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How to position a brand

powerfully

By Maxwell Ranasinghe.
What is positioning
Disembodied mental image ,
specifically, a location in consumers
mind
Positioning is doing something to the
collective mind of the consumer
There is a comparative perspective in
positioning as positioning implies the
existence of something else.
The positioning is the act of creating a
perception or image or status in
buyers mind.
Positioning is used to make a specific
brand appear to be different and better
than all competing brands

Key points to note are


1. It is a strategic activity( not tactical)
2. It is aimed at developing a
sustainable competitive advantage
3. It is concerned with Managing
Perceptions
Brand image and reputation are the
end results
Strategic not Tactical
Positioning is not a short term tactical
activity
Change the consumers perception and
reach a unique position.
Lasting image that is not dependant on
the product features or other elements
that can be copied.(by competitors)
Positioning should negate the situation
of your competitors catching up and
overtaking you.
Sustainable competitive
advantage
Aims at long term competitive advantage
Should offer a proposition of high benefit
or significance
Real brand strength that reflects a
competitive advantage has to be
adopted.
The personality and other intangible
values to be projected.
Brand has to be capable of consistently
performing at least as the competing
brands.
Managing Perceptions

Consumers do not know who


produces goods and services
They may not know all the
features of a product or service
But they know in their minds
why they like the product. They
think in terms of the benefits. It
could be tangible or intangible.
But it is real to consumers.
Create favorable perceptions
Once the perceptions are created it is
difficult to shift
It applies to both good and bad
perceptions.
It is very difficult to convince a
consumer to try again a product that
she or he had bad experience.
If the product lives up to its promise, it
has a great chance of achieving a
brand image if not it will lack credibility.
Positioning is an ongoing
activity to sustain the image
Once a favourable image is created
it should be sustained.
It should be continually reinforced.
A long term communications strategy
is required.
Consumers are bombarded with
thousands of messages everyday.
The Challenge is to keep the brand
at the forefront of their mind.
Strategies for brand
positioning
Features Benefits Problem
And Solving
Attributes
Competition Corporate Target user
reputation
and image
Cause Aspiration Value or
emotion pricing
Guarantee
Features and Attributes

This is a very clear strategy


People constantly look for features
Producing unique features and
attributes is rather difficult
Many features and attributes could
be copied by others in at least in
long term
Continuous Innovations are
necessary
Benefits
Closely connected to the features and
attributes
This strategy stresses the benefits of
possessing it
Benefits not be vague. It should be clear,
attainable and useful.
Ceylinco Insurance On the spot claims
payment is convenient for customers
not having to go to police and lodge
claims and undergo a lengthy procedure
Problem Solving
Brands that solves problems for consumers
are appreciated.
This strategy requires a full understanding
of consumer problems, well trained staff
with social and communication skills
Ceylinco On the spot claim payment
solves the problem of lengthy claim
process.
E-channeling- solves the patients going to
the hospital twice, once to make an
appointment and then to consult the doctor.
Competition

Positioning against the competition


To be handled with care from legal
and advertising standards
perspectives
Coke and Pepsi
Munchee and Maliban
Claiming a position in the market
such No1 2nd - Challenger
Corporate reputation and
image
Existing brand and reputation to be
used as a positioning
e.g.; from the pioneers of cellular
phones
with the approval of Dental
Association
When two competitors merge-
They were tough competitors but now
a strong alliance.
Target user
Target user positioning says that
they clearly address the specific
requirement of their target
audience.
High alcohol beer for hard liquor
drinkers who wants to show they
are moderate drinkers or to beer
drinkers who needs the kick
Instant food for people who do
not have time for cooking.
Special shoes by Nike for
Cause

Cause related marketing.


