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Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

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Page 1: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3By: - Neeraj Gupta

Page 2: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Differential Advantage Analysis

A useful way to examine competitors capabilities is to divide the necessary information into five categories Competitors abilities to conceive and design To produce To market To finance To manage

Page 3: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Differential Advantage Analysis Competitors abilities to conceive and design

Technical resources Concepts Patents and copyrights

Human Resources Key people and skills Use of external technical groups

R&D funding Total Percentage of sales Consistency over time Internally generated Government supplied

Page 4: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Differential Advantage Analysis

Competitors abilities to conceive and design Technological strategy

Specialization Competence Source of capability Timing: initiate versus imitate

Management processes TQM House of Quality

Page 5: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Differential Advantage Analysis Competitors ability to Produce

Physical resources Capacity Plant Equipment Processes Degree of integration

Human Resources Key people and skills Workforce

Suppliers Capacity Quality Commitment

Page 6: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Differential Advantage Analysis Competitors ability to Market

Sales Force Distribution Network Service and Sales Policies Advertising Human Resources Funding

Page 7: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Differential Advantage Analysis Competitors ability to Finance

Long-Term Debt/equity ratio Cost of debt

Short-term Cash or equivalent Line of credit Cost of debt

Liquidity Cash flow

Days of receivables Inventory turnover Accounting practices

Human resources Key people and skills Turnover

Systems Budgeting Forecasting Controlling

Page 8: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Differential Advantage Analysis Competitors ability to Manage

Key people Objectives and priorities Values Reward systems

Decision making (i) Location (ii) Type (iii) Speed

Planning Type Emphasis Time span

Staffing Longevity and turnover Experience Replacement policies

Organization Centralization Functions Use of staff

Page 9: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Customer Analysis Purpose

Customer analysis is an activity that is or should be performed by organizations. The Customer Analysis section of the

business plan assesses the customer segments that the company serves. In it, the company must:

1. Identify its target customers 2. Convey the needs of these customers 3. Show how its products and services satisfy these

needs

Page 10: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Customer Segmentation Segmentation: - Creating clusters in the

market of buyers with similar needs and preferences

Page 11: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Differentiated Marketing can be operated at Various Levels

Segment Marketing: -similar set of wants Can be enhanced by providing a naked solution

containing the product and service elements that all segment members value.

Discretionary elements that some segment members value.

Niche Marketing: -narrow but attractive, requiring distinctive mix of market offering. Sub segment of a segment

Page 12: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Identifying Market segments and Target Market Positioning

Market Segment: - group of customers with similar needs, preferences or buying habits. Market divided into smaller groups in which members are similar

with respect to factors that influence demand. Major element in success of a company.

Target market Consists of group of customers for whom seller designs a particular marketing mix.

Page 13: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Benefits of Segmentation

Application of the “divide and rule” principle, or divide the markets and conquer them.

Marketing effort becomes effective and efficient.

Specific marketing mix can be effectively designed for specific market segments.

Focussed attention can be given to complex but attractive segments

Page 14: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Factors Affecting the Feasibility of Segmentation Measurable Accessible Substantial Unique/Differentiable Appropriate Actionable Stable

Page 15: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Segment size and growth Segment structural

attractiveness Level of competition Substitute products Power of buyers Powerful suppliers

Company objectives and resources

Evaluating Market Segments

Page 16: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Basis of Segmentation Geographic

Region City or metro size Population density Climate

Geo-Demographic

Demographic Age and Life-Cycle Stage Life Stage Gender Income Generation Lifestage Analytic Matrix Social class

Page 17: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Benefit Segments- Computers* The Germans – “We want the best” The Indians – “We want the best today and

tomorrow” The Taiwanese – “We want it cheap with a

name” The Americans – “We want service too”

*Customer-focused product planning: Personal Computers in IndiaJagrook Dawra, Kanupriya Katyal, Vishal Mishra, Seerisha M.

