Professional Documents
Culture Documents
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. What are three of the four major factors that influence a promotional mix composition?
a. geography of the market, customer makeup, and product characteristics
b. geography of the market, retailer market, and product characteristics
c. customer makeup, product characteristics, and budget requirements
d. customer makeup, market size, and product characteristics
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: p. 184
OBJ: 1-Describe the communication process and the factors determining a promotional mix
BLM: Remember
4. Which basic type of advertising makes potential customers aware of products and their need for them?
a. institutional
b. product
c. customer
d. specialty
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: p. 187
OBJ: 2-Identify advertising options for a small business BLM: Remember
10. Which traditional advertising medium has a low cost and can be scheduled on short notice, but
requires high frequency to generate comprehension and retention?
a. magazines
b. radio
c. billboards
d. newspapers
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: p. 191| Exhibit 7-4
OBJ: 2-Identify advertising options for a small business BLM: Remember
13. Which of the following serves as an inducement to buy a certain product while typically offering value
to recipients?
a. a sales promotion
b. a specialty trade show
c. advertising
d. specialty advertising
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: p. 197
OBJ: 3-Discuss the use of sales promotion tools and describe personal selling activities
BLM: Remember
14. A new cell phone communications company is trying to gain recognition and market share by offering
three free months of long distance with each new phone and contract purchased. What type of sales
promotion is being used?
a. coupons
b. newspaper ads
c. premiums
d. point-of-purchase displays
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: p. 197
OBJ: 3-Discuss the use of sales promotion tools and describe personal selling activities
BLM: Higher Order
18. John Frye, a small business manager, is interested in creating more company goodwill. Which
promotional tools should he use?
a. publicity programs
b. trade show exhibits
c. contests
d. specialties
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: p. 197
OBJ: 3-Discuss the use of sales promotion tools and describe personal selling activities
BLM: Remember
20. Anne Dunne owns a small business dealing with industrial products. She currently uses personal
selling extensively, but she wants to reduce her cost without losing exposure. What promotional tool
should she use?
a. specialties
b. coupons
c. contests
d. trade show exhibits
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: p. 198
OBJ: 3-Discuss the use of sales promotion tools and describe personal selling activities
BLM: Higher Order
21. A well-known drug retail chain rewards customers with sales coupons based on points they collect
from shopping. What type of sales promotion is this an example of?
a. a premium
b. a specialty
c. an exhibit
d. a loyalty program
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: p. 199
OBJ: 3-Discuss the use of sales promotion tools and describe personal selling activities
BLM: Higher Order
23. An organic produce farm has volunteered to manage and supply the fruits and liquids at the rest
stations for cyclists participating in a fundraiser. Which type of promotion is the produce farm using?
a. loyalty program
b. specialty
c. exhibit
d. publicity
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: p. 201
OBJ: 3-Discuss the use of sales promotion tools and describe personal selling activities
BLM: Higher Order
24. A salesperson at Carpet Warehouse searches public records of new building permits to identify
potential customers for new carpets. How is this salesperson identifying prospects?
a. customer-initiated contacts
b. marketer-initiated contacts
c. impersonal referrals
d. personal referrals
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: p. 202
OBJ: 3-Discuss the use of sales promotion tools and describe personal selling activities
BLM: Higher Order
25. Mary White, a sales representative for a small cleaning business, asks current customers for names of
friends, customers, and other businesses that might be interested in the company’s cleaning services.
