Showing posts with label Marketing Segmentation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Marketing Segmentation. Show all posts

Marketing Online Assignment

Market Segmentation, Targeting, and Positioning For Competitive Advantage (Part 3)

Multiple Choice Questions


Note: The answers are boldly marked.

1. All of the following would be among the chief factors to consider when choosing a market-coverage strategy EXCEPT:
a.       organizational culture.
b.      product variability.
c.       product’s life-cycle.
d.      market variability.

2. The way the product is defined by consumers on important attributes is called ________________.
a.       market segmentation
b.      image psychology
c.       product position
d.      market targeting

3. The positioning task consists of three steps.  Which of the following does not belong?
a.       Identifying a set of possible competitive advantages upon which to build a position.
b.      Choosing the right competitive advantages.
c.       Comparing the position with ethical and legal guidelines established by the trade.
d.      Selecting an overall positioning strategy.

4. The key to winning and keeping customers is to understand their needs and buying processes better than competitors do and:
a.       advertise constantly to let customers know about changes in products and services.
b.      hire the best sales people.
c.       have an updated Web presence.
d.      to deliver more value.

5. Product differentiation can be along all of the following lines EXCEPT:
a.       consistency.
b.      durability.
c.       reliability.
d.      competitive parity.

6. Gaining competitive advantage through speedy or careful delivery is an example of which type of differentiation?
a.       product
b.      services
c.       personnel
d.      image

7. The strategy of choosing one attribute to excel at to create competitive advantage is known as (the):
a.      unique selling proposition.
b.      under positioning.
c.       over positioning.
d.      confused positioning.
8. In general, a company needs to avoid three major positioning errors. Which of the following is NOT one of those errors?
a.       Under positioning
b.      repositioning
c.       over positioning
d.      confused positioning

9. In determining which differences to promote, focusing on a difference that delivers a highly valued benefit to target buyers would mean selecting the difference that is most:
a.      important.
b.      distinctive.
c.       superior.
d.      communicable.

10. Choosing a product difference that competitors cannot easily copy would be which kind of differentiation criterion?
a.       important
b.      distinctive
c.       superior
d.      preemptive

11. A brand’s _____________ is the full positioning of the brand—the full mix of benefits upon which it is positioned.
a.       distinctive proposition
b.      preemptive proposition
c.       value proposition
d.      superior proposition

12. The text describes a series of value propositions.  Of these propositions, Southwest Airlines has chosen to adopt the:
a.       more for less proposition.
b.      less for much less proposition.
c.       same for less proposition.
d.      more for more proposition.


True/False Questions

13. Companies today realize that they can appeal to all buyers in the marketplace by using concentrated marketing.
Answer:   (False)

14. Because of profit pressures and the threat of the Internet, most companies have now moved away from market segmentation and targeting and toward mass marketing.
Answer: (False) 

15. With respect to markets, the “shotgun” approach in marketing efforts seems to be better than the “rifle” approach.
Answer: (False)

16. Market segmentation is the process of taking a market and dividing the buyers into distinct groups for which marketing mixes can be constructed.
Answer:  (True)

17. Today, most companies are rushing toward mass marketing because of the changing nature of the marketplace.
Answer: (False)

18. A good illustration of the niche marketing approach was when Henry Ford said (with respect to cars) “they can have any color they want as long as it’s black.”
Answer:  (False)    

19. Micromarketing is focusing on sub segments or niches with distinctive traits that may seek a special combination of benefits.
Answer:  (False)

20. If a marketer were to tailor products and marketing programs to the needs and wants of specific individuals and local customer groups, the marketer would be practicing micromarketing.
Answer:  (True) 

31. One of the drawbacks for adopting a policy of local marketing is that it can drive up manufacturing and marketing costs by reducing economies of scale.
Answer: (True) 

32. Because buyers have unique needs and wants, each buyer is potentially a separate market.
Answer:  (True)

33. Customized marketing is often called individual marketing.
Answer:   (True) 

34. An example of a firm that practices individual marketing is Mattel, with it’s my design page of its Barbie Web site.
Answer:  (True)