Page 18: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Basis of Segmentation

Psychographic Segmentation Lifestyle

Time-constrained multitasking

Money-constrained Personality

“Brand personality” examples: Sincere Exciting Competent Sophisticated Rugged

Values Core values

Page 19: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Psychographic Segmentation

Page 20: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Basis of Segmentation-Psychographic

Page 21: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Orientations used for segmentation in VALS matrix

Status Oriented: -Value a secure place in society

Action Oriented: -desire physical and social activity, variety and risk taking

Principle Oriented: -guided in their choices by their beliefs and principles and not by feelings, desires and events

Page 22: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Psychographic Segmentation

ACTULIZERS:

Successful, sophisticated, take-charge people with high self-esteem.

Image is important to Innovators

Established and emerging leaders in business and government

seek challenges, variety

FULFILLEDS

Motivated by ideals

Mature, satisfied, comfortable , and reflective people who value order,

knowledge, and responsibility

well educated and actively seek out information in the decision-making

Page 23: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Psychographic Segmentation

ACHIEVERS:

Motivated by the desire for achievement,

have goal-oriented lifestyles and a deep commitment to career

and family

structured around family, their place of worship, and work

EXPERIENCERS

Motivated by self-expression

Young, enthusiastic, and impulsive consumers

seek variety and excitement

Page 24: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Psychographic Segmentation

BELIEVERS:

Believers are motivated by ideals

Conservative, conventional people with concrete beliefs based on traditional,

established codes: family, religion, community, and the nation

STRIVERS

trendy and fun loving.

motivated by achievement, Strivers are concerned about the opinions and

approval of others.

Money defines success for Strivers, who don’t have enough of it to meet their

desires

Page 25: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Psychographic Segmentation

MAKERS:

Makers are motivated by self-expression

express themselves and experience the world by working on it-building a

house, raising children, fixing a car, or canning

Practical people who have constructive skills and value self-sufficiency.

STRUGGLERS

Narrowly focused lives

with the familiar and are primarily concerned with safety and security

Page 26: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Basis of segmentation Behavioral Segmentation

User status Usage rate Loyalty status

Hard-core loyals Split loyals Shifting loyals Switchers

Buyer-Readiness Stage Attitudes Occasions Benefits an individual or group seeks

Customer attitude Customer needs and degree of self-sufficiency Different degree of value added Customer behavior and their buying practices

Page 27: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Benefit Segmentation

Page 28: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Basis of Segmentation

Multi-Attribute Segmentation (Geoclustering)

Four PRIZM clusters American Dreams Rural Industria Gray Power Country Squires

Targeting Multiple Segments Demographic-Psychographics Segmentation-

Particularly useful in creating audience profiles and consumer profiles. It reveals important information for segmenting mass markets, provide meaningful direction as to which type of promotional appeals are best suited and selecting right kind of advertising media that is most effective for that target market.

Page 29: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

The film opens on a group of guys on their bikes. Seeing a guy walking along the road, they sing, “Thodahi hai age gap, phir bhi pehne monkey cap. Aaj tumhare saath jawaani, karlo jo chaahe man maani. It’s now or never.”

What Demographic and Psychographic segment is this ad targeted at?

Page 30: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Cut to the shot of a husband getting a scolding from his wife as he stares a young girl. At this our guys continue, “…bachche-kachche... raashan-paani, kal hogi yehi kahani. It’s now or never.” We now see a boss getting mad at hisemployees. Jingle: “…Ghar se office, office se ghar...

Page 31: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

...Boss ka darr, biwi ka darr. It’s now or never.” The ad ends on... the shot of the bike and VO: “Apache. It’s now or never.”

Page 32: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

What Demographic and Psychographic segment is this ad targeted at?

“Chameli meri jaan, gulabo jalan se lal” says a blind man taking care of his flowers in the garden.Smelling something that’s not part of the garden, he exclaims, “gainda, tu kahan se aaya!” and goes towards a bike.

