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Place mix basically means distribution . of the product. It deals with the trade channel or channel of distribution i.e. movement of product from producer/ production unit to final consumers of the product. The channel of distribution comprises of wholesalers, selling agents, retailers, dealers, who are intermediaries between producers and consumers. Time, place and possession utilities are created due to the linkage between point of production and point of consumption.

Market Mix is a set of activities. Contribution of each is essential. It can be explained using following example: 

A toilet soap manufacturer can offer improved quality product at a lower price. He can keep such a low price that it can be penetrating pricing. In the competitive market he would be able to increase its sale by selecting adequate channel of distribution to reach maximum consumers. Promotion on TV and newspapers for timely information will be beneficial in raising his sales. He will have to keep shorter distribution channel for ensuring easy and quick reach of the product to the customers.

Yes, all the four elements of the market mix are interdependent. For example, if the quantity of sale is to be increased then the distribution pattern needs to be effective and capable of covering larger area. Simultaneously more advertisement expenditure is required. This will require the introduction of new promotional schemes for the product.

Packaging is an important ingredient in the Product Mix because of following: 

1. Convenience: Packaging adds to the convenience to the product. It becomes convenient for handling; transporting and storing e.g. medicines are packed in small packets. 

2. Branding: A specific packaging becomes a part of a brand. A product gets identification due to packaging e.g. Nirma washing powder has a picture of dancing girl, Tata salt have Tata salt written on its pack. 

3. Conveys information: Various details about the product like quantity, expiry date, date of manufacture, procedure of using, etc. are conveyed to the customers for providing better value to the product.

4. Eye-catchy: A beautiful pack and attractive design of the pack is always eye-catchy. It attracts the customers e.g. perfumes are normally packed in beautifully moulded bottles.

(5) Protection: Suitable packaging provides protection to the product. It improves its shelf-life and maintains its quality for some stipulated time.

Yes, an entrepreneur, could use the base pricing method for consumable item. 

This is because of following reasons: 

1. Raising the sales: When the discount is assured on the consumable item, customers will be attracted towards the item. This will increase the sales. 

2. Easy promotion: Due to varying discount, the promotion of the product becomes easy, as discount rates can be made public easily and effectively. 

3. Customers will not be lost: If one rate of discount is not acceptable then the other and more effective discount can be offered. 

4. Scope for bargain: Bargain on price or discount is possible in this method. This bargain can be initiated by entrepreneur and also by the customers leading to productive transaction for the entrepreneur.

Transportation, maintenance, security, health services, entertainment etc. are the intangible things.

Product mix covers various aspects like, quality, quantity, design, features, warrantees, guarantees, brand, repairing services, etc.

Marketing mix plays an important role in enhancing the sales of the enterprise. 

Its following components help in raising the sale: 

1. Product: If various features and characteristics of the product are of the liking of majority of the potential customers, the sales is automatically going to be higher. Effective after sale service, efficient utilization of know-how, full capacity production will create good rapport of the product. Consequently sales will be enhanced. 

2. Price: Favourable and adequate pricing depending on the paying capacity of the customers always appeal the customers. The loyalty towards the product is also enhanced which ensures minimum sales and also attracts new customers. Various pricing methods are available at the disposal of the entrepreneur. Selection of appropriate method can be used as a tool for raising sales. 

3. Promotion: Publicity plays a leading role in promoting sales. Depending on the nature of the product the advertisement mode can be selected. Door to door selling, newspaper, radio, pamphlet, etc. are the various methods, which can be used for increasing the number of customers. 

4. Distribution: Various channels of distribution can be effectively used by entrepreneur depending on nature of market, preference of consumers and nature of the products. Shorter is the channel of distribution more efficient is distribution.

The 4Ps that make up a typical marketing mix are — Price, Product, Promotion and Place. But these days, the marketing mix includes several other Ps like Packaging, Positioning, People and Politics as vital mix elements.

The marketing mix refers to the ingredients or the tools on the variables which the marketing mixes in order to interact with a particular market.

