In some industries the enticements of full
mass production have been so powerful that for
many years top management in effect has told
the sales departments. "You get rid of it; we'll
worry about profits." By contrast. a truly marketing-
minded firm tries to create value-satisfying
goods and services that consumers will want
to buy. What it offers for sale includes not only
the generic product or service, but also how it
is made available to the customer, in what form,
when, under what conditions, and at what terms
of trade. Most important. what it offers for
sale is determined not by the seller but by the
buyer. The seller takes his cues from the buyer
in such a way that the product becomes a consequence
of the marketing effort, not vice versa.