Chapter 11. Developing and Managing Products

With Nike, new products are important to sustain growth, increase revenues and profits and replace obsolete items. It's seems like every time you turn on your television computer or even walking around the city, you can't go a day without seeing some type of advertisement  for Nike. all of Nike's new product have become more environment friendly. One of Nike's product that was introduced a couple years that still gets a lot of heads turning are the Nike Free Run. The Nike Free Run product feels like you're walking on clouds. wearing the sneakers literally feels like your barefoot. Th e Nike Free Run product are manufactured with recycled materials and one of the most flexible shoes you will ever wear on your feet. 

Nike doesn't have much of a problem with product life cycle. For example the Nike Air Max series that were manufactured in 1995 are still in high demand today. The only difference between a 1995 pair and today's pair is the material used to manufacture the sneakers. Their now more light weight and composed from different reusable materials. Nike also has begun to start using more technology with all their product, so for the near future expect to hear Nike coming up with new innovations and having their own stamp in the technology world.

Chapter 18. Social Media and Marketing

The new media feature Nike has developed is called "Twitter RSVP". (Only eligible for Twitter account users only) The way it works is Nike stores across the country tweet hash-tags that you will have to message back to, with the following info: Product hash-tag, first & last name, and size, once it's done, Nike will respond back on a fist come first served bases to those who successfully completed the message. With the replied message customers get the opportunity to purchase the product. This makes it easier for Nike to have a more complete interaction with the consumer. This also gives them feed back in areas of populations throughout the country, contributing to future locations in areas not yet explored by Nike Inc. Nike keep coming up with ideas in order to manufacture, sell and satisfy their customers and distribute their product accordingly in favor of the public themselves. 

Chapter 10. Product Concepts

Nike can be seen as a juggernaut when it comes to the strategic planning, retailing an advertising their products, also in the way consumers view their products. Nike products cannot be categorized into just one area. Nike products can be categorized in every kind of retail product. Some footwear can be considered a shopping product, because some are more expensive then other athletic shoes. Due to this fact a person in search for a limited Nike shoe would shop around and compare this product with other highly expensive athletic shoes. Nike athletic apparel can also be seen as a convenience product  because nike products can be found in almost any retail store even if they don't specialize in athletic apparel. 

Nike markets and advertises their products consumers do have the idea that they have a specialty product with a special clientele. Those who buy Nike products are not likely to except a substitute and thats because of design. The creative power of Nike make hundreds of decisions daily that impact thousands of products in their portfolio. Ultimately, these decisions shape Nike’s footprint. Nike gives designers feedback in key areas like materials, waste, chemistry and innovation, this helps them make important decisions. This all shapes up Nike's footwear concept. 

Chapter 17. Personal Selling and Sales Management

Nike's way of persuading consumers is by showcasing the quality of the product. The company doesn't do much discounts. If they do have a sale it would be through retail stores such as Footlocker, Modells, Foot Action and Finishline. They do more of a point of purchase promotion system in such cases. One example would have to be this Nike's new "Nike Hyperdunk" sneakers with the additional "Nike Plus" a system in which you can train and exercise and when your done, you can upload your Nike device to your computer and it will give you all your daily training results instantly and also compares your athleticism with other people in the world. Nike retailers provide their customers with the best one on one customer help/assistance to make the personal sell that much personal. When the customer becomes interested, Nike relies on the salesperson to do what it take, whether its visuals, adds or color scheme or even pitch a new sport gadget to make the sale because it's harder for a company to effectively sell their products if there isn't much discounts or coupons.