Global Adventures of Colgate Palmolive

Today there are many firms whose products are widely known and are available in many countries all over the world, but international marketing is not a simple activity that can be successfully applied by every firm. First, to achieve success in international marketing activities, a company should consider economic, social and cultural facts about the countries which the firm plans to expand its activities to. These facts are extremely important because they have a great impact on the demand for a certain product. William M. Pride and O.C. Ferrell states that "the effects of environmental forces on customers and marketers can be dramatic and difficult to predict" (pp.6). This results in the need for a reliable and carefully developed marketing research. A company should conduct marketing researches to bring down the level of uncertainty and risk to minimum, by acquiring true and accurate information about the environmental forces. Thus marketing research, environmental scanning and analysis are crucial for a company which involves in international marketing activities. And finally the choice of the level of commitment plays an important role on the success of international firms. A company considering marketing in a foreign nation may prefer expansion through a joint venture or a trading company rather than direct ownership, if there are many uncertainties about the marketing environment of that country. Colgate-Palmolive is a good example of the companies which are successful in international marketing and its success is a result of its expansion strategy which emphasizes on all these essential facts.

Colgate-Palmolive Co. was founded in 1806 by William Colgate, and today the company sells its well-known products in more than 150 countries. Colgate-Palmolive is in a very desirable position, which many other firms can only dream of. However the firm does not seem to be satisfied with all its successes and achievements; and is directed towards new regions to

References: 1. Dibb, Simkin, Pride and Ferrell (1997) Marketing.Concepts and Strategies. Third European Edition. pp.776-788. 2. Pride and Ferrell (1997) Marketing.Concepts and Strategies. Tenth International Edition.