Archives posted in: Pricing

unsplash default post photo-350px

Driving Compliance with Collecting Market Pricing

By Tim J. Smith, PhD January 3, 2011

The concepts associated with creating sustainable processes for monitoring market-based pricing is fairly intuitive. In past articles, I have shared a bit about how to get started and where to focus your energies. Because it is imperative for your company’s survival, this article addresses the hardest part of creating a sustainable pricing system; adapting pricing concepts to your way of doing business.

More
unsplash default post photo-350px

AT&T and Verizon Mobile Data: A Product Category Maturing

By Tim J. Smith, PhD December 1, 2010

In the past six months, both AT&T (NYSE:T) and Verizon (NYSE:VZ) have altered their mobile data service price structures.  First, they added a metered fee based on the megabytes of traffic.  Now, Verizon is considering a price structure based on the speed of traffic provided.  With all these new forms of charges, some have feared customer backlash:  defection, brand betrayal, and a public relations nightmare.  Yet they needn’t worry much. Both these titans are in well traversed territory.

More
unsplash default post photo-350px

Leading with Price Will Kill Your Advertising, Branded Offers, and Ultimately Your Company

By Tim J. Smith, PhD November 6, 2010

Nowhere in marketing today do emotions run hotter than when it comes to the role of (low) prices highlighted in advertising. Only it’s a bad idea to lead with price in advertising.

More
unsplash default post photo-350px

Rethinking Cost and Price

By Tim J. Smith, PhD November 6, 2010

Most of us accept that if we go to a convenience store to buy groceries late at night, the price of many of the items will be more than if we bought them at a major grocery chain during regular hours. Yet when it comes to operating our businesses, many of us are not convinced that cost has no bearing on price.

More
unsplash default post photo-350px

The Art of Discounting

By Kyle T. Westra October 1, 2010

Activate Dormant Customers Through Strategic Discounting In today’s erratic economy, the key to growing your business involves activating dormant customers by using…

More
unsplash default post photo-350px

Groupon: Goldmine, Tar Pit, or Niche Solution

By Tim J. Smith, PhD October 1, 2010

Since its launch in 2008, Groupon has generated a storm interest. Positively featured in numerous news articles, news broadcasts, and even a few academic postings, but not every business working with Groupon reports satisfaction. Some are complaining of high expenses that brought few new customers.

So which is Groupon: goldmine, tar pit, or some niche in between?

More
unsplash default post photo-350px

P&G Shifts Pricing Strategy to Meet Post-Recession Market

By Tim J. Smith, PhD September 1, 2010

The Wall Street Journal has reported that Proctor & Gamble Co.’s new CEO, Robert McDonald, is “slashing prices” and warns of an impending price war in the branded consumer packaged good (CPG) industry.  Yet, Mr. McDonald states, “In my mind there’s not a price war going on.”  Is the Wall Street Journal guilty of hyperbole or is Mr. McDonald blithe to the profit destruction of price cuts?

More
unsplash default post photo-350px

Price Change from $45 to $200,000,000: The Value of a Brand Part 1.

By Tim J. Smith, PhD August 3, 2010

How much is a brand worth? For Rick Norsigian, a garage sale hunter and public school building painter, it represents the difference between a $45 set of nice glass negative plates and a rare $200 MM find of Ansel Adams’ art.

More
unsplash default post photo-350px

Price Change from $3.49 to $2.99: The Value of a Brand Part 2.

By Tim J. Smith, PhD August 3, 2010

How much is a brand worth? For Whole Foods, a premium grocer, it represents the difference between a $3.49 canister of Quaker Oats rolled oats and $2.99 canister of 365 store brand oats.

More
unsplash default post photo-350px

Prices and Product Lifecycle – Must All Prices Fall?
An examination of Amazon Kindle, Sony Reader, Barnes & Noble Nook, and Apple iPad

By Tim J. Smith, PhD July 8, 2010

The classic product lifecycle theory predicts that prices fall as competitors enter. Well, do all prices fall? Similarly, many pundits like to talk about first-mover advantage. Well, does it really exist?

An examination of e-reader market demonstrates some serious flaws in a cursory acceptance of these premises. In this article, we look at the price and product evolution of the Amazon Kindle, Sony Reader, Barnes & Noble Nook, and Apple iPad to demonstrate some finer nuances of the product lifecycle.

More