Week 11

We have made it to the end of the semester. We have worked through many marketing concepts and how important marketing is to a business. We have complete the Pharmasim simulation which put those concepts to the test. In our last blog post we have been asked to take a look at marketing from the "macro" perspective. Marketing is more than just advertising, promotions and sales. Marketing encompass all aspects of a business and is a key factor to the success of any businesses.

There are 3 basic principles that a business needs to understand to be successful. First, the purpose of a business is to create a customer. Without customers there is no purpose of the business. Second, there are two basic functions of a business, marketing and innovations. Marketing and innovation create the customers and product results, all other aspects of the business are just costs. Third, marketing encompasses all aspects of the business.

Working in the construction industry we do not have a traditional marketing plan like other companies might. The majority of our marketing comes from interactions with clients, architects, engineers and building managers. Creating a customer starts with good relationships with architects and building managers. Architects and building managers suggest us to potential customers who are looking for a general contractor. Estimating the project correctly and having the right fees get us the customers. I would explain to my boss that without these important connections and a good estimating department we will not create any new customers.

Next, marketing and innovation produce results and all other aspects are costs. The results are produced during the construction phase of the project. During the project, it is important that the project manager and superintendent market the importance of the project to the subcontractors. Making sure we stay on schedule and within costs keeps our customers happy. There are various aspects of innovation during the project that can help us speed up the job or tackle obstacles. Innovation can be simple changes in the way we run our plumbing line to minimize material and labor costs to redesigning aspects of the project to save install time. Marketing and innovation during the project helps us be successful.

Last, marketing encompasses all aspects of the businesses. As seen in the two previous examples we need to continuously market ourselves to our customers and the project to our subs to be successful. From the first point of contact with a prospective customers to the receipt of the certificate of occupancy. We need to continuously use marketing throughout a project to be successful.

I have learned a lot about marketing through this class and how important is it to a businesses. I did not think about marketing at all within my own job until this class. I can definitely take what I have learned in class and apply it to my job in construction.