Product Planning Distribution and Management (a Case Study of the Nigeria Bottling Company’s Plc, Enugu.

A Paper reaping mean scattering AND MANAGEMENT (A CASE discip profligate OF THE NIGERIA BOTTLING COMPANYS PLC, ENUGU. ABSTRACT harvest-feast proviso scattering and perfumeing ar rattling lively in the doing and dissemination of very manufacturing plaque. Be frontward invariably a manufacturing go with should come disc t come to the fore ensemble over with a takingsive lumber fruit, it mustiness(prenominal)inessiness undergo legion(predicate) sketch ates, from cookery for twain(prenominal) short err or eagle-eyed, fore casting doing mart explore and consumer gaze, protesting the crossroad and introducing the mathematical harvest-feast to the grocery store by means of diverse thoroughf bes of diffusion.The aim of this subject field is to sop up how the Nigeria bottling comm unit of measurementy plc, Enugu is re each(prenominal)(prenominal) in ally winding in the act upon of fruit readying, scattering and assist. This is n ominate by gathering nurture from authorized enigmas usually associated with full stop of intersection programmening, and proposing remedial measures later on(prenominal) revealing beas of worry. The question in the questionnaire were base on the enquiry question s positive for this purpose while epitome were do utilise the chi-squ ar (x2) test and dowry from present a discussion of the ensureings, skilful word and conclusion were made by the investigator.It is hoped that this allow assistant managers in proposening, distri nevertheless(prenominal)ion and managing the their fruits by taking trenchant and efficient closes in these cardinal decisiveness argonas. For examples the alliance should accede spunkyly provide and give them sui circuit board training. PREFACE This work is deemed to advanced sporty on troubles compound in result diffusion and guidance. These tasks argon under consentn by watchfulness to ensure swop growth and scrat ch securities effort sh atomic look 18.My creator for selecting the Nigeria bottling fragmentizenership Plc, Enugu is collect to the wide crease of name in the mart scoop to be evaluated a gainst the back up ground of produce bestow dispersal and focal full stop. For the continued come upence of companies harvest-feasts must be produced and sold profiatably. New carrefour must piddle to be averd and told and unprofitable harvest-times must shake glowering to be deleted. control panel OF trip Title scallywag Approval page Dedication Ac bashledgment Abstract acquaint Table of con 10t CHAPTER whiz innovation 1. Background of the t distri howeverively 2.Statement of the problem 3. objective lens of the learning 4. Research question 5. context of the contemplate 6. Limitation and problems 7. Signifi back endce of the study 8. Definition of term CHAPTER two literary works REVIEW 1. Meaning of crossway 2. harvest- condemnation classification 3 . convergence last(a) ca substance ab dropning and output development 4. decisiveness aras in mathematical crop planning 5. The function of growth planning 6. New intersection commove 7. planning for hotborn-fangled overlap 8. ingathering attributes 9. Product set upment 10. The expanding duties of the crossroad manager 11. Physical scattering 12. Physical statistical distribution objective 3. statistical distribution conducts 14. Selection channels of distribution CHAPTER THREE RESEARCH DESIGN AND systemological abridgment INTRODUCTION OF THE dissect 1. Research goal or ruleology 2. Area of study 3. Population of the study 4. Sample sizing determination 5. Instrument for in tuneation assemblage 6. Validation of the doer 7. Reli capability of the instrument 8. Methods of entropy ingathering 9. Method of selective knowledge analysis CHAPTER FOUR entropy installing AND ANALYSIS 1. Presentation and analysis of entropy 2. Testing of hypothesis 3. Su mmary of results CHAPTER FIVEDISCUSSION testimonial AND CONCLUSION 1. Summary of call backing a d discussion 2. Conclusions 3. Recommendations Bibliography Appendix CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1. 1BACKGROUND OF THE invigorateds report A produce has been be by the Ameri crumb trade association as any(prenominal) intimacy that hind end be officered to a securities industry for heed, acquisition or consumption including physiological objects, function, in-personities, com power and likings. A mathematical carrefour as delimitate by stanchion in rudiments of grocery interject. A produce is a lay of received and intangible attributes that leads to guest felicity. roduct planning embraces all the activities that alters a gild to follow what harvesting t pull up stakes commercialize. perplexity deals with all those who ready supervisory accountability ranging from the chief executive down to the root p arnthood supervisor, in this gaucherie, c oordinateion is construeed to as box, that is those who direct the work of some separates and their own by means of their own offers and efforts of others consequently, harvest-home planning and precaution, symbolises all the activities that enables a caller-out to determine what it give market of harvest so as to converge guests complimentss and read respectively.This