A structured approach to improving your Pricing Strategy
A strong pricing strategy helps companies to execute optimal prices every time they do business. Pricing Strategy is the first of Pricing Solutions’ ‘Four Core Pricing Processes’ and it sets the foundation for improvements in price setting, price execution and managing performance.
A common and recommended first step in developing or improving your pricing strategy is to establish your current position. By looking at your current performance it gives you the baseline from which a roadmap for pricing improvements can be planned.
Pricing Solutions base their strategy recommendations on two core concepts: the 5 Levels of World Class Pricing and Value Based Pricing.
1. Five Levels of World Class Pricing
World Class pricing is the pursuit of excellence in the execution of the pricing process. The five levels framework helps companies benchmark where they are on the journey to Pricing Excellence and enables them to systematically know how to move forward. It begins at Level 1 with the firefighter, followed by the Policeman, the Partner, the Scientist and finally, the Master. Each level is distinct, with its own issues.
The majority of companies are operating at Levels 1-3. Based on our project work, Pricing Solutions has found that a 10:1 payback is typically achieved on projects that move an organisation up a level. This payback is usually realised within 12-24 months and continues to deliver as the company reaps the rewards of superior pricing.
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Value-based pricing is driven by a deep understanding of the customer’s perception of value. To ensure that deep customer knowledge is at the heart of pricing decision-making, a company must introduce a number of new processes that incorporate information beyond the boundaries of the company’s internal system and industry ‘know-how’.
One of the key tools for evaluating customer value is the Perceived Value Map, which helps companies quantify and analyse ‘soft’ value attributes. Value Maps are often initially produced from internal wisdom, and enable more productive discussions regarding the relative value vs. competitors. Customer research can also be used to verify or inform the value map, allowing you to analyse customers by segment, and track value movements over time.
Pricing Solutions provides training in value-based pricing tools & methodology as well as production and implementation customised tools for clients.
Contact Us for a Pricing Consultation
Pricing Solutions is one of the worlds’ leading pricing consultancy firms. We are dedicated to helping clients tackle their specific pricing challenges and dramatially grow profitability. Our consultants have extensive experience in B2B and B2C markets within a wide range of industries.
For more information about our services or to get in touch with one of our consultants directly please contact our global headquarters.