Page 33: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

The blind man removes the garland from the brand new bike. As his son comes, he questions him, “arey, tune Splendor chhod di?”Even as he comes to know that it’s a self-start and “powerful” bike, he still scolds his son for getting rid of the Splendor

Page 34: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

“125 CC, Quantum Core engine” with a better mileage, informs the son about the new bike. He makes the father more comfortable......when he tells him that he has bought a Super Splendor. Cut to the shot of the father who now comes in a surprisingly new get-up.

Page 35: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

As the father and son go on the new Super Splendor, the VO... ...plays: “New 125 CC Super Splendor Generation nayi, bharosa wahi.

Page 36: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Marketing Implications

Marketers facing consumers who have a negative attitude toward their product must work to identify the key issues shaping a consumer's attitude then adjust marketing decisions (e.g., advertising) in an effort to change the attitude.

For companies competing against strong rivals to whom loyal consumers exhibit a positive attitude, an important strategy is to work to see why consumers feel positive toward the competitor and then try to meet or beat the competitor on these issues.

Alternatively, a company can try to locate customers who feel negatively toward the competitor and then increase awareness among this group.

Page 37: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Customer Needs

Customer needs are the expectations of the product buyers.

There are several needs of customers in this open market and it is also seen that its very difficult to measure the exact needs and demands from customers.

Categorise the customer expectations/needs into: General Needs Emotional Needs

Page 38: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Consumer Buyer Behavior

Page 39: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Chapter 4 Version 3e 39

Consumer Behavior

Processes a consumer uses to make purchase decisions, as well as to use and dispose of purchased goods or services; also includes factors that influence purchase decisions and the product use

Page 40: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Cultural

Culture

Subculture

Social Class

Values

Cultural

Culture

Subculture

Social Class

Values

Social

Reference Groups

Family

Roles & Status

Social

Reference Groups

Family

Roles & Status

Personal

Age & Life-Cycle Stage

Occupation

Economic Situation

Lifestyle

Personality & Self-Concept

Personal

Age & Life-Cycle Stage

Occupation

Economic Situation

Lifestyle

Personality & Self-Concept

Psychological

Motivation

Perception

Learning

Beliefs & Attitudes

Psychological

Motivation

Perception

Learning

Beliefs & Attitudes

What Influences Consumers’ Buying Decision Process?

Page 41: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta
Page 42: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Marketing to a Subculture

Sears is widely considered one of the most successful marketers to the U.S. Hispanic population. Its Spanish-language Web site features content and events carefully tailored to Hispanic consumers.

Page 43: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Opinion Leaders

Marketers use buzz marketing by enlisting or even creating opinion leaders to spread the word about their brands.

Page 44: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta
Page 45: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta
Page 46: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Personal Factors:Self-concept

Page 47: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Psychological Factors:Beliefs

Page 48: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Market Potential

Market or sales potential must be stated for a given product or group of products fir a given area for a given period of time, usually a year.

Area potentials can be expressed in both absolute terms and as a percent of the total market.

Page 49: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Uses Of Market Potential

There are three main uses of market potential and these are:

Allocation of marketing resources Defining sales techniques Setting sales quotas: -A sales forecast is a

prediction based on past sales performance and an analysis of expected market conditions. The true value in making a forecast is that it forces us to look at the future objectively. The company that takes note of the past stays aware of the present and precisely analyzes that information to see into the future.

Page 50: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Market Potential

Page 51: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Sales Forecasting

Sales forecasting is the process of organizing and analyzing information in a way that makes it possible to estimate what your sales will be.

A sales forecast is a prediction based on past sales performance and an analysis of expected market conditions. The true value in making a forecast is that it forces us to look at the future objectively.

The company that takes note of the past stays aware of the present and precisely analyzes that information to see into the future.

Page 52: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Importance of Sales Forecasting Sales forecasting is a self-assessment tool for a company. A

sales forecast reports, graphs and analyzes the pulse of your business. The future direction of the company may rest on the accuracy of your sales forecasting.