35. The move toward individual marketing mirrors the trend in consumer concentration strategy.
Answer:  (False)

36. The most popular base for segmenting markets and customer groups is geographic segmentation.
Answer:  (False) 

37. Demographic variables are easier to measure than most other types of variables with respect to segmentation.
Answer:   (True)

38. Income segmentation is used not only with the affluent, but also with the consumers with lower spending power.
Answer:  (True)

39. Psychographic segmentation occurs when a market is divided into different groups based on social class, lifestyle, or personality characteristics.
Answer:   (True)  

40. One of the forms of behavioral segmentation would be lifestyle segmentation.
Answer:  (False)

41. If a marketer were to link U.S. Census data with lifestyle patterns to better segment markets, this would be an example of geodemographic segmentation.
Answer: (True)

42. A common way to segment a business market would be to segment based on operating characteristics and situational factors.
Answer:  (True)

43. Segmenting international markets on the basis of geographic, economic, political,cultural, and other factors is called international psychographics.
Answer:   (False)

44. To be useful, a market segment must be substantial.
Answer:  (True)

45. To be useful, a market segment must be conspicuous.
Answer:  (False)

46. A market segment is a set of buyers sharing common needs or characteristics that the company decides to serve.
Answer:  (False)

47. Concentrated marketing is a market-coverage strategy in which a firm decides to ignore market segment differences and go after the whole market with one offer.
Answer: (False)

48. If a firm decides to go after a large share of one or a few segments or niches, then
     the firm will probably be following a concentrated marketing strategy.
Answer: (True)

49. In market targeting, the issue is not how and for what, but who is targeted.

Answer:  (False)

50. A product’s position is the way the product is defined by consumers on important attributes.

Answer:  (True)

51. One of the major positioning errors that a company needs to avoid is that of confused positioning.
Answer:  (True)

52. A difference is worth establishing to the extent that it satisfies the criterion of cultural imperative.
Answer:   (False)

53. According to the nine cell matrix that describes possible value propositions, the cell that produces a higher price for reduced benefits should be pursued by the marketer.
Answer:   (False)

54. According to the value proposition presented by Southwest Airlines, the customer gets “less for much less.”
Answer:  (True)


Online Assignment for Marketing

Market Segmentation, Targeting, and Positioning For Competitive Advantage (Part 2)


Multiple Choice Questions

NOTE: The answers are boldly marked.

1. All of the following would be ways to segment within the category of behavioral variable segmentation EXCEPT:
a.       occasions.
b.      user status.
c.       loyalty status.
d.      lifestyle.

2. _______________ factors are the most popular bases for segmenting customer groups.
a.       Geographic
b.      Demographic
c.       Psychographic
d.      Behavioral

3. _________________ factors or variables are generally easier to measure than most of the other types of variables or factors.
a.       Geographic
b.      Demographic
c.       Psychographic
d.      Behavioral

4. Age is often a poor predictor of a person’s life-cycle, health, work, or family status.
Therefore, when using age and life-cycle segmentation, the marketer must guard against:
a.      stereotyping.
b.      gender bias.
c.       racial bias.
d.      intellectual bias.

5. Proctor & Gamble joined a growing list of marketers who use __________ segmentation when they developed Secret, a brand specially formulated for a woman’s chemistry.
a.       geographic
b.      income
c.       benefit
d.      gender

6. All of the following Web sites would be examples of sites wishing to make gender segmentation appeals as their primary marketing segmentation strategy EXCEPT:
a.       www.iVillage.com
b.      www.girlson.com
c.       www.playboy.com
d.      www.neimanmarcus.com

7. ___________________ is the process of dividing a market into different groups based on social class, lifestyle, or personality characteristics.
a.   Gender segmentation
b.   Behavioral segmentation
c.   Psychological segmentation
d.   Psychographic segmentation

8. Many marketers believe that ________________ are the best starting point for building market segments and programs.
a.      behavioral variables
b.      geographic variables
c.       demographic variables
d.      psychographic variables

9. “Coke in the morning” is an attempt to segment according to which of the following?
a.       gender segmentation
b.      psychographic segmentation
c.       benefit segmentation
d.      occasion segmentation

