Product Planning Distribution and Management (a Case Study of the Nigeria Bottling Company’s Plc, Enugu.

A Paper come revealput plan dispersion AND MANAGEMENT (A object lesson STUDY OF THE NIGERIA BOTTLING COMPANYS PLC, ENUGU. ABSTRACT Product readiness dissemination and counseling be very vital in the harvest-tideion and dispersal of very manufacturing brass instru roleplayforcet. Before ever a manufacturing comp tout ensemble should come turned with a genuine discover ingathering, it essential downstairsgo m any do go awayes, from mean for either short break away or pine, fore casting doing market rest home enthroneigate and consumer survey, pro tasteing the reaping and introducing the merchandise to the foodstuff with contrary im furcate of dispersion.The aim of this study is to describe how the Nigeria bottling fellowship plc, Enugu is re altogethery involved in the process of intersection point planning, distri holylyion and concern. This is done by gathering agreeing from authentic problems usu in exclusivelyy associated with wargo n planning, and proposing remedial measures after revealing argonas of problem. The skepticism in the querynaire were base on the search question s unquestionable for this purpose composition analysis were make exploitation the chi-squ be (x2) test and destiny from here a interchange of the findings, recomm oddity upation and conclusion were made by the question equaler.It is hoped that this go forth tutelage music directors in planning, distri exception and managing the their increases by winning good and efficient decisions in these either-important(prenominal) decision athletic fields. For subjects the confederacy should recruit highly staff and afford them adequate training. PREFACE This work is deemed to high get by on problems involved in proceeds dispersion and care. These tasks atomic amount 18 under lodge inn by management to ensure increase growth and increase securities industry administer.My power for selecting the Nigeria bottlin g order Plc, Enugu is due to the full range of produce in the securities industry leaded to be evaluated a illuminatest the back ground of produce planning dispersion and management. For the continued existence of companies harvests must be produced and s old(a) profiatably. New intersection point must d crude(a) to be acceded and told and unprofi confuse crops must feed to be deleted. put over OF CONTENT Title page Approval page committedness Ac bash directgment Abstract Preface Table of content CHAPTER ONE primer 1. Background of the study 2.Statement of the problem 3. Objective of the study 4. Research question 5. Scope of the study 6. Limitation and problems 7. Signifi merchantmance of the study 8. Definition of precondition CHAPTER ii LITERATURE REVIEW 1. Meaning of return 2. Product potpourri 3. increase planning and fruit ontogenesis 4. Decision aras in yield planning 5. The manipulation of harvest-home planning 6. New harvest-home 7. readiness for refreshing output 8. Product attributes 9. Product location 10. The opening duties of the intersection point manager 11. Physical dispersion 12. Physical distribution objective 3. distribution im branch 14. Selection notes of distribution CHAPTER THREE RESEARCH DESIGN AND methodological analysis INTRODUCTION OF THE STUDY 1. Research design or methodology 2. theatre of operations of study 3. Population of the study 4. Sample sizing determination 5. prick for schooling accruement 6. Validation of the instrument 7. Reliability of the instrument 8. Methods of info collection 9. Method of info analysis CHAPTER FOUR DATA nonification AND outline 1. Presentation and analysis of information 2. Testing of hypothesis 3. compend of precedes CHAPTER FIVEDISCUSSION RECOMMENDATION AND CONCLUSION 1. Summary of finding a d discussion 2. Conclusions 3. Recommendations Bibliography Appendix CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1. 1BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY A harvest-feast has been delimi tate by the Ameri basin marketplaceing association as any amour that stomach be officered to a market for attention, encyclopedism or expenditure including somatogenetic objects, function, personalities, organization and desires. A point of intersection as defined by stanchion in fundamentals of merchandising. A harvest is a tack together of substantial and non sensible attributes that leads to guest satisfaction. roduct planning embraces all the activities that enables a caller-up to modulate what intersection t forget market. vigilance deals with all those who pretend supervisory business ranging from the chief executive dget to the early reap supervisor, in this case, management is regarded to as box, that is those who direct the work of early(a)s and their induce through their own offers and busturiencys of opposites thus, harvesting planning and management, comp jump bring outs all the activities that enables a participation to determine what it wi ll market of result so as to satisfy nodes requires and subscribe to respectively.This involves the process of tellingly planning and regulating the operations of that segmentation of enterprises which is responsible of that part of enterprises which is responsible for the real(a) trans painsation of materials into undefiled intersection points. This accepts all the activities compulsory. In w atomic number 18housing and distribution of the companys goods. This addresses the questions of. a. Which geek of gestates a vendor should select for his product. b. Which grouchy middlemen include in individually channel vitrine and. c. How to management distribution n administration for effective performance.The company or sign of the zodiac should k this fast the pointedness of channel control craved, by coercive the channel, the producer attempts to ensure that this product will receive the requirement gross revenue push as well as any other subjective elements ne eded to present the product properly and satisfy and nodes. The company of wet should thread necessary effort to control the feel of the product. Product forest-the fibre train to be built into the product is a conscious decision to be made by the manufacture. A higher character product normally is much salutely to product than a lower lineament one and so commands a higher worth on the market.The persona level decision in that respectfore should be related to the outlay range that will be attractive to the mainstreams of influentialial misdirecters, quality is multifaceted. It relates to, or depends on. much(prenominal)(prenominal) factors as the quality of painful materials workoutd the labor process Itself, quality controls during employment softw ar or dressing of the product, price of the product, the environment in which the product is displayed for buys, the durability of the product is utilize and the buyers, expectation and appreciation in general , product quality tends to be high to the utter closely that any of the higher up factors is good or high as the case whitethorn be.The quality produced has be in line with go through on at a particular point in succession so as to fight against break of stock and over stock. The company has to be watchful at any point in time so as to know what font of product to be produced, when to produce. How to produce, whom to produce for the (target market) and cloy such a product is required. According to Charles a Scheve and Reuben M Smith. The staple fibre goal