![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.hyogoajet.net\/hyogotimes\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Four-Ps-1-298x300.jpg\" "\\"Four-Ps\\"")
So, one of my girl-friends is one of those fabulous, educated chicks who lovessssssssss men! (don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t we all\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 well\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6..). And, in addition to coordinating her wardrobe, being the chief adviser on hair, make-up, and boyfriend issues, I have pledged to help her study for her exams.<\/p>\n
During one of our study sessions, she was rambling on and on about some sort of marketing mix or whatever, and something about 4-Ps<\/em><\/strong>. But during her rambling (and me trying to figure it out) she was making an analogy about a product of some sort and how to use this \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcmarketing mix\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 to get the product sold. So, being the fabulously attentive guy that I am, I asked her to explain to me what the hell this marketing mix is! Well, she said, (quiet eloquently too\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 You go girl!!!) \u00e2\u20ac\u02dc\u00e2\u20ac\u2122the marketing mix refers to the PRODUCT, PRICE, PLACE, and PROMOTION a company uses to sell off a good\/service.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 And then she went on and on about how the PRODUCT is what is being offered to the customer, the PRICE is what the customer is willing to pay for the product, the PLACE is where you get that product, and the PROMOTION is what the company does to get the customers\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 attention.<\/p>\n So, after chit-chatting with her and studying, it got me thinking of the 4Ps! \u00e2\u20ac\u201c If a company has a product that it wants to sell to a customer in order to satisfy a need, and that company can mix the right cocktail of \u00e2\u20ac\u02dc\u00e2\u20ac\u2122Ps\u00e2\u20ac\u2122\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 in order to attract and retain a customer, why can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t we do this? Huh? Why not? After all, Christmas is right around the corner and a good \u00e2\u20ac\u02dc\u00e2\u20ac\u2122purchase\u00e2\u20ac\u2122\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 would be a Christmas gift I know you could use. So I thought, what are my 4Ps? Do I have a \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcP\u00e2\u20ac\u2122, more so four? Do you? Does everyone? Then I wondered, if someone is really serious about dating and finding that right guy, wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t we have to address our \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcPs\u00e2\u20ac\u2122. Wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t we need to identify what exactly our \u00e2\u20ac\u02dc\u00e2\u20ac\u2122product\u00e2\u20ac\u2122\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 is? Wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t we need to price our \u00e2\u20ac\u02dc\u00e2\u20ac\u2122product\u00e2\u20ac\u2122\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 and state what will it take for a \u00e2\u20ac\u02dc\u00e2\u20ac\u2122customer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 to acquire this precious merchandise?\u00c2\u00a0 Wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t we need to apply a pricing strategy? \u00e2\u20ac\u201c whether premium pricing, psychological pricing, competitive pricing, or penetration pricing (I just like the sound of this one\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6lololol). But think about it! Wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t we need to determine where is the best location for potential \u00e2\u20ac\u02dc\u00e2\u20ac\u2122customers\u00e2\u20ac\u2122\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 to find the \u00e2\u20ac\u02dc\u00e2\u20ac\u2122products\u00e2\u20ac\u2122\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 and maybe take some time to learn about the various qualities and attributes that the \u00e2\u20ac\u02dc\u00e2\u20ac\u2122product\u00e2\u20ac\u2122\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 has? Wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t we need to devise strategies to draw the attention of \u00e2\u20ac\u0153customers\u00e2\u20ac\u009d? \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Whether by personal selling, direct mail or public relations. Well, I think so! I think this is the answer we have been searching for! The 4Ps!<\/p>\n Needing more clarity on this \u00e2\u20ac\u02dc\u00e2\u20ac\u2122Ps\u00e2\u20ac\u2122\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 issue, I called back my fag-hag-turned-star-student to ask her to explain in more details what these \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcPs\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 are about. So, according to her [I hope you trust her as much as I do], the \u00e2\u20ac\u02dc\u00e2\u20ac\u2122product\u00e2\u20ac\u2122\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 would certainly be us. The \u00e2\u20ac\u02dc\u00e2\u20ac\u2122product\u00e2\u20ac\u2122\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 would represent what we have to offer to a potential \u00e2\u20ac\u02dc\u00e2\u20ac\u2122customer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 (boyfriend\/ girlfriend\/ partner): that is, our personalities, our hearts, our individualisms, our commitment to love and our ability to be loved, our beautiful minds, our fabulous bodies (well, at least yours\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 mine is a train-wreck), our killer ass and abs (well, I have the ass.. as for the abs.. nope), our passionate kisses and award winning oral skills, among others (if you know what I mean J). And we all know that with any good product, the package is important! Presentation! Presentation! Presentation!<\/p>\n Having a fabulous product is one thing. Now we need to determine the market value of that \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcproduct\u00e2\u20ac\u2122. So, she said that the \u00e2\u20ac\u02dc\u00e2\u20ac\u2122price\u00e2\u20ac\u2122\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 tells the \u00e2\u20ac\u02dc\u00e2\u20ac\u2122customers\u00e2\u20ac\u2122\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 how much they will need to spend in order to acquire the \u00e2\u20ac\u02dc\u00e2\u20ac\u2122product\u00e2\u20ac\u2122. Then, according her [again, do you trust her?] the \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcprice\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 is what your \u00e2\u20ac\u02dc\u00e2\u20ac\u2122customer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 has to lay on the table to \u00e2\u20ac\u02dc\u00e2\u20ac\u2122win the bid of purchase\u00e2\u20ac\u2122\u00e2\u20ac\u2122. That is, his heart; his respect for you; his commitment to loving you unconditionally; his \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcsex-buddy\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 or whatever (he has to give this up); and of course his luscious lips, charming smile, ripping abs and eyes that just captivate you and win you over.<\/p>\n So with a \u00e2\u20ac\u02dc\u00e2\u20ac\u2122product\u00e2\u20ac\u2122\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 on the market and a \u00e2\u20ac\u02dc\u00e2\u20ac\u2122price\u00e2\u20ac\u2122\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 attached to it, the next \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcP\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 to worry about is the \u00e2\u20ac\u02dc\u00e2\u20ac\u2122promotion\u00e2\u20ac\u2122\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 (how the hell are you going to get the attention of your \u00e2\u20ac\u02dccustomers\u00e2\u20ac\u2122?). What can you do to attract that fabulous dashing guy you have had your eye on all this time? What chic outfit can you whip up to maximize your assets and minimized your flaws? What signs\/messages can you send to the target \u00e2\u20ac\u02dccustomer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 to say, \u00e2\u20ac\u02dc\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcHey boo. I like you. I dig you. I am available. Come over here and poke around a little?