What is the Definition of Marketing?
A recent "Linked In" discussion, addressing the definition of 'marketing', generated over more than 2,600 heated replies debating the difference between sales and marketing. Even executives with a "Marketing Manager" title seemed confused... so what is marketing?
The Definition of Marketing
Marketing is the activity, set of institutions, and processes for creating, communicating, delivering, and exchanging offerings that have value for customers, clients, partners, and society at large. - American Marketing Association Board of Directors (October 2007)
.... or more simply, "The management of exchange" - School of Marketing, UNSW (Mar 1982)
Why is there confusion over the definition of Marketing?
Even extremely capable sales & marketing executives don't understand the varying functions within marketing management, that there are four levels of marketing.
The same mistake is made by some very talented CEO's who misunderstand marketing to be fluff and showmanship.
One of the world's most successful companies, has CEO's that don't even recognise marketing as a science, following the marketing strategy laid down by head office because they know 'the company always gets it right'.
Understanding 'marketing management', means recognising four levels of marketing...

Many people, working as professional marketing executives, don't really understand the word marketing, but do not need to in order to do a great job.
Administrative Marketing people and Operational Marketing Managers keep your daily business humming. With years on hands-on experience, their routine marketing management activities are key to smooth operational marketing performance.
These gems do NOT need to know the definition of marketing, because they operationally manage a limited field, such as sales, advertising, promotions, print collateral, merchandising, packaging, etc.
But, to catapult a business into new heights of performance, Managerial Marketing & Corporate (strategic) marketing experts DO know how to find new realms of possibility.
The dangerous ground occurs when great marketing people are expected to operate beyond their field of expertise or competency, sometimes not knowing how much they don't know.
Advanced understanding of sophisticated brand management strategies, marketing models, and marketing methods builds and maintains sustainable competitive advantage.
When you use the marketing input of highly trained marketing experts, at the highest level of management, improved marketing management flows down into all levels of marketing activity... increasing your business efficiency and return on equity.
It’s the reason so many clients choose Launch Engineering. It’s Launch Engineering’s first priority to give your business significant lift in revenue and sales, not with some short-term 'band-aids', but with the sustainable competitive advantage only enjoyed by those that apply refined marketing.
Online and internet marketing
Understanding the above, Need some help, getting started or improving online and internet marketing? Click below:
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