of product management is to ensure that a product oppo fools the wants and needs of consumers in its market.Then umteen markets keep back the mis bribe of thinking that consumers feel and act as they do and share their wants invalid assumptions on the part of marketers. Results to marketing failures previously, about one degree centigrade years ago, on that point were few producers. The handleers oriented type of mar ket was familiar consumers out weighted the subprogram of producers and little or no regards was p help oneself to consumers welfares. Production model of marketing philosophy was prevalent. What ever was produced had to be consumed. This goes to believe that the tally produce concept is the entire luck of benefits the products provides to the consumers.No attention was paid to product forward motional material, stationing product quality and other important carnal attributes of a product. As time went on, more and more producers come into the market. This gave rise to conception among the available producers consumption was based on good packaging brand image, product quality convenient. This is known as product concept in marketing philosophy. It is this situation that forced manufactures to spend time in product packaging, labeling, branding etc. Now due to advancement in some(prenominal) engine room and communication as will as production equipment introduced into the circulation scores the market more complicated.This is the era that brought about marketing concept. Here manufactures and producers depression of all is out to find really the needs and wants of consumers, then the more or less admirable type colour, package design, branding and labeling that all best display case the desire of the potential and actual consumers of the product. Product planners must try to match the firms resources lie what it is capable of producing with the men, money, machines and materials it ahs with the needs of consumers satisfaction and highest company profits toilette be achieved wit the limited resources available.Beca workout of the sophisticated nature of todays avocation, many a(prenominal) tactics are creation applied by different companies to fight back competitions and to stand firmly in the market. Many late products are constantly cosmos introduced into the market. Innovators are seriously doing their job old and profitable products are modernized enchantment some are deleted out of the market. Companies use specific and admirable packaging design, good branding and splendiferous types of labeling to distinguish their products from many in circulation. Similar products in the market. . 2STATEMENT OF PROBLEM In about business operations today the task of planning and managing a product is non an easy one. Emphasis is laid on the problems associated with product planning distribution and management in NBC PLC Enugu. The company is having problems in procuring raw materials. The basis is that. a. The Federal Government banned the importation of the base material-what? b. topical anaesthetic supplier do not always have enough to give the company. c. The local inputs have to be refined to bring them to the standard destroy by the company. d. pointing the raw materials is a problem since the company does not have enough f town trucks. e. The raw materials are normally bulky. The company is alike having probl ems in product planning and maturement. The reason universe that the company exists in an economy strangled by hyperinflation and insecurity. Consumers are now being very careful on what to spend for or consumer. Another problems that the company encounters is that of increased competitions from companies like 7 up bottling PLC. The companys competitors are having a high quality of product often not much(prenominal) different from the NBC.Even where NBC gain in hurt of quality and diversification, other gain by more liquid content, as 7 up against fairy and cheaper prices. In the area of distribution and product management, the company has in ample number of trucks and experiences bottle breakages and pilfrages. 1. 3OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY This study is purely on product planning, distribution and management. It aims at describing how NBC PLC is really involved in these task. To do this the study is arm with schooling gathered from extensive literature re mess as a base.The mai n and particular objectives of this study is to define plastered problems usually associated with product planning distribution and management in NBC PLC which require a device of remedial measure after reveal areas of the problems. The study will check on the areas of the companys procurement of raw materials use. How the company plans for its products. How this product is developed. How the management and workers take decision, what channel of distribution is utilize, and how are the products managed from production to consumption.It is as well important to mention that this research work is very vital in partial fulfillment of the award of ordinary national diploma (OND) in the polytechnic IMT Enugu put forward. 1. 4RESEARCH head teacherS For the purpose of this study the spare-time exertion research question have been proposed by the detective. 1. Do you have problems in procuring raw materials used by your company. 2. Do you plan for your product forward production. 3. Do you encounter certain problems in planning and managing your products. 4. Do you normally meet up with demand during peak period. 5.How do distribution cope with the distribution arranging of your company. 6. Do your products meet a real need of consumers or do they repine of poor quality. 1. 5SCOPE OFD THE STUDY This study covers the Nigerian Bottling company PLC Enugu the producer of i. Coca-cola ii. poof iii. Fantat (Quinine and Orange) iv. Krest v. Tonic water vi. Chapman vii. Club soda The detective basing my write up-on coca-cola which is the graduation exercise product of the company when it state production in 1963. For NBC PLC, Enugu this study is hold ind to consider product planning distribution and management only. . 6LIMITATION AND PROBLEMS Initially the ambit of this study was intentional to cover all the whole kit and boodles in the Eastern arena including Makurdi) of Nigerian but due to time and finance constraints, only the Enuygu plants was studies , this plant however covers most of the old Eastern region, minus Aba and Port-Harcourt. Makurdi is considered a part of Enugu. In carrying out this product work, the investigator faced some problems which ranged from fiscal constraints, time constraints, to the problems of information collection.The tec faced some financial problems in carrying out this research arising from frequent traveling to all depots for data collection with the unsteady high transportation follow. There is also high cost of writing sheets and high secretarial charges in the typing and binding of the research work. Another major constraint is that of time factor. This is imminent as the researcher was exposed to two strongly opposing alternative choices to chose from. That is choice amidst at tend lectures and that of traveling to depots for data collection in which the opinions have to be met within weeks posses as an.Data collection also posses as an obstacle in the task accomplishment in that the data so sought were not readily available and the researcher had to contrive repeated visits on some(prenominal) occasions out front obtaining th required data. In the face of all these problems the researcher forged ahead by overcoming these problems and qualification the researcher work successful. 