|
Products
Consumption
is the sole purpose and end of production; and the interest of the producer
ought to be attended to only so far as it may be necessary for promoting that of
the consumer. Adam Smith, Wealth of Nations
A
product
exists in its own right; it can be owned, stored, moved, resold or lost. There should be
something unique about every product, even if it just concerns its availability,
ease of use, packaging or support - otherwise, why will it be bought? Products
may be made or bought for resale and may be central to the organization's
operation as with a manufacturer or supermarket, or they may be incidental as
with a gift shop in a stately home or cathedral.
The customer
evaluation: Customers
will evaluate products using the following criteria:
|
Functionality
Performance
Style
Availability
Price
|
Functions,
features, gimmicks.
Speed,
capacity, reliability, endurance.
Beauty,
elegance, simplicity, complexity.
Local,
nationwide, 24-hour, etc.
Value for money compared
with competitors' products.
|
The
manufacturer's evaluation: The
manufacturer will also assess the following:
|
Ease
of manufacture
Scale
of production
Cost
|
Ease
or difficulty of production.
Volume
of production for economies of scale.
Is
it low enough to earn a profitable return?
|
Quality
The word 'quality' is a much-abused term. A quality product is one which conforms to its specification, or more simply,
its 'fitness for purpose' and should not be confused with 'high-class' or
'up-market'. A low cost nylon raincoat that can be folded and carried in a
pocket can be a quality product just as much as an expensive textured fabric
raincoat from Harrods.
>>>
|