Author: Jim Riley Last updated: Sunday 23 September, 2012
Introduction to Values and Vision
Values form the foundation of a business’ management
style. Values provide the justification of behaviour and, therefore, exert
significant influence on marketing decisions.
Why are values important in marketing?
Many Japanese businesses have used the value system to provide
the motivation to make them global market leaders. They have created an obsession
about winning that is communicated at all levels of the business that has
enabled them to take market share from competitors that appeared to be unassailable.
For example, at the start of the 1970’s Komatsu was
less than one third the size of the market leader – Caterpillar –
and relied on just one line of smaller bulldozers for most of its revenues.
By the late 1980’s it had passed Caterpillar as the world leader in
earth-moving equipment. It had also adopted an aggressive diversification
strategy that led it into markets such as industrial robots and semiconductors.
If “values” shape the behaviour of a business,
what is meant by “vision” and how does it relate to marketing
planning?
To succeed in the long term, businesses need a vision of
how they will change and improve in the future. The vision of the business
gives it energy. It helps motivate employees. It helps set the direction of
corporate and marketing strategy.
What are the components of an effective business vision?
Davidson identifies six requirements for success:
- Provides future direction
- Expresses a consumer benefit
- Is realistic
- Is motivating
- Must be fully communicated
- Consistently followed and measured