

(Note: The location would depend upon the topic under discussion, wherein it will be the classroom for the theoretical interactions and the student will be required to visit field/retail outlet or the marketing department of an organization to observe and comprehend the concepts related to pricing of goods and services.)
SESSION1: MEANING AND IMPORTANCE OF PRODUCT
The term Product is mostly used as a need-satisfying entity. It represents solution to customers, problems. In the words of Peter Drucker, the product remains mere raw material or at the best an intermediate till it is not bought or consumed. Hence mostly they comprise of both tangible and intangible benefits. It may be anything that can be offered to a market to satisfy a want or need and include physical goods, services, experiences, events, places, properties, organization, information and ideas. In most of the cases products are made up a combination of physical elements and series.
It is observed that consumers buy products or services that they require to fulfill their needs. The products could range from tooth brush, chocolates, cars, movie tickets to life insurance at various stages of our life. The decision to make a purchase is hence dependent not only on the tangible attributes of the product but also on the psychological attributes like brand, package, warranty,image or service to name a few.According to Philip Kotler, “Product is anything that can be offered to someone to satisfy a need or a want”.
William Stanton, “Product is a complex of tangible and intangible attributes, including packaging, colour, price, prestige and services that satisfy needs and wants of people”. It is defined as a good or service that most closely meets the requirements of a particular market and yields enough profit to justify its continued existence
COMPONENTS OF A PRODUCT
Products have their own identity or a personality. Most of the users associate meaning with products, they obtain satisfaction by using them. The various features and functions built around them-the brand name, the package and labeling, the quality associated with it, the guarantees, the price, the manufacturer‟s name and prestige-all contribute to the personality or the total product offering, a marketers armory for satisfying the customer. It has been often stated that a customer never just purchases the generic product but he procures something that exceeds his expectation depending on for whom it is being bought.
The components of the product include core product, associated features, brand name, logo,package and label.
The Core Product
It is the basic element of the product. For example if we take Dove Soap, the fragrance of the soap, the moisturizing ability, the pristine white colour, the brand name, the price, the positioning as luxury soap all have gone into the marketing of product personality. The core component is the soap, the generic constituent, as in the case of any other bathing soap, the only difference being the other components are superimposed on this basic component to develop the
total personality of Dove. It is observed that the total product personality is dependent on basic constituent of the product.If the product is substandard the other elements associated like features, package, label,differentiation, positioning, branding will not be of any use. Hence focus on the core product is essential.
The Associated Features
The Product includes several associated features besides the core ingredient. In the example of Dove soap the fragrance of the soap, the moisturizing ability, the pristine white colour etc are its associated features. The total product personality is mostly enhanced through the associated features. Further, these also aid in distinguishing the product from its competitors.
The Brand Name
A brand is defined as a name, term, symbol, design or a combination of them which is intended to identify the goods and services of one seller and to differentiate them from those of competitors. A trade mark is a brand with legal protection, thus ensuring its exclusive use by one seller. In the current age consumers do not just pick products but they pick brands. The brand image is developed through advertising and other promotional measures to remain etched in the consumers‟ minds.
The Logo
It is the brand mark/symbol and an essential aspect of the product, extending its support to the brand effectively. Symbols and pictures ensure product/brand identification and recall with their importance being enhanced in rural markets where brands are mostly recognized by their picture in the logo.
Please click on below link to download CBSE Class 12 Marketing Product Notes