Positioning Quality
Quality positioning refers to the strategic placement of a company’s products in the minds of its customers. It is the process of creating an identity or brand for a product, service or organization by defining the characteristics that differentiate it from competitors in the marketplace. Quality positioning is a critical element of product marketing, allowing companies to capitalize on their strengths while avoiding the traits of their rivals.
Effective quality positioning requires a thorough understanding of the company, its products and environments, how consumers perceive them and the competition. Companies should carefully evaluate their current position and determine how to modify aspects of their products and/or services to establish a unique brand in the marketplace. Quality positioning revolvearound the idea of creating a “halo effect” — where consumers attribute features to the product or service that aren’t necessarily true but instead reflect its esteemed status in the market.
To establish an effective quality positioning, companies need to focus on key message points that differentiate the product or service from its rivals. These message points could focus on the product’s unique features, the exceptional quality of its components, its unique design, or a combination of all three. Quality positioning also needs to consider the product’s price, delivery times and service options, and all of these should complement the product’s existing strengths.
In order to maximize the value of their quality positioning, companies must continuously evaluate and monitor the changing needs of their customers and industry trends. For example, if a company’s food products try to focus on freshness, that is an attribute that must be constantly monitored to ensure a desired level of consistency. Companies should also review their sales and marketing tactics to ensure that all promotional activities support the quality positioning of the product or service.
Quality positioning is a delicate balance between fulfilling customer expectations and staying ahead of the competition. By focusing on unique product features, competitive pricing and delivery times, companies can position their offerings to be perceived as the best in the market. Over time, this approach can help to foster customer loyalty and repeat business.