Integrating a new product into a foreign market uncovers a variety of challenges no matter the product or foreign market a business into which a business is expanding. In the case of a smart phone manufacturer seeking to launch its latest device in India, a developing nation that is slowly becoming Americanized and entering the global marketplace as an emerging economy, several challenges exist. Assessing these challenges as well as the potential opportunities for launching a new smart phone device in India provides insight into the process as well as strategic planning support.
First and foremost, there are several opportunities for launching a new smart phone device in the Indian market. For one, India’s economy is seeing tremendous growth providing new opportunities for consumerism. Related to a growing economy, India’s middle class is also developing and expanding, providing new opportunities for consumerism (“Launching New Products in India” 2011). Economic opportunity exists in India and will continue to develop as India’s economy joins the developed world.
Just as there are opportunities, there also exist many challenges for the introduction of a new smart phone in India. For one, the smart phone industry itself is saturated with different brands of smart phone and a number of smart phone models exist. Even in India, there are already several brands that have penetrated the market. In addition to potential competition, distribution logistics are a challenge in India. This challenge has the potential to impact first-year sales of a new product in India, since the availability of new products to consumers in developing nations, such as India, fall between 75-200 percent below the availability to consumers in developed nations (“Launching New Products in India” 2011).
As a response to the opportunities and challenges that exist in launching a new product in India, there are many steps that can be taken in order to support the integration of the new smart phone product in the Indian market. For one, conducting focus groups to understand which types of advertising messages appeal to Indian consumers can be beneficial to understanding the unique messaging techniques and images that appeal to this foreign market. Additionally, extensive market research must be conducted in order to assess what competitors exist in the Indian market as well as the differences in price points for these products versus the United States. Because the Indian market differs greatly from the American market, a strong strategic plan supported by extensive research will be necessary in order to succeed in the Indian market.
In American society, the integration of business into politics and vice versa is a topic of great debate among politicians, business professionals, and theorists alike. Due to the potential for conflicts of interest among businesses when politics are involved as well as the fact that businesses should operate as a neutral entity rather than siding with a particular political party, businesses should not be involved in political affairs or take a stance on politics.
First and foremost, business and politics are entirely different segments. As explained on Biz Crunch, “Business is far different from politics and rather than involve itself in political issues, it would be best to focus on strategic management to which they would leave political intervention out of the business model mix” (“Should Business be Involved in Politics?” 2014). While politicians may benefit from being backed by a business unit, businesses may not necessarily benefit due to differences in political affiliations and beliefs by customers as well as business partners as well as the potential negative branding image that can fall upon a business that supports a politician who is suspected of unethical or generally unfavorable behavior. Thus, instead of dabbling in politics, businesses are better served focusing on their strategic plan and catering to the markets they serve.
Further, business operate as a way to generate revenue whereas politicians are elected officials who are tasked with leading society and making decisions that are in the best interest of society. Blurring the lines between business and politics could be detrimental to society as many businesses may operate in their best interest rather than the interest of society. In an ideal society, businesses would operate in the most ethical and selfless manner; however, regrettably, businesses must generate revenue and operate within a privately managed budget in order to be successful.
Overall, businesses have no place in politics. The differences between business entities and political parties/politicians are vast. For one, businesses need to focus exclusively on the success of the business whereas politicians are tasked with focusing on what is best for society. Additionally, ethics and ethical practice become a concern when business and politics become intertwined. As such, the distinct lines between businesses and politics should not be blurred and the two should remain separate.
