Business
Marketing in Politics
Photo by AP
This is not yet another Congress Vs BJP Vs AAP article! However in between, this article uses examples from the winning political party, BJP. BJP is a nationalist, right to centre political party of India, which has made history by becoming the first non-congress party ever to achieve majority in the Indian parliament in 2014. It is also the first time in 30 years when a non-coalition government is formed in the centre, eliminating few prominent political groups from the parliament. This article analyses the surprising performance by the BJP from the marketing perspective.
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The recently concluded democratic elections in India featured some principles of marketing used prior and during the elections by political parties. However, this term was used in a negative sense highlighting corporatizing of democratic institutions and crony capitalism. While crony capitalism is something our democracy should fight, marketing itself is not bad for democracy.
Marketing – in a political perspective – is the process of communicating the value of a product or service (policies, agenda and leader) to customers (entire population, both voters and non-voters), for selling that product or service (getting votes and trust). It is about getting the sense of society’s requirements and coming up with solutions for them. This is something, which all the sincere political parties try to do at the grassroots level.
In the 21st century, corporates have adopted a holistic marketing approach, which says, “Everything matters in marketing”. Such a marketing approach aids converge various segments of society with social responsibility. “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat” (One India, Great India) – slogan widely used by BJP reflects this approach, discouraging the political marketing activities of “divide and conquer”. Holistic marketing comprises of four components, namely:
- Relationship Marketing: Extending communication with customers (voters) and working on their direct feedback, maintaining long-term relations (retaining voters). With the worst ever performance by the Indian National Congress in these elections, party leadership later accepted that there was a ‘disconnection’ with the people and they failed to recognize the mood of the nation.
- Internal Marketing: Considering employees as internal customers. Motivating party workers, and maintaining healthy two-way communication between upper leadership and lower leadership, party workers and cadres who have first-hand experience and understanding of public mood and problems.
- Integrated Marketing: Keeping every segment in mind and customizing your strategy to target each segment. Whether it is about a problem of a region, rights of minorities, safety for women or jobs for youth, a fair and balanced policy needs to be fabricated in the manifesto addressing everyone’s needs and bringing everything under one umbrella, thus increasing votes. The slogan “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas” (Inclusive Development) widely used by BJP could be considered an example of integrated marketing which clearly had results – BJP winning an overwhelming majority in the parliament.
- Socially Responsible Marketing: For corporates, socially responsible marketing can be just a part of their marketing strategy or Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). However for political parties, this should be the main component of their strategy with a focus on benefits to the society.
3D projection of Narendra Modi rallying at hundreds of location at the same time. Source: indiatimes.com
In a parliamentary democracy, the demands of people and their needs are the driving force of all policy making and its approval. Such democracy should function for the people and by the elected representatives of the people. Any political party, which is serious about delivering and working for the people, must incorporate the four Ps of marketing. They are Product, Promotion, Price and Placement. When talking about customer focused marketing (public focus), the four Ps can be better presented as SIVA that is Solution, Information, Value and Access.
Customer oriented marketing or, in this case, public focussed politics or “good governance” – a terminology widely used by BJP’s prime ministerial candidate (now Prime Minister of India) is all about putting the citizens first. A political party must understand and recognize the problems in society and come up with a problem-solving product. This product or solution is the mix of leadership, ideology, party policy, action plan, agenda and manifesto.
The next important part of public focussed politics is promoting or informing people about their solution. This includes electronic and print advertisement, public rallies, meeting with people and running social media campaigns, all of which played a huge role in the recently concluded Indian elections.
However, the most important part is if the solution is actually reaching the people. Delivering on election promises can be done only after winning the elections, but it must be already ensured that the solution is applicable to all regions and sections of society. Parties must field a strong candidate in each constituency whom voters can vote for. It must be noted that NDA (BJP+) contested in 542 seats out of total 543, whereas UPA (Congress+) had contested only in 537 seats.
To sell the solution to the people, one needs votes! Every citizen can vote once in five years, thus every vote carries enormous value for him/her as well as for the party. Is your solution worth a voter’s vote? The solution and delivery of promises should be such that a voter feels safe and satisfied voting for that party.
In the latest elections in India, the winning party was accused of using the principles of marketing. Both the major parties, Congress and the BJP had hired PR firms to manage their campaigns. No matter how much funds and efforts you put in marketing, if your product/solution is not convincing to the people, you will not be able to maintain your dominance in the market of democracy for long.
Looking at BJP’s elections strategy, there is not doubt that the party was well aware of marketing fundamentals and made use of it wisely. Nevertheless, delivery of promises and implementation of the solutions is a part of marketing too (selling product/service and value addition). If the party is serious about maintaining its place in the parliament for long time, it should keep in mind all the promises it has to fulfil.
References for further study
- Kotler, Philip & Keller, L. Kevin (2012). Marketing Management 14e. Pearson Education Limited 2012
- Dev, Chekitan S.; Don E. Schultz (January–February 2005). “In the Mix: A Customer-Focused Approach Can Bring the Current Marketing Mix into the 21st Century”. Marketing Management 14 (1).
The SkyBridge air logistics project received the “Exporter of the Year, Services” award, granted by the Phoenix Global Chamber within its annual Grow Globally Fair, which brings exporters and importers together, along with international investors.
The award was presented to SkyBridge, a company chaired by Ariel Picker and directed by Felipe Monroy. The effort to position www.skybridgeaz.com as one of the leaders in the international logistics sector within the business community in Arizona has been coordinated by Marco Lopez, president of Intermestic Partners.
