Perceptual Maps in Marketing

The Harley Owners Group or HOG is a factory sponsored motorcycle enthusiast club established in 1983. Its main aim was to negate the influence of outlaw bike-gangs as the face of the Harley Davidson brand and enhance the lifestyle experience of a Harley Davidson owner. This was the roadmap of the firm’s broad philosophy of getting close to the customer. There was a great need to address two main issues with respect to the brand.

Marketing plan is always based on information regarding product, customers, market and competitors. The best way to analyze all this information is through a SWOT analysis. SWOT stand for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. This analysis takes into account both internal and external factors, internals being strengths and weakness, and external being opportunities and threats (Kotler & Keller, 2009).

Allstate has taken a qualitative approach to developing marketing strategies aimed at the non-traditional market. Qualitative measures are targeted at finding out what customers think or feel about certain products or brand names. In past years to gain market share in the motorcycle industry, Allstate developed “Allstate Garage”. (Crepeau, 2008) This fun interactive website employed the qualitative approach of visualization to allow users to customize their own motorcycle by choosing different models, styles & accessories. Within the customization process, Allstate would indirectly emphasize perks about their insurance policy options. This visualization measure also provided apps for planning scenic rides and safety tips for motorcyclists.

As a marketing manager for Cruiser Thorr who sells high end motorcycles. This organization is growing at a rapid pace. Indeed there is more structure needed to the marketing piece to sustain a successful business. Being that the industry of motorcycles is increasing annually. This organization must also work to satisfy the needs of their target customers. The organization must also work to differentiate themselves from other similar organizations as well. Key components in my opinion are the product uniqueness, safety, quality

The second part will present the SWOT analysis based on internal and external environment. The last section is to set the marketing objectives for developing the marketing strategies.

Marketing and Sales represents Ducati’s most significant growth opportunities because their brand management strategy advances the Ducati name into the consciousness of their markets. In addition to motorcycles, Ducati extends the brand by selling accessories and apparel. For sure, Ducati owners will buy these products but perhaps more importantly, the aspirational aspect of the brand drives people to buy Ducati-branded items even if they don’t own the bike. This behavior is seen with the Harley-Davidson brand: many people wear H-D clothing and

Consumers are not limited to a single market, many of them will be purchasing multiple bikes, but all of them have specific preferences. Successful company will meet customer’s needs and maximize sales by growing the potential market size as well as taking sales from competitors.

According to perceptual maps, the BMW, Honda, and SAAB cars are the main competitors. This is because their positions are close to the Infinity G20 in the map. Individuals view Infinity G20 as a brand for success. Moreover, they think that it’s more attractive as compared to its competitors. However, the BMW is the most prestigious and most quite, according to the perceptual map. SAAB is the most roomy and most quite car, according to the perceptual map. Also in Exhibit 1, most of the respondents perceive BMW as more prestigious than the infinity G20 in the market.

Table Of Contents 1.0 2.0 3.0 Introduction Executive Summary Situation Analysis 3.1 Identification Of The Problem 3.2 Market Analysis 3.3 SWOT Analysis 3.4 Target Market Marketing Communication Strategy 4.1 Marketing Communication Plan/Objectives 4.2 Marketing Budget 4.3 Schedule for Key Marketing Communication Activities 4.4 Promotional Strategies 4.4.1 Advertising Strategies 4.4.2 Promotion and Public Relations 4.4.3 Sales Force 4.4.4 Comprehensive Support Program 4.5 Product Strategies 4.6 Distribution Strategies 4.7 Pricing Strategies 4.7.1 Potential Customer 4.7.2 Sales Forecast 4.7.3 Return on Investment (ROI) Conclusion

According to me, the motorcycle industry is very attractive. The main reason to back my claim is the level of competition in the industry. There is a very high level of completion between all the companies present in this particular segment. The main factors that drive this rivalry are different positions of different players within the industry, differences in technical know-how, different marketing campaigns, differences in core nature of the products and differences in strategies. The players in this particular industry don’t fight over price of their products, they rather compete with each other in terms quality of their products and the nature of their services to different segments of customers. Each player had its own unique strategy and nature of the product for a particular segment of customers, this tends to intensify the competition amongst companies in the industry.

Harley Davidson Company has a long history of building motorcycles that have worked to actually shape a part of the American culture. Its product positioning and marketing strategies have served as a prime example for any company to imitate. Harley Davidson has developed immense levels of brand loyalty over the years. However, the company has also been burdened by the recent economic downturn and now is going through something of a rebuilding phase as it tries to determine its best course forward. This analysis will conduct a SWOT assessment of Harley Davidson's current position and make recommendations on how Harley can continue to develop the next phase of its iconic American brand.

In this paper we will perform a complete analysis of the Harley-Davidson Corporation including their corporate and business strategies, strengths and weaknesses, environmental opportunities, the five industry forces, and financial situation. Harley-Davidson has many attributes, which will be apparent in the following analysis. The paper will attempt to define the different components of the analysis and put them all together in a way that seeks to explain the way that they contribute to the overall success of the company and its stakeholders.

Historically Harley-Davidson to be a Niche Marketer, which is they had focused in on one particular aspect of the market. Kotler and Keller identified the following characteristics of niche marketing; customers have a distinct set of needs, they are willing to pay more to the firm that best suits their needs, it is not likely to attract competitors, gains economies through specialized products and it has a size, profit and to grow. Almost all of these hold true for the “heavyweight” segment of motor cycles that Harley-Davidson produced.

After an investigation by the US International Trade Commission, in 1983 President Reagan imposed a 45% tariff on imported bikes and bikes over 700 cc engine capacity. The new management deliberately exploited the past appeal of their big machines, building motorcycles that purposely adopted the look and feel of their earlier models. Quality increased, technical improvements were made, and buyers returned. Harley-Davidson once again became the sales leader in the heavyweight (over 750 cc) market.

Perceptual mapping is a graphical technique that helps marketers to get a visual display regarding perception of customers or potential customers. The position of a product or brand is displayed comparative to their competition. Perceptual maps are often used to help the organization to classify a positioning strategy.