Marketing Management (12th Edition) (Marketing Management)
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Good, but needs better editing
  • Outstanding Course Material
  • Marketing Management - NO CD
  • Good Book to Learn Fundamentals on Marketing
  • The Marketing Bible, But Ethically Challenged
Marketing Management (12th Edition) (Marketing Management)
Philip Kotler , and Kevin Lane Keller
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0131457578

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Good, but needs better editing.......2007-09-12

A good guide for the major marketing practices. However, the book still mentions Zaire as a country (instead of the Democratic Republic of Congo), as well as several other errors. Even though they are relatively minor errors, it makes the book lose credibility.

5 out of 5 stars Outstanding Course Material.......2007-08-10

Marketing Management 12e is an excellent tool for the MBA student. It is concise and very informative, one I will keep in my library as a reference item from now on.

1 out of 5 stars Marketing Management - NO CD.......2007-07-09

I gave this product a one-star rating because it did not include the necessary softward CD, and there was no indication of this fact. I returned the product without an issue, but it would have been nice for the description to indicate that the Marketing Pro 6.0 software was not included, as it would have saved me a lot of trouble.

4 out of 5 stars Good Book to Learn Fundamentals on Marketing.......2007-06-12

Softcover book has cheaper pages which make the print sometimes harder to read. Otherwise book is good and it covers a good amount on Basic Marketing Concepts.

4 out of 5 stars The Marketing Bible, But Ethically Challenged.......2007-06-08

When I did my undergraduate studies in the 1980's I remember my professor explaining that Kotler had been, at that point, "the" marketing text book for 20 years. I'm not sure, but Kotler may have invented the word "marketing." Decades later it remains the definitive book on marketing studies.

This version of the book is comprehensive, densely written while still being easy to read, logically structured, up to date with regard to case studies and technology, etc. I highly recommend this book as a marketing text and have tried, unsuccessfully so far, to get a few of my marketing friends who have not had the pleasure of reading this book, to put it in their bathroom or something and read a section here and a section there.

I have two knocks against this book. First, I find it to be a little lacking on the ethics side. There are many valid marketing techniques described which can be used, but which can also be abused. While the book does not ignore ethics altogether, I would have been more comfortable if along the way it highlighted that some of the practices described are not only "good ways to increase profit margins" but "are morally bankrupt" as well.

The second knock is that the authors have seemingly gone crazy and included dozens upon dozens of cutesy words various academicians, desperate for a lasting claim to fame, have invented out of whole cloth to describe things that didn't really need their own unique words. Some of my favorites:

Insourcing
Reintermediation
Unfocus Groups
Glocalization
Co-optation

Neither of these complains should detract anyone from buying this book because it is, in the end, the great marketing text of our era.
SPIN Selling
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Sales Dawgs------READ THIS BOOK
  • A classic and one of the very best
  • Highly effective technique in high-touch Sales
  • How to Ask the Questions that Lead to Sales Success
  • Ultimate Sales Model for Business to Business Selling
SPIN Selling
Neil Rackham
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0070511136

Book Description

The international bestseller that revolutionized high-end selling!

Written by Neil Rackham, former president and founder of Huthwaite corporation, SPIN Selling is essential reading for anyone involved in selling or managing a sales force. Unquestionably the best-documented account of sales success ever collected and the result of the Huthwaite corporation's massive 12-year, $1-million dollar research into effective sales performance, this groundbreaking resource details the revolutionary SPIN (Situation, Problem, Implication, Need-payoff) strategy.

In SPIN Selling, Rackham, who has advised leading companies such as IBM and Honeywell delivers the first book to specifically examine selling high-value product and services. By following the simple, practical, and easy-to-apply techniques of SPIN, readers will be able to dramatically increase their sales volume from major accounts. Rackham answers key questions such as “What makes success in major sales” and “Why do techniques like closing work in small sales but fail in larger ones?”

You will learn why traditional sales methods which were developed for small consumer sales, just won't work for large sales and why conventional selling methods are doomed to fail in major sales. Packed with real-world examples, illuminating graphics, and informative case studies - and backed by hard research data - SPIN Selling is the million-dollar key to understanding and producing record-breaking high-end sales performance.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Sales Dawgs------READ THIS BOOK .......2007-10-13

There are literally 1000's of sales books out there, but this is like no other. Its not so much a 'how to' book, but more like 'The Millionaire Next Door' for sales. Here is what the top producers do, here are the facts, do whatever you want, we don't care. Not fancy closes, secret words to put in your presentation, nothing like that. It truly is like no other sales book and I have listened to the audio version 3 times since I bought it and have picked up something new everytime.

5 out of 5 stars A classic and one of the very best.......2007-09-02

SPIN is a classic, one of the books that revolutionized professional selling. It amazes me to read some of the negative reviews of this book posted here. Some of this I attribute to lack of knowledge of the history of our "profession," which bears few hallmarks of being a profession yet. Can you get a four year college degree in SELLING, the one thing every business must do well to survive, let alone prosper? Except for programs at a small handful of universities around the country, the answer is NO. Do we have peer-reviewed journals in our profession? NO. Do we have accepted standards and professional certification? NO.

What Neil Rackham, a behavioral researcher, did for selling was huge. He applied the techniques of research and analysis to our profession. Until then, no one could say definitively that "always be closing" was bad advice. But in business to business selling, in high-tech selling to educated professionals, the "ABC's of selling" is only one of many pieces of bad information that passed for "wisdom" before Rackham showed them up for what they were. Such sales tactics are the reason salespeople have been saddled with negative stereotypes.

