Sivasivani Institute of Management Book Review Session: Synopsis of "Differentiate or Die" - Jack Trout
Sivasivani Institute of Management Book Review Session: Synopsis of "Differentiate or Die" - Jack Trout
Sivasivani Institute of Management Book Review Session: Synopsis of "Differentiate or Die" - Jack Trout
-Jack Trout
Submitted by,
DEEPAK KUMAR
M5 06
About the Author
Table of Contents
1 The Tyranny of Choice 1
2 Whatever Happened to the U.S.P.? 11
3 Reinventing the U.S.P. 19
Quality and Customer Orientation Are Rarely Differentiating
4 27
Ideas
5 Creativity Is Not a Differentiating Idea 37
6 Price Is Rarely a Differentiating Idea 45
7 Breadth of Line Is a Difficult Way to Differentiate 57
8 The Steps to Differentiation 65
9 Differentiation Takes Place in the Mind 73
10 Being First Is a Differentiating Idea 83
11 Attribute Ownership Is a Way to Differentiate 95
12 Leadership Is a Way to Differentiate 107
13 Heritage Is a Differentiating Idea 115
14 Market Specialty Is a Differentiating Idea 127
15 Preference Is a Differentiating Idea 135
16 How a Product Is Made Can Be a Differentiating Idea 145
17 Being the Latest Can Be a Differentiating Idea 155
18 Hotness Is a Way to Differentiate 163
19 Growth Can Destroy Differentiation 169
20 Differentiation Often Requires Sacrifice 179
21 Being Different in Different Places 185
22 Maintaining Your Difference 195
23 Who Is in Charge of Differentiation
Introduction
Now the author explain the four steps to differentiate: (1) make sense
in the context of the market as it exists, (2) find the differentiating
idea, (3) be able to support and demonstrate the differentiating idea,
and (4) communicate your difference.
Trout now list differentiating ideas that DO work effectively, and give
a number of helpful examples of each: (1) being first or number one, (2)
owning a particular attribute or product quality in the consumer's mind,
(3) demonstrating product leadership, (4) drawing upon an impressive
company history or heritage, (5) focusing on a particular market
specialty, (6) showing that your product is the preference of influential
persons or groups, (7) focusing on a product's unique ingredients, (8)
being the "new generation" of products, or (9) being popular or "hot."
Finally, the author demonstrate how company growth can destroy its
differences unless company leaders are careful. They note that
differentiation requires sacrifice; future directions in marketing must
not blur the difference. Also, how a product is differentiated or
branded in one country may need to be substantially different to
succeed in another culture
Since its original publication, Differentiate or Die has become the bible
for marketers who must find a way to separate their products and
brands from the competition. Meanwhile, competition among similar
products and services has only intensified—making differentiation even
more important.
From the classic "unique selling proposition" approach to the ins and
outs of product positioning, this book contains all the best, most
effective strategies for differentiating your product from the
competition in tight quarters.