How is Mary identifying potential customers?
a. customer-initiated contacts
b. marketer-initiated contacts
c. impersonal referrals
d. personal referrals
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: p. 202
OBJ: 3-Discuss the use of sales promotion tools and describe personal selling activities
BLM: Higher Order
26. Which of the following describes media publications, public records, and directories?
a. impersonal referrals
b. marketer-initiated contacts
c. personal referrals
d. customer-initiated contacts
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: p. 202
OBJ: 3-Discuss the use of sales promotion tools and describe personal selling activities
BLM: Remember
28. What are the two major steps in preparing for a sales presentation?
a. advertising and practising
b. prospecting and practising
c. publicity and prospecting
d. exhibits and prospecting
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: pp. 202-203
OBJ: 3-Discuss the use of sales promotion tools and describe personal selling activities
BLM: Remember
29. Will Thompson is a salesperson for a small appliance store. In an attempt to locate potential new
customers, he decides to mail a survey to residents in selected neighbourhoods. Those individuals who
returned completed surveys will receive a phone call from Thompson about the store’s products and
current “deals.” How is Thompson gaining knowledge of potential customers?
a. customer-initiated contacts
b. marketer-initiated contacts
c. impersonal referrals
d. personal referrals
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: p. 203
OBJ: 3-Discuss the use of sales promotion tools and describe personal selling activities
BLM: Higher Order
30. Tracey feels she has successfully completed a dinner meeting. She collected more than 20 business
cards to add to her list of contacts. Which activity was Tracey successful at?
a. making sales
b. setting appointments
c. collecting industry information
d. networking
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: p. 203
OBJ: 3-Discuss the use of sales promotion tools and describe personal selling activities
BLM: Higher Order
31. What are telephone calls and mail surveys examples of?
a. impersonal referrals
b. marketer-initiated contacts
c. personal referrals
d. customer-initiated contacts
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: p. 203
OBJ: 3-Discuss the use of sales promotion tools and describe personal selling activities
BLM: Remember
35. Inspiring Toys, a small manufacturer of educational toys, is formulating a budget for next year’s
promotional activities. The company decides to budget $40,000 for promotional expenses (5 percent of
the current year’s $800,000 in sales). What budgeting method is Inspiring Toys using?
a. spending as much as the level of sales
b. determining what level of sales it will take to do the job
c. allocating a percentage of sales
d. deciding what level of costs to accept
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: pp. 205-206
OBJ: 4-Discuss methods of determining the appropriate level of promotional expenditure
BLM: Higher Order
36. Promotional funds are determined according to past experience in what area?
a. spending as much as the competition
b. what can be spared
c. percentage of sales
d. forecast industry standard
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: pp. 205-206
OBJ: 4-Discuss methods of determining the appropriate level of promotional expenditure
BLM: Remember
38. Inspiring Toys, a small manufacturer of educational toys, is formulating a budget for next year’s
promotional activities. Elevation Toys sells similar products to the same market. Inspiring decides to
budget $50,000 for promotional expenses (an amount equal to Elevation’s promotional spending).
What budgeting method is Inspiring Toys using?
a. spending as much as the competition
b. determining what it will take to do the job
c. allocating a percentage of sales
d. deciding what can be spared
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: p. 206
OBJ: 4-Discuss methods of determining the appropriate level of promotional expenditure
BLM: Higher Order
39. Which of the following describes the “spending as much as the competition” method?
a. it should be used only to react to close competitors
b. it should never be used
c. it should depend on past experiences
d. it should be used to introduce a unique, new product
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: p. 206
OBJ: 4-Discuss methods of determining the appropriate level of promotional expenditure
BLM: Remember
40. Rahul is reviewing the company’s expense report to determine the amount of funds left over to
purchase samples he wants to give away at a trade show. What method is Rahul using to determine the
promotional expenditure?
a. examining industry forecast
b. spending as much as the competition
c. deciding what can be spared
d. determining what it will take to do the job
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: p. 206
OBJ: 4-Discuss methods of determining the appropriate level of promotional expenditure
BLM: Higher Order
42. What is the total sales revenue of a small business a direct reflection of?
a. sales volume and price
b. revenues and costs
c. sales volume less costs
d. revenues and price
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: p. 207
OBJ: 5-Discuss the role of cost and demand factors in setting a price
BLM: Remember
44. Mohammad is reviewing the specific costs incurred by the firm in actually producing its product.
These costs include materials, machinery, and labour. Which of the following is Mohammad
reviewing?