10. The orange juice manufacturers know that orange juice is most often consumed in the mornings.  However, they would like to change this and make the drink acceptable for other time periods during the day.  Which form of segmentation would they need to work with to establish a strategy reflective of their desires?
a.       gender segmentation
b.      benefit segmentation
c.       occasion segmentation
d.      age and life-cycle segmentation

11. When companies market products on the basis of what the product’s attributes will do for a given segment of consumers, they are using a powerful form of behavioral segmentation known as:
a.       occasion segmentation.
b.      benefit segmentation.
c.       user status segmentation.
d.      usage rate segmentation.

12. If people that take cruise ship vacations do so because of “gambling,” “fun,” or “for adventure or educational purposes,” then it is possible to segment this market based on what might be called:
a.       psychographic segmentation.
b.      benefit segmentation.
c.       demographic segmentation.
d.      gender segmentation.

13. A marketing firm classifies customers as nonusers, ex-users, potential users, first-time users, and regular users. Which of the following classifications is the firm most likely using to segment its market and devise strategies for selling its products and services?
a.      user status
b.      user rate
c.       loyalty status
d.      benefit status

14. One of the most promising developments in multivariable segmentation is called _________________, where a host of demographic and socioeconomic factors are used.
a.   terragraphic segmentation
b.   fermagraphic segmentation
c.   geothermal segmentation
d.   geodemographic segmentation

15. All of the following are major variables that can be used to segment business markets
     EXCEPT:
a.       operating characteristics.
b.      psychographics.
c.       demographics.
d.      situational factors.

16. ____________________ is forming segments of consumers who have similar needs and buying behavior even though they are located in different countries.
a.   External segmentation
b.   International segmentation
c.   Intermarket segmentation
d.   Enriched segmentation

17. When Mercedes-Benz targets the world’s well-to-do, regardless of their country, they are most likely following a segmentation strategy called:
a.       external segmentation.
b.      international segmentation.
c.       enriched segmentation.
d.      intermarket segmentation.

18. Clearly, there are many ways to segment markets.  However, not all segmentations are effective or successful.  To be useful, market segments must have all the following characteristics EXCEPT being:
a.       measurable.
b.      plausible.
c.       accessible.
d.      actionable.

19. It is a fact that there are 32.5 million left-handed people in the United States. However, most marketers do not attempt to appeal to or design products for this group because there is little in the way of census data about this group.  Therefore, this group fails in one of the requirements for effective segmentation.  Which of the following is most likely to apply in this case?
a.       actionable
b.      substantial
c.       differentiable
d.      measurable

20. Knowing the size, purchasing power, and profiles of a market segment are all part of which of the following characteristics?
a.       substantiality
b.      measurability
c.       action ability
d.      accessibility

21. The ability to reach and serve a market segment defines the characteristic of:
a.       measurability.
b.      actionability.
c.       accessibility.
d.      substantiality.

22. Married and unmarried women may use the same perfume, and might respond in a similar way to promotional sales of this fragrance.  It might, therefore, be difficult to consider that marital status designates separate segments in this case.  Which of the following requirements of effective segmentation would probably rule out segmentation based on marital status in this case?
a.       actionable
b.      substantial
c.       differentiable
d.      measurable

23. Stephanie Cross has a small clothing store, and has identified seven separate categories of clothing buyers that form the general market for clothing stores in her city.  Her problem is that because of a limited advertising budget, she cannot effectively reach these various segments (especially since several of the segments are distant from her store). Which of the following requirements of effective segmentation would probably rule out segmentation based on Stephanie’s current segmentation classification scheme?
a.      actionable
b.      substantial.
c.       differentiable
d.      measurable
24. In market targeting, a firm looks at all of the following factors EXCEPT:
a.       segment size and growth.
b.      segment structural attractiveness.
c.       company objectives and resources.
d.      segment public relations value.

25. All of the following factors can affect the attractiveness of a market segment
     EXCEPT:
a.       the presence of many strong and aggressive competitors.
b.      the likelihood of government monitoring.
c.       actual or potential substitute products.
d.      the power of buyers in the segment.