Some reviewers condemn Rackham by saying that companies cited, such as Kodak, IBM, and Xerox have suffered business reversals since this book came out. Sorry folks, but good salespeople using good selling techniques will not, alone, save your company. MANY companies that were at the top of their industries in the 1970s and 1980s are either out of business or have suffered serious reversals in the years since. That is a different issue altogether, and if you are looking for explanations try STRATEGY books like "Good to Great" by Jim Collins or "Strategy" by Michael Porter. Someone on this site said that IBM's loss of computer business to other PC makers was evidence of the failure of SPIN...totally ridiculous. IBM passed on the operating system that became DOS, which in turn became the engine fueling MicroSoft's ascent to the heights. In hardware manufacturing IBM ignored lots of evidence that a paradigm shift was underway and PCs were becoming commodity items.

The negative reviewers are looking for a silver bullet in many cases: SPIN will not transform you into a president's club winner by reading it. It is how you apply and practice it that will enable your success. Becoming expert in the use of this simple framework requires work and thought. What Rackham showed us is that the WORDS we use are important, along with HOW WE USE THEM. We must understand THEIR goals and focus on being part of THEIR success if we are to be successful in a sustainable, long-term partnership. Also that we must not be manipulative or treat other people (aka "customers" or "prospects") in ways we would not want to be treated ourselves. The acronym "SPIN" was coined before Washington politicians gave the word the negatie connotation it now has.

SPIN is not the only good refenence book for salespeople, but it is a landmark book, the result of research that has not, to my knowlege, been replicated since. It should be a held in great esteem by any sales professional. Rackham's concept of an "Advance" as an objective way to measure the progress of a sales call is, alone, worth the price of this book.

By the way, I have been in sales for 30 years, as a salesperson, sales manager, and director of training for a Fortune 500 company. I still have a lot to learn. But one thing I do know: there is tremendous value in this book for any salesperson with an open mind and the desire to continue growing, learning and improving as a sales professional.

4 out of 5 stars Highly effective technique in high-touch Sales.......2007-07-19

This book is a simple guide to improve your effectiveness as a sales professional in high-value direct enterprise sales situations. Regardless of culture and language, people on the other side of the table from a sales person have an instinctive judgment to mis-trust any characteristic that seems contrived or unnatural. Genuineness is a pre-requisite. Therefore, like with any sales theory, rote learning and implementation of the theory is futile. Having said that, internalizing the fundamental premise of this book in my everyday life as a sales-person has been rewarding over the years and across geographies, cultures, languages and types of product/service being sold.

SPIN selling goes well with approaches that talk about Values-Based Selling, Solution Selling and Rackham's own Major Account Sales Strategy.

Huthwaite (Rackham) has done a phenomenal job of monetizing this simple concept by way of selling sales training and books. However, you may find the book too "salesy" at times. It is common idiom with any good speech, presentation or book; first you tell them what you are going to tell them, then you tell them, then you tell them what you told them. The book does a great job of steps 1 and 3, but leaves you wanting more in step 2.

The basic concepts about stages of a sales call, focus on customer needs and benefits, situation-problem-implication-need-payoff line of questioning, objection handling/prevention, sound closing techniques and post-sales are well articulated. The promise of increasing effectiveness in "major sales" is largely fulfilled. However, the emphasis on "it's based on research" goes unsubstantiated for the most part. You find the author insisting that "it's based on research" and providing simplistic graphs "based on research" than actually providing rigorous insights into the research. It also does not help that business theory is presented as a first person narrative. Blurs that fine line between theory-based opinion and opinion-based theory.

All said, the technique is highly effective and serves as a great foundation for approaching sales calls at various stages in the cycle. I've found myself going back to this book multiple times over the years. Always a good sign for books that you want to own rather than just read once.

4 out of 5 stars How to Ask the Questions that Lead to Sales Success.......2007-06-30

The sales guru Zig Ziglar once said "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." To me, that means that you've got to understand people before you can persuade them. If you're to understand someone, they have to talk to you. And the best way to get them to talk is to ask questions. But are there some questions that are more highly correlated with successful selling than others?

Published in 1988 and still one of the best researched sales books on the market, SPIN Selling by Neil Rackham has the answer: Yes, some questions do increase your chances of sales success more than others. More importantly, these client interviews- what SPIN Selling calls the Investigation stage- have the greatest effect on the outcome of the sale. The book outlines the four types of questions that salespeople ask during the Investigation stage:

Situation: What is going on here? How do things work?

Problem (Pain Points): What are the problems you are experiencing?

Implication (Implied Needs): What effect do these problems have on results (cost, quality, delivery, customer service)?

Need-Payoff (Explicit Needs): What improvement in results could you make by resolving these problems with these specific capabilities (perceived value)? Are there other benefits? How important are these benefits to you?

(From page 91) "The SPIN model taps into the psychology of the buying process: buyers' needs move from Implicit to Explicit. The questions provide a roadmap for the seller guiding the call through the steps of need development until Explicit Needs have been reached. The more Explicit Needs you can obtain from buyers, the more likely the call will succeed."

Following the model gets customers to tell you how what you're selling helps them. It makes you partners instead of opponents in the value discovery process. And by helping clients develop the benefits in their own words, you avoid objections and make it easier for clients to sell internally for you.

5 out of 5 stars Ultimate Sales Model for Business to Business Selling.......2007-06-25

I speak around the world on lead generation and SPIN Selling" to give you a roadmap on how to master business to business selling.

There is no other resource I can think of where you can "easily perfect" your selling approach and strategy.

Neil gives you step-by-step plan that anyone can follow in their quest to excel at selling their products or services.

The one caveat is I would adopt the "SPIN" Model to "SPAIN" with the "A" emphasizing "Agitate" to put more focus on what the problem is costing your prospect without your specific solution.

