Skip to main content

Is a product’s success all about marketing????




I have always wondered about how companies decide when to launch a product... How they decide that the market needs that product etc?

And after all that analysis how come many products end up flopping? I am in touch with the tech sector and so will refer to it for examples.

Let’s take Windows Vista as an example... It was a failure.... I know many people will say that 24% of the world today uses Vista but that was because all the new models sold had only vista as an option...Microsoft stopped selling XP.... I’m sure the ppl at Microsoft must have done a great analysis as to why this would have happened....But I believe the major reason for the failure was marketing... Apple jumped on people’s inertia about changing from XP to vista and screwed up the image of vista badly… I don't think any OS is better than any other but Apple somehow managed to convince people that their products are much better so they get to even charge a premium price.

And what bout Linux???? It runs almost 80% of servers everywhere yet it is not even known in the consumer market. Is the OS not good?? It’s very good... it’s free... yet completely unknown... The major reason for this I believe is bcos no company owns Linux and so no company want to advertise for it.

At the end all that matters is how people perceive a product. People have problems if their phones hang up but are ready to adjust if their computer does the same??? Why?? Bcos Microsoft has created an illusion that phones are much simpler devices (which apple is breaking with the I Phone) while computers are not.... And people’s perception is built on how the companies show their products to be. This really makes me believe that Marketing is all that matters for a product... nah... even for a company.... It’s the brand they build that matters.. quality??? nope... just suppress any bad news....(most companies do this)...... 

I hope I am wrong and hope that the quality of a product matters finally but the present scenario in the tech sector tells a completely different story....What do u think????


- Alok


Comments

Also read

Does India need communal parties?

I think, it was Tan's post on this blog itself, Republic Day Event, where this question was raised. My answer. YES. we need communal parties even in Independent, Secular India. Now let me take you, back to events before 1947. When India was a colony of the British Empire. The congress party, in its attempt to gain momentum for the independence movement, heavily used Hinduism, an example of which is the famous Ganesh Utsav held in Mumbai every year. Who complains? No one. But at that time, due to various policies of the congress, Muslims started feeling alienated. Jinnah, in these times, got stubborn over the need of Pakistan and he did find a lot of supporters. Congress, up till late 1940's never got bothered by it. And why should we? Who complains? No one. But there were repercussions. The way people were butchered and slaughtered during that brief time when India got partitioned, was even worse than a civil war scenario. All in the name of religion. And there indeed was cr...

Debate : Do the ends justify the means...

Note : Give it all a fair thought before you jot down... Flaming and religion-bashing will not be tolerated. Your participation is gladly appreciated. I dunno if you folks remember this incident; a couple of yrs back, the UPSC exam had a question where the emainee had to assert his views on *revolutionary terrorism* initiated by Bhagat Singh. As is typical of the government, hue and cry was not far behind... Anyway, let us look at some facts -   Bhagat Singh was an atheist, considered to be one of the earliest Marxist in India and in line with hi thinking, he renamed the Hindustan Republican Party and called it the Hindustan Socialist Revolutionary Party. Bhagat Finally, awaiting his own execution for the murder of Saunders, Bhagat Singh at the young age of 24 studied Marxism thoroughly and wrote a profound pamphlet “Why I am an Atheist.” which is an ideological statement in itself. The circumstances of his death and execution are worth recounting. Although, Bhagat Singh had a...

The Camel Club by David Baldacci

A twisty conspiracy, a vigilante group, and a world-shaking terrorist plot—David Baldacci’s The Camel Club delivers intrigue, tension, and surprises. This review explores its highs, lows, and what makes it a must-read. Also, don’t miss recommendations for five thrilling reads to curl up with this December. What Makes The Camel Club A Gripping read? David Baldacci’s The Camel Club is a masterclass in blending suspense, action, and political intrigue. Set in the heart of Washington, D.C., the story follows Oliver Stone and his ragtag group of conspiracy theorists. They witness a chilling murder, setting off a chain reaction that reaches the corridors of power. Alongside Secret Service agent Alex Ford and intelligence chief Carter Gray, we’re drawn into a labyrinth of plots within plots. Who Are The Camel Club, and Why should You Care? The titular club is a quirky mix of outcasts, each bringing unique skills to the table. At the centre is Oliver Stone, an enigmatic man with a shadowy p...