Marketing Definition

Marketing definition

Every company depends on an efficient marketing program to fulfill customers' needs. Marketing is a process of finding out what the customer wants and meeting those requirements. Within the company, the marketing group has to consider customer values and customer satisfaction before considering offering a product. Marketing is part of our everyday world, and can be perceived everywhere and every time. At any time, everyone has been exposed to different kinds of marketing or advertising depending upon personal necessities such as T.V commercials, radio, internet, etc.

Another definition of marketing is the "selling of products or services: the business activity of presenting products or services in such a way as to make them desirable" (MSN Encarta). However, according to (Kotler & Keller, 2006) the formal definition of "marketing is an organizational function and a set of processes for creating, communication, and delivering value to customers and for managing customer relationships in ways that benefit the organization and its shareholders"(Kotler & Keller, p.4). According to these definitions, marketing needs to cover customers' necessities and at the same time sell products to increase future revenues. However, marketing is more extensive than just selling a product. Moreover, marketing activities are all activities associated with identifying the particular wants and needs of a target market of customers, and then going about satisfying those customers better than the competitors. This involves doing market research on customers, analyzing their needs, and then making strategic decisions about product design, pricing, promotion and distribution.

In other words, if a company develops a strong marketing plan, the concept of selling is not needed if the product is marketed properly. After performing a proper marketing plan, the company profits and sales will increase substantially. This entire process is known as marketing management " the art and science of choosing target markets and getting, keeping, and growing customers through creating, delivering, and communicating superior customer value" (Kotler & Keller, p.5).

To be successful in business, "a consumer does not buy a whole of physical components of the product but it is usefulness, function, satisfaction of consumer's needs, solving the problem, etc" (Dubrouski, , p.1). "That is why the product is a whole of tangible and intangible components which means satisfaction of consumer's needs and desires, solving the problem"(Dubrouski, p.1). Companies and managers must learn to utilize marketing research, as well as, strategy skills to fulfill customers' satisfaction. Management has to focus on exclusive marketing challenges presented by the new era of the 21st century. Management has to be able to utilize inventive, dominant, and cost effective marketing techniques that will support the future success of the organization. Companies must meet,"the increasing importance of services as part of a product (offer, offering package) which cannot be neglected" (Dubrouski, p.1). Exploring the purpose of market research, as well as, evaluating the importance of such research, facilitates managers in realizing the importance of marketing to an organization's success and to be globally competitive.

In the article: It is time to take a fresh look at the definitions of marketing, the author felt a need to talk about "consumer touch points, and the brand values and attributes that are communicated at each of them" (Donaton, 2004, p.16). The author exposed some examples about marketing behaviors in some recognized companies and some effective marketing strategies performed. For instance, one of the best marketing shots is from Coca-Cola. "Steve Heyer views his soft-drink delivery trucks as mobile billboards" (Donaton, p.16). Using company trucks as billboards is a clear effective marketing strategy and an economical way to promote the product.