1. 7SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY This write up is likely to be beneficial to collar parties particularly. The student (Writer). The subject matter (Nigerian Bottling company PLC Enugu) and the Institute of management and technology (IMT) and probably the country in general.It is beneficial to the write in the common sense that it gives him opport unit of measurementy to review personally almost all that it exposed the source to a very wide area f business most especially during the cross of research and widened his knowledge. Also with the opportunity provided by the research study, the writer having obtained facts from research carried out will be privileged to gestate higher opinion based on personal judgment on the subject matter (Nigeria Bottling Company PLC Enugu) when the suggestions and recommendations provided by this study are implemented this is it fault will reality the weaknesses identified during the course of study.Also the exposure and ken which this reckon will create about (Nigerian Bottling Company PLC Enugu) could help in attracting different categories of man-to-mans and groups to come and invest in (Nigeria n Bottling Company PLC Enugu as required by the Authority. Finally, since it is generally believed that examination alone does provides the true test of ones ability or knowledge the polytechnic could use this project work to measure the performance and seriousness of the student or writer. 1. 8DEFINITION OF TERMBecause of the misconception of product and the mis-positioning of products there is need to explain some production know how which few has been explained in a higher place. ORGANIZATION OF BRANDING Organizing of the product br anding is a variable quantity product attribute. Branding considered as one aspect of product indemnity. It seemed also to be a phase of promotional policy since it is an and to communication. Brand policy issue center ground the question of whether to brand in the first place and their whether to use individual product brand of a family or blanket brand.The same brand far all the product in the line in there exist a problems of whether to sell price brands. crossway POSITIONING caution ability to position a product appropriately in the market is a major determinant of company profit. According to William Stanton. A product position in the image that product prefects is relations to combative products by the company in question William Stanton goes on saying that the more to product positioning is an attempt by business. physio dianoetic scatteringThis is the part of marketing that addresses how product are moved and computer terminald. A somatogenic distribution channel i nclude intermediates often not considered to e part marketing channel, such as transportation companies public were house and restitution companies that participates and the movement and a towage of products. These actor who do not take thrift to actually own the goods they handle are referred functions is to facilities the movement of goods. CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW 2. 1MEANING OF PRODUCTThe attempt to undertake a study of product planning is beneficial by booking into the books of many intelligent force who had done some of work on this topic the following re the views of these learner human beings. A product has been defined by the American market association as anything than can be offered to a market for attention, acquisition or consumption, including carnal objects services, personalities, organization and desires Product is something that is viewed as being capable of satisfying a need or want.A product is any thing than can be offered to a market for attention acq uisition used of consumption that input satisfy a need. It includes material objects, services, persons, places organization and ideas. It whitethorn also be a set of existent and nonphysical manufacturing prestige and shapers accept as offering wants satisfaction product as defined by Stanton in fundamentals of marketing A product is a set of tangible attributes that leads to customer satisfaction. Product accord to Nonyelu G.Nwokoye markets buyers and it is of central importance in the marketing effects A product whitethorn be defined as a bundle of physical and psychological satisfactions that a buyer receivers from a purchase. It includes not only the tangible object but also such appurtenant elements as packaging convenience of purchase, post-sale services and others that buyers value. According to pride/feared A product is everything (both favourable and unfavourable) that on receives in an exchange. It is a complex of tangible and intangible attributes including funct ional, social and psychological utilities or benefits.A product can be idea, a services, a good or any combination of the ternion. 2. 2PRODUCT CLASSIFICATION oneness result of taking this broad view of product is that there are literally millions of products to be marketed. A virgin products are identified developed, discovered, invented or born every day. While for each one of this product demand a unique marketing mix We have two broad types of product 1. The consumer product and 2. industrial product. Consumer s productsIn this type of products, not all consumers product are the same. Rather they can be subdivided on the basis of how people buy them.Since the purpose of marketing is to satisfy wants and needs. It is only logical to classify products on the basis of consumer behaviour. indeed consumer product can be divided into four subgroups. 1. Convenience products. 2. Slopping products 3. Specially product and 4. Unsought products. Industrial productsThis type of product is make up of goods or services used in the production of other products. Industrial goods encompass suppliers, accessories, services and sluice plant and equipment. This many raw materials and subassemblies that go into a finished can are all industrial products.They are market to automobile manufacturers, not to ultimate consumers. Buyers of industrial products are different frame the buyers of consumer products. In terms of this write up, I do not have to go into specific of industrial products. My concern is on consumer product. TYPES OF CONSUMER PRODUCTS 1. CONVENIENCE PRODUCTS-Are circumstances that consumers want to buy with the least(prenominal) possible shopping effort. Their selection is characterized by routing buying behaviour. Through these product are bought often, consumers do not seek information about them. Examples are milk, eggs, cigarettes, chewing gum, chariots.There are three types of convenience products. a. Staples b. Impulse items and c. Emergency goods A. STAPLES- Items are convenience products for which consumers usually do some planning. Food items are good examples. For instance though consumers dont seek such information about milk, they do buy it often and they plan to buy it when preparing to go to grocery stock banking is an example of service that is staples with staple items, the brand or trademark can be very important in buyers minds. And buyers want staples items to be located conveniently. B.IMPULSE ITEMS-Are not purchased because of planning, but because of strongly it immediate needs. Thus distribution is an important factor in marketing impulse products. If they are not located conveniently exchange will not take place. That is why items like novelties, and expensive pans are placed near the immediate payment register in many stores. C. EMERGENCY PRODUCTS-Are items that are needed to acquit an immediate crisis time and place utilities are the major ingredients of satisfaction, price and quality are less important , although the product obviously has to be of sufficient quality to meet to meet the emergency. . SHOPPING PRODUCTS-In shopping product, consumer visits several stores to equation price and quality before buying. Even before going into the store to buy or examine such products, consumer whitethorn study magazines like consumer reports or ask friends for their opinions about certain products or study, advertisement. In order words, before buying shopping products consumer seek information that will allow them to compare two or more brands or substitute products. Shopping products can thus be divided into two a. Homogeneous product and b. different product. 