Marketing Mix in B2B definition by Marketing and Innovation (2024)

In both B2B and B2C, the marketing mix is the set of operational areas in which to develop a strategy. While in B2C, the initial marketing mix (known as the 4P), gradually expanded to 10P. In B2B, the marketing mixis limited to only the 3 P’s: price, performance, and proximity.

In 1964, the American academic Neil H. Borden coined the term “Marketing Mix” in an article entitled “The concept of Marketing Mix” and published itin the Journal of Advertising Research. The Marketing Mix serves to operationally define your marketing strategy.

In the 1960s, the Marketing Mix was based on 4 areas (the “4Ps”):

• Product: Theproduct policy. Whichproduct range,packaging, andassociated services…
• Price: The pricing policy.
• Place: The distribution policy. What network distribution which strengthspans data-contrast=”auto”>sales, the e-commerce.
• Promotion: The communication policy. What marketing actions, what campaigns, and whatpress/publicrelationships.

The B2B Marketing Mix

In B2B, the marketing mix can be broken down into the following 3 P’s: Price / Performance / Proximity.

• The price: B2B products are most often complex products (physical goods or services). The price is an essential element. It is calculated according to the criteria analyzed. Such as the quantities purchased, contractual clauses, the history of the relationship, and the payment terms. The price results from a global solution personalized for a given customer. It is unique and has a direct impact on the buyer’s return on investment (ROI). This is due to it being of a very sensitive nature.
• Performance:In a B2B relationship, we are generally talking about goods or equipment with services. It is, therefore, in most cases a package. The quality of the services that buyers deliver to their customers is correlated with the product’s intrinsic quality. Theassociated services directly or indirectly can also be seen to impact the quality.The notion of ROI is, once again, very present.
• Proximity:Business-to-business relationships create close relationships between a buyer and its supplier. Advice and support are decisive in the choice of a partner company. Suppliers are retained by prospects when teams are dedicated to their relationship and follow-up with their future customers.

The Limitations of Theoretical Approaches to the Marketing Mix

The supermarket sector is one criticism that stems from the “4P” Marketing mix. Due to being above all the supermarkets that set prices. Producers have less and less control over the “Price” variable.

What’s more, theMarketing Mix conceived during the thirty glorious years has evolved a lot since its invention. In the 1990s, some marketing experts wanted to rename the “4P” Marketing Mix to the “4C” Marketing Mix.

The “P” in “Product” has become the “C” in Consumer because the consumer should be the focus of marketing.

The “P” in “Price” has become the “C” in Cost. This cost variable can have two meanings. It is the total cost of the product or service (beyond its simple facial) but also the cost to the consumer of buying a product or service from a particular manufacturer or supplier: The cost in terms of time spent to make the purchase, or the psychological and/or moral cost if you buy a product that you consider more or less in line with your values (fair trade, organic product, etc).

The “P” in “Place“ has become the “C” of “Commodity” (convenience of purchase).The point of sale is important, but the convenience of purchase is even more important: Can the consumer buy by phone and/or order by mail?

Finally, the”P” in Promotionhas become the “C”span data-contrast=”auto” > of Communication which also takes much more account of consumer inputs and is no longer conceived as a solely top-down message.

“5P” Marketing Mix

In the 2000s, a “5P” Marketing Mix emerged. Depending on the source, the fifth P can have several meanings. For some, it means ‘People‘ i.e. the people you employ who will ensure the quality of your customer relationsand your brand image. ‘People’ can also refer to your company’s customers with whom you need to interact at the highest quality level.

For some others, the fifth “P” stands for simply ‘Payment’, in order to take into account all issues related to payment, especially on e-commerce sites. But the most commonly accepted meaning for the fifth “P” is that of “People”.

Trends and Innovations

In 2009, the CharteredInstitute of Marketing validated the concept of a “7P” Marketing Mix. Recently added are two terms ‘Process’ and ‘Physical Evidence’. The term Processreflects the buying process and the processes within the company. While Physical Evidence describes thephysical proof.

The “P” in Process relates firstly to the study of the buying process of consumers. It can also refer to the company’s internal processes enabling it to offer an equivalent level of quality whateveritself inthe contact points between the company and its prospects/customers.

The “P” in “Physical Evidence” consists of reassuring customers and prospects and giving them evidence relating to the legitimacy of the proposed offer: testimonials and customer reviews, zoom on products (on an e-commerce site) or, for services, publication of studies or reportshelping to provide tangible evidence of the quality of the services offered.

“4E” Marketing Mix

In 2009, Brian Fetherstonhaugh, the CEO of theagencyOgilvy & Mather, launched the Marketing Mix “4E” to Emotion, Experience, Exclusivity and Engagement. These “4Es” also put the consumer back at the centre of the marketing approach:

• The “E” in Emotion refers to the motivations that drive a consumer to buy. The meaning of their actions, and the emotion they feel beyond the product or service itself.
• The “E” in Experience concerns, on the other hand, what the customers will retain from their purchase: what they learned, what entertained them, what amazed themand what allowed them to escape.
• The “E” in Exclusivity reflects consumers’ desire to feelunique in their relationship with a brand. Personalization of messages but also of products, “one-to-one approach“, tailor-made customer relationships.
• The “E” of engagementtouches on the notion ofmeaning andutility for clients, to their desire to be able to express their creativity to co-build a brandby contributing to certain projects with it.

Recently added, there is an eighth “P” for Partnership whichencompasses all companies with which one forms close relationships that enhance a particular offering. The ninth “P” corresponds to “Permission Marketing.” This approach is about ensuring that consumers have given their consent to receive emails, SMS, and commercial solicitations.

Finally, the tenth “P” is that of the ‘Purple‘ cow. This phrase, coined by Seth Godinn author, speaker and former Yahoo direct marketing manager, emphasizes the need to stand out, to stand out in an ocean of more enticing propositions than the next.

Tools and Methods

For each of the “Ps” in your marketing mix, describe precisely what actions you intend to implement. This will allow de structure your strategy, making it a coherent and effective whole.

Online Resources About the Marketing Mix

• Chartered Institute of Marketing
• The Marketing Mix and the 4Ps of Marketing
• What the Marketing Mix Is and Why It’s Important
• Coca Cola Marketing Mix