involves the process of effectively planning and regulating the operations of that luck of enterprises which is responsible of that case of enterprises which is responsible for the existent transformation of materials into finished crops. This allows all the activities involve. In remembering and distribution of the political partys niftys. This addresses the questions of. a. Which sign of channels a vender should select for his mathematical growth. b. Which detail warmnessmen accept in each channel flake and. c. How to c ar distribution n system for effective accomplishment.The com pany or dissolute should k straight the tip of channel control desired, by absolute the channel, the counterbalancer undertakes to ensure that this overlap give receive the unavoidable gross barters push as well as any other essential grammatical constituents needed to mystify the crossing properly and play and customers. The company of firm should cave in necessary effort to control the timberland of the harvest-home. Product quality-the quality level to be make into the crossroad is a conscious decision to be made by the manufacture. A exalteder(prenominal) quality harvest-home comm unless is much greetly to intersection point than a dis may quality iodine and so commands a higher value on the market.The quality level decision beca usance should be related to the price range that go forth be attractive to the of importstreams of probable debauchers, quality is multifaceted. It relates to, or depends on. Such factors as the quality of bargon mate rials practiced the action process Itself, quality controls during end yield publicity or dressing of the point of intersection, price of the fruit, the purlieu in which the intersection is displayed for buys, the durability of the crossing is usanced and the buyers, expectation and appreciation in normal, convergence quality tends to be high to the goal that any of the higher up factors is beloved or high as the case may be.The quality produced has be in line with adopt at a instigateicular point in time so as to press against come to the fore of conduct and over stock. The company has to be watchful at any point in time so as to know what type of product to be produced, when to produce. How to produce, whom to produce for the (target market) and cloy such(prenominal) a product is required. agree to Charles a Scheve and Reuben M Smith. The basic goal of product management is to ensure that a product matches the indirect requests and ask of consumers in its m arket.Then many markets make the fault of approximateing that consumers feel and act as they do and sh ar their motives invalid assumptions on the part of marketers. Results to market disappointments previously, ab forth one hundred years ago, at that place were a couple of(prenominal) producers. The dealers oriented type of market was dominant consumers out weighted the number of producers and weeny or no figures was p help oneself to consumers welf ars. identification numberout concept of merchandising philosophy was prevalent. What forever was produced had to be consumed. This goes to mean that the total produce concept is the entire caboodle of benefits the products provides to the consumers.No at tend was paid to product box, stigmatisation product quality and other maven(prenominal) tangible attributes of a product. As time went on, more than and more producers come into the market. This gave rise to conception among the available producers consumption was based on good box bell ringer image, product quality convenient. This is cognize as product concept in selling philosophy. It is this function that forced manufactures to drop dead time in product packaging, labeling, soiling etc. flat receivable to advancement in twain engine room and communication as will as employment equipment introduced into the circulation makes the market more complicated.This is the era that brought near marketing concept. limn manufactures and producers commencement of all is out to set really the needs and wants of consumers, then(prenominal) the virtually admirable type colour, sizable money mark, chumping and labeling that all best suit the desire of the capableness and actual consumers of the product. Product planners must try to match the firms resources lie what it is satisfactory of producing with the men, money, machines and materials it ahs with the needs of consumers satisfaction and highest company clams bath be get doned wit the restrict resources available.Because of the sophisticated nature of todays crinkle, many tactics ar creation applied by incompatible companies to fight back competitions and to stand firmly in the market. Many bran- pertlyborn products argon eternally cosmos introduced into the market. Innovators be seriously doing their descent old and profitable products atomic number 18 modernise while round ar deleted out of the market. Companies use specific and admirable packaging public figure, good checkmarking and beautiful types of labeling to single out their products from many in circulation. Similar products in the market. . 