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Friday, October 2, 2020

IKEA Business Functions and Innovation

 IKEA is  considered as one of the most innovative  company  in the field  of furniture industry  all over the world   because  it have great capability  to provide  new ideas , new designs   that add new  values for the consumers   in order to develop the sales  and profitability  . the innovation  in the  IKEA  company  is not limited to  specific department  in the firm but its innovation  is  in all process  in products and strategies as the company depend on producing modern architectural designs, it seek to perform product development in continuous way , and have  great capability to perform cost control. IKEA depends on  innovation designers from different areas  in the world  in order to support  the design innovation  to develop the quality  and wonderful  designs. For example ;  IKEA  has innovated trash bins that measure food waste with specially built  digitalized  or automated scales

B-

There are four business functions ( operations , human resources management  , accounting and finance , and marketing ) that support the performance and productivity of IKEA.  No doubt that there is important role is  played  by the business functions  in IKEA  because  the  Business functions can enable  IKEA  to innovate in many way  in order to be unique .  Each function  from these  functions perform good part  in  providing  a creative solutions to  the  different  problems that face IKEA  during the different activities .  Business functions assists the IKEA  to offer new and  fresh ideas for the managers  in order to enable them to solve the issues  that face the company  and beat the different challenges  in the processes.  The space is opened  by Business Functions in the firm  for   good processes and thought  to appear , improve  and help in achieving the success for the company. Based on the innovation  in operations functions here ;  IKEA is capable of holding a huge stock as the items are stacked in flat way  by digital machines operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. To order to render storage, handling and shipping more cost-effective, IKEA aims to use the cheapest products necessary to produce furniture without sacrificing quality. The innovation marketing ; IKEA is really effective at utilizing social networking. They share on Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter and Pinterest promotion ,  discounts  on sales, updates, news and activities. They respond to their followers . Customers who use IKEA's VR technologies and test the kitchen and prepare it before they purchase it. Innovation in HRM; it promoted employee engagement , they depend on initiative of “life balance and diversity”. Innovation in accounting  ; The high quality of accounting information systems  in is IKEA an significant part of the high financial  performance , they digitalized all accounting process  by depending most innovative software.

Q2

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There  are three level of products  ; the core product, the actual product, and the augmented product. The core product of  HAMARVIK mattress is  considered the great benefits  that make the customer more satisfied because it  is designed from  generous layer of soft fillings that provide more  comfort, it is easy to carry . the  Actual product  here is high quality of mattress that we can touch it  and sense  with  a generous layer of soft fillings and Stretch fabric . The augmented product of HAMARVIK mattress is clear such as ; 25 year guarantee,  and  IKEA provide  high customer service   and after-sales service.

 

b-

Undifferentiated targeting relies on targeting wide range of clients , issuing restricted  numbers of products , using all potential  channels  to sell products, and relies on mass media to promote . Concentrated targeting strategy depend   on targeting one defined customer segment , using one product to them, relying on all plausible  media to sell and promote the product, and depending  on one price. The differentiated marketing  depend  on targeting two or more of client segments , imposing  various prices to various segments of clients, relying on all appropriate  distribution channels  that varies  by segment to sell product, and depending on all appropriate media which vary by segment to promote. Customized strategy  is  considered One-to-one marketing, always in a integration with a segment strategy

The case of IKEA, IKEA can use Undifferentiated marketing strategy. IKEA is targeting wide range of client all over the world, producing different products under the brand name “IKEA” such as Kitchenware & tableware, Rugs, mats & flooring,. IKEA also relies on all potential distribution channels all over the world such as in Kuwait. Its promotion depend on mass media such as  TV, radio . Price of IKEA  is considered as one popular price range.   

Q3

1-

The segmentation  strategy of IKEA consist of many customers segments such as  ;  middle class clients  ,  people who prefer modern furniture  & accessories , colorful&  novel items . its  targeting  consist of  ; seeking to attracting persons in ages  , sex ,  place,  as  it target all the consumer who have the common desire  that is  preferring  simplicity  , functionality , and high quality  . it also target people who are single  and have high income  or couples who want to marry .

2-

Positioning is arranging for a product to take and hold a obvious, characteristic, and preferable place if it is matched  with products of competitors in the minds of target clients. Positioning is related with marketing because  marketing  mix is mean that issued by marketers  in order to achieve the common  goals  of drawing good picture in the minds of customers

 

3-

The innovation in IKEA’s products is too risks  and costly , but it is needed to satisfy the needs of consumers . the operations  management  in   IKEA applied  innovation  in the  actual product level   in order to satisfy the sense of the customers  when  the customer test  and touch  the product . so,  there  is no innovation in the  core  product level . they depend on producing new styles  and adding new product   and this issue leaded to increase the products  portfolio  in IKEA to suit with all needs and desires of consumers . IKEA depends on innovation in design to supply customer and shops only with good quality and stunning products. It has developed cost-effective and innovative methods to meet the price and quality expectations of people. They are able to produce a range of items by having their own team of professionals, who will collaborate along with certain designs that will improvise their consumer demands such as designing new styles  sofas , armchairs, and storage furniture. Place; the Marketers of IKEA cooperate efficiently with the operations managers to make certain about enough quantities, suitable outlets and plausible delivery expenses . it have  international  huge distribution network as it have about  340 stores  in  28 nations  , its strategy depend on  having stores  in crowded areas  in the towns  in order to access to customers in simple way  . it has  applied the E-commerce model in about  14 nations  . Price  ; IKEA depend  on cost –based pricing as it matches prices with quality of product . the shipping costs  is reduced because  it depend on flat packing . its product is not costly but it is not cheap either. Promotion;   they depend on TV, print, online ads, billboards ,social media . people  ; it interest  in its people ,whether  customers  or employees . there  is no  discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity and religion. Processes  ; It comprises of 44 production units in 10 nations. By owning sawmills, IKEA manufactures its own wood and quality furnishings. It embraces the motto of a healthy world and buys  its materials from 1,800 products from suppliers, supplies the final product in pieces to be installed by clients that saves money. Physical evidence  ; In about 50 nations, IKEA has more than 350 outlets. IKEA's immense store layouts are physical proof they offer greater than a shopping experience. it provides wide area for parking. These good marketing mix here leaded to  drawing  good picture  about IKEA and  contribute  in brand positioning.

 

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