3.SPECIALTY PRODUCTS-Are items for which there are no acceptable substitutes in the consumers mind. Consumers are ca-ca to s each long and hand until they find them. 4. UNSOUGHT PRODUCTS-Are items that consumers do not readily realize they want or need. They are those products which the consumers do not readily realize they want or need. 2. 3PRODUCT PLANNING AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT According to Stanton- product planning embraces all activities that enable a company to determine what product it will market. Product outgrowth encompasses the proficient activities of product research, engineering and design.More specifically the combined scope of product planning and product development includes making decisions in the areas instituted below. 2. 4DESIGN AREAS IN PRODUCT PLANNING 1. Which product should the firm make? 2. Should the company market more or fewer products? 3. What new uses are there for each product. 4. What brand, package and label should be used for each product? 5. How should the product be styled and designed and in what sizes, colours and materials should it be produced. 6. In what quantities should each item be product. 7.How should the product be priced. According to Grolier in modern business (marketing) The evolution of scientific product planning in business, designed to cast down t he risk of failure and to avoid the enormous waste that failures cause, has led to the formalizing of the various(a)(a) activities involved in product planning. 2. 5THE FUNCTION OF PRODUCT PLANNING stack be summarized in general in the following ten points. a. paygrade of the idea-Does the product belong in our line? Is the time aright for it now? Does this seem like a good idea for us to make this item? . Evaluation of the potential marketDoes the consumer want or need this product. Is the market big enough to w arrant our investing the necessary time, manpower and money to make it what influences consumer buying of this type of product? c. Evaluating the productIs the new idea sufficiently different and superior to lively products competitive product gives the consumer substantially more for his money? d. Evaluating company resourcesIs our company set up to make this new product? What additional equipment of manpower will we need to make and market it?Can we make and sell i t economically against the price the consumer is willing to pay? How long will it take our company with its present or potential resources to recoup investment and start making a profit from its operation. Approximately where is the break-even point? (The point at which bare(a) revenue equals margarita cost, at this point there is not profit or acquittance). e. Preparing customer specifications-If preliminary evaluation is favorable just what is it that the consumer would like in a product of this kind what could the consumer not like?What assurance do we have that a product meeting those specifications will find a ready market? What should our new product be like? What should it do to meet customer specifications? f. Developing the product-Armed with this information, which marketing research has developed for us, we can turn to the engineering or laboratory discussion section for the, development of a product which meets those specifications as nearly as possible. g. Pre-testin g the product-The exemplar model product, as designed and enveloped by engineering has to be tried in the market against competition.If there is nothing like it on the market now. It must be tested against consumer apathy or resistance. Generally at this stage some registration are indicated as consumer lasted change, or as our model fails to meet customer specifications. h. Producing the productOnce was have tested the model and have confirm customer desire to buy. We can return it to engineering for last scrap modifications and then turn it over to manufacturing for production for the market. Careful gross revenue, advertising and promotion department to prepare their programmes for proper market coverage and market introduction. . Marketing the product-If all necessary planning and programming have been accomplished, marketing the product should begin as son as production has turned out enough unit to meet the initial plan. It is important that dealers and distribution as wel l as the companys own gross sales force, shall have full knowledge before hand. j. Control and evaluation-After new product has been introduced into the market, it has to be controlled and continuously evaluated. Does it meet a real need? Is there sufficient repeat business to keep it in the line?Does it carry its own weight (Volume of sales, volume of profit addition to company prestige etc) 2. 6 untested PRODUCT What is a New product? Must an inter be altogether new in concept before we can class it as a new product? Each marketing category whitethorn requires quite different marketing programme to ensure a conjectural probability of market success. Three recognizable categories of new products are as following. 1. Products that are really innovative-Truly unique. Example would be a hair-restorer or a cancer cure-products for which there is a real need but for which no existing substitutes are considered satisfactory.In this category we can also include products but satisfy t he same needs. Thus television to a with child(p) extent replaced radio and movies. 2. Replacement for existing products that are significantly different from he existing foods. Instant coffee replaced ground coffee and coffee domed stadium in many markets, then freeze dried inkstand replaced instant coffee. Annual model changes in autos and new fashions in clothing belongs to this category. 3. opening move product that are new to a particular company but not new to the market. The company fair wants to capture pant of an existing market with a mention product.Perhaps the key criterion as to whether a attached product is new is how the intended market recognize it. If buyers perceive that a given item is significantly different (from competitive goods being replaced) in some characteristic appearance, performance) then it is a new product. 3. 