2STATEMENT OF PROBLEM In intimately melodic phrase operations today the task of planning and managing a product is non an tardily one. Emphasis is laid on the problems associated with product planning distribution and management in NBC PLC Enugu. The company is having problems in procuring lancinating materials. The curt ilage is that. a. The Federal Government banned the importing of the base material-what? b. Local supplier do non always have equal to give the company. c. The local enters have to be refined to bring them to the measuring stick videotape by the company. d.Transporting the fond materials is a problem since the company does non have decorous f town trucks. e. The peeled materials be usually bulky. The company is as well as having problems in product planning and development. The reason world that the company exists in an economy suppressed by hyperinflation and insecurity. Consumers be now being very tradeful on what to spend for or consumer. A nonher problems that the company find oneselfs is that of change magnitude competitions from companies deal 7 up bottling PLC. The companys competitors are having a high quality of product often non much antithetic from the NBC.Even where NBC gain in terms of quality and diversification, other gain by more liquid content, as 7 up against sprite and cheaper prices. In the world of distribution and product management, the company has in fit number of trucks and experiences bottle breakages and pilfrages. 1. 3OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY This study is purely on product planning, distribution and management. It aims at describing how NBC PLC is really involved in these task. To do this the study is fortify with information ga in that respectd from extensive literary works re persuasion as a base.The chief(prenominal) and primary(a) objectives of this study is to define veritable problems usually associated with product planning distribution and management in NBC PLC which require a proposal of remedial measure after reveal areas of the problems. The study will check into on the areas of the companys procurance of raw materials use. How the company plans for its products. How this product is developed. How the management and workers take decision, what channel of distribution is utilise, and how are th e products managed from take to consumption.It is excessively all-important(a) to constitute that this explore work is very merry in partial fulfillment of the portion out of ordinary national diploma (OND) in the polytechnic IMT Enugu tell apart. 1. 4RESEARCH QUESTIONS For the purpose of this study the sideline seek question have been proposed by the investigator. 1. Do you have problems in procuring raw materials use by your company. 2. Do you plan for your product in front takings. 3. Do you encounter definite problems in planning and managing your products. 4. Do you normally undertake up with read during peak period. 5.How do distribution neck with the distribution system of your company. 6. Do your products occupy a real need of consumers or do they complain of poor quality. 1. 5SCOPE OFD THE STUDY This study covers the Nigerian Bottling company PLC Enugu the producer of i. Coca-cola ii. Sprite iii. Fantat (Quinine and Orange) iv. Krest v. Tonic water vi. C hapman vii. unify soda The detective basing my preserve up-on coca-cola which is the first product of the company when it state turnout in 1963. For NBC PLC, Enugu this study is structured to get product planning distribution and management s accuse. . 6LIMITATION AND PROBLEMS Initially the scope of this study was intentional to cover all the whole kits in the easterly region including Makurdi) of Nigerian but due to time and finance constraints, yet the Enuygu plants was studies, this plant however covers closely of the old east region, minus Aba and Port-Harcourt. Makurdi is considered a part of Enugu. In broadening out this product work, the interrogationer face some problems which ranged from fiscal constraints, time constraints, to the problems of data aggregation.The look intoer faced some financial problems in carrying out this research a insurrection from shop traveling to all depots for data collection with the unsteady high conveyance of name cost. on t hat point is in homogeneous manner high cost of piece of music sheets and high secretarial steers in the typewrite and binding of the research work. Another study(ip)(ip) constraint is that of time factor. This is imminent as the researcher was exposed to two strongly opposing alternative choices to chose from. That is choice between attending lectures and that of traveling to depots for data collection in which the opinions have to be met inside weeks posses as an.Data collection kindredly posses as an obstacle in the task achievement in that the data so want were not readily available and the researcher had to make doubleed visits on some(prenominal) occasions forwards obtaining th required data. In the face of all these problems the researcher forged ahead by overcoming these problems and do the researcher work victorious. 1. 7SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY This write up is likely to be good to troika parties particularly. The student (Writer). The subject take (N igerian Bottling company PLC Enugu) and the Institute of management and technology (IMT) and probably the country in general.It is near to the write in the sense that it gives him opportunity to re conceive personally al about all that it exposed the writer to a very wide area f origin most e pickyly during the cross of research and widened his knowledge. Also with the opportunity provided by the research study, the writer having obtained facts from research carried out will be privileged to express higher opinion based on personal judgment on the subject point (Nigeria Bottling Company PLC Enugu) when the suggestions and recommendations provided by this study are implemented this is it fault will veracity the weaknesses identified during the course of study.Also the exposure and cognisance which this figure will create astir(predicate) (Nigerian Bottling Company PLC Enugu) could help in attracting variant categories of one-on-ones and groups to come and invest in (Nigeria n Bottling Company PLC Enugu as required by the Authority. Finally, since it is more often than not believed that examination alone does provides the rightful(a) test of ones ability or knowledge the polytechnic could use this project work to measure the execution and seriousness of the student or writer. 1. 8DEFINITION OF TERMBecause of the misconception of product and the mis- flecking of products in that location is need to explain some production know how which few has been explained above. establishment OF BRANDING Organizing of the product branding is a variable quantity product attribute. Branding considered as one aspect of product policy. It beguilemed also to be a phase of onward motional policy since it is an and to communication. Brand policy have a go at it center ground the question of whether to brand in the first place and their whether to use unmarried product brand of a family or blanket brand.The same(p) brand far all the product in the line in there exi st a problems of whether to sell price brands. harvesting view solicitude ability to plaza a product appropriately in the market is a major determining(prenominal) of company profit. agree to William Stanton. A product position in the image that product prefects is dealings to war-ridden products by the company in question William Stanton goes on locution that the more to product positioning is an travail by business. PHYSICAL DISTRIBUTIONThis is the part of marketing that addresses how product are locomote and stored. A corporal distribution channel include intercedes often not considered to e part marketing channel, such as raptus companies public were house and insurance companies that participates and the vogue and a towage of products. These factor who do not take thrift to genuinely own the goods they handle are referred functions is to facilities the impetus of goods. CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW 2. 1MEANING OF harvest-homeThe attempt to undertake a study of product planning is beneficial by engagement into the books of many intelligent personnel who had do some of work on this question the spare-time exercise re the views of these learner gentle beings. A product has been defined by the Ameri sack up trade association as anything than great deal be offered to a market for attention, acquisition or consumption, including fleshly objects function, personalities, organization and desires Product is something that is viewed as being capable of satisfying a need or want.A product is any thing than can be offered to a market for attention acquisition utilize of consumption that input satisfy a need. It includes somatic objects, helps, persons, places organization and ideas. It may also be a set of tangible and intangible manufacturing prestige and manufacturers accept as offering wants satisfaction product as defined by Stanton in fundamentals of marketing A product is a set of tangible attributes that leads to customer satis faction. Product concord to Nonyelu G.Nwokoye markets buyers and it is of central enormousness in the marketing effects A product may be defined as a bundle of strong-arm and psychological satisfactions that a buyer receivers from a purchase. It includes not notwithstanding the tangible object but also such supportive elements as packaging convenience of purchase, post-sale profits and others that buyers value. harmonize to pride/feared A product is boththing (both palmy and unfavourable) that on receives in an exchange. It is a interlacing of tangible and intangible attributes including functional, social and psychological utilities or benefits.A product can be idea, a services, a good or any combination of the three. 2. 2 output CLASSIFICATION hotshot result of taking this broad view of product is that there are literally millions of products to be marketed. A innovative products are identified developed, discovered, invented or born both day. While each of this product demand a unique marketing mixing We have two broad types of product 1. The consumer product and 2. Industrial product. Consumer s productsIn this type of products, not all consumers product are the same. Rather they can be subdivided on the terra firma of how people buy them.Since the purpose of marketing is to satisfy wants and needs. It is hardly logical to classify products on the basis of consumer behaviour. then consumer product can be divided into four subgroups. 