Sales drive the business world and the economy. However, sales in any business need to be managed to ensure that the business achieves its objectives. This is where the function of sales management comes into the business structure: it plays the key role of ensuring that salespeople succeed at selling. The profitability of the organisation depends on how successfully sales managers lead their sales force.

The sales manager is responsible for the strategic planning of the sales force, which includes the management of the selling process and organising the sales activities within the sales department. With the third edition of this textbook, the authors hope that both industry and academia will be able to use the information to better understand and implement the different functions of sales management. Concepts are presented in such a manner that a student new to the field will easily grasp them.

Marketing Management takes a fresh look at topics such as the architecture of marketing, integrated marketing communication and the identification of target markets. Core topics such as product and services, wholesaling and retailing, distribution, global marketing and pricing strategies are, of course, also dealt with. It includes all-new chapters on customer interface management, branding decisions, digital marketing communications, customer value and retention, and measuring and managing the return on marketing investment.

Marketing Management has been widely prescribed for more than 20 years. This edition – containing the most recent and relevant research – is sure to remain the market leader, particularly within the South African context.

Key Features:

• Well-researched case studies
• Numerous examples to explain marketing theory, many of which are taken from South African companies
• Extended marketing mix is discussed where relevant and not as a separate topic
• Focus on customer satisfaction as well as on accessing and using information in decision making
• Support material for adopting institutions

A thorough understanding of the basics of marketing is essential for any marketing practitioner and student of marketing. Marketing: An Introduction is a valuable tool which describes the foundational aspects of marketing and enables a basic understanding of this field. This book has a strong focus on the principles of marketing, the importance and use of social media, and the integration of marketing principles with other business functions.

Marketing: An introduction builds on the huge popularity of the first three editions - all of which have been widely accepted and adopted in the business and academic community. This addition is once again written in a way that is easy to understand by students and focuses on the latest trends in marketing.

The book has been written with the aim of providing students and practitioners with a thorough understanding of marketing, as well as how the theory is applied in a practical sense. Once again it is made clear that for a business to survive the various functions should work closely together in order to meet the demands of the market and that all are working together towards the overall profitability of the organization.

This fourth edition of Strategic Marketing has been revised and updated to include the latest trends and examples in business. This edition provides a concise and thorough look at the strategic business issues todays managers must cope with.

The focus is on how organisations need to adapt and cope with the demands from the global and local business environment, and in the process better understand their responsibilities their own organisations needs and their own products and other offerings.

Over the years and with all the new developments in the world and technological advances, the four key questions all organisations must answer still remain as follows:

• Where are we now?
• Where do we want to be?
• How will we get there?
• Did we get there?

These questions sound easy and straight forward but it is not as simple as it sounds. It requires a thorough understanding of the organisation and all the elements in the business environment that can and will impact on the business. This edition addresses these questions in an easy to understand and practical manner and covers a range of topics including an analysis of the external business environment, a detailed analysis of customers and competitors, market analysis, analysing the internal environment. There after the focus moves to marketing strategy and metrics which is applicable to organisations and the importance thereof, and added to this is the management of customer experiences and market strategies, and a global view of strategic marketing from the organisation’s perspective.

The world of integrated marketing communication (IMC) has changed dramatically over the last 10 years, due in large part to the expansion and advances in digital media technology. These changes have affected clients, consumers and advertisers alike.

Marketing Communication: An integrated approach 2nd edition deals with the past, present and future of IMC and the impact this has had on the pace and demands of effective persuasive communication in the current digital age. It is also the first IMC textbook to cover in detail alternative communication strategies and how their unconventional and disruptive tactics have been integrated into our daily lives. Self-study questions per chapter have also been included in this edition.

In the developed world, which is a mature market, many businesses are finding that opportunities for growth have declined. As a result, they are seeking growth opportunities in developing economies. Africa is an emerging market, with some countries outpacing developed nations in economic growth. It has the fastest growing population and an exploding middle class with more disposable income. The continent is open for business and has become an investment destination of choice.