I would also add that the SPIN Field Book is a great resource.

Joe Heller, Trust Cycle Selling
Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Essential Reading for Ad Execs
  • Monumental
  • A valuable tool for anyone who has to communicate -- that is, everyone!
  • Too sticky to put down!
  • Get Your Story Straight And Revolutionize Your Marketing
Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die
Chip Heath , and Dan Heath
Manufacturer: Random House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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  5. WORDS THAT WORK: IT'S NOT WHAT YOU SAY, IT'S WHAT PEOPLE HEAR WORDS THAT WORK: IT'S NOT WHAT YOU SAY, IT'S WHAT PEOPLE HEAR

ASIN: 1400064287
Release Date: 2007-01-02

Book Description

Mark Twain once observed, “A lie can get halfway around the world before the truth can even get its boots on.” His observation rings true: Urban legends, conspiracy theories, and bogus public-health scares circulate effortlessly. Meanwhile, people with important ideas–business people, teachers, politicians, journalists, and others–struggle to make their ideas “stick.”

Why do some ideas thrive while others die? And how do we improve the chances of worthy ideas? In Made to Stick, accomplished educators and idea collectors Chip and Dan Heath tackle head-on these vexing questions. Inside, the brothers Heath reveal the anatomy of ideas that stick and explain ways to make ideas stickier, such as applying the “human scale principle,” using the “Velcro Theory of Memory,” and creating “curiosity gaps.”

In this indispensable guide, we discover that sticky messages of all kinds–from the infamous “kidney theft ring” hoax to a coach’s lessons on sportsmanship to a vision for a new product at Sony–draw their power from the same six traits.

Made to Stick is a book that will transform the way you communicate ideas. It’s a fast-paced tour of success stories (and failures)–the Nobel Prize-winning scientist who drank a glass of bacteria to prove a point about stomach ulcers; the charities who make use of “the Mother Teresa Effect”; the elementary-school teacher whose simulation actually prevented racial prejudice. Provocative, eye-opening, and often surprisingly funny, Made to Stick shows us the vital principles of winning ideas–and tells us how we can apply these rules to making our own messages stick.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Essential Reading for Ad Execs.......2007-10-18

Essential reading for ad execs. Gets to the heart of the matter. Gets inside peoples heads... Highly recommended... and no one paid me to say this!

5 out of 5 stars Monumental.......2007-10-14

There are few books I will classify as good, even less as very good, and positively a very, very few books I would call great. This one falls into that last category.

It's simple, the question these two authors (and brothers) set out to answer: what makes some ideas so memorable that, across time and space, they are never forgotten? I grew up in west Africa and as a child, even I had heard the Kidney Story used as one example.

While the question is a simple one, it is not easy. After what I think must have been an incredible amount of research, the brothers Heath have answered in an elegantly simple way: according to them, there are a few characteristics (as a mnemonic, they spell SUCCES) of "sticky" ideas.

This is literally an eye opening book for me and I cannot recommend it more. I'll be rereading this book every few months.

5 out of 5 stars A valuable tool for anyone who has to communicate -- that is, everyone!.......2007-10-09

As a general rule, I don't enjoy "pop-business" titles. But Made to Stick defied all expectations. Lively and useful examples illustrate the authors' different points. The advice is practical and applicable to a variety of situations. It's not just about writing better. It's an improvement on all ways of communicating: to an audience, to co-workers, to clients, etc.


Excellent work.


5 out of 5 stars Too sticky to put down!.......2007-10-06

It's all in the details. Well worth the investment - especially if you need to make your message 'stick.'

5 out of 5 stars Get Your Story Straight And Revolutionize Your Marketing.......2007-10-05

Jake, a young entrepreneurial friend of mine in the IT industry , was not seeing the results he expected from numerous and inventive marketing strategies. He had tried online, print and direct marketing with marginal results. His business wasn't faltering but wasn't soaring either. So after a slew of marketing books he came across this one- and it was all I was hearing about from him until I read it myself and the light bulb clicked.

Just like you were interested in Jake's story other people like stories, they want to relate to you and your product but if they can't they will find a company that they can relate to.

Chip and Dan Heath give great examples every chapter on how to improve your "Stickiness" with simple strategies. The most important being their coined,
"SUCCES" acronym:

S simple - don't lose your core message in a lot of pomp and circumstance
U unexpected - make your idea jump out and grab people's attention
C concrete - keep it easy to grasp vs. mind boggling statistics or huge numbers
C credible - is your idea believable?
E emotional - people react to emotion and it creates an empathetic bond
S stories - story telling is an age old form of communication

I have been able to use "Made To Stick" concepts in my business with great results. I used to feel that stories in real estate investing wouldn't interest anyone but I knew from the book that stories were useful, if not crucial, in creating and growing a business. Now by using my customer's concrete feedback blended with their credible testimonials and sprinkled with a little emotion I am able transmit their core experience (what they got out of working with us an how it translated to their bottom line) to reach a greater audience.
Blue Ocean Strategy: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make Competition Irrelevant
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Question the status quo
  • Good Book
  • What is your greatest challenge?
  • Academics rarely demonstrate how to do it!
  • Blue Ocean Strategy
Blue Ocean Strategy: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make Competition Irrelevant
W. Chan Kim , and Renée Mauborgne
Manufacturer: Harvard Business School Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1591396190

