Exam code:7131
Decisions related to people
-
People play a crucial role in the marketing mix, as they are responsible for designing and carrying out marketing activities, interacting with customers, selling products and delivering a positive customer experience
-
People can also provide valuable feedback and propose innovative marketing solutions
-
Careful recruitment and training of workers, especially those in customer-facing roles, is increasingly recognised as the key determinant of marketing success
Decisions related to people in the marketing mix

The importance of people in the marketing mix
|
Reason |
Explanation |
|---|---|
|
Customer interactions |
|
|
Brand ambassadors |
|
|
Customer service |
|
|
Innovation and feedback |
|
|
Sales and persuasion |
|
-
Businesses need to foster a culture of unity, particularly amongst customer-facing employees and take steps to ensure that they are motivated
-
A satisfied workforce is more likely to provide excellent customer service, work hard to close sales and act as brand ambassadors
Decisions related to processes
-
Processes refer to the activities, procedures and systems a company employs to deliver a product or service to its customers and create a competitive advantage
-
Businesses develop a set of processes that allow for a product or service to be delivered effectively to their customers
-
E.g. from the moment P&O Cruises passengers book their trip, a series of processes are engaged
-
Online booking and customer service processes provide for smooth organisation and preparation for the trip
-
When they arrive at the dockside, customers are greeted; their baggage is taken to their assigned cabin
-
Two weeks of services from restaurants and evening entertainment, casinos and shopping are organised and provided
-
Specialist services and facilities are available to those with particular needs
-
When customers arrive at their destination, baggage is delivered to them and onwards transportation arranged
-
-
Decisions related to processes in the marketing mix
The importance of processes in the marketing mix
|
Reason |
Explanation |
Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Customer experience |
|
|
|
Efficiency |
|
|
|
Consistency |
|
|
|
Adaptability |
|
|
|
Alignment |
|
|
Decisions related to the physical environment
-
The physical environment refers to the tangible and visible signs of a product with which customers interact and perceive during their buying experience
Visible and tangible signs

-
The physical environment is a particularly important element of services, as it shapes customer perceptions and helps build trust in a process where what they are buying cannot be viewed or touched
-
Businesses use these physical aspects to delight customers and set themselves apart from competitors
-
Aspects and examples of the physical environment
|
Aspect |
Explanation |
Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Store/office ambience |
|
|
|
Packaging |
|
|
Responses