SkyBridge is planned to become the first international air cargo hub to house Mexican and US Customs in the United States.
Its operations are based at the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport and will allow e-commerce companies and manufacturers, among others, to do business in Mexico and throughout Latin America, with a more efficient and profitable transport of goods between countries, thorough inspections and adequate security controls.
The development of this project will create 17,000 new direct and indirect jobs, as well as more than 3.5 million SF of development which will include industrial, aeronautical, office and commercial real estate.
The construction plan will detonate other benefits in the border region. Arizona’s proximity to Mexico and its surroundings are highly favorable for business, and they make the state a natural center for air cargo companies, large and small, eager to see their businesses grow on both sides of the border.
In this sense, Grow Globally Fair gives global business leaders the opportunity to see what’s new, who is new and how they can grow better.
With that purpose, the Phoenix Global Chamber awards prizes in honor of the success achieved in international markets and in the United States, whose categories are: Exporter of the year, product; Exporter of the year, services; Importer of the year; Landed Company to see; Cross-border consulting; Transcendent leader of the community; International banking; International commercial law; Immigration lawyer; Diplomat of the year; Translation and localization; International logistics; International accounting and taxes; International finance and insurance; International Emerging Risk; International Talent and Payroll: International Real Estate Leader; International wealth management; International business training and discourse; International IT services; International market; International education; Collaborating Organization; International nonprofit; International business city; an Elected leader with global mentality; Young Global Leader, and Global Leaders of the tribe of the year.
The Spanish car company, SEAT is betting on the future by hiring two prestigious new executive vice presidents. The company hired Axel Andorff as the new executive vice president of R&D (research and development), and Carsten Isensee has been appointed as the new executive vice president for finance. With both appointments, SEAT is focusing on Innovation and securing the company’s record profit and investment figures.
Who are Axel Andorff and Carsten Isensee
Research & Development and Finance are two of the most important areas on a car company. The new vice presidents of these areas, are both executives with international experience and extensive knowledge on the car market. Axel Andorff will be replacing Dr. Matthias Rabe (who will run the technical development operations area at Volkswagen), and Carsten Isensee, who is taking over for Holger Kintscher (who will be working as head of IT and finance at Volkswagen).
Let’s see who are these two new incorporations to the SEAT executive staff.
Axel Andorff (R&D Vice president)
Axel Andorff is a German economic and mechanical engineer (from the German University of Kaiserslautern), with 20 years of experience at the car market, where he worked for Mercedes and held various positions in the research & development area of that company.
New responsibilities at SEAT
The new R&D vice president will be in charge of the company’s innovation projects, especially those involving connectivity and car electrification, developing technologies and new forms of mobility. He is in charge of the SEAT Technical Centre, who is focused on R&D. It has an area of 43,000 square meters, prepared and equipped (of a total area that covers a surface of 200,000 square meters). More than 1000 qualified engineers work on this center, using advanced technology (simulations, virtual reality…) to create modern and reliable cars, and developing new car technology.
In 2018 SEAT allocates 862 million euros on total investments and R&D expenses, 47% more than in 2017.
Carsten Isensee (Executive Vice-President for Finance)
Carsten Isensee has a degree in business management from the German University of Wilhelmshaven, and he has made his entire career in the Volkswagen company. His last charge was in China as an executive vice president for finance.
2018 was a historic year for SEAT. Sales have grown by over 10%, increasing from 468,400 sold vehicles in 2017 to 517.600 in 2018. With the incorporation of Carsten Isensee to the company, they expect to continue increasing their sales along 2019 and the next years.
New responsibilities at SEAT
The Finance vice president joins the Spanish car company with the objective of reinforcing the company’s profit record and investment figures, and to strengthen its financial basis for future Automotive (LINK NOFOLLOW) projects.
The car market is a very competitive sector. Last years SEAT increased its figures on sales, profits and investments. With the new vice presidents incorporations, the company is focusing on increasing these figures and securing its position on the market.
As SEAT president Luca de Meo said: “It’s time to look to the future with the ambition to grow”.
Gutemberg Dos Santos is a Brazilian-American entrepreneur and one of the main promoters of the use of Blockchain technology and crypto economy.
Gutemberg Dos Santos a couple of years ago sponsored an event in which the Guinness Record broke with the largest number of people playing Cash Flow, a game developed by Robert Kiyosaki. Today, Dos Santos shares some reflections that emerged on that occasion about what a good leader is.
A good leader is an excellent guide to reach common goals. If I want my team to work successfully I must share my skills and offer the best tools for their performance. I am also committed to strengthening the capabilities of each of the members and never assume that we all work the same as diversity enriches and complements the unit.
Sharing experiences. If I share my experiences with the rest of my team regarding the success and failures I have had in some projects, I will empathize with my team and together we will be able to reach the goals proposed for the company.
Listening. This part is essential for a business to
Motivating my team. I take my time to know my team, how old they are, what is their educational and socioeconomic level; what goals they pursue in the short and long term. This will help me find keywords that guide me to be empathetic with them and be able to have better communication.
Being proactive. When facing a difficult situation, I try to get the best out of it, without falling into frustration and rather detect alternative solutions. Trusting and being flexible. I am attentive to the capacities and strengths within my work team, this way I trust people in order to delegate tasks, likewise I am open to
For more information, please visit : www.gutembergds.com
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