Argument for Market Segmentation
TOPIC: Outline the main reasons why an organization should adopt market segmentation, giving brief examples.
Market segmentation is the process of dividing the market according to similarities that exist among the various subgroups within the market. The similarities may be common characteristics, or common needs and desires. (All Business - Directory Of Business Terms 2011) Market segmentation has become an important function in the banking industry because of the existence of intense competition, not only within the industry but also from the likes of finance and insurance companies. Banks deal with various types of customers e.g., individuals, group of people, corporate entities, etc. who all have their likes and dislikes. No bank can afford to assess the need of each and every individual customer separately. It is nearly impossible for banks to market all these categories of customers on a one-to-one basis, particularly if they simply rely on predictable socio-economic data like age and income as the base for dividing customers into segments. To overcome this problem, a bank must adopt a market segmentation strategy, which recognises the wisdom of specialising to suit the need of a segment of the market rather than trying to address the requirements of each and every customer separately.
Spark Slide 43 highlights that ‘segmentation is needed because; you cannot be all things to all people’. Market segmentation enables more accurate and effective communication of benefits in relation to needs. Market segmentation would also help the bank or any organisation identify growth opportunities. Market of banking products can be segmented in a number of different ways. Market segmentation must have certain qualities that make it possible to specialise the marketing approaches. The segmentation must be measurable in terms of the criteria used for segmentation; accessible through the distribution system; and sizable in volume in order to generate the economy of
Market segmentation is the process of dividing the market according to similarities that exist among the various subgroups within the market. The similarities may be common characteristics, or common needs and desires. (All Business - Directory Of Business Terms 2011) Market segmentation has become an important function in the banking industry because of the existence of intense competition, not only within the industry but also from the likes of finance and insurance companies. Banks deal with various types of customers e.g., individuals, group of people, corporate entities, etc. who all have their likes and dislikes. No bank can afford to assess the need of each and every individual customer separately. It is nearly impossible for banks to market all these categories of customers on a one-to-one basis, particularly if they simply rely on predictable socio-economic data like age and income as the base for dividing customers into segments. To overcome this problem, a bank must adopt a market segmentation strategy, which recognises the wisdom of specialising to suit the need of a segment of the market rather than trying to address the requirements of each and every customer separately.
Spark Slide 43 highlights that ‘segmentation is needed because; you cannot be all things to all people’. Market segmentation enables more accurate and effective communication of benefits in relation to needs. Market segmentation would also help the bank or any organisation identify growth opportunities. Market of banking products can be segmented in a number of different ways. Market segmentation must have certain qualities that make it possible to specialise the marketing approaches. The segmentation must be measurable in terms of the criteria used for segmentation; accessible through the distribution system; and sizable in volume in order to generate the economy of
References: Bibliography All Business – Business Glossary – Directory Of Business Terms, viewed 10 March 2011 <http://www.allbusiness.com/glossaries/market-segmentation/4954538-1.html> Spark, M 2008, ‘Lecture 2 ‘Consumer/Buyer Behaviour – Market Segmentation’, MAR110 Marketing Concepts, Learning materials on Blackboard, SUT, viewed 10 March 2011 The Kathmandu Post – Editorial LD Mahart - Segmenting the banking market, viewed 10 March 2011 <http://www.ekantipur.com/the-kathmandu-post/2010/03/01/Oped/Plastic-pollution/5702/> Mungo Dunett Associates – Research White Paper – Best-practice market segmentation in financial services, viewed 10 March 2011 <http://www.md-as.com/newsletters/MDA%20White%20Paper%20-%20Segmentation%20(intro%20pages).pdf>