Sony Ericsson is clearly confused. Allow us this statement, for it is one handset brand that on one hand does not have an operating system of its own (which is not a problem area), while on the other, has never been sure of which operating system it should (and shouldn’t) rely on. Initially, it started by using the Symbian platform (which is housed in Nokia handsets). In the year 2009, it launched its flagship mobile handsets – the Xperia X1 and X2, that were based on Windows Mobile platform. And today, after just a few months of betting on the Windows technology, it has planned to experiment with the Android with its Xperia X10. Thus, Sony Ericsson, as of date, is actively involved with three ‘unrelated’ smartphone platforms! And here’s the motherlode of all confusions – Bert Norberg, Global CEO of Sony Ericsson has even hinted that his company would be glad to take on a fourth platform (or more) in due course of time. This will leave the brand with a confused product line and a hazed-out positioning strategy, something which will definitely not help the cause of a company, which is struggling to reconnect with its customers not only in India, but across the world.
Ask any of the emerging local players about which Ps of marketing are most critical when it comes to a competitive and price-sensitive market like India? The answer would be – Price & Place. And those are areas where Sony Ericsson has to improve. Even its most recent launches have been in the price range of Rs.25,000 to Rs.35,000. Though this helps its premium positioning strategy, it surely will not get its sales register ticking in the Indian market. Even Hirokazu Ishizuka, Sony Ericsson Corporate VP & Head of APAC region says, “The key would be a portfolio with a minimum price of Rs.3,000, because that is where we think our phones can add value in a customer’s life.” “The reason why Xperia X1 could not do well was because of its pricing. It was launched at Rs.42,000,” avers a leading telecom analyst. Therefore the trick is to launch lower-priced products, for the mass market. There are also concerns regarding its distribution, as Rajiv Seth, Regional Head of Sales, APAC Region, says, “We already have 40 exclusive stores in the country and would be looking at opening more.” Certainly, there is no harm for the company to be selling products that fall in the premium category, but for that, it would have to work towards building an improved product portfolio, pay greater attention to its distributor/dealership network, focus on a uniform OS platform and revamp its communication strategy. Our take: though the odds are high, if Sony Ericsson works on these, it might just strike back!
Surbhi Chawla
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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2010.
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri and Arindam chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).
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