Book Description

Winning by not competing: a fresh approach to strategy Since the dawn of the industrial age, companies have engaged in head-to-head competition in search of sustained, profitable growth. They have fought for competitive advantage, battled over market share, and struggled for differentiation. Yet these hallmarks of competitive strategy are not the way to create profitable growth in the future. In a book that challenges everything you thought you knew about the requirements for strategic success, W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne argue that cutthroat competition results in nothing but a bloody red ocean of rivals fighting over a shrinking profit pool. Based on a study of 150 strategic moves spanning more than a hundred years and thirty industries, the authors argue that lasting success comes not from battling competitors, but from creating “blue oceans”: untapped new market spaces ripe for growth. Such strategic moves—which the authors call “value innovation”—create powerful leaps in value that often render rivals obsolete for more than a decade. Blue Ocean Strategy presents a systematic approach to making the competition irrelevant and outlines principles and tools any company can use to create and capture blue oceans. A landmark work that upends traditional thinking about strategy, this book charts a bold new path to winning the future.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Question the status quo.......2007-09-25

The book forced me to rethink the way I normally would look at business developments for my companies: either value based or feature based. The idea of a creating new space in a crowded market and making a leap in growth through the blue ocean strategy stirred up my thinking juices. Personally, I don't like how to books with "three simple steps" This book was great; a must read.

5 out of 5 stars Good Book.......2007-09-24

1. This is NOT a marketing book
2. There is no such thing as a fail safe strategy
3. This is a tool and is only as good as the user
4. Applicable in different situations
5. Good companion to Competitive Strategy written in the 80's by Mike Porter which is THE industry book
6. The book is NOT a pioneer and is NOT proported to be. It is a study in those companies who seemed to have created new markets such as Cirque De Soleil. The authors did NOT set out to create a new "theory" and then retroactively "fit" companies but rather study an emerging pheonom. and try to locate patterns.

I think that pretty much covers all the gripes of the previous entries. I first came across this book in a competitive strategy class in a business organizational change degree. It is an excellent text and gives another viewpoint to the old study of competitive strategy. I have used the strategy canvas tool located in chapter two AS A TOOL to assist me in both departmental and industry situations to locate existing patterns of competition.

Worth the money.
But then, I am just a "mere" academic (albeit with many years of industry experience) so if you truly do not like the book I suggest returning it. :)

5 out of 5 stars What is your greatest challenge?.......2007-09-13

The greatest struggle for most business people is to come up with a truly original and valuable idea. Close behind that is how to get employees to work together. This book makes me want to cry, because it actually, simply, lays out how to do both. Beautiful.

3 out of 5 stars Academics rarely demonstrate how to do it!.......2007-09-11

I bought this book. Their identifications are valid enough. Great companies have always created uncontested market space while making their competitors irrelevant. This is not in dispute. However...

The authors Chan Kim & Renee Mauborgne are just mere academics. And what is annoying is that they haven't battle tested their Blue Ocean model from hard knocks in the trenches business wars to find out what works and what doesn't for themselves! Again, this is what I find annoying with academics. They say a lot but never prove it themselves! Remember Merton & Scholes and LTCM?

For an example...in the book, the authors have an interesting strategic canvass graph approach that supposes to prove how Blue Ocean events come about. That's fine, but how do you prove it? Moreover, the 'values' are different for each company, so there is nothing consistent to glean from this.

What I'd like to have seen is a Dash Board type matrix template that allows any company or budding entrepreneur to carry out Blue Ocean due diligence on any industry or market niches...proofing these Blue Ocean catchments from a zero learning curve application! The book does have important points but lacks the cutting edge tools to unify Blue Ocean diligence and proofs for any company!

Thus, what this book lacks is a more honed processing of enquiry from the authors. And I suspect this to be the case because like many academics they haven't proven the unifying dynamics that goes into capturing Blue Ocean strategies for themselves with businesses they have built through their own mindset!

Again, this book is a case of 'do what I say, because I don't have to prove what I say'.

There are great industry shapers out there who can shift and move whole industries and markets in their favour...but the authors of this book are not one of them.

However, there are great positives the authors have identified. The book contains a very interesting 'Strategic Grid' technique. From this simple grid technique any one can mentally survey how to change one's industry or market from a macro-vantage point. But shifting and moving your new found Blue Ocean grid at a tactical level to rule your competition making them irrelevant is another matter entirely. The chapters that explain this grid are worth the book, but don't expect any thing else.

What you really want is a knowledge base that allows you to dig out Blue Ocean criteria from a template of enquiring tools STACKED PROCESS BY PROCESS UNTIL YOU PROOF YOUR OWN BLUE OCEAN POWER. This book fails on this!

I would suggest that any one buying this book should read 'Blue Print to a Billion by David Thomson to understand how real Blue Ocean executions are carried out correctly. In addition, Chet Holmes' Ultimate Sales Machine' gets you to understand how to carry out big frame strategies at the tactical level.

Both these books will plug the holes lacking with Kim & Mauborgne's work.

5 out of 5 stars Blue Ocean Strategy.......2007-09-10

I like the non text book clear presentation. You do not have to have an MBA to enjoy and learn from this book.
Principles of Marketing (Principles of Marketing)
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Principles of Marketing continues its tradition of being the best. Reviewed by: Adam Platts
  • Very Helpful !!
  • MKT 301 - Textbook
  • Principles of Marketing by Philip Kotler and Gary Armstrong
Principles of Marketing (Principles of Marketing)
Philip Kotler , and Gary Armstrong
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0131469185

Book Description

The 11 th edition of this popular text continues to build on four major marketing themes: building and managing profitable customer relationships, building and managing strong brands to create brand equity, harnessing new marketing technologies in the digital age, and marketing in a socially responsible way around the globe. Thoroughly updated and streamlined, Principles of Marketing tells the stories that reveal the drama of modern marketing, reflecting the major trends and forces that are impacting this dynamic and ever-changing field. Topics include: the marketing environment, managing information, consumer & business buyer behavior, segmentation, targeting, and positioning, branding strategies, distribution channels, advertising and sales promotion, direct marketing, and the global marketplace. An excellent tool for anyone in marketing and sales, whether self- or corporate- employed.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Principles of Marketing continues its tradition of being the best. Reviewed by: Adam Platts.......2006-09-28