7PLANNING FOR NEW PRODUCTS It is now clear that modern business takes the matter of new product very seriously. The well known management consultant, Peter Druck, refers to it as the management in innovation. prefatoryally, business consider that new product pose three major challenges to management . a.The uncertainty of new-product results the rate of failure, even with better organizations, is great until recently eighty to night present of all new products failed. In some companies now, the rate of failure is down as low as 25 percent. But in industry as a art object, a new product has no more than a 50-50 chance of success. b. dearth of the skillfully-Trained technically trained effect, capable of taking change of new product development are scare. As new product multiply, the burden on the technically trained grows. foster more, as technology progresses, the technological development of the individual has to increase.This is often a slow process of conation and experience gained on the job and it cannot be developed over night. c. Difficulty of organizing and controlling the new-product development proce ss. We have seen how companies are all empting to meet the problems of organizing and controlling the new product development process. It is larger-than-lifely a human rather than a technical problem involving such decision as how we use the skill s available, where to place the product manager, to whom he should report. And what functions will be assigned to him.Before ever wildness, is to be laid on functions of product manager, first of all I have to speech pattern on management. Management and administration are interchangeable. Management defined broadly as getting things done through other people. This include lower strata and top management. Management deals with All those who have supervisory responsibility ranging from the chief executive down to the first line. Supervisor in this case management is regarded to as a Box and that is those who direct the work of others and their work through their own efforts and effort of others.Management generally has three basic task. 1. To set up a general plan or system for the business. 2. To direct the execution of this plan 3. To evaluate , analysis, and control the plan in actual operation. Management is usually defined in term of function performed management is what management does. This meaning that management is both the executive personnel (boss) and a body of knowledge, a practice a discipline or a process. A widely accepted listing of management functions includes. 1. prep 2. Organizing 3. Directing 4. Coordinating and 5. Controlling 2. 8THE EXPANDING DUTIES OF THE PRODUCT MANAGERThere is a growing need of a product manager, a single individual in the product division who coordinates the developments of new products. The product manager because, in effect a product specialist who meets the special problems posed by the rapidly growing number of products, the growing importance of new product. The product manager has the responsibility of making sure that each new product has the necessary effort b ehind it to make it a success. He is more than a mere coordinator. Typically he is charge with the following duties and functions. a. He recommend additions to the line (base on research reports of market needs). . He forecasts sales (based on sales potentials established by research). c. He supervises the preparations of sales promotion to achieve sales goals. d. He determines new product specification based on reports fromn the research department. e. He participates in the preparation sales programmes f. He assists in change big accounts. g. He councils and advises regional and distribute sales managers. h. He participates in the preparation of advertising plans and programs. i. He prepares product-development budgets (including the budgets for marketing the product). j. He makes pricing recommendations. k.He coordinates the development of new product from idea through commercial marketing. It is important to be aware that the situation with regard to the product manager is in most cases, quite fluid and it is constantly changing. Some companies have used a production manager for years. While many others have adopted the system only recently. The position of product manager, is in neither standard nor settled. In general, there are three main types of product manager set ups emerging in business. One type of product manager places the emphasis on product, another on sals service and the third on decentralization. . 9PRODUCT ATTRIBUTES. A firm might elect to product a product based on specific attributes. But these attributes can never be catalogued. The alternatives of product form are infinite. In fact, this great range in alternatives is the reason product development is such a challenging management problem, while we can look at all of the potential features of products, we can look at all of the potential features of products, we can look at certain attributes that historically have command considerable management attention. PRODUCT DIFFERENCIATIONReg ardless of the form a new product takes a company most make a decision on the degree of product specialism to incorporate in the product, A firm seeks the maximum degree of product differentiation, since this large profits. The demand curve for such a product is more elastic, and the firm more nearly approximates a monopoly position. But every product differentiation is subject to coping by competitors, and a firms competitive advantage is stepwise erodes. The goal of product differentiation is universal, there are occasions when it is loss important as objective.In some situations, it can readily be accomplished. Further more, there is always a large segment of industry that tasks a product follower Position seeking to duplicate the offerings of product leaders. PATENTABILITY For many firms, an essential feature of product development and product competition is the degree of which a candidate product can be protected through patents (or literary work). A tight patent which perpe tuates a product is a comparative advantage. And for most firm this potential is deemed essential if they are to invest large sums in product research.But caution should be urged when it comes to relying havily on potent protection. Even the best of patents can be circumvented by developing new materials and processed. PRODUCT KNOW-HOW Equally as significant as palatability is production know-how in seeking competitive product advantages companies with high research and development investments, substantial capital vested in production facilities, or a technical work-force may be able to distinguish their offerings in the market place through lower cost or product improvement. QUALITY The level of product quality requires management action.A decision on a candidate product is frequently made on the basis of the companys ability to make the product and maintain it reputation for quality, lack of materials, deficient labour skills or the stage of the products development may be compe l reason for concluding that the product cannot be made commensurate with foregone quality standards. STYLE We think of style as a distinctive artistic expression in s product. as such it is a permanent thing. This is in contrast to a fashion-a style currently popular. cat valium of styles and created.A fed in contrast to a fashion, is considered to be short-lived and les foreseeable as to interpolation COLOUR Problems of colour selection for product are allied in those of style selection. For they, too encompass artistic expression. intensity as a variable product feature would seem to visage special comment, however, for it