Reference no: EM133200825

According to the text below please advise on the following questions:

Part 1: Product/Service Characteristics

Please answer the following questions:

1. Describe your product physically and describe its features. (If your business is a service, describe your company location, services offered and service personnel.)
2. Describe your product/service in terms of its image. How do the brand name, packaging and label fit its image?
3. Which stage of the product life cycle is the industry for your product/service in? Explain why you think so.
4. What distinguishes/differentiates your product/service from your competitors?
5. What is its price? How does this price compare with competition?  (If your business offers a number of products or services, choose 3-5 to describe.)

Part 2: Distribution

Please answer the following questions:

1. Describe the marketing channels involved in your business. (See pages 445-449 for a description of channels.)  Why is this the best distribution strategy for your business?
2. In what geographic area will your products/services be sold?
3. If you will be using retailers to sell your products, which ones? Why do you choose these particular retailers?
4. Should your distribution be exclusive, selective, or intensive? Why?

The information for this assignment - and future assignments - can be found through research and personal experience.  Research can come from business associations, government reports, industry journals and/or articles and other relevant sources.  Just make sure you're using credible sources and that you provide citations to add credibility to your information.

Your assignment can be completed in paragraph form, bulleted lists, or tables, as long as it's easily readable, each part is labeled and it's professionally written using business language and correct grammar, punctuation, etc.

"My company is called "The Green Machine" and we are a for-profit business that focuses on selling solar panels to industrial, wholesale, retail, and consumer markets. Our mission is to provide sustainable and renewable energy solutions that are cost-effective and help to preserve the environment. Some of our objectives include becoming the leading provider of solar panels globally, increasing our market share, and expanding our operations into new markets. 

As a new competitor in the market, The Green Machine has some internal strengths and weaknesses. Some of our strengths include our innovative product, our commitment to sustainable energy solutions, and our cost-effective pricing. However, we also have some weaknesses, such as our lack of brand recognition and our small market share. 

There are also some external opportunities and threats that we face. Some of the opportunities include the increasing awareness of the importance of sustainability, the advancement of technology, and the growth of the renewable energy market. However, we also face some threats, such as the large number of established competitors, the fluctuating price of raw materials, and the political instability in some markets. 

Some of our major competitors include SunPower Corporation and First Solar, Inc. SunPower Corporation is a large, established competitor with a strong brand and a large market share. However, they are also more expensive than The Green Machine. First Solar, Inc. is another large competitor, but they use a different technology than we do. They are also more expensive than us, but they have a larger market share.

The external environment also has some potential influences on our organization. The economic environment is favorable for The Green Machine, as the renewable energy market is growing and there is increasing interest in sustainability. The political environment is also generally favorable, as most countries have policies in place that support the growth of the renewable energy market. However, there are some political risks in certain markets, such as the Middle East, that could impact our operations. The technological environment is also generally favorable, as there have been recent advancements in solar technology. Finally, the sociocultural environment is also generally favorable, as there is increasing public awareness of the importance of sustainability. 

Overall, The Green Machine is a strong new competitor in the solar panel market. We have some strengths, such as our innovative product, our commitment to sustainable energy solutions, and our cost-effective pricing. However, we also have some weaknesses, such as our lack of brand recognition and our small market share. We face some external opportunities and threats, such as the increasing awareness of the importance of sustainability, the advancement of technology, and the growth of the renewable energy market. However, we also face some external threats, such as the large number of established competitors, the fluctuating price of raw materials, and the political instability in some markets. 

SWOT Analysis Strengths: 

• The Green Machine is a new company that is entering the market with a renewable and sustainable product.
• Solar panels are a product with a high potential for growth.
• The Green Machine has a strong focus on customer service and providing a quality product.

Weaknesses: 

• The Green Machine is a new company and does not have the brand recognition of its competitors.
• Solar panels are a relatively new technology, and some consumers may be hesitant to adopt them.

Opportunities:

• The Green Machine can capitalize on the growing trend of consumers wanting to adopt renewable and sustainable energy solutions. -The Green Machine can expand its operations into new markets.

Threats: 

• The Green Machine's competitors are established companies with strong brand recognition.
• Solar panels may become less popular if the price of traditional energy sources decreases.

External Environment Economic Forces: 

• The Green Machine may be affected by the overall state of the economy. A recession could lead to a decrease in demand for solar panels.
• The Green Machine may also be affected by government policies related to renewable energy. A change in government subsidies could impact the company's profitability.

Political Forces: 

• The Green Machine may be affected by trade policies. If tariffs are placed on imported solar panels, the company's costs would increase.
• The Green Machine may also be affected by environmental regulations. If the government imposes stricter regulations on the production of solar panels, the company will need to invest in new technology to comply.

Technological Forces: 

• The Green Machine may be affected by advances in technology. If a new and more efficient type of solar panel is developed, the company would need to invest in new technology to stay competitive.
• The Green Machine may also be affected by the availability of raw materials. If the price of silicon, a key component of solar panels, increases, the company's costs would increase.

 Sociocultural Forces:

• The Green Machine may be affected by changes in consumer preferences. If consumers become more interested in sustainable living, the demand for solar panels would increase.
• The Green Machine may also be affected by changes in demographics. An increase in the number of retirees could lead to a decrease in demand for solar panels, as retirees tend to have lower incomes."