With
continued proliferation of Internet, meaning of word "marketing" also proliferates. There seem to be as many definitions of marketing as there are marketers. Many see marketing as a series of tactics or gimmicks. Some push pyramid programs [multi-level marketing (MLM) or network marketing] as way to successful marketing.
Others may say Web has made traditional marketing obsolete. I say Internet has expanded our capabilities, created new ways of doing business, and radically changed business dynamics. It has not, however, changed foundation of marketing.
Basic, traditional marketing is as relevant as ever. The Four P's - product, price, place (distribution), and promotion - whether you tack on added P's and C's or not, are still very much alive. Strategic thinking, segmenting, and targeting can still earn you a competitive advantage.
Marketing still means determining what our customers need and want, planning how we are going to meet those needs and wants, and then implementing our plan.
We still have products, services, and ideas to sell at some price. We still deliver to our customers via some means of distribution. We still promote and we still advertise. Those are basics. Those basics still exist and always will.
What *has* changed is business environment. Companies compete with more efficient technologies. Customers have better access to their cost options and they communicate to each other in a not even conceivable in pre-Internet age.