26. A(n) __________________ is a set of buyers sharing common needs or characteristics that the company decides to serve.
a.       undifferentiated market
b.      market segment
c.       target market
d.      differentiated market

27. A market-coverage strategy in which a firm decides to ignore market segment differences and go after the whole market with one offer is called:
a.      undifferentiated marketing.
b.      differentiated marketing.
c.       concentrated marketing.
d.      turbo marketing.

28. Deciding to target several market segments and design separate offers for each is called:
a.       undifferentiated marketing.
b.      differentiated marketing.
c.       concentrated marketing.
d.      turbo marketing.

29. A growing number of firms have adopted differentiated marketing.  However, one drawback to this approach is that it:
a.       is hard for managers to understand.
b.      increases the costs of doing business.
c.       alerts competitors as to your strategy.
d.      is a poor strategy internationally.

30. The practice of going after a large share of a smaller market or subsets of a few markets is called:
a.       undifferentiated marketing.
b.      differentiated marketing.
c.       concentrated marketing.
d.      turbo marketing.

Online Help Assignment for Marketing

Market Segmentation, Targeting, and Positioning For Competitive Advantage (Part 1)


NOTE: The answers are boldly marked.

1. At one time, firms scattered their marketing efforts (a “shotgun” approach) to reach consumers.  Today, a firm is more likely to use:
a)      a “bazooka” approach, where special effects are used to “explode” into the buyer’s consciousness.
b)      a “knife” approach, where the firm tries to “cut” to the most important product advantage.
c)      a “rifle” approach, where the firm focuses on the buyers who have greater interest in the values that the firm creates best.
d)     a “pistol” approach, where the firm realizes that it has multiple chances to gain consumer interest.

2. ________________ is the process of dividing a market into smaller groups of buyers with distinct needs, characteristics, or behaviors who might require separate products or marketing mixes.
a)      Mass marketing
b)     Market segmentation
c)      Target marketing
d)     Market positioning

3. __________________ is the process of evaluating each market segment’s attractiveness and selecting one or more segments to enter.
a)      Mass marketing
b)      Market segmentation
c)      Market targeting
d)     Market positioning

4. Setting the competitive positioning for the product and creating a detailed marketing mix is called:
a)      mass marketing.
b)      target marketing.
c)      market segmentation.
d)     marketing positioning.

5. During which step of the marketing segmentation, targeting, and positioning process does the firm “develop a marketing mix for each segment?”
a)      market segmentation
b)      market targeting
c)      market positioning
d)     The firm does not go through the “development” during any of the above steps.

6. During one of the steps in the marketing segmentation, targeting, and positioning process, the marketer develops measures of segment attractiveness. This procedure belongs in the category of:
a)      market segmentation.
b)      market targeting.
c)      market massing.
d)     market positioning.

7. When companies divide large, heterogeneous markets into smaller segments that can be reached more efficiently with products and services that match their unique needs, they are conducting a ___________________ process.
a)      marketing aggregation
b)      marketing positioning
c)      marketing target
d)     marketing segmentation

8. Market segmentation can be carried out at several different levels. Which of the following WOULD NOT BE among these levels?
a)      micromarketing
b)      segment marketing
c)      competition marketing
d)     niche marketing

9. Another word for complete segmentation is:
a)      macromarketing.
b)     micromarketing
c)      niche marketing
d)     mass marketing.

10. For most of the 20th century, firms practiced which of the following forms of marketing?
a)      mass marketing
b)      micromarketing
c)      niche marketing
d)     segment marketing

11. Which of the following marketers epitomized the mass marketing strategy?
a)      Henry Ford
b)      Bill Gates
c)      F.W. Woolworth
d)     Thomas A. Edison

12. Which of the following statements is closest to the traditional argument for mass marketing?
a)      Find a need and fill it.
b)     The largest potential market can lead to the lowest costs, which translates into either lower prices or higher margins.
c)      The rifle approach rarely hits what it is aiming at.
d)     The consumer is king.  Long live the king.