\u00e2\u20ac\u2122\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 So, maybe a direct approach is needed in some cases. Drive or die, BITCH!! Approach the \u00e2\u20ac\u02dccustomer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 directly, either by mail or face-to-face. With this approach you know if the \u00e2\u20ac\u02dccustomer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 is interested within minutes of the first contact. This is a risky move, but with great risks come great rewards! If you are not so brave to pull off a face-to-face encourage, there is always the \u00e2\u20ac\u02dc\u00e2\u20ac\u2122PR Department\u00e2\u20ac\u2122\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 (close friends, mutual friends, your \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcside kick\u00e2\u20ac\u2122) to work on that \u00e2\u20ac\u02dccustomer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122. A good \u00e2\u20ac\u02dc\u00e2\u20ac\u2122PR Department\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 is a close friend, fag-hag or mutual friend who goes in for \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcthe kill\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 for you and promote the \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcproduct\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 by selling the good points of the \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcproducts\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 and try to spark the \u00e2\u20ac\u02dccustomer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 interests in the \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcproduct\u00e2\u20ac\u2122. An effective \u00e2\u20ac\u02dc\u00e2\u20ac\u2122PR Department\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 tries to arrange a one on one \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcsampling\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 of the \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcproduct\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 via a lunch date, a movie, a lyme, a BBQ invite, cocktails after work, or whatever.<\/p>\n \u00e2\u20ac\u02dc\u00e2\u20ac\u2122Place\u00e2\u20ac\u2122\u00e2\u20ac\u2122\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6..What do you think this means? No..no.. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not sleazy motel where you are going to \u00e2\u20ac\u02dc\u00e2\u20ac\u2122do it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 with the guy! (Well, it can be if you want it to be\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 lolol)\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 So, I asked my little star-student what does \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcplace\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 mean and after she franticly flipped through her notes she came out with, \u00e2\u20ac\u02dc\u00e2\u20ac\u2122where ever the customer has to go to acquire the \u00e2\u20ac\u2122product\u00e2\u20ac\u2122.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 \u00c2\u00a0So, this could be anything from a sleazy bar on some back street to dating online. The \u00e2\u20ac\u02dc\u00e2\u20ac\u2122places\u00e2\u20ac\u2122\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 greatly depend on what city you are in. It could be at a library; a nice chic bar which serves excellent cocktail on coasters; the movies; a trendy gay club in Doyama-cho (Osaka); a chic restaurant in Shinsaibashi (Osaka): a certain Latin club in Himeji; an art gallery; riding the train and starting to chit chat with a cute guy who is sitting beside you; while shopping for that winter sweater to pair with your dynamite-of-a-pant. But where ever the \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcplace\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 might be, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s important that the \u00e2\u20ac\u02dccustomer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 interfaces\/interacts with the \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcproduct\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 and get a good idea of exactly what the \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcproduct\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 has to offer and if that \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcproduct\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 is exactly he (the \u00e2\u20ac\u02dccustomer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122) needs.<\/p>\n When a \u00e2\u20ac\u02dccustomer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 goes shopping, he goes with the intention of finding a \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcproduct\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 to satisfy all his specific needs. With the right marketing mix, that precious merchandise could land in the shopping bag of an ideal \u00e2\u20ac\u02dccustomer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122. All it takes is the correct combination of the 4Ps! Do you know your \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcPs\u00e2\u20ac\u2122? What are they? Ensure that the next time you place your \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcproduct\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 on the market for a \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcPurchase with no refund option\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 you pour all your \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcPs\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 in a cocktail mixer and mix the helllllllllllllllllll out of your Ps until you get the correct combination and pour yourself a cocktail of winning \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcPs\u00e2\u20ac\u2122.\u00c2\u00a0 The 4Ps: my marketing mix(er). A Christmas gift from me (Dwayne) to you. [PS: By the time this gets published, I should lying on a beach on the Red Sea enjoying the products of my COCKtail.] MERRY CHRISTMAS!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" So, one of my girl-friends is one of those fabulous, educated chicks who lovessssssssss men! (don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t we all\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 well\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6..). And, in addition to coordinating her wardrobe, being the chief adviser on hair, make-up, and boyfriend issues, I have pledged to help her study for her exams. During one of our study sessions, she was rambling…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":55,"featured_media":1473,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false},"categories":[214,63],"tags":[215],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.hyogoajet.net\/hyogotimes\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Four-Ps-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hyogoajet.net\/hyogotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1472"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hyogoajet.net\/hyogotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hyogoajet.net\/hyogotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hyogoajet.net\/hyogotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/55"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hyogoajet.net\/hyogotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1472"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.hyogoajet.net\/hyogotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1472\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hyogoajet.net\/hyogotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1473"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hyogoajet.net\/hyogotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1472"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hyogoajet.net\/hyogotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1472"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hyogoajet.net\/hyogotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1472"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}