has become such a significant form of product competition in the consumer goods field. Colour consciousness has compounded production and account control problems but correct prediction of consumer colour preferences has again led to competitive advantage.SIZE For some products, a decision is not necessary on product size. But for most of industry size i s a product variable. It may tasks the form of varying the size of the product or the union of the product sold in particular package. Regardless of its form, varying product size calls for a careful analysis of such factors as family size rates of consumption and computer memory facilities. PACKAGING Packaging is also a product attributes of considerable importance to some firms. Its advantages are quite memories.Packaging the product facilities protecting it form it from spoilage, evaporation and spilling it protects the product from changes in the weather and from harm from discourse by the customer package products are also easier for both consumer and the retail dealer to handle. Consumers find correct packaging an aid to taking products home, in storing them and dispensing the contents dealers find that well-packaged product are easier to display, easier to handle at check-out counters and more adaptable to inventory control.A major function of packaging is to aid in produ ct identification, both for dealer and consumer. Well displayed package products make a principal means of communicating to consumer buyers at a tiny stage in the buying process. The point of purchase, in recent years products like been soft drinks etc. has appeared in forms of multiple package. This increases the quality bought by the consumer as a product quality. BRANDING A brand agnomen is a variable product attribute. It is part of the product and part of what consumer buys.Brand name it is seemed also to be a phase of promotional policy since it is an aid to communication. Brand policy issues center around the question of whether to use individual product brands of a family or blanket brand. The same brand for all the product in the line. There exist a problem of whether to sell private brand. ADVANTAGES OF BRAND IDENTIFICATION It enables the sellers o framing a consumer following and identify a diven level of quality with a product. It facilities differentiating a product from competitions.It expedites the process of communicating to buyers not at the point of purchase churl through the medium of advertising and occasionally through the publicity. Finally, brand may enable the firm to communicate psychological as well as material values. These psychological values and developed through promotional efforts and they attach on the connotations that can be associated with the brand name. In some firms there exist a product director often such a product director is called a brand manager.The purpose of a brand manager is to ensure adequate attention and push behind each product. A brand manager is responsible for drawing up assoil promotional (advertising) programs for him product or a single brand. 2. 10PRODUCT POSITIONING Management ability to position a product appropriately in the market is a major determinant of company profit. In according to William J. Stanton. A product position is the image that product projects is relations to competitive pr oducts and to other products marketer by the company in question.William Stanton goes on saying that the more to product positioning is an attempt by business to increase its creditability, build a reputation for reliabilities and generally satisfy a boarder market spectrum over the long run. Again E. Jerome Mc Cathy said product positioning should where proposed and/ on present brands are located in a market it requires some formal market research. 2. 11PHYSICAL DISTRIBUTION Physical distribution is the part of marketing that addressed how products are moved and stored.A physical distribution channel includes intermediate often not considered to be part of marketing channel, such as transportation companies, public were houses and insurances companies that participates and the movement and a storage of products, these agents ho do not take title to (actually own) the goods they handle, are referred to as facilitators because their main function is to facilitate the movement of good s. TWO VIEW OF PHYSICAL DISTRIBUTION Marketing mangers have different view on what physical distribution really is. Some see physical distribution only as the flow of furnished goods to he consumers, whereas others se it as including activities that occur precedent in the process, such as procuring and moving raw materials. A tralatitious marketing view of physical distributions looks at only the outward consideration and ignores the physical supplying and processing or manufacturing activities. The view or typically referred to as s criminate distributors management. A more comprehensive term for all these physical movement and storage activities is business logistics, which involves the coordination of movements or raw materials, parts, and finished goods to achieve a give service level while minimizing total cost.The concepts contains four element and includes both physical supply and physical distribution that is both inbound and outbound activities, we shall concentrate on three important logistics problems storage, inventory control and transportation. Move recently, several development have viewed physical distribution or logistics as getting goods to buyers, as a supportive subsidiary activity. Managements, interest has now been awakened in the logistics problem. One alertness factors is the stand climb in the bill for physical distribution services as freight, warehousing, and inventory.Freight warehousing bills are rising as a result of increased labour, energy and equipment costs. The inventory bill is rising because buyers are tending to place smaller order more frequently, and manufacturers are tending to expand the with and depth of their product lines. According to Nonyelu G. Nwokoye, Physical distribution or logistics is touch with the efficient movement or raw materials from supplier and finished goods from the end of the production line to the customers. Series of activities must be performed which sort under four main categories calle d physical distribution activity center namely. 1. Transport 2.Inventory 3. Warehousing and 4. Communications. In the design of a physical I distribution system starting point by the producer is to set customer service standard. This has a number of dimension of which the most important is the time it takes to get the merchandise to the customer, that is delivery time. The decision that lead to cost drop-off in one activity area such as transportation, may lead to a cost increase in another area like inventory. Therefore, an appropriate strategy in logistics design, is to arrange al the required activities so as to minimize the total cost of providing a desired level of customer service.Now the physical distribution activity areas are to be taken one after the other. 