Principles of Marketing by Philip Kotler continues to be an excellent marketing reference. The 11th edition (2005) is an impressive example of good organization and instructional thoughtfulness. Principles of Marketing is an excellent, enjoyable, and practical book that sheds light on what marketing really means in the US and Global environments.
Reviewed by: Adam Platts, Northridge

4 out of 5 stars Very Helpful !!.......2005-10-24

Highly recommended for those who are new to Marketing.
There are so many examples which help to understand the theories much more easier.

5 out of 5 stars MKT 301 - Textbook.......2005-09-06

The same great quality of a hardback in a paperback for less then half the price. Who can beat that?

5 out of 5 stars Principles of Marketing by Philip Kotler and Gary Armstrong.......2005-08-05

I have used Principles of Marketing by Philip Kotler in my university days of the 1980s when I was learning the basics of marketing. It is gratifying to note that my favourite marketing reference book has been kept up to date. The latest international edition, the 11th edition (2005) is really the top quality book that one would expert of Kotler and his colleague.

"Principles of Marketing" is an excellent textbook on the current marketing trends. It is an enjoyable and practical book. After reading the book, one will really understand that marketing is all about understanding the customer needs and finding solutions that delight the customer. The reader will come to appreciate that marketing is a philosophy of doing business for those organisations that are going to thrive in the current highly competitive global markets.

This delightful book should be very useful for both newcomers to marketing and for those like me who studied marketing years ago and are at the risk of being left behind by the current marketing trends that exploit the vast opportunities presented by the internet.

Marketing: Real People, Real Choices (4th Edition)
Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • bad condition
  • An excellent Intro to Marketing Text
Marketing: Real People, Real Choices (4th Edition)
Michael R. Solomon , Greg W. Marshall , and Elnora Stuart
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0131449680

Book Description

This reader-friendly marketing book conveys timely and relevant material in a dynamic presentation of how marketing concepts are implemented, and what they mean in the marketplace. It introduces marketing from the perspective of real people making real marketing decisions at leading companies every day. Learners will come to understand that marketing is about creating value–for customers, for companies, and for society as a whole-and they will see how that is accomplished in the real world. A five-part organization covers making marketing value decisions , identifying markets and understanding customers' needs for value, creating the value proposition, communicating the value proposition, and delivering the value proposition. For individuals interested in a career in marketing.

Customer Reviews:

2 out of 5 stars bad condition.......2007-01-09

I bought a book from Textcellar and it said on the listing that the book was in a great condition. I paid $50 for the book and it looked like a $5 book. Very bad condition. Looks very badly handled and pages torn off on the corners. If you say it looks like new, it should look like new. I don't think I am gonna buy from you next time.

5 out of 5 stars An excellent Intro to Marketing Text.......2002-12-25

This text gives a great overview of the many aspects of marketing. The text explains all aspects in great theoretical detail with an abundance of real world examples to clearify each point. The text is up to date and the real people, real decisions stories are quite interesting and fitting to the subject of their respective chapters.

The book was easy to read and all important points are highlighted and defined in the page margins.

The study guide which comes with the text helps students remember the key points of each chapters by providing a brief summary of the chapter followed by a number questions of all different types.

This is the second administration text book that I have bought from Pearson Education and I would recommend this book for anyone who is taking or planning on taking an introduction to marketing course at the University or College level or even for those who just wish to know more about the topic of marketing.
Little Red Book of Selling: 12.5 Principles of Sales Greatness
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Uniquely Creative
  • Little Red Book with BIG ideas!
  • One of the best Sales Training books ever
  • The Little Red Book of Selling
  • A small, fun-to-read book that will improve your career
Little Red Book of Selling: 12.5 Principles of Sales Greatness
Jeffrey Gitomer
Manufacturer: Bard Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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  1. Little Red Book of Sales Answers: 99.5 Real World Answers That Make Sense, Make Sales, and Make Money (Jeffrey Gitomer's Little Books) Little Red Book of Sales Answers: 99.5 Real World Answers That Make Sense, Make Sales, and Make Money (Jeffrey Gitomer's Little Books)
  2. Little Black Book of Connections: 6.5 Assets for Networking Your Way to Rich Relationships Little Black Book of Connections: 6.5 Assets for Networking Your Way to Rich Relationships
  3. The Sales Bible: The Ultimate Sales Resource, Revised Edition The Sales Bible: The Ultimate Sales Resource, Revised Edition
  4. Little Gold Book of YES! Attitude: How to Find, Build and Keep a YES! Attitude for a Lifetime of SUCCESS (Jeffrey Gitomer's Little Books) Little Gold Book of YES! Attitude: How to Find, Build and Keep a YES! Attitude for a Lifetime of SUCCESS (Jeffrey Gitomer's Little Books)
  5. Little Green Book of Getting Your Way: How to Speak, Write, Present, Persuade, Influence, and Sell Your Point of View to Others (Jeffrey Gitomer's Little Books) Little Green Book of Getting Your Way: How to Speak, Write, Present, Persuade, Influence, and Sell Your Point of View to Others (Jeffrey Gitomer's Little Books)

ASIN: 1885167601

Book Description

Salespeople hate to read. That's why Little Red Book of Selling is short, sweet, and to the point. It's packed with answers that people are searching for in order to help them make sales for the moment--and the rest of their lives.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Uniquely Creative.......2006-12-13

The red book of selling is a very unique sales book. My first Gitolmer book and I have to say that I am in awe at the way information was laid out and the way in which the book was presented. He gets a 9/10 for creativity and design.

