Chapter–by–chapter aids: Chapter 3
group will require careful planning. For example, building an apartment complex is a
significant investment which may require a long–term return. A developer may find demand
high in the short–term but softer in the long term. Makers of other products may want to have a
longer term plan to evolve their product lines as this group ages. This group is made up of
many Millennials (Gen Y) and as they move into the age when they set up homes, they will be
an attractive market for industries like housing, appliances, furniture, and electronics. This
group grew up with technology, so they rely on cell phones for voice and text communications,
they connect with friends via social networking tools, and they actively avoid advertising. Their
digital lifestyles will have an important influence on marketing.
3-16. Answers here will vary significantly. However, examples of firms that are appealing to senior
citizens include: financial services firms (mutual fund companies, banks, brokerage houses)
who are offering a variety of retirement planning products; companies in the health care
3-17. See section “Using Screening Criteria to Narrow Down to Strategies.” A set of product–market
screening criteria should include both quantitative and qualitative components. The
3-18. See section “Planning Grids Help Evaluate a Portfolio of Opportunities.” The GE approach
uses a nine–box matrix and tries to work with many more variables. The thing which makes
this practical is that many of the variables are interrelated – and using many of them helps to
DISCUSSION OF COMPUTER-AIDED PROBLEM 3: COMPETITOR ANALYSIS
In this problem, a marketing manager is evaluating a new opportunity. He wants to see who will have the
competitive advantage. The student analyzes competition, competitive advantage, marketing strengths,
pricing, and how changes in technology may result in new opportunities. The problem ties directly to
many of the ideas discussed in Chapter 3 of the text. This spreadsheet could also be used in the chapter
dealing with personal selling – since much of Mediquip’s advantage here is based on its sales force
strength.