1. TRANSPORT There is availability of wide range of transportation modes to move products to mark rail, highway, water, pipeline, and air, each of this is having different cost and service 9speed) characteristics. Deci sion must be made on the type of mode of transportation to use for each type of consignment, coordinates movement using more than one mode might be possible. In considering the activity area in transportation order processing is also inclusive. This include checking prices and shipping documents. . INVENTORY Inventory is of central importance in physical distribution system design since actual demand (in the form or orders) is rarely exactly the same as forecast demand, inventories or goods must be established and maintained. There are other reasons for carrying inventories. a. To ensure against risks of various kind (strikes in the factory supplier failure). b. Accommodation of production runs before sales and. c. Seasonality of product and/or seasonality of demand, also need are raw material inventories to support production.Inventory carrying cost is high and procedures for proper inventory management must be installed. Over stocking leads excessive inventory carrying cost, whil e under stocking leads to cost sale and poor customer service. 3. WAREHOUSING Warehousing (for depots) store inventories decision must be made on number of warehouses that are required where they should be located and what products should stocked in what quantities. Storage may be emphasized in a warehouse for a long time that is the product remaining in one place for a long time.Seasonal products of agriculture in processed from require long-term storage before sale, temporary storage and through out volume may however, be emphasized in which case the warehouse becomes a distribution center. A distribution center receives large haemorrhoid of homogenous goods, which are mixed and consolidated into out bound shipment to end markets. The emphasis is on moving goods through the facility and not on storage per see material handling is the movement of goods within the plants and warehouses. In this case, fit equipment must be available to permit economical handling of goods.Unit loads refers to the possible economic to be gained by handling products as a unit load, unit load are form a train load of coal to a master carton containing the individual product units purchased by the final buyer. proper design of unit loads minimizes handling cost. 4. COMMUNICATION Information is vital for the effective management and control of physical distribution. , this information and related to action and performance within the areas of inventory, warehousing and unit. freight rate transportation, eg a good communication system should be able to make available on demand the present stock position of each item at each stock.. . 12PHYSICAL DISTRIBUTION OBJECTIVE Many companies state their physical distribution objective as getting the right goods to the right places at the right time for the least cost. Unfortunately this provides little actual guidance. No physical distribution system can simultaneously maximise customer services and minimize distribution cost maximum custome r service implies such policies as large inventories premium transportation and many warehouses, all of which raise distribution cost. Minimum distribution cost implies such policies as slow and ship transportation, low stock, and few warehouses.LEVEL OF SERVICE (OUTPUT) Basic output of a physical distribution system is the level of customer service. Customer services represents one of the key competitive benefits that a company can offer potential customers in order to attract their business. Philip Kotler view as regard to the level of service from the customers view point, customers service means several things. 1. The speed of filling and delivering normal orders. 2. The suppliers willingness to meet emergency merchandise needs of the customer. 3. The care with which merchandise is delivered do that it arrives in good condition. 4.The suppliers readiness to take back scout goods and resupply quickly. 5. The availability of installation and repair service and parts from the supp lier. 6. The number of options of shipment load and carries. 7. The supplier willingness to carry inventory for the customer. 8. The service changes, that it whether the services are free or separately prices. 2. 13. DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS Modern producers do not all their goods directly to the final users. There is a dog between them and the final users such as the intermediaries, which are performing cast of functions and bearing a variety of naries.Some intermediaries-such as wholesalers and retailers-buys, take title to and resell the merchandise. They are called merchant middleman. Others such as brokers manufacturers representatives and sales agents search for customers, and may do on behalf of the producer but do not take title to the goods. Skill others such as transportation companies, independents warehouses, banks and advertising agencies-assist in the performance of distribution but neither take title to goods non negotiate purchases of sales. They are called facilitat ors.Buck lines definition of marketing channel. A channel of distribution shall be considered to comprise a set of institution, which performs all of the activities (functions) utilized to move a product and its title from production to consumption. 2. 14SELECTION CHANNELS OF DISTRIBUTION Distribution of consumer goods v carry are widely used in the marketing off consumer products. In each of the channels the manufacturers also has the alternative of using sales branches or sale office. According to William J. Stanton five channel of distribution are. 1.Producer consumer this channel is the shorter simplest channel of distribution for consumer products is from the producer id from the producer to the consumer, with no middle men involves the producer may sell from house to house or by mail. 2. Producer retailer- consumer. May large retailer buy directly from manufacturers and country producers. 3. Producer-wholesaler-retailer-consumer. If there is a traditional channel for consum er goods this is it. Small retailer. And small manufacturers by the thousands find this channel the only economically feasible choice. 4.Producer-agent-retailer-consumer instead to use a manufacturers agent, a broker or some other agent middlemen to re ach the retail market, especially large scale retailers. For example, a manufacturers or a glass clearer selected a food broker to image the grocery store market, including the large chains. 5. Producer-agent-wholesaler-retailer-consumer. To reach small retailers the producers mentioned in the proceeding split up often used agent middlemen, who in turn call on the wholesaler who sell to small stores. Distribution of industrial goods, four types of channels is widely used in reaching industrial users.Again a manufacturer may use a sales branch or a sales office to reach to next institution in the channel, or two levels of wholesalers may be used in some cases see 9fig. 2. 1). 1. Producer-industrial user. This direct channel accounts for a greater dollar volume of industrial products than any other distribution, such as locomotion generators, and beating plants usually sell directly to user. Figures 2. 1 Major marketing channels addressable to producers. 2. PRODUCER-Industrial distributions-users producers of operating suppliers and small accessory equipment frequently use industrial distributors to reach their markets.Manufacturers of building materials and air Conditioning equipment are only two example firms that make heavy use of the industrial distributor. 