Companies that implement accurate sales forecasting processes realize important benefits such as: Enhanced cash flow Knowing when and how much to buy In-depth knowledge of customers and the products they order The ability to plan for production and capacity The ability to identify the pattern or trend of sales Determine the value of a business above the value of its

current assets Ability to determine the expected return on investment

Page 53: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Benefits of Sales Forecasting

Increased revenue Increased customer retention Decreased costs Increased efficiency

Page 54: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Information needed for a Sales Forecast-Internal and External Factors External Factors

Seasonality of the business Relative state of the economy Direct and indirect competition Political events Styles or fashions Consumer earnings Population changes Weather Productivity changes

Page 55: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Information needed for a Sales Forecast-Internal and External Factors Internal Factors

Labor problems Credit policy changes Sales motivation plans Inventory shortages Working capital shortage Price changes Change in distribution method Production capability shortage New product lines

Page 56: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Internal data analysis for a sales forecast

Therefore, this data must be prepared on a consistent basis: Accounting records Financial statements Sales-call reports After-sales service demands from clients

How Long and How Often Should One Forecast? A sales forecast needs to be performed, reviewed and

compared with actual performance results on a regular basis. Short-range forecasts are for fewer than three months. Intermediate forecasts have a span of three months to two

years. Long-range forecasts cover more than two years.

Page 57: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

How Sales Forecasting Applies to a New Business

Statistics show that 80 percent of new business startups never survive the first three years. Nine out of 10 of those business failures are caused by poor management decisions. Implementing sales forecasting forces a new business to base decisions on facts rather than hunches. You need to consider the following:

How well does your competition satisfy the needs of its potential customers?

Note the population and economic growth in your location. Develop a customer profile.

Experienced business people will tell you that a good rule of thumb is that 20 percent of your customers account for 80 percent of your sales.

Page 58: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Software as a Tool for Sales Forecasting

Projections become even more precise when software programs written specifically for sales forecasting are utilized.

When shopping for a good software package, look for the following features: Capability to adjust for special factors, i.e., promotion and price

changes Documents underlying forecasting assumptions An effective management review and communication step Historical data-tracking and plotting of current performance

against past trends and future projections Allows multiple parties (e.g., sales, marketing, manufacturing

and logistics) to enhance, manipulate and use the forecast.

Page 59: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Estimating Market Potential

Estimating the market or market potential for a new business or business expansion is critical in determining the economic feasibility of a venture. Estimating the market potential will determine if the market is large enough to support your businesses.

Once the estimated market potential has been calculated, it is possible to determine if the market is large enough to sustain your proposed business or sustain an addition competitor in the marketplace.

Key Steps in Estimating Market Potential Define your target market and market segments. Define the geographic boundaries of your market. Derive an average selling price. Determine the average annual consumption.

Estimating Market Potential: MP = N x P x Q; MP = market potential N = number of possible buyers P = average selling price Q = average annual consumption

Page 60: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Retail Market Potential

If you are evaluating a retail establishment, a more refined method of calculating the retail trade area market potential is available. The market potential for a retail establishment provided an estimate of the maximum total sales potential for a specific retail operation in a given market.

The key steps in estimating retail market potential are: Define your target market and market segments. Define the geographic boundaries of your market. Derive average expenditures for the category. Determine the average household income for the area and

state. Estimate market share.

Page 61: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Trade Area Analysis Trade Area Analysis is a mean of evaluating the

potential retail sales for a specific retail operation can be estimated by using a standard formula: ES = P x EXP x (ADI/MDI) x MS, where ES = estimated sales P = market area population EXP = average expenditures for retail outlet category ADI = area estimated average household disposable

income MDI = Georgia average household disposable income MS = estimated market share

Page 62: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Target Market A target market can be thought of as the customers who are

most likely to buy from you and generally are described using demographic variables (gender, age, education) as well as psychographic variables (lifestyle and belief system variables).