Marketing in Africa covers the key aspects of marketing in non-traditional markets and explains important marketing concepts. The book is about understanding the lucrative African markets, including informal markets, and how to market to them.

The Fifth edition of Marketing Management: A South African Perspective, the leading marketing textbook in Southern Africa, adopts a new perspective on the business environment and the way in which businesses can deal with changes in that environment.

The research techniques and methods discussed are applied to researching advertising, mass-media audiences, mass-media efficiency and organisational and development contexts. The research problems or issues addressed are also relevant to other communication fields, including political, government, marketing, intercultural, health and interpersonal and small-group communication, plus information and communications technology.

This second edition elaborates on the application of additional measurement scales and of content analysis. It contains more practical examples of the application of scientific criteria and it includes additional marginal notes that facilitate the comprehension of key concepts.

Services, whether online or offline, are important in modern economies in which the understanding is that we ‘are all in services’. Services Marketing, a subset of the field of Marketing, has evolved and developed a range of theories and models, all focused on providing superior service offerings to today’s market and the growing expectations of service delivery. New research provides additional contemporary insights into this dynamic and developing area. This text seeks to address the current research and its managerial implications in both online and offline services. It includes new case studies, integrating new research and new perspectives on the various aspects of services.

The book covers important topics in providing services, including:

• Technology and its role in service marketing
• Customer expectations and perceptions
• Creating customer value
• Services architecture
• Pricing decision-making
• Demand management
• Building customer relationships and loyalty
• Integrated service marketing communication
• Service recovery strategies

In our interconnected world, mastering global branding is essential for success. International Brand Management is your comprehensive guide, covering key aspects of international branding to help you navigate the complex global marketplace.

Beginning with brand identity and positioning, the book emphasizes the importance of cultural sensitivity, market research, and strategic alignment in crafting a compelling brand narrative that resonates across diverse cultures. From there, it explores brand architecture, demonstrating how to manage complex brand portfolios while maintaining coherence and synergy.

Brand equity and its value chain are examined, providing insights into measuring brand equity and evaluating the impact of branding investments on financial performance and consumer perceptions. The text also covers brand communication strategies, showcasing how effective communication can amplify brand resonance and foster meaningful engagement with global audiences

Relationship Marketing and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) have become important tools in securing the survival of businesses in the new millennium by considering both external customers and employees (internal customers). CRM enables businesses to provide excellent realtime customer service through the eff ective use of digital technologies. CRM will evolve to become more aligned to customer management practices both internal and external to the business as well as to embrace Industry 5.0.

Both internal and external customers are increasingly using smart phone devices to engage with organisations, highlighting the importance of digital relationships and technologies. Relationship marketing acknowledges the importance of other stakeholders and the building of relationships with these groups. Relationship Marketing and CRM will therefore have to secure state-of-the-art customer and relationships management strategies delivered to all its customers through the development and implementation of these CRM strategies.

Key topics covered in this book:

• The nature of Relationship Marketing and Customer Relationship Management
• Building relationships, including online relationships
• Service issues in Relationship Marketing and Customer Relationship Management
• Internal marketing
• Business-to-business marketing relationships
• Stakeholders in Relationship Marketing
• Planning and organising a CRM strategy
• Implementing Customer Relationship Management (CRM) in an organisation

  This newly updated South African book was written to compliment students at both undergraduate and postgraduate level and is therefore both highly informative and practical in its approach. It will also further inform practising marketers about the complex world of RM and CRM and new developments in the field.

Teaching you how to use online tools to reach your customers. In today's increasingly digital world, marketing is going online. From companies to individuals, people are seeking new and creative ways to promote their products and themselves in the virtual realm. Websites, email and social media are reaching out to customers at home, in the office or on the move, and finding ways to engage with them. The virtual world has many benefits, but not everyone is familiar enough with digital channels to use them to maximum potential. This is where e-Marketing in the South African context comes into play. This comprehensive book focuses on the critical issues associated with e-marketing in the South African context. It is written in an easy-to-read and practical fashion that will help readers grasp the relevant technologies and concepts presented in the book. And it provides a strategic perspective as well as metrics to help achieve the goal of successful e-marketing.