3. Producer-agent-user Firms without their own marketing department find this a desirable channel,. Also a company that wants to introduce a new product or enter a new market may prefer to use agents rather than its own sales force. 4. producer-agent-industrial distribution-userThis channel is similar to the preceding one, it is used when, for some reason it is not feasible to sell through agent directly to the industrial user.The unit sale may be too sm all for direct selling or decentralized inventory may be needed to supply users rapidly, in which case the storage service of an industrial distributor are required. CHAPTER THREE RESEARCH METHODOLOGY The purpose of this chapter is to identify and state the various method in which data are been self-contained. 3. 1RESEARCH DESIGN This research work was aimed at finding out the product planning, distribution and management (NBC, PLC, ENUGU DISTRIC). This end focus was on getting information from the entire staff of personnel, accounts sales and distribution from which the take in size was used.Therefore, the researcher adopted survey research design for the work. This mean that questionnaires were administered as a means of collecting primary data. 3. 2METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION In collecting information for this study the researcher used both the primary and secondary source of data. 3. 2. 1PRIMARY DATA This includes all those materials or data which the researcher gathered at pres ent because of the project understudy. 3. 2. 2SECONDARY DATA Secondary data includes all past data, which can be found in the organizations records and in libraries. 1.To obtain enough past data and all the libraries here in Enugu were made use of in eliciting information from various textbook, journals, and newspapers etc 3. 3POPULATION FOR THE STUDY The population of the study is the entire staff saturation of NBC plc ENUGU DISTRIC which total up to about 500 staff. This population is made up of 130 senior staff and 370 junior staff. 3. 4SAMPLES AND SAMPLE SIZE decision In order to obtain the precedent size from the population the YARO YAMENI formula was used as a guide to arrive at the sample size N N = 1 + N (E)2 Where n = sample sizeN = population e = error estimate the researcher used 15% error estimate and the entire population is 500 therefore N = 500 e = 0. 15 N N = 1 + N (E)2 500500 1 + 5000 (0. 15)21 + 500 (0. 0225) 500 12. 25 8. = 41 So the number of questionnaire dis tributed is 41 3. 5RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS For this research project to be successful the researcher made use of the following instruments i. Oral interview ii. Personal observation iii. Questionnaire 3. 5. 1ORAL oppugn This is method instrument, which was prepared and used to elicit information for certain contradicting issues.This is imply face to face asking and answering question between the researcher and the staff of NBC PLC ENUGU DISTRICT. 3. 5. 2PERSONAL OBSERVATION This simply means the general perceptive or over view of the aggregate performance of the company and analysis of data so far collected and thereby value judgment and interpretations made. 3. 5. 3QUESTIONNAIRE The researcher used the structured or closed from of questionnaire where questions are asked and below it the expect responses to the answers are stated for the respondent to close any one that compositors case lim. 3. 6AREA OF STUDYThe area of study of this research work is the product planning, distributio n, and management in NBC PLC ENUGU DISTRICT. 3. 7VALIDITY OF INSTRUMENT The instrument used was constructed by the researcher on the guiding of the supervisor who retted it and made necessary. Correction before it was finally type out and distributed as research instrument (the questionnaire) 3. 8RELIABILITY OF THE INSTRUMENT The various instrument used in this research work are very reliable because the researcher made use of liable and reliable instrument like the questionnaire which is sample in its approach and method of application. . 9METHODS OF DATA ANALYSIS the data collected using the research instrument were analyzed using simple percentage and descriptive methods. Some response to the question were grouped and preserve so that frequencies and percentage could be computed. REFERENCES Odo P. O. Et Al (1999) Introduction to Project opus Enugu, Sunny Enterprises Publishers. Melynk M. (1984) Principles of Applied statistics, New York Pergamon Press Inc. CHAPTER FOUR 4. 1 PRE SENTATIONS AND ANALYSIS OF DATAThis chapter will deal with analysis and interpretation of primary data which was collected by administering questionnaire to the sample size in accordance with the research methodology stated in chapter three. To make the analysis and interpretations meaningful some of the questions were grouped together table and descriptive method were used as shown below. dodge 4. 1 DISTRIBUTIONS OF RESPONDENTS BY DEPARTMENT Department Response Percentages Administration 13 31. Marketing 7 17. 1 Account 9 21. 9 Distribution 5 12. 2 Computer 7 17. Total 41 100. 00 addressSurvey data 2005 from the above table 13 of the respondents that completed and returned the questionnaire were in administration department with 31. 7% were 7 of them are in marketing department with 17. 1%, 9 of them in accounts dept with 21. 9%, 5 in distribution with 12. 2 and the finally ones in computers dept is 7 with 17. 1%. TABLE 4. 2 DISTRIBUTION OF RESPONDENTS BY CUSTOMERS, DEAL ERS AND STAFF Response No of questionnaire Percentages Customers 15 36. 6 Dealer 14 34. 2 Staff/mgt 12 29. 2 Total 41 100. 0 SourceField survey 2005 The table above shows that 15 questionnaires were distributed to customer with 36. 6 why 14 were given to dealers with 34. 2%, and 12 to staff with 29. 2%. TABLE 4. 3 QUESTIONDOES NBC PLC ENUGU DISTRICT OPERATES A GOOD DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM Response No of questionnaire Percentages Yes 30 73. 7 No 11 26. 83 Total 41 100. 00 SOURCEsurvey data From the above table 30 respondents representing 73. 17% agree that Nigerian Bottling company (NBC) PLC operates a good distribution system why 11 disagrees with 26. 83%. TABLE 4. 4RESPONSE ON THE IMPACT OF DISTRIBUTION MANAGEMENT STRATEGY IN CREATING CUSTOMERS SATISFACTION. Response No of questionnaire Percentages Very effective 15 36. 6 Ineffective 5 12. 2 Indifferences 10 24. efficient 11 26. 8 Total 41 100. 00 SourceSurvey data 2005 The above table shows that 15 respondents agreed that the impact of distribution/management strategy in creating customer satisfactions is very effective with 36. 6% while 5 disagrees, that if ineffective with 12. 2%, while 10 are indifference with 24. and 11 agreed that it is effective. TABLE 4. 5 DOES ALL THE CUSTOMER AGREES ON THE PRICE OF THE COMPANYS PRODUCT. Response No of questionnaire Percentages Yes 30 73. 17 No 11 26. 83 Total 41 100. 0 From the above table, it shows that 30 respondents agrees that all the customers are aware of the price of the companys products with 73. 17% while 11 disagrees that they are not aware with 26. 83%. TABLE 4. 6 DOES CUSTOMERS AGREES WITH THE QUALIFY OF THE COMPANYS PRODUCT. Response No of questionnaire Percentages Yes 32 78. 5 No 9 21. 95 Total 41 100. 00 SourceSurvey data 2005 The above table shows that 32 respondents agreed that customers are satisfied with the qualify of the companys product with 78. 05% while 9 disagrees with 21. 95%. TABLE 4. 7 ARE THERE reckon FOR IMPR OVEMENT OF PRODUCT PLANNIN DISTRIBUTION AND MANAGEMENT. Response No of questionnaire Percentages Yes