Marketing Concepts
Discuss about Marketing Concepts
Article comes from “Business Week, February 10, 2012, page 1
Barter Up: Where to Take a Swing at Cashless Trading
Introduction
Over the past years many people are getting fired or are fed-up with their corporate jobs and decide on embarking the journey as small business owners. It is unfortunate that most of the upcoming business owners and company managers fail to put into consideration their marketing concepts or strategies. Marketing concepts play a crucial role towards the success or failure of an organization.
Over and above their day-to-day cash business, North American companies barter for incremental business. The concept being, “if you are low on cash and up for new business, bartering for goods and services can be a shrewd business move”. This article talks about barter trade exchange and how historically trade exchanges has proven to hook up buyers and sellers locally. Nonetheless, the development of internet services has made it easier for people to expand the reach of exchange thus barter can be practiced globally or internationally. According to Robin Maini an executive director of the International Reciprocal Trade Association, the internet is a powerful tool that allows for more trading and elimination of geographic barriers. Online barter has made it possible for traders to buy and sell their products; it has also made it possible for consumers to choose from a wide variety of products and services which suit best their needs. Cashless trading tends to build or create a connection between traders making it impossible for fraud activities to happen (Karen, 2012). An online barter transaction is fairly a simple process since at the click of a button; all transactions are made at a much faster and quicker way. For accountability purposes or further verifications, an e-mail is usually sent to the recipient or the customer. When a purchase is accepted, a confirmation of the sale is send to Ubarter. There are two Web sites that deal with the exchanges they are Los Angeles-based Lassopower (www.lassopower.com) and Seattle-based Ubarter (www.ubarter.com). Barter provides consumers a competitive edge since network members tend to shop within the system first and barter customers who are satisfied make referrals to cash customers. Since services are renewable sources they tend to make better swaps than products. Cashless trading is seen as a new way of assisting cash-strapped business people stimulate sales, acquire goods and services needed to run a business and build links with potential clients. Barter trading has made it possible for businesses to receive trade credits as opposed to cash. Robert Benson, a business manager at Seattle Trade Exchange Company argued that, when a person signs up for a barter trade exchange he/she is eligible to know potential customers locally and regionally across the country (Karen, 2012).
This article deals with the importance of barter trade exchange of products and services. It analyses how companies have shifted to adopting barter as a regular or occasional tool in business. The article also brings out the relevance of barter in dealing with stiff competition and how this activity has seen growth in volume among existing clients. It also shows the importance of online-barter for trading partners in participating in on-line discussion sessions.
Consistency as a marketing concept in this article is evident. Seattle Trade Exchange Company has consistently guaranteed its clients a consistent provision of services and products. This consistency has helped customers develop confidence when it comes to them exchanging dollars for a given service or product. The detection and reduction of fraud on a daily basis is also a sure way of clients developing trust towards Seattle. In addition, they also send e-mails as a way of confirming sales and for accountability purposes. Consistent online discussions also allow members to be rated and reviewed as trading partners. Regardless of the size of the business, a website is a must concept for marketing. Clients are likely to search the web before making purchasing decisions. In this article, it is evident that exchanges are being carried out through the web. Seattle-based Ubarter website is regarded as the most efficient website for carrying out online transactions (Karen, 2012). The concept is that when clients have an online connection, they are able to carry out fast and quick transactions. Online security is also guaranteed in cashless trading since registered members are issued with passwords upon official registration. The concept of value customer relationship management (CRM) is evident and ideal in this article. For Seattle Trade Exchange Company to maintain its customers it had to come up with online discussion forums where clients can easily present their FAQs, interact and exchange ideas with other potential customers, they are also guaranteed of transaction security and efficiency in exchange of online services or products.
Consistency for any company or organization assists in reducing the marketing costs thus increasing branding effectiveness. Seattle trading Exchange Company and its Ubarter website has been for years been known to be effective and efficient in delivering services and providing clients with the required products at the right time. Over time, customers have been in a position to develop trust and confidence over this company because of the offers and the security guaranteed. It is without a doubt that Seattle Trade Exchange Company has managed to maintain customer relationship management (CRM) through their loyalty and consistency. The Ubarter website as an essential tool for barter exchange has helped in keeping records as evident and for transparency purposes. Constant updating of the website has helped customers have a range of products and services to choose from. Online barter builds and creates bonds between clients since they engage with other customers on a day-to-day basis.
References
Karen, M. (2012) Barter Up: Where to take a swing at cashless trading, Business week article, Frontier Columns.