There are many different ways in which Microsoft dealt with opportunities and threats. As Microsoft is a fairly large company, which is global, it has a vast research base. Microsoft is able to observe

How has Microsoft dealt with opportunities and threats?

There are many different ways in which Microsoft dealt with opportunities and threats. As Microsoft is a fairly large company, which is global, it has a vast research base. Microsoft is able to observe any treats and opportunities that shall affect their company standing.

Threats- Microsoft are able to detect any competition or threat that may cause change in their business. Microsoft is able to detect threats by constantly reviewing the market to observe any changes and any new competitors. Microsoft uses various different methods to deal with threats. For example recently a new company called Linux was established. Linux offered similar software packages as Microsoft. With a new competitor on the market Microsoft began loosing customers and their sales and profit margins did not climb as much as their previous years. Microsoft dealt with this threat by producing more enhanced soft ware, which was able to operate on different makes of computers. They also dropped their prices to a margin of were they would cover their production cost and make a smaller profit. This method attracted their customers back thus the sales of Microsoft began to increase.

Opportunities- Microsoft are very good at detecting opportunities. Microsoft thrives on finding a niche in the market sector and filling it. Filling a niche within the market allows Microsoft to regain control within the market as the market leader. Microsoft continually reviews the market and also asks their customers various different questions, which imply to the market. Using market research Microsoft are able to identify what the customers what and what are their needs. Using this Microsoft are able to implement those ideas to produce a revolutionary product.

Extension strategies

Within every product life cycle products at ...

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Extension strategies

Within every product life cycle products at any given time shall start to decline some quicker than others depending on the product and its popularity. In order to extend a products life cycle Microsoft implement their extension strategies. Microsoft’s extension strategies include:

Finding new uses for a product
Finding new markets for existing products
Developing a wider product range
Gearing the product to a specific target market
Changing the appearance, format or packaging of the product
Encouraging the customers of Microsoft to use their products more frequently
Changing the components of the product

There are many different competition strategies that Microsoft can use. Competition strategies are useful to the business when the business is in trouble as it has too much competition thus their sales are affected. Competition strategies are used to win the customers loyalty. Below are the following methods Microsoft can do to gain customer loyalty:

Special offers: one method that Microsoft could use and implement within their business is to offer special offers. This usually attracts the customers.

Price wars: Microsoft can also indulge in a price war with their main competitor. Price wars usually is the last option that Microsoft shall implement as it involves continually dropping their prices to attract their customers. Price wars usually result in the business dropping their prices even below their break-even line in order to sell their products.

BOGOF: buy on get one free is a classic example of a competition strategy. Microsoft rarely use this option as they loess a substantial sum of money as they shall have to give merchandise away for free. However this method also attracts a lot of business. If Microsoft could find a cheaper supplier they could implement this strategy, which could enhance their sales figures.

How has the marketing strategy meet the aims and objectives?

Past and current sales figures of Microsoft

Is Microsoft Meeting Its Objectives

In order to see if Microsoft is meeting its objectives we must look at financial data of the company. We must have financial results of different years so that the results can be compared and analysed, when this is done it should show if objectives have been met. Below is a table showing recent financial results, it indicates Turnover (Sales), Group operating Profit (Profit), and Market Share. I have also drawn out a table showing what objectives have been met and how.

Following sales figures.