It is widely recognised that sales and marketing are the two business functions that contribute directly to the bottom line of any organisation.

Marketing is more than a sequence of steps or a strategic process; it is also a mindset that leads to good business philosophy. The marketing mindset focuses wholeheartedly on customers and the satisfaction of customers’ needs while aiming to influence the entire organisation to strive towards customer satisfaction. Sales, on the other hand, is that business function that ultimately closes the deal and brings the customer and the business together. Without sales, the customer would never achieve need satisfaction and the organisation would never meet its objectives. The ultimate goal of meeting the customer’s needs brings these two seemingly different fields together.

Fundamentals of Sales and Marketing serves to provide a fundamental understanding of both sales and marketing by equipping the reader with theoretical knowledge and practical examples that are applicable to a South African context.

In today’s competitive retail environment, where new products are being introduced daily, how do you attract customer attention to your new product, and how do you manage its success? But equally important is the price. Just what is the science of pricing?

Product and Price Management recognises that a product manager needs to maximise the value of a product, oversee all aspects of a product line in order to deliver superior customer satisfaction, and coordinate production with an understanding of the market’s and customers’ needs, while simultaneously providing a long-term competitive advantage for the company. It also focuses on the basics of pricing and conveys the choices and strategies surrounding price in a concise and practical manner. South African examples help illustrate the discussions, and the topics have been updated to reflect the current realities of the markets.

The pandemic that hit the world in 2020 has brought about many changes around the world. This has led to numerous changes in the world of business and new trends have emerged in the world of sales. Artificial intelligence became more prominent, the impact of videos increased and automation of sales processes became the order of the day.

One of the more noticeable sales trends that emerged in the past years is creativity. The business world changed and salespeople had to work harder to meet targets. This also led to more intense competition, which in turn, resulted in more innovative ways of doing business. Salespeople were forced to work smarter and not harder during these trying times. One of the cyber-age strategies focused on was the use of the Internet to drive sales. This, however, quickly became annoying to customers. To prevent this type of strategy from becoming an also-ran, it needs to be adjusted and adapted to be one step ahead. Creativity is called for in sales – not silliness!

It is clear that customer expectations of personal selling are constantly changing and that businesses must adapt to these changes. The days are gone where a business can tell customers what they want to hear; or will close a deal fast; or talk a lot to influence customers. Customers expect businesses to change the way they approach them.

In this edition of Personal Selling, the authors outline the key steps in the selling process that lead to a successful sale, from prospecting for a sale to the follow-up once the sale has been completed. In addition, it explains the role and place of personal selling, the impact it has on the economy and how it ties in with and supports marketing. The importance of communication in the act of selling, as well as different approaches and sales presentation methods, are explained and clarified, and a comprehensive discussion on how salespeople should manage themselves and their time is included.

In the developed world, which is a mature market, many businesses are finding that opportunities for growth have declined. As a result, they are seeking growth opportunities in developing economies. Africa is an emerging market, with some countries outpacing developed nations in economic growth. It has the fastest–growing population and an exploding middle class with more disposable income. The continent is open for business and has become an investment destination of choice.

Marketing in Africa covers the key aspects of marketing in non–traditional markets and explains important marketing concepts. The book is about understanding the lucrative African markets, including informal markets, and how to market to them.

Marketing in Africa is intended for undergraduate and postgraduate Marketing students, and students in other programmes such as Business Management, Supply Chain Management and Human Resources.

This revised and updated second edition of Channel Management (previously titled Distribution Management) focuses on the basics of product distribution as part of the marketing mix and explains the choices and strategies involved in choosing distribution channels.

Channel Management 2e clearly describes how distribution strategies need to coordinate the activities and aims of the producer or manufacturer and various intermediaries in order to bring products and services to buyers at the right time, at the right place and in the right quantity.

