarding the product category. We provide a handout with basic threshold
positioning dimensions to analyze such as pricing, shelf space/positioning, labeling, packaging,
and point-of-purchase promotion. The initial journal serves as a first attempt at analysis. Then,
after each element of the marketing mix (the 4Ps) is covered, the student revisits the retailer for
further observation and integrates the newly learned concepts into the journal.