a. general overhead costs
b. costs of manufacturing
c. cost of goods sold
d. manufacturing overhead expenses
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: p. 208
OBJ: 5-Discuss the role of cost and demand factors in setting a price
BLM: Higher Order
45. Active Feet, a small manufacturer of shoes, hired an additional vice-president and purchased a barrel
of synthetic rubber used to make shoe soles. Which two expenses do these costs represent?
a. selling cost/cost of goods sold
b. general overhead expense/cost of goods sold
c. selling cost/general overhead expense
d. general overhead expense/general overhead expense
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: p. 208
OBJ: 5-Discuss the role of cost and demand factors in setting a price
BLM: Higher Order
48. Within the framework of a break-even analysis, what is examined to determine the quantity at which
the product, with an assumed price, will generate enough revenue to start earning a profit?
a. costs
b. revenues
c. sales forecasts
d. costs and revenue
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: p. 210
OBJ: 6-Apply break-even analysis and markup pricing BLM: Higher Order
49. What is the term for a cost-plus method of pricing that arrives at a final price capable of covering
operating expenses, subsequent price reductions, and desired profit levels?
a. markup pricing
b. price lining
c. break-even pricing
d. cost-based pricing
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: p. 212
OBJ: 6-Apply break-even analysis and markup pricing BLM: Remember
50. Markup pricing may be expressed in terms of a percentage of either the cost or which of the
following?
a. quantity
b. operating expenses
c. selling price
d. labour cost
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: p. 212
OBJ: 6-Apply break-even analysis and markup pricing BLM: Remember
52. The Widget Company sells 1,000 widgets annually at a price of $35 each. The company’s pricing
policies adhere to a 40 percent markup of selling price. What is the cost of each widget?
a. $14
b. $21
c. $28
d. $35
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: p. 212
OBJ: 6-Apply break-even analysis and markup pricing BLM: Higher Order
53. Which strategy involves pricing products or services at a lower than normal, long-range market price
in order to gain more rapid market acceptance or to increase existing market share?
a. variable pricing strategy
b. skimming price strategy
c. penetration pricing strategy
d. price-lining strategy
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: p. 213
OBJ: 7-Identify specific pricing strategies and create a price quality grid
BLM: Remember
54. Colorful Concoctions, a maker of children’s crayons, decides to price its boxes of crayons below the
long-term market price. The firm agrees to reduce its profit margin from 30 percent to 5 percent in the
short term in order to increase market share and discourage other firms from entering the crayon
market. What strategy is Colorful Concoctions implementing?
a. variable pricing strategy
b. skimming price strategy
c. penetration pricing strategy
d. price-lining strategy
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: p. 213
OBJ: 7-Identify specific pricing strategies and create a price quality grid
BLM: Higher Order
56. TRX Inc. will give a lower price to customers that either negotiate well or have the potential to
purchase larger volumes. What pricing strategy does TRX use?
a. variable pricing
b. skimming
c. penetration pricing
d. flexible pricing
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: pp. 213-215
OBJ: 7-Identify specific pricing strategies and create a price quality grid
BLM: Higher Order
57. In the wake of a major competitor going out of business, YYT Airlines has dropped prices to grab
market share quickly before the remaining competition. What pricing strategy is YYT Airlines using?
a. follow-the-leader
b. skimming
c. penetration
d. prestige
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: p. 214
OBJ: 7-Identify specific pricing strategies and create a price quality grid
BLM: Higher Order
58. A new luxury hotel sets its prices very high to appeal to the rich that desire comfort and unique levels
of service. What pricing strategy is this hotel using?