The information in the book is no less. I felt very `pumped up' after reading it. It may be Gitolmer's inspirational yet witty writing style that I could relate to.

The content isn't deep however the coverage is quite comprehensive. Overall a very good sales book, one that I will definitely re-read over the years.

5 out of 5 stars Little Red Book with BIG ideas!.......2006-12-11

Great book! Motivational with enough sales techniques to improve any seller's performance. As a sales manager in the competitive world of wireless I'm always seeking a better and faster way to get performance from my team. This book gives practical ideas that can be implemented right away to increase sales. For example page 145 begins the section on how to create an irresistable voicemail message that will make you stand out from your competitors and get the sale. We tried it with very good results.

I also like this book because it's written with the working salesperson's time schedule in mind. Easy to read. Easy to carry. The cloth cover makes it durable in the field. No flimsy soft cover to worry about here. A good thing because you'll be referring to it often during your sales career.

If you're serious about selling success add "Little Red Book of Selling" to your sales library. Act on the priciples and ideas and you too will discover why people hate to be sold but they love to buy.

5 out of 5 stars One of the best Sales Training books ever.......2006-12-02

I buy this book for every sales person I hire. Its a bench mark of what every sales person has to do to be a success. Jeffrey goes through all the steps required for any sales person to be truely great in this profession.
If you are thinking about going into sales read this book. He will tell you what it will take for you to be successful.

3 out of 5 stars The Little Red Book of Selling.......2006-11-03

The book is exciting and entertaining. But nothing different from the usual. Also, the techniques presented are too vague and lack a systematic approach. If interested on such topics SPIN selling by Huthwaite is probably the best book on the subject.

5 out of 5 stars A small, fun-to-read book that will improve your career.......2006-10-10

If you had to choose one skill that you would consider the most important for an entrepreneur to possess, what would you choose? I'm sure many different opinions exist. But if you ask me, the most important skill for an entrepreneur to possess is the ability to sell him or herself -- to present him/herself in a way that attracts others.

Whether you're literally selling a product door-to-door or just socializing at a party, it doesn't matter. You're always selling, and the more skilled you become at selling, the more successful you'll be as an entrepreneur. Now, just between you and me, I'm not that great at selling yet. But I want to become great. So what should I do? Right! I should learn from someone who is already great.

I'm going to recommend someone to you in a moment, but first let me ask you a question. Have you ever wanted to learn a new skill and wished there was a quick, easy, painless way to do it? If so, we have a lot in common, and I know of a special book that should be on the top of your to-read list. It's called The Little Red Book of Selling, and it's written by Jeffery Gitomer.

Jeffery Gitomer is known as one of the best salesmen in the world, and his writing shows it. This small, fun-to-read book will have your mind buzzing with excitement over the cool tips you'll discover within. Each page is plastered with fresh, practical, powerful information that you can apply to see immediate results. Here are a few of the ideas Mr. Gitomer presents:

-The Two Most Important Words in Selling

-What to Do When You Can't Seem to Get a Sale

-How to Use Humor to Make Sales Easy

-The 21.5 Best Places to Network (and the secrets to doing it successfully)

-How to Know When You're Wasting Your Time

-Much More...

It was just last weekend that a collegue suggested that I read The Little Red Book of Selling - and I'm glad he did! By now my recommendation to you should be obvious. Pick up a copy of your own -- every entrepreneur should.
The Long Tail: Why the Future of Business is Selling Less of More
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Fabulos... indispensable para entender la nueva realidad de internet
  • Good article, stretched out to a padded book
  • One Trick Pony
  • Good book for the startup entrepreneur in the 21-century
  • Looking at it from the point of view of the producer and not the consumer or the retailer
The Long Tail: Why the Future of Business is Selling Less of More
Chris Anderson
Manufacturer: Hyperion
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1401302378
Release Date: 2006-07-11

Book Description

"The Long Tail" is a powerful new force in our economy: the rise of the niche. As the cost of reaching consumers drops dramatically, our markets are shifting from a one-size-fits-all model of mass appeal to one of unlimited variety for unique tastes. From supermarket shelves to advertising agencies, the ability to offer vast choice is changing everything, and causing us to rethink where our markets lie and how to get to them. Unlimited selection is revealing truths about what consumers want and how they want to get it, from DVDs at Netflix to songs on iTunes to advertising on Google. However, this is not just a virtue of online marketplaces; it is an example of an entirely new economic model for business, one that is just beginning to show its power. After a century of obsessing over the few products at the head of the demand curve, the new economics of distribution allow us to turn our focus to the many more products in the tail, which collectively can create a new market as big as the one we already know. The Long Tail is really about the economics of abundance. New efficiencies in distribution, manufacturing, and marketing are essentially resetting the definition of whats commercially viable across the board. If the 20th century was about hits, the 21st will be equally about niches.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Fabulos... indispensable para entender la nueva realidad de internet.......2007-10-08

Este es un libro estructural. Ayuda a comprender la forma en que trabaja la economia a la luz de los avances de internet.

Pero tambien es un placer leerlo, lenguaje claro, ejemplos relevantes. Un lujo.

2 out of 5 stars Good article, stretched out to a padded book.......2007-09-26

This book started off as an article in Wired Magazine, and it was an excellent one. But Anderson must have decided to cash in, because the book doesn't add anything that wasn't covered in the article itself. It's not a complex concept.

Read the article on the Wired website. Then go spend your money on something from a tiny niche market.