The first method of describing your target market segments is using a set of demographic descriptors like the following: Age Marital status HH income Gender Race/Ethnicity Family life cycle Education Religious affiliation

Page 63: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Target Market

Failure to meet these needs will result in loss of business. The following are a few psychological descriptors: Political affiliation Socially conscious Cutting-edge Family-oriented Conformist Power-wielding Trend follower Thrill seeker "Green" Fun-loving Fashion-forward Sports enthusiast

Page 64: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Target Market

Page 65: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Target Market

Market or Trade Area: -The market area can be thought of as the geographic area where the business intends to operate, i.e., a city block, between the rivers or the globe.

As a result, it is important to compare your target market profile, generally described using demographics, to the population in the market area.

There are a number of ways to define a market area, some are easy and others are more difficult and require the services of a marketing professional.

Page 66: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Methods of Defining Target Market Geography is the simplest form of defining a market

area. Neighborhoods Zip codes City or County Boundaries Metropolitan Statistical Areas State (multi state) Boarders Nation Continent World

A ring or radius defined market area is performed by creating a circle a specified number of miles from a business location. The ring analysis allows a business to evaluate the demographics of people residing within a pre-defined distance from specific business location.

Page 67: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Methods of Defining Target Market Drive Time Analyses: Drive time analysis is

a more sophisticated analysis than the radius analysis as a number of variables are used to estimate the drive time to a given location.

The analysis takes speed limits, road type, vehicle, time of days, and congestion values. Customers may be willing to drive 15 miles, but given traffic conditions the 15 miles may take 30 minutes to travel.

Page 68: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Market Size

Once the market area and target market has been defined, it is possible to determine the number of potential customers for your business.

This will allow you to estimate the N (number of potential customers) in the market potential equation.

The business has concluded its market area is Wake County which has 101,768 children under 9 years old. Therefore, N = 101,600 potential customers. These numbers were obtained from the US Census Bureau.

As a result, the 101,600 kindergarten through 3rd graders should be adjusted downward by multiplying by 68%. This results in an adjusted market potential of 69,088 potential students. Adjusted Market Potential = 101,600*68% = 69,088

Page 69: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Market Size Consumption or Usage: -You need to

determine how often your target market segment uses your product or service. This figure will have a significant impact on the estimated market potential.

Obviously the more frequently the product is purchased, the larger the market potential. Durable goods, products that can be used over a long period of time, are purchased less frequently than perishable items.

Page 70: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Estimate Sales Potential Survey method Expert opinion method Market studied methods Sales force opinion methods Statistical methods

Trend method Graphical method Time-series method Regression method

Page 71: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Estimate Sales Potential Trend Method: This method provides a rough trend of the forecast

on the basis of past experience. It does not, however, take into account the changing environment. It is a simple method for business forecasting on the basis of past performance.

Graphical Method: According to this method, sales data are plotted on graph paper and a graph is drawn for a number of years. This is a simple and inexpensive method.

Page 72: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta

Estimate Sales Potential

Time Series Method: This method is used for long periods duly taking into account cyclical changes, seasonal variation and irregular fluctuation.

"A time series may be defined as a collection of magnitudes belonging to different time periods, of some variable or composite variables, such as production of steel, per capita income, gross national product, price of tobacoo, or index of industrial production.“ –Ya-uin-chou

The Time Series Method shows the future trends of sales. The various techniques that can be used for determining these trends are: (i) Freehold or Graphical Method (ii) Semi-Average Method (iii) Moving Average Method (iv) Method of Least Squares

Regression Analysis: This is a branch of statistical theory, is popularly used on the principles of sciences. It helps determine the relationship among various variables. According to Ya-uin-chou,

"Regression analysis attempt establishing the 'Nature of the relationship' between variables that is to study the functional relationship between the variables and thereby provide a mechanism for prediction, or forecasting".

Page 73: Differential Advantage Analysis, Market Potential & Sales Forecasting Session 3 By: - Neeraj Gupta