a. skimming pricing
b. penetration pricing
c. variable pricing
d. prestige pricing
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: p. 214
OBJ: 7-Identify specific pricing strategies and create a price quality grid
BLM: Higher Order
60. Hollywood Entertainment analyzed its customer base to ascertain the characteristics of customer
segments and understand special market conditions. The independent movie theatre found that senior
citizens thought the current $5 admission price was too high and that most consumers preferred to go
to the movies after 6:00 p.m. To strengthen ticket demand, Hollywood Entertainment begins offering
$3.50 tickets to all seniors and $4 tickets for all movies starting before 6:00 p.m. What strategy is
Hollywood Entertainment using?
a. variable pricing strategy
b. flexible pricing strategy
c. price-lining strategy
d. differentiated pricing strategy
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: p. 215
OBJ: 7-Identify specific pricing strategies and create a price quality grid
BLM: Higher Order
TRUE/FALSE
1. The adage “Build a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door” highlights the
importance of innovation in building a successful marketing program, even if it ignores the other vital
marketing activities.
2. A weak pricing strategy is required to ensure that customers perceive the new mousetrap offers better
value than their old one.
4. The promotional mix is influenced by three major factors: the geographical nature of the market to be
reached, customer income, and the target market.
10. Product advertising makes potential customers aware of a particular product or service and their need
for it.
11. Product advertising is intended to keep the public conscious of the company and its good reputation.
12. The type of advertising used should be based on the nature of the business, industry practice, available
media, and the firm’s objectives.
14. Suppliers never furnish display aids or entire advertising programs to their dealers.
17. Web advertising allows advertisers to reach large numbers of global buyers in a timely manner, at less
expense, and with more impact than many alternative forms of advertising.
18. In an affiliate program, a website carries a banner ad or a link for another company in exchange for a
commission on any sales generated by the traffic sent to the sponsoring website.
20. Banner ads are solely made by flag-producing companies and appear at civic events.
22. Studies show that first-time visitors to a website spend as little as 10 seconds there before deciding
whether or not to stay.
24. Sales promotion is an inclusive term for any promotional techniques that is neither personal selling nor
advertising.
27. The distinguishing characteristic of specialties is their temporary nature and intangible value.
29. Trade show exhibits allow potential customers to get hands-on experience with a product.
30. Trade show groups claim that the cost of an exhibit is less than one-fourth the cost of sales calls.
31. Regular contacts with news media are required for publicity programs to be effective.
32. Joining with another firm to promote products is a form of a strategic alliance.
34. Personal selling is an effective method for promoting products such as cameras.
36. One of the most inefficient prospecting techniques is obtaining personal referrals.
37. Inquiries by a potential customer that do not lead to a sale can still create a “hot prospect.”
38. In personal selling, one should never admit product weaknesses to the potential customers.
40. During a sales presentation, the salesperson should never acknowledge a product disadvantage.
41. Straight financial compensation is the best means for motivating salespeople because of the financial
security salaries provide.
42. One of the best approaches to small business promotion is allocating a percentage of sales.
43. Another approach to budgeting funds for a small business is spending as much as the competition
does.
44. In allocating a percentage of sales, one major shortcoming is an inherent tendency to spend less on
promotion when sales are increasing.
46. Credit involves a disagreement between buyer and seller in terms of payment.
47. Pricing and credit decisions are vital because they affect both revenue and cash flows.
49. Because the method takes into consideration both fixed and variable costs, average pricing is always
an appropriate pricing approach for small businesses.
50. Total variable costs are costs that vary with the quantity produced or sold.
51. Total fixed costs are costs that remain constant as the quantity produced or sold varies.
52. In conducting a comprehensive break-even analysis, a firm must examine both its revenue-cost
relationships and its sales forecasts.
54. The objective of a break-even analysis is to determine the quantity at which the product, at an assumed
price, will generate enough revenue to start earning a profit.
56. Markup pricing has emerged as a manageable pricing system for retailers who must quickly price
hundreds of products.
57. With a skimming price strategy, prices for products or services are set lower than normal long-range
market prices in order to gain more rapid market acceptance or to increase market share.