13. Isolating broad segments that make up a market and adapting the marketing to match the needs of one or more segments is called _________________.
a)      niche marketing
b)      mass marketing
c)      segment marketing
d)     micromarketing

14. When General Motors designs specific models for different income and age groups, it is practicing which of the following marketing formats?
a)      micromarketing
b)      macromarketing
c)      mass marketing
d)     segment marketing

15. Segment marketing offers several benefits over mass marketing.  All of the following would be among those benefits EXCEPT:
a.       the company can market more efficiently and target its programs toward only those consumers that it can serve best.
b.      the company can fine-tune its programs to meet the needs of carefully defined segments.
c.       the company can reduce costs because of the ability to sell to customers one-on-one.
d.      the company may face fewer competitors if fewer competitors are focusing on the company’s chosen market segment.

16. A company is practicing ________________ if it focuses on sub segments with distinctive traits that may seek a special combination of benefits.
a.       Micromarketing
b.      niche marketing
c.       mass marketing
d.      segment marketing

17. As an example of _______________, a company could build sport utility vehicles and direct marketing efforts towards the luxury SUV market (as does Lexus).
a.       micromarketing
b.      niche marketing
c.       mass marketing
d.      segment marketing

18. American Express offers not only its traditional green cards but also gold cards, corporate cards, and even a black card, called the Centurian, with a $1,000 annual fee aimed at a small group of “superpremium customers.”  Which of the following marketing efforts is American Express following with their credit card policies?
a.       macromarketing
b.      segment marketing
c.       niche marketing
d.      self-marketing

19. _________________ is the practice of tailoring products and marketing programs to suit the tastes of specific individuals and locations.
a.       Niche marketing
b.      Micromarketing
c.       Segment marketing
d.      Mass marketing

20. Micromarketing includes:
a.       segment marketing and niche marketing.
b.      mass marketing and demographic marketing.
c.       local marketing and individual marketing.
d.      individual marketing and self-marketing.

21. ______________ involves tailoring brands and promotions to the needs and wants of specific small groups such as cities, neighborhoods, and even specific stores.
a.       Niche marketing
b.      Local marketing
c.       Detail marketing
d.      Individual marketing

22. All of the following are considered to be drawbacks of local marketing EXCEPT:
a.       it can drive up manufacturing and marketing costs by reducing economies of scale.
b.      it can create logistical problems when the company tries to meet varied requirements.
c.       it can attract unwanted competition.
d.      it can dilute the brand’s overall image.

23. ________________ is tailoring products and marketing programs to the needs and preferences of individual customers.
a.       Niche marketing
b.      Local marketing
c.       Self-marketing marketing
d.      Individual marketing


24. Individual marketing is known by a variety of names. All of the following would appropriately be called individual marketing EXCEPT:
a.      mono-marketing.
b.      one-to-one marketing.
c.       customized marketing.
d.      markets-of-one marketing.

25. ______________ is the process through which firms interact one-to-one with masses of customers to create customer-unique value by designing products and services tailor-made to individual needs.
a.       Mass marketing
b.      Detail marketing
c.       Mass globalization
d.      Mass customization

26. The move toward individual marketing mirrors the trend in consumer _________.
a.       backlash
b.      self-marketing.
c.       dialog marketing
d.      niche marketing

27. All of the following are considered to be major variables for segmenting markets
      EXCEPT:
a.       geographic variables.
b.      trait variables.
c.       demographic variables.
d.      psycho-graphic variables.

28. If a marketer attempts segmentation of a market by dividing the market into different units based on nations, regions, states, counties, cities, or even neighborhoods, then the marketer is practicing ____________ segmentation.
a.       demographic
b.      geographic
c.       political
d.      cartographic

29. When Campbell Soup makes Cajun gumbo soup for Louisiana and Mississippi and nacho cheese soup for Texas and California, it is practicing _______________ segmentation.
a.      geographic
b.      demographic
c.       psychographic
d.      behavioral variable

30. All of the following would be ways to segment within the category of psycho-graphic segmentation EXCEPT:
a.       social class.
b.      occupation.
c.       lifestyle.

d.      personality.