Product Life Cycle Stages in Detail

Development Stage

The development stage marks the beginning of a product's life cycle. During this phase, the product is not yet available on the market.

Key characteristics of the development stage include:

• Research and development activities
• Prototype creation and testing
• No sales revenue generated
• Accumulation of development costs to be recovered later

Example: A tech company investing in research to create a new smartphone model, developing prototypes, and conducting extensive testing before launch.

Introduction Stage

The introduction stage begins when the product is launched in the market.

Notable aspects of this stage include:

• High advertising costs to create product awareness
• Initial sales begin, but may be slow
• Potential for negative profits due to high marketing expenses

Vocabulary: Market penetration - The extent to which a product is recognized and bought by customers in a particular market.

Growth Stage

During the growth stage, sales begin to rise significantly.

Key features of this stage include:

• Continued high advertising costs
• Increasing sales and market share
• Potential for profit if development and advertising costs have been recovered

Highlight: The growth stage is critical for establishing a strong market position and building brand loyalty.

Maturity Stage

The maturity stage represents the peak of a product's life cycle.

Characteristics of this stage include:

• Sales reach their highest levels
• Reduced advertising costs as the product is well-known
• Typically the most profitable stage of the life cycle

Quote: "The maturity stage of product life cycle is often the longest and most competitive stage, requiring businesses to differentiate their offerings to maintain market share."

Extending the Product Life Cycle and Product Portfolios

Extension Strategies

When a product reaches the decline stage, businesses can implement various strategies to extend its life cycle. These extension strategies to prolong product life include:

1. Product modification: Releasing new and improved versions
2. Price adjustment: Lowering prices to attract new customers
3. Market expansion: Entering new geographical markets
4. Promotional changes: Implementing new advertising or sales promotion techniques
5. Packaging redesign: Updating the product's appearance
6. Usage expansion: Encouraging new uses for the product
7. Rebranding: Changing the product's name to overcome negative associations

Example: A smartphone manufacturer releasing a new model with improved features and a sleeker design to extend the product line's life cycle.

Product Portfolios

A product portfolio refers to the range of products offered by a business. Managing a diverse product portfolio can provide several benefits and challenges.

Benefits of a large product portfolio:

• Risk diversification across different markets
• Increased brand awareness
• Enhanced customer loyalty
• Easier new product launches
• Ability to meet diverse market segment needs
• Accommodation of seasonal fluctuations
• Continuous product lifecycle management
• Potential for increased profits from multiple product lines

Definition: Product portfolio - The complete range of products offered by a company, often analyzed using tools like the Boston Matrix.

Challenges of maintaining a large product portfolio:

• Increased research and development costs
• Higher marketing and advertising expenses
• Risk of negative publicity affecting multiple products
• Potential resource strain on successful products

Highlight: The significance of maintaining a diverse product portfolio lies in its ability to spread risk and capitalize on various market opportunities, but it requires careful management to balance resources and maintain overall profitability.