58. A penetration pricing strategy is most practical when there exists little threat of short-term competition
in the market or when start-up costs must be recovered rapidly.
59. A follow-the-leader strategy is a marketing approach that uses a particular competitor as a model in
setting prices.
60. Prestige pricing requires that a firm’s product have a real or perceived competitive advantage in the
consumer market.
61. A variable pricing strategy takes into consideration special market conditions and practices of
competitors in arriving at a final product or service price.
62. Flexible pricing is a marketing approach that offers different prices to reflect differences in customer
demand.
63. Price lining refers to the systematic determination of the right price for a product or service.
ESSAY
ANS:
Communication is a process with identifiable components. The challenge is twofold: (1) to create the
promotions that will be most effective in fostering awareness and motivation to buy with the target
market and (2) to create a cost-effective promotion program.
A promotional mix is a blend of selling, advertising, and promotional tools aimed at a target market.
The composition is determined by four major factors. The first factor is the geographical nature of the
market to be reached. A widely dispersed market generally requires mass coverage through
advertising, in contrast to the more costly individual contacts of personal selling. On the other hand, if
the market is local with relatively small number of customers, personal selling is more feasible.
2. List the four factors that influence the choice of promotional methods used in a promotional mix.
ANS:
Geographic nature of the market to be reached—A widely dispersed market generally requires mass
coverage through advertising, in contrast to the more costly individual contacts of personal selling. If
the market is local, with a relatively small number of customers, personal selling is more feasible.
Firm's target customers—shot gunning or hitting everyone (target market and everyone else) is
expensive. If the target market is known, an advertising program can be fine-tuned.
Product's characteristics—if a high unit value (mobile home, luxury car), personal selling will be
essential. Personal selling is also good for highly technical items. On the other hand, advertising is
effective for relatively inexpensive items like razor blades or gum.
Budget—you can choose the optimal mix but if you can't afford it, you need to pare it down.
ANS:
Furnish design, artwork, and copy for specific advertisements and/or commercials.
Evaluate the effectiveness of different advertising appeals.
Advise on sales promotions and merchandise displays.
Conduct market sampling studies to evaluate product acceptance or determine the sales potential of a
specific geographic area.
Provide mailing lists.
PTS: 1 REF: p. 188 OBJ: 2-Identify advertising options for a small business
4. Identify an advantage and a disadvantage for each of the following advertising media: (a) daily
newspaper, (b) magazine, (c) radio, (d) television, and (e) outdoor.
ANS:
a. Daily newspaper. Wide circulation, but nonselective audience
b. Magazine. Good reproduction, but long lead time
c. Radio. Pinpoints audience, but advertising must be bought consistently to be of value
d. Television. Dramatic impact, but high cost
e. Outdoor. Dominant size, but clutter of many signs reduces effectiveness of each
ANS:
banner ads and pop-ups
direct email promotions
sponsorships and linkages
corporate website
PTS: 1 REF: p. 191 OBJ: 2-Identify advertising options for a small business
6. Describe how an affiliate program works and why it is popular among Web retailers.
ANS:
In an affiliate program, a website carries a banner ad or a link for another company in exchange for a
commission on any sales generated by the traffic sent to the sponsoring website.
PTS: 1 REF: p. 192 OBJ: 2-Identify advertising options for a small business
7. Describe two reasons direct email promotions are becoming less effective.
ANS:
spam (cluttered inboxes)
viruses (reluctant to open)
PTS: 1 REF: p. 193 OBJ: 2-Identify advertising options for a small business
ANS:
The statements made by students will vary, of course. However, consider those listed below:
Specialties. Sales promotion items with enduring nature and tangible value
Publicity or public relations. A less costly form of sales promotion that is almost “free”
but, unfortunately, can be unfavourable
Trade show exhibits. Product demonstrations that provide hands-on experience with a
product
Loyalty programs. Points or monies or coupons given for purchases made. For instance,
Canadian Tire Money or Pioneer Gas Points, or get three oil changes and the fourth one
is free. It persuades customers to return.