Associate the company with a
worthwhile cause such as social,
environmental cause.
E.g.; prevent accidents = CTC
Eagle
protect wildlife = ODEL
It gives additional impetus to the
brand as it is conscious of social
and environmental aspects.
Aspirations

Positioning brands on
ambitions, cravings,desires,
dreams, goals hopes, longings
and wishes
E.g.;-Lotteries in Sri Lanka
Luxury cars, Holidays,
designer dresses, fashion
brands,
Usage
How and when consumers use
products can help marketers position
their products
Beer- relax and unwind after a days
work
Coffee- -do-
Express sophistication by consuming
a special brand at special times.
Champagne at celebrations
Value

Value for money concept


positioning
Value for money expresses a
combination of price and quality
E.g.: Air con intercity bus
service
Denim clothes
Personality
Positioning based on personality can
be one of the powerful strategies
Creating personality to the product or
service make it unique where
competitors cannot match
You got to project personality
characteristics that the target market
wants in the product
E.g.; Mercedes Benz Rolex
watches, Hilton Hotel
Emotion
Emotion is a very powerful positioning
strategy.
Sex,
music,aspirations,nostalgia,humor,
nationality and many other techniques
are used in appealing to the
emotional drive of the consumer.
Sisil fridge, Maliban Cream Cracker,
Elephant Soda, Orange barley, MD
Jam, DSI shoes
Combination of positioning
strategies
Most of the products do not solely
depend on one strategy.
They use a combination of
strategies.
Such as value for money, emotion
Aspirations and personality
Corporate reputation and cause.
How many positions can a
brand have?
Brand should have only one central
position
A position presents the identity and
personality of the brand to the outside
world.
Multiple positioning in the same market
segment seem odd and disorderly
Discuss in relation to Nestomalt of
Nestles
E.g.; Nestomalts central
positioning is nutritious drink- but
it is presented various segments
in different forms such as
energy giving drink for active
people- dietary supplement for
elderly- growth supplement for
youngsters- relaxation drink for
people with work pressure.

Make the brand live through


positioning
Positioning is strategic and it is not short
term
Unless re-positioning the positioning will
not change
The sole aim of the positioning is to
persuade customer that this brand is
different and better than other brands
It tries to occupy a special position in the
minds of the customer.
Everything relates to the consumer to the
brand has to be consistent. No
compromises.
Positioning and segmentation
If the product is globally focused on one
market segment a standard positioning
could be adopted such as Nike, Rolex and
Benz
If the product has different segments then
different positioning may be required. Eg.
Bajaj
Positioning may be perceived differently from
market to market e.g.. Beer may be an average
drink one country but may be regarded as a
prestige drink in another country.
Positioning in action

1. Identify the Target Audience (ITA)


Segment the market and select the target
market well
Address the needs of the market
Marketing communications matters a lot in
this process
Discuss in detail with add agencies
Internal staff should also know the
objectives and the exact position that the
product is going to be positioned
2. Identify Point of Parity
(POP)
- Know the similar product
features and benefits other
products in the market
- Keep an eye on the
competition and their
reaction
3. Portray Point of Difference
( POD)
- Mention a USP
- Indicate the benefits that
consumers get in comparison to
others products
-State the brand name and
inform the market that it is
better than others
4. Provide Reasons to Believe
( RTB)
Leverage on your reputation
and brand name
Talk about the guarantees
Talk about testimonies
Independent reports
Conceptual Mapping
Mobile phone service providers

Coverage
Price

VAS

Image
Representative Brand
Denominating Colour-Product Attribute-Rating

Dialog GSM Light Blue Colour Line


Brand Image 5
Coverage 5
Price 5
Value Added Services (VAS) 5

Mobitel GSM Green Color Line


Brand Image 4
Coverage 4
Price 3
Value Added Services (VAS) 3

Airtel Red Colour Line


Brand Image 3
Coverage 3
Price 3
Value Added Services (VAS)4
Etisalat Dark Blue Colour Line
Brand Image 3
Coverage 4
Price 2
Value Added Services (VAS) 3

Hutch Orange Colour Line


Brand Image 3
Coverage 3
Price 1
Value Added Services (VAS) 3

This Rating should be based on research


findings.
Lickert scale questions (from 1-5) can be used
to do the research
So you know how to do it. Then go and do it
in the market. Good Luck. University of
Kelaniya
So you know how to do
it

Then go and do it in the market


place
Thank you
Good luck.. Maxwell
04-11-2013

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