The natural evolution of marketing is like this: a thought, a concept, a plan, execution, implementation, and consultation after the fact. The problem that most companies suffer from is they go from thought to execution without any concept or plan. Then they rely on consultants to tell them what they already know. Outside validation is what's important. If two people agree, that's collaboration. If three people agree, it must be a trend. Or is it?
$199 is the new $249
Just a couple years ago, $249 was the magical number that a consumer could purchase any product for themselves without having to justify the expense to their significant other, spouse, or household budget. Whenever I see manufacturers conforming new products to a specific price point, I have to wonder if they are looking at just the short term benefits for the price cut or at the long tail benefits of having the product out in the market.