3 out of 5 stars One Trick Pony.......2007-09-09

This is one of those books that has one, keen insight and then takes one hundred + pages to say the same thing over and again. The keen point is indeed interesting. It just does not a complete book make. My $.02 !!

5 out of 5 stars Good book for the startup entrepreneur in the 21-century .......2007-08-20

This is an insightful book into the today's world of retail business. Cool examples of how the Internet has leveled the playing field for many small businesses and artist.

5 out of 5 stars Looking at it from the point of view of the producer and not the consumer or the retailer .......2007-08-16

I am not much of a business mind but I think I get the picture here. Instead of twenty percent of the product bringing in eighty percent of the revenue ninety- eight percent of the product is going to bring in all the revenue. Having so much available, and having ready access to it means sales no longer concentrate on a relatively few items. Freedom of choice abounds, niches multiply, Alvin Toffler is happy, future shock is no longer shocking, customization is here forever, and we all can have anything we want as long as we are able to pay for it.
Good. But I think of this in another way. Does this mean that 'value' also will not be centered as we ordinarily center it in the great works, the masterpeices, the few chosen ones? Does it mean our whole conception of valuing cultural goods will change, and a few big things will be less worshipped while many more appreciated? In other words will deTocqueville be happy here because 'equality' is in the saddle and mankind has many little good things, instead of the aristocracy only having a few?
And what does that mean for creators of culture? As a writer can I now happily post my unpublished writings with the thought that perhaps a few will read them, where before none did. In other words a moneyless long- tail is still a long- tail.
I don't know. But I do sense Anderson has hit on to a new truth here which will have all kinds of implications better business people than me will have to see.
Marketing w/ PowerWeb (Mcgraw Hill/Irwin Series in Marketing)
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Comprehensive overview of marketing fundamentals!!!
  • Easy read
  • Marketing book
  • Excellent Overview of marketing for undergrads
  • Excellent topics with real-life samples
Marketing w/ PowerWeb (Mcgraw Hill/Irwin Series in Marketing)
Roger A. Kerin , Steven W. Hartley , Eric N Berkowitz , and William Rudelius
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill/Irwin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0073080152

Book Description

Marketing, 8e by Kerin, Hartley, Berkowitz, and Rudelius continues a tradition of leading the market with contemporary, cutting-edge content presented in a conversational student-oriented style, supported by the most comprehensive, innovative, and useful supplement package available. This text and package is designed to meet the needs of a wide spectrum of faculty—from the professor who just wants a good textbook and a few key supplements, to the professor who wants a top-notch fully integrated multimedia program.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Comprehensive overview of marketing fundamentals!!! .......2007-08-21

This book was actually used as a textbook for an online course Essentials of Marketing. The marketing fundamentals are divided into 5 parts; (i) Initiating the Marketing Process, (ii) Understanding Buyers and Markets, (iii) Targeting Marketing Opportunities, (iv) Satisfying Marketing Opportunities and (v) Managing the Marketing Process.

Part I lays the foundation for the entire book, explaining what marketing and strategic marketing process are, and relate the importance of environmental, ethical and social responsibility factors to the marketing actions. It mentions briefly the use of BCG (Boston Consulting Group) business portfolio analysis to quantify performance measures and growth targets to analyze a firm's business units. Similarly firms can also view growth opportunities using the market-product analysis. The 3 key phases in a strategic marketing process (planning, implementation and control) are introduced. More details on each step in the planning phase is provided, such as SWOT (strength, weakness, opportunity, threat) analysis, environment scanning, market-product grid, market segmentation, target markets, developing the marketing program 4Ps( product, price, place / distribution, promotion), budgeting, etc.

Part II discusses on the ultimate consumer and organizational (industrial, reseller, government) markets and buyer behavior. The NAICS allows the classification or common industry definitions of industrial, reseller and government markets for Canada, Mexico and US. The breakdown or definition of the NAICS is shown in detail. On a global perspective, the dynamics of the world trade is discussed. Porter's diamond of national competitive advantage shows the 4 key elements affecting world trade; factor conditions, demand conditions, related and supporting industries and company strategy, structure and rivalry. Further on, 4 global market-entry strategies are discussed next; exporting, licensing, joint venture and direct investment, in terms of the marketing mix (product, promotion, distribution and pricing) strategies.

Part III discusses the key marketing methods and then focuses on the marketing efforts on those key segments most likely to buy the product. The role of marketing research and the 5-step marketing research approach leading to marketing actions are defined. From the market research conducted, the 5-steps in segmenting and identifying the target markets, product positioning and sales forecasting techniques can be performed.

Part IV covers the 4Ps of the marketing mix that can be used to implement the marketing program. It provides correlation of the stages of the product life cycle (introduction, growth, maturity and decline) to the specific marketing objective (gain awareness, stress differentiation, maintain brand loyalty and harvesting/deletion) and the characteristics of the product, price, promotion and place strategy. 3 ways can be used to manage a product through its life cycle; modifying the product, modifying the market and repositioning the product. A brief discussion is on branding and brand management. The differences between products and services are highlighted. The 6 steps in setting price are discussed next. A few factors will affect the pricing decisions such as the type of competitive market (pure monopoly, oligopoly, monopolistic competition, pure competition), the pricing objectives and constraints, the estimation of demand and revenue, the determination of cost, volume and profit relationships, etc. Various pricing strategies such as skimming, penetration, prestige, bundle, standard markup, cost-plus, target return on investment, loss leader, etc can help to select an approximate price level. Following this, the marketing channels of distribution is discussed next. The channels' terminologies (broker, wholesaler, retailer, distributor, dealer), functions (transactional, logistical, facilitating), structure (direct versus indirect channel) and organization (traditional, vertical marketing system) are introduced. An entire chapter is dedicated to supply chain and logistics management. This section concludes with the promotion factor of the marketing mix. The concept of integrated marketing communications (IMC) is introduced as designing marketing communications programs that coordinate all promotional activities (advertising, personal selling, sales promotion, public relations, direct marketing) to provide a consistent message across all audiences. Guidelines are given on developing an IMC program. Since selling must be managed if it is going to contribute to a firm's marketing objectives, the sales management process is next explained.