As an introduction to branding, Fundamentals of branding provides students with an overview of the building blocks of branding, which include: the influence of branding on marketing decisions; the role and place of branding in the organisation; the various elements of branding; packaging the brand; positioning the brand; planning, leveraging and extending the brand; evaluating the brand. The book contains a chapter with real-life branding case studies which illustrates the practical application of the topics discussed in this book. This is a very useful resource for students who struggle to apply theory learned to real-life situations.

Advances in technology and the change in customer profiles have changed advertising and sales as they have traditionally been conceived, forever. Marketers need to adapt their advertising and sales approaches in order to reach their rapidly changing market and keep up with their clients and customers. Advertising and sales promotion focuses on the main advertising media and sales approaches and the impact these have on the demands and pace of effective, persuasive communication in the current digital age.

Business-to-Business Marketing is the first B2B marketing book in South Africa written by local academics. Its content therefore includes material to which South African students of B2B marketing can relate more easily. This book is about businesses marketing their products and services to other businesses and covers concepts related to this environment. It gives valuable insights into business-to-business marketing management, as well as analysing B2B buying practices, supply chain management, the selection of business customers and the development of a B2B marketing strategy. It provides readers with an understanding of what B2B marketing is and how it differs from business-to-consumer (B2C) marketing. The book has a strong theoretical basis, while also exploring many case studies from a South African perspective.

What is the role off marketing in the business? How is value created in the marketing process? How can I develop a marketing plan? How do I conduct market research? Is the internet the best way to help me market my product or service, or are a multichannel approach the best solution as a distribution channel option?

This completely updated sixth edition of Introduction to marketing that started out in 1998 comprises twelve chapters that focuses on recent developments in the South African marketing environment. The business setting has changed drastically in the Post-Covid-19 environment. These changes are reflected in all the chapters of the textbook.

Of special interest are the new chapters that were introduced on sustainability, social responsibility and ethical decision-making in marketing, developing the marketing plan and how marketing is dealing with changes brought by Industry 4.0.

Marketing is not a function by itself or a task for just one person – its success depends on several activities in the marketing value chain.

Understanding this value chain is important for companies to stay relevant, and crucial for seeing a return on their investment in marketing. Companies employ and interact with many members of the marketing value chain, and therefore need to be familiar with the relationships between each link in this chain.

Marketing Value Chain is about understanding this value chain, where marketing fits into the chain, and what role marketers play within it.

Key concepts are:

• the nature of distribution and its role in the supply chain and marketing
• the concept of value chain marketing
• distribution channels in South Africa
• understanding channel design and channel selection
• functions in the value chain
• behavioural processes in the value chain
• trends in value chain development and online channels
• the supply chain and logistics industry in South Africa
• buyer -supplier relationships

Customer service is not a new topic in marketing. Although most marketing texts cover customer service in some form or another, the topic is generally not given the attention it deserves. In a society where customers are becoming more informed, more protected and more demanding than in the past, it makes good business sense to ensure that your customers receive a high level of customer service. After all, a happy customer is a satisfied customer, and a satisfied customer will remember the experience and purchase from you again and again.

Customer Service draws together the important issues regarding customer service. It addresses all the key elements which need to be considered when developing a service strategy for a business. The text is not only written with undergraduate students in mind, but also for the entire spectrum of businesses – both large and small – and for employees at all levels.

This book:

• Considers the topic of customer service within the context of its role in marketing strategy
• Stresses the importance and role of verbal and non-verbal communication
• Highlights the role that physical evidence plays in supporting a service strategy
• Addresses the causes of service failures and how to fix them
• Provides guidance on how to develop a service system
• Shows how technology can be used to enhance customer service
• Gives advice on how to develop and train staff to deliver exceptional customer service
• Addresses the important issues of quality, value, expectations and satisfaction and why they form the foundation of a service strategy
• Outlines the concept of customer experience management and how to apply it to a business