Competitive Marketing Strategy

Competition is at core of success or failure of firm Competitive strategy is “the search for a favorable competitive position in an industry” Competitive strategy aims to establish profitable and sustainable position against forces that determine industry competition 2 central questions underlie choice of competitive strategy: 1 . Attractiveness of industry for long-term profitability and factors that determine it 2. Determinants of relative competitive position within an industry Industry attractiveness and competitive position are dynamic – they change Even long periods of stability can be abruptly ended by competitive moves

Both industry attractiveness and competitive position can be shaped by firm Competitive strategy not only respond to environment but also attempts to shape it in firm’s favor The Structural Analysis of Industries 1st fundamental determinant of firm’s profitability is industry attractiveness Rules of competition are embedded in 5 competitive forces: Entry of new competitors Threat of substitutes Bargaining power of buyers Bargaining power of suppliers Rivalry among existing competitors Collective strength of these 5 determines firm’s ability to earn ROI in excess of cost of UAPITA 5 forces determine profitability because they influence prices, costs and required investment – which are elements of ROI Buyer power and substitution threat influence prices that firms can charge Bargaining power of suppliers determines costs of raw materials Intensity of rivalry influences prices and costs of competing in product development, advertising, and sales force Threat of entry places limit on prices Competitive Marketing Strategy By shirtless industry 5 Forces Framework aims to raise odds of discovering desirable strategic innovation In tobacco industry, generic cigarettes are a threat. They increase price sensitivity of buyer trigger price competition -> erode high advertising barrier for new entrants Often firms make strategic choice without considering long-term consequences for industry structure, such industry ‘destroyers’ are usually: Second-tier firms searching for ways to overcome competitive disadvantage Firms that encountered serious problems and are searching for desperate solutions or ‘dumb’ competitors that don’t know their costs Industry Structure and Buyer Needs Satisfying buyer needs is important

Buyers must be willing to pay a price for a product that exceeds it’s cost of production Crucial question is whether firms can capture value for buyers Industry Structure and the Supply/Demand Balance If demand > supply = great profitability Generic Competitive Strategies Positioning determines whether firm’s profitability is above or below industry average Above-average performance over long-term is called sustainable competitive advantage Two basic types of competitive advantage a firm can possess: Low cost or Differentiation Cost advantage and differentiation stem from industry structure – result from firm’s ability to cope with IF better than rivals 3 generic strategies for achieving above- average performance in industry: Cost leadership Differentiation Focus Cost focus Differentiation focus Competitive advantage is at the heart of any strategy advantaged shall be “Being all things to all people is a recipe for strategic mediocrity and below-average performance” Cost Leadership Clearest of 3 generic strategies Fir. Simply sets out to be the low-cost producer in its industry Sources of cost advantage are varied, and may include: Economies of scale Proprietary technology Preferential access to raw materials

Other factors Low-cost producers typically sell standard, no-frills products Low-cost firm can’t ignore bases of differentiation – if it’s product is not perceived comparable or acceptable to buyers, they will be forced to discount prices well below competitors to gain sales, which may nullify benefits of favorable cost position Cost leader must achieve parity or proximity in bases of differentiation relative to its competitors Parity allows cost leader to translate cost advantage directly into higher profits Proximity means price discount necessary to achieve an acceptable market share doesn’t offset he cost advantage Firm seems to be unique in its industry along some dimensions that are widely valued by buyers Rewarded for its uniqueness with premium price Means of differentiation differ: Product Delivery system Marketing approach Firm will be above average if it can exceed extra costs incurred in being unique Can be more than one successful firm l.

Industry, unlike cost leadership Strategy rests on narrow competitive scope within industry Firm selects segment of industry and targets them to the exclusion of others In cost focus firm seeks cost advantage In differentiation focus, firm seeks differentiation Target segments must have buyers with unusual needs or production and delivery that best serve customers must differ Stuck in the Middle Firm that engages in many strategies but fails in all, is stuck in the middle – possesses no competitive advantage Stuck in the middle due to unwillingness to make choices about how to compete Pursuit of More Than One Generic Strategy But must be strictly separated Firm reaching both cost leadership and differentiation is amazing Sustainability Generic strategy only leads to above-average performance if it’s competitive