The last part, part V, shows how marketing weave a myriad of controllable (4Ps of the marketing mix elements) and uncontrollable (environmental scanning) factors into interactive, traditional and multi-channel marketing programs. Among the marketing channels available, interactive marketing allows for interaction, individualization and customer relationship building through the choices of choiceboards, collaborative filtering, etc. The 3 phases (planning, implementation, control) in the strategic marketing process are again reviewed. Under planning phase, 3 marketing planning frameworks can be used; Porter's generic strategies, profit enhancement options and market-product synergies. Guidelines are provided for an effective marketing plan. As for the implementation phase, there is a need to schedule precise tasks, responsibilities and deadlines, as well as a marketing organization. The final control phase involves measuring results using sales analysis, profitability analysis and ROI marketing, and ends with taking appropriate marketing actions.

Overall, each chapter guides you on writing individual sections of the marketing plan. An example of a marketing plan is provided in Appendix A. In addition, there are case studies based on actual companies' experiences. Since finance is intertwined within marketing concepts, Appendix B gives an introduction into the financial aspects of marketing. In addition, this book pinpoints to a few websites where you can obtain more information such as www.supplychainbrain.com, www.census.gov, etc.

One of the setbacks is on the topic of building a price foundation. This book elaborates only on the demand curve, with no mention on the supply curve at all. Since pricing is based on the laws of supply and demand, I feel the supply curve needs to be taken into account as well. Another setback is the book does not delve deep into each subject matter. As an example, for pricing, this book highlights various methods of pricing such as price penetration, price skimming, target return on sales, cost-plus or standard markup. It provides definitions and only brief elaborations. For further understanding, other specialized resources have to be used such as courses or books on pricing, etc.

Nevertheless, this book is highly recommended for someone who is interested to gain an initial understanding on marketing.

5 out of 5 stars Easy read.......2007-06-08

This is a great marketing and management book, easy to read, up to date examples and study cases. The website also provides videos of the cases if you don't like to read.

3 out of 5 stars Marketing book.......2006-11-06

The book was received in great condition. There was no CD in it as I expected, but the overall purchase was very pleasant. Thank you.

5 out of 5 stars Excellent Overview of marketing for undergrads.......2006-08-08

This book is an excellent resource for undergraduate marketing classes. The teacher materials (videos and cases) are solid and interesting. I have used this textbook for several years with great success.

I would like to see a bit more work in the book on B2B E-Commerce, which is so important as a business driver today.

4 out of 5 stars Excellent topics with real-life samples.......2006-05-16

I love to read this book. The book contains interesting topics for basic marketing. However, it's a bit pricey on the shelf.
Professional Practice for Interior Designers, 3rd Edition
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Bada Bing!
  • Read before you practice
  • Get It!
  • Must Have!
  • Fantastic!
Professional Practice for Interior Designers, 3rd Edition
Christine M., ASID, IIDA Piotrowski
Manufacturer: Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0471384011

Book Description

The tools needed to create and manage a thriving interior design practice

This essential sourcebook provides all of the information needed to establish and manage a productive, profitable interior design firm. Filled with savvy business and career advice, Professional Practice for Interior Designers, Third Edition delivers updated and expanded coverage of the full range of legal, financial, management, marketing, administrative, and ethical issues faced by sole practitioners, firm principals, and managers.

This comprehensive reference lays out clear, practical guidelines on how to structure a contract and prevent legal problems; work with other designers, allied professionals, clients, and vendors; and calculate fees that are both fair and profitable. Recommended reading for NCIDQ candidates, it offers easy-to-follow tips and instruction on how to:

Establishing a comprehensive foundation for effective business practice, Professional Practice for Interior Designers, Third Edition is the one-stop resource that no interior designer can afford to be without.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Bada Bing!.......2007-10-19

It was fast
It was what I ordered
Im happy, they're happy
Win Win!

5 out of 5 stars Read before you practice.......2005-09-23

I have practiced interior design for over 20 years and still found this book to be invaluable. The information about legal ramifications and insurance coverage was enlightening but also sobering. It's a must read for any design firm principal or freelance designer.

5 out of 5 stars Get It!.......2004-07-03

This book reads like a friend whispering all the good advice and secrets of the interior design business in your ear. I wish my Professional Practices class had used this text. It's a lot of information but Christine Piotrowski truly takes you by the hand and lets you know what you need to prepare for in a budding interior design business as well as how the interior design business is done in general. I will be referencing this book again and again. A huge thank you and bravo to Christine Piotrowski

5 out of 5 stars Must Have!.......2002-12-16

This book was used for both Business Practice For Interior Design & Sales and Marketing. I had no need to consult any other source. "This is a great book" THANKS..

5 out of 5 stars Fantastic!.......2002-10-28

Outstanding, fabulous, fabulous book. Extremely helpful to me in starting my own firm. Well written. Well organized. Invaluable.

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  2. News That Matters: Television and American Opinion (American Politics and Political Economy Series)
  3. Operations Management with Student CD-ROM
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  5. Patent It Yourself
  6. Pilots Choice
  7. Product Strategy for High Technology Companies
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