Strategic alliances and sales promotions. Two or more firms that sell to the same target
market may agree to promote each other. For instance, have brochures available or have
draws winning a prize from the other store, etc.
ANS:
Direct denial: Deny the prospect’s objection and give facts to back up the denial.
Indirect denial: Express concern about the prospect’s objection and follow with a denial.
Boomerang technique: Turn the valid objection into a valid reason to buy.
Compensation method: Admit to agreeing with the objection and then proceed to show compensating
advantages.
Pass-up method: Acknowledge the concern expressed by the prospect and then move on.
10. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using salary and commission as methods of
compensating salespeople?
ANS:
Security for the salesperson is the greatest advantage of a salary plan. However, a straight salary tends
to restrict the salesperson’s earning ability and can even promote laziness. On the other hand, when a
salesperson is compensated with salary, the firm can more easily require that person to perform
nonselling activities.
A commission plan serves as a strong incentive to the salesforce—“no sale, no income.” A
commission plan also helps with a firm’s cash flow problems because payment is not made until sales
revenue begins to come in. A 100 percent commission plan may not help the salesperson’s morale,
however, if sales are slow.
ANS:
Allocating a percentage of sales. A company’s own past sales experiences are evaluated
to establish a promotion/sales ratio. Secondary data from industry sources like
Performance Plus can be used.
Spending as much as the competition. This method studies competitors and allocates
funds at a level close to theirs.
Determining what it will take to do the job. This method analyzes the market and
promotional alternatives to determine the amount of funds required to do the job.
ANS:
Price directly affects the total revenue taken in by a company. If the price is too high, the quantity sold
will decrease thus lowering the overall revenue. If the price is changed and the quantity isn't, it still
affects the total revenue taken in. Therefore, pricing has a dual influence on total revenue—both
directly, as part of the gross revenue equation, and indirectly through its impact on quantity demanded.
13. List the three types of costs that are used in determining prices. Give an example of each one.
ANS:
Cost of goods offered—the cost of the item, and the freight charges
Selling cost—salesperson's time, advertising
Overhead cost—storage, security, salaries, taxes
ANS:
PTS: 1 REF: p. 210 OBJ: 6-Apply break-even analysis and markup pricing
ANS:
Penetration pricing involves pricing products or services lower than the normal,
long-range market price. The purpose is to gain more rapid market acceptance or to
increase existing market share.
Skimming pricing sets prices at very high levels for a limited period for the purpose of
recovering start-up costs rapidly or when there is little threat of short-term competition.
ANS:
a) Bundling is when a business combines two or more items together. The main purpose
is to move higher volumes. For instance, Bell offers discounts if you have your phone,
cellphone, satellite TV, and Internet with them—the more services, the more discounts
you get.
Sometimes, it’s a good selling technique as the customer wants a simplified bundle
(computer CPU and you get the monitor and printer)
Also useful if the marginal costs of bundling are low – Valentine's Day chocolates; get
a card too.
Way of increasing the sale of high margin products….buy a camera, get a case for $15
(reg. $18)
b) Flexible pricing – if there are special market conditions and adjusting the pricing will
help increase revenue, or to adjust to pricing of competitors or if it will make a
difference in the customer demand. For instance…special market conditions, if the
demand is higher than the supply, you can charge a premium price. For instance, there
won't be sales on a new product that has just been released and it is in big demand. Or,
lower matinee prices or Tuesday night specials entice people to go to the movies at a
time of day when they might not otherwise go. Cruises to Alaska have an off-season, a
shoulder season, and a prime season.
Adjusting to competitors often sees Future Shop offering to match any advertised
competitor’s pricing.
Hotels that cater to business travellers during the week will often have special pricing
for family getaways on the weekend—otherwise, their rooms might be empty.