excellent opportunities for the firm to send consistent and strong messages regarding the organization’s purpose, the intended market segments, and the nature of the service.
Process The actual procedures, mechanisms, and flow of activities by which the service is delivered—the service delivery and operating systems.
The actual delivery steps that the customer experiences, or the operational flow of the service, also give customers evidence on which to judge the service. Some services are very complex, requiring the customer to follow a complicated and extensive series of actions to complete the process. Another distinguishing characteristic of the process that can provide evidence to the customer is whether the service follows a production-line/standardized approach or whether the process is an empowered/customized one. For example, two successful airline companies, WestJet and Singapore Airlines, follow very different process models. WestJet is a no-frills, low-priced airline that offers mostly frequent, relatively short flights. All the evidence it provides is consistent with its vision and market position, as illustrated in Exhibit 1.1. Singapore Airlines, on the other hand, focuses on the business traveller and is concerned with meeting individual traveller needs. Thus, its process is highly customized to the individual, and employees are empowered to provide nonstandard service when needed. Both airlines have been very successful. The three new marketing mix elements (people, physical evidence, and process) are included in the marketing mix as separate elements because any or all of them may influence the customer’s level of satisfaction and repurchase decisions. The traditional elements as well as the new marketing mix elements will be explored in depth in future chapters.