0% found this document useful (0 votes)
18 views4 pages

Enhancing Kombeza Product Mix Strategies

The document discusses improving the product mix of Kombeza Foods, a Malawian food and dairy company. It suggests that Kombeza could modify its product packaging to smaller, more affordable bottles to increase sales. It also recommends promoting brand awareness in rural areas through advertisements and social media influencers. Finally, it states that evaluating product lines and adjusting the width and depth of the product mix based on resources and demand could increase profitability.

Uploaded by

Geoffrey Maliya
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
0% found this document useful (0 votes)
18 views4 pages

Enhancing Kombeza Product Mix Strategies

The document discusses improving the product mix of Kombeza Foods, a Malawian food and dairy company. It suggests that Kombeza could modify its product packaging to smaller, more affordable bottles to increase sales. It also recommends promoting brand awareness in rural areas through advertisements and social media influencers. Finally, it states that evaluating product lines and adjusting the width and depth of the product mix based on resources and demand could increase profitability.

Uploaded by

Geoffrey Maliya
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

DMI-ST.

JOHN THE BAPTIST UNIVERSITY LILONGWE CAMPUS

NAME OF STAFF :

NAME OF STUDENT : RONALD BROWN

YEAR :

COURSE CODE : 552AC65-W

COURSE NAME : GENERAL PROJECT MANAGEMENT

COURSE TITLE :

DUE DATE : 20th NOVEMBER, 2022.


A business resource is any tool or asset used to establish, manage or maintain company
operations. A business resource can be a person (or group of people), an intangible object, or a
tangible item (Angela, 2020). The effectiveness of each resource varies depending on the way
the manager or owner, uses it in operations as well as they know of the resource. Business
resources are anything and everything that helps a company operate and do business. This can
include the use of human capital, natural resources, tangible resources such as property or
production machinery, intangible resources such as brand image and knowledge, financial
resources, and anything else a particular business may use to make a profit. Every business
resource used to produce goods or to serve customers has an economic value (Angela, 2020).
The SME that is going to be adopted is Kombeza foods. Kombeza foods is a food and Dairy
processing company in Malawi. One of the food products produced by Kombeza foods is
Kombeza Yoghurt. The product that is going to be introduced is Kombeza Yoggie targeting
young children.

One of the company resources that can be changed to sell a newly introduced Kombeza product
is distribution centers. Distribution centers are one of the tangible resources of a company. Who
is going to sell the product? Can one use the same independent representatives or Salesforce? Is
there sufficient sales potential in the new product to convince a distributor, retailer, or agent to
take on the new line? These are some of the questions that should be looked into when
introducing a new product on the market. Currently, some of the distribution centers for
Kombeza products are Shoprite and Chipiku stores which are available in cities, so to reach
people in the rural areas where these stores are not available the company needs to set up new
distribution centers which will be responsible for retail operating. This will ensure that the
product is available to the targeted market.

Another resource that can be changed is humans in the promotion of the brand name. On this, the
company needs to ensure that the brand name is promoted so that even people in rural
communities should be familiar with it. One way of promoting a brand name is through
advertisements, sales promotions, and others. Again the company can integrate with social media
influencers in promoting the product. This can be done by targeting social media celebrities,
bloggers, and others who have many followers to speak about and market the targeted product to
their followers. Such a way of marketing will help the company to increase its sales country-
wide since social media like Facebook is widely used nowadays by people even from rural areas.

A company that efficiently uses all of its different business resources will perform at a higher
level and make more money than companies that do not. Every business resource adds a certain
value to the company; the value is determined by the quantity and quality of the resource.

II. The product mix or product assortment is the total number of product lines a company sells to
its customers. The product line is the list of all related products marketed by a single firm. The
Four dimensions of a company product mix include width, length, depth, and consistency
(Sarkissian, n.d). From time to time the product mix needs to be changed because customer tastes
change. We live in a society that is always evolving. By changing or improving the product mix
managers can increase the profitability of the business (Hague, 2018).

Product mix can be improved in various ways. One is product modification. This refers to
changing the product's characteristics such as the quality, function, and appearance. To do this,
the business must learn the needs of the customer and ensure that the modifications are in line
with them (Nagle & Müller, 2017). For example, modifying the packaging of Kombeza products
into small bottles will help low-income earners to afford to buy the products because small
packages will also mean a slash in price. This is the case because it has been observed that many
Kombeza products have been expiring whilst in the stores because people cannot afford to buy
the big Kombeza bottles due to their high price. If properly done, such modifications improve the
effectiveness, quality, and safety of the products.