“Marketing mix is the term used to describe the combination of the four inputs which constitute the core of a company’s marketing system: the product, the price structure, the promotional activities, and the distribution system.”—W. J. Stanton Or “A marketing mix is the mixture of controllable marketing variables that the firm uses to pursue the sought level of sales in the target market.”—Philip Kotler

While selecting a brand name a entrepreneur should choose a name which is : 

1. Short, simple and easy to pronounce. 

2. Noticeable, easy to recognize and remember. 

3. Pleasing, impressive when uttered. 

4. Neither obscene, negative, offensive or vulgar. 

5. Adaptable to packaging, labelling requirements, to different advertising media and languages. 

6. Linked to product and eye catching. 

7. Contemporary, capable of being registered and protected legally.

The concept for enterprise marketing is sales promotion. Sales promotion is one level or type of marketing aimed either at the consumer or at the distribution channel (in the form of sales-incentives). It is used to introduce new product, clear out inventories, attract traffic, and to lift sales temporarily. The concept for growth strategy is acquisition. Acquisition are often made as part of a company’s growth strategy whereby it is more beneficial to take over an existing firm’s operations and niche compared to expanding on its own. Acquisitions are often paid in cash, the acquiring company’s stock or a combination of both. Values involed are Courtesy; fostering respect for differences; sensitivity to environment; good behaviour in human interaction; sharing, compassion, empathy; discipline; responsibility; respect for law and order; conflict resolution; team work; honesty and integrity.

1. Personal selling: It means selling products personally. It involves oral presentation of message in the form of conversation with one or more prospective customers with the purpose of making sales.

2. Direct channel/zero level of distribution

Following are the advantages of‘Good Negotiations’: 

1. Helps in building better relationships. 

2. Delivers lasting, quality solutions rather than poor short-term solutions that do not satisfy the needs of either party. 

3. Helps in avoiding future problems and conflicts.

Following are the advantages of‘Good Negotiations’: 

1. Helps in building better relationships. 

2. Delivers lasting, quality solutions rather than poor short-term solutions that do not satisfy the needs of either party. 

3. Helps in avoiding future problems and conflicts.

Variable pricing technique is the one in which different prices are charged from different categories of customers. There is price discrimination. Many factors are responsible for the variation in the price. If a customer is purchasing more quantity of the product, he will be offered lower price. If the demand for the product increases in the market then higher price can be charged. This method has both the objectives viz. selling more quality and also charging higher price but at different times, e.g. Indian railways charges different fares for AC 3 tier, AC 2 tier, second class and general compartment.

A salesperson plays three different roles: 

1. Be persuasive: Salesmen have to persuade the customers to purchase the commodity. This effort is expected to be sincere. It may involve various aspects like clearing the queries of the customers, providing credit facilities, etc. 

2. A service provider: All the services related to the product are to be facilitated by the sales person. These services are related to various aspects like maintenance, repair, operation, etc. 

3. Be informative: Salesperson have to provide genuine information to the potential customers. Use of unfair information to the customers is not desired and not expected from the salesperson.

Developing effective advertising (AIDA): Good advertising elicits the following four responses: 

Attention: It catches the eye or ear and stands out amid the clutter of competing advertisements. 

Interest: It arouses interest and delivers sufficient impact in the message or offering. 

Desire: It creates a desire to learn more or crave ownership.

Action: It spurs an action which leads to achievement of the ad’s original objective

Advertising is a paid form of communication designed to attract or persuade potential customers to choose the product or service over that of a competitor.

There are four rules for advertising: 

1. Aim: It means the primary purpose of the advertisement and it aims to inform, sell, produce listings or improve the image of the business. 

2. Target: Who is targeted, i.e. which group of customers are targeted. For example, is it male, female, adult, teenager, child, mother, father, etc. 

3. Media: Based on aim and target which media is available and is most suitable i.e. TV, radio, press, etc. 

4. Competitors: Here, various aspects of the competitors are to be studied like moves of the competitors, media channel used, etc.

Marketing strategy includes:

1. all basic and long-term activities in the field of marketing that deal with the analysis of the strategic initial situation of a company.

2. the formulation, evaluation and selection of market-oriented strategies.

3. several strategies for growth and interrelated components called the marketing mix.

Components of successful sales strategy are creating an effective sales strategy requires market knowledge, awareness of competitor activities, awareness of current trends and detailed business analysis.

1. A sales strategy is a plan that places a company’s brand or product to gain a competitive advantage in the market.

2. It help the sales to focus on target market customers and communicate with them in desired and required ways.

3. It is aimed at targeting the correct customers at the right time.

A good brand name should have following qualities: 

1. Short, simple and easy to pronounce. 

2. Noticeable, easy to recognize and remember. 

3. Pleasing, impressive when uttered. 

4. Neither obscene, negative, offensive or vulgar. 

5. Adaptable to packaging, labelling requirements, to different advertising media and languages. 

6. Linked to product and eye catching. 

7. Contemporary, capable of being registered and protected legally.

Disadvantages of skimming price method: 

1. High promotional cost: In this method there is heavy expenditure on advertisement and other promotional techniques. All the entrepreneurs may not have such financial strength. 

2. Short run; This method is applicable only till the competitors are not entering. As the competitors enter from window, the price skimming method has to leave from the door. 

3. Innovation: Such method is applicable only to innovative products and ideas cannot be introduced for normal goods.