Product mix can also be improved through product mix decisions. Notably, increasing the width
or depth of the product mix or decreasing consistency may be unsuccessful. This is because
company resources and market needs influence product mix decisions. If a company notes that
the sales of a certain category of products are low and the product is overstretching its resources,
the company can opt to increase consistency by reducing product width and depth. In turn, the
company will serve its target market better and also increase profitability (Fernandes, Gouveia &
Pinho, 2012).
REFERENCES

Fernandes, R., Gouveia, J. B., & Pinho, C. (2012). Product mix strategy and manufacturing
flexibility. Journal of Manufacturing Systems, 31(3), 301-311.

Hague, D. (2018). Pricing in business. Routledge.

Nagle, T. T., & Müller, G. (2017). The strategy and tactics of pricing: A guide to growing more
profitably. Routledge.

Sarkissian, A. (n.d). How To Improve Product Mix. Retrieved from:


[Link]

Angela, H (2020). Criteria that make product Innovation Successful. Retrieved from:
[Link]

Common questions

Powered by AI

Effective use of business resources such as human capital, tangible and intangible assets, and financial resources directly enhances company performance by optimizing operations and maximizing output relative to input. For instance, efficient allocation and utilization of these resources allow a company to achieve higher operational efficiency and a competitive advantage, resulting in increased profitability . This requires strategic planning and alignment with business goals.

Expanding the distribution network into rural areas poses risks such as increased logistical costs, potential supply chain disruptions, and the challenge of ensuring product quality over longer distribution distances . Economic constraints of rural consumers also pose revenue risk if anticipated sales do not justify the costs. Additionally, infrastructure limitations in rural areas might complicate timely delivery and distribution efficiency.

Adjusting the product mix can enhance profitability by aligning product offerings with market needs and company resources. For instance, by increasing consistency and reducing the width and depth of the product mix, Kombeza Foods can focus on more profitable product lines, optimize resource allocation, and better serve target markets . This strategic refinement helps prevent overstretching resources while maximizing efficiencies and profitability.

Kombeza Foods should evaluate factors such as cost-effectiveness, control over sales process, market knowledge, and scalability when deciding between independent representatives and a dedicated salesforce for Kombeza Yoggie. Independent reps might provide more flexibility and lower upfront costs, while a dedicated salesforce offers direct company oversight and potentially better brand consistency . Ultimately, the decision should be informed by the projected sales potential and strategic alignment with long-term business goals.

Kombeza Foods can engage social media influencers by targeting individuals with a substantial following, including celebrities and bloggers, who can promote their product, Kombeza Yoggie, to their audience. By leveraging platforms like Facebook, which are popular even in rural areas, these influencers can raise brand awareness and drive sales . This strategy requires the company to carefully select influencers whose audience matches their target demographics and ensure that the messaging aligns with the brand values and consumer interests in rural settings.

Social media can serve as a pivotal tool in overcoming the urban-rural divide by facilitating widespread brand visibility at a low cost. Platforms like Facebook allow Kombeza Foods to reach diverse audiences, including rural areas where traditional media may be less effective . By engaging with influencers and employing targeted social media campaigns, the company can effectively market products, educate customers, and build brand loyalty across geographic boundaries.

Continuous adaptation of the product mix is crucial to stay aligned with changing consumer preferences and market dynamics. For Kombeza Foods, such adaptations can mitigate risks of obsolescence and ensure relevance in a competitive market. By modifying or introducing new products, the company can capture new market segments and enhance customer satisfaction, which can lead to increased profitability .

Changing the distribution strategy can significantly increase Kombeza Yoggie's reach in rural areas by establishing new distribution centers beyond existing outlets like Shoprite and Chipiku stores, which are primarily in cities . This expansion must consider logistical challenges and costs, ensuring that localities lacking current coverage receive the product, thus enhancing market penetration and ensuring that the product is available to the targeted market.

Kombeza Foods could adjust their packaging by offering smaller bottle sizes for their products, which would make them more affordable and accessible to low-income consumers. Smaller packages generally have a lower price point, potentially reducing expiration issues by increasing purchase rates among customers who find larger sizes too expensive, thus aligning with consumer needs . This strategy must ensure the packaging change does not compromise product integrity or brand perception.

Packaging modifications can influence consumer perceptions by enhancing product appeal, conveying brand messages, and improving usability. For Kombeza Yoggie, changing to attractive and functional packaging might increase perception of quality, accessibility, and affordability, especially among consumers sensitive to pricing . Updated packaging can also communicate environmental responsibility if sustainable methods are used, further aligning with consumer values and differentiating the product in a competitive market.

You might also like