1. Convenience products. 2. Slopping products 3. particularly product and 4. Unsought products. Industrial productsThis type of product is make up of goods or services used in the production of other products. Industrial goods encompass suppliers, accessories, services and so far plant and equipment. This many raw materials and subassemblies that go into a finished can are all industrial products.They are market to automobile manufacturers, not to last-ditch consumers. Buyers of industrial products are differen t effect the buyers of consumer products. In terms of this write up, I do not have to go into detail of industrial products. My concern is on consumer product. TYPES OF CONSUMER ingatheringS 1. CONVENIENCE PRODUCTS-Are heads that consumers want to buy with the least possible shopping effort. Their selection is characterized by routing buy behaviour. Through these product are bought often, consumers do not assay information more or less them. Examples are milk, eggs, cigarettes, chewing gum, chariots.thither are three types of convenience products. a. Staples b. Impulse items and c. hand brake goods A. STAPLES- Items are convenience products for which consumers usually do some planning. Food items are good examples. For instance though consumers dont seek such information about milk, they do buy it often and they plan to buy it when preparing to go to grocery stock banking is an example of service that is staples with staple items, the brand or trademark can be very important in buyers minds. And buyers want staples items to be turn up conveniently. B.IMPULSE ITEMS-Are not purchased because of planning, but because of strongly it conterminous needs. Thus distribution is an important factor in marketing impulse products. If they are not located conveniently exchange will not take place. That is why items like novelties, and high-priced pans are placed near the gold register in many stores. C. emergency brake PRODUCTS-Are items that are needed to solve an immediate crisis time and place utilities are the major ingredients of satisfaction, price and quality are less important, although the product obviously has to be of sufficient quality to view to meet the emergency. . obtain PRODUCTS-In shopping product, consumer visits several(prenominal) stores to equalise price and quality in front buying. Even before going into the store to buy or examine such products, consumer may study magazines like consumer reports or ask friends for their opinions abou t certain products or study, advertisement. In modulate words, before buying shopping products consumer seek information that will allow them to compare two or more brands or substitute products. Shopping products can thus be divided into two a. homogenised product and b. Heterogeneous product. 3.SPECIALTY PRODUCTS-Are items for which there are no acceptable substitutes in the consumers mind. Consumers are ready to s each hanker and hand until they find them. 4. UNSOUGHT PRODUCTS-Are items that consumers do not readily realize they want or need. They are those products which the consumers do not readily realize they want or need. 2. 3PRODUCT PLANNING AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT According to Stanton- product planning embraces all activities that enable a company to determine what product it will market. Product development encompasses the technological activities of product research, engineering and design.More specifically the boast scope of product planning and product developmen t includes qualification decisions in the areas named below. 2. 4DESIGN argonAS IN PRODUCT PLANNING 1. Which product should the firm make? 2. Should the company market more or fewer products? 3. What virgin uses are there for each product. 4. What brand, package and label should be used for each product? 5. How should the product be named and intentional and in what coats, colours and materials should it be produced. 6. In what quantities should each item be product. 7.How should the product be priced. According to Grolier in modern business (marketing) The evolution of scientific product planning in business, designed to curve the risk of failure and to avoid the pear-shaped waste that failures cause, has led to the formalizing of the non-homogeneous activities involved in product planning. 2. 5THE FUNCTION OF PRODUCT PLANNING Can be summarized in general in the succeeding(a) ten points. a. Evaluation of the idea-Does the product belong in our line? Is the time right for it now? Does this seem like a good idea for us to make this item? . Evaluation of the steadfastial marketDoes the consumer want or need this product. Is the market big adequacy to w arrant our spend the necessary time, work force and money to make it what influences consumer buying of this type of product? c. Evaluating the productIs the radical idea sufficiently different and superior to breathing products competitive product gives the consumer substantially more for his money? d. Evaluating company resourcesIs our company set up to make this spic-and-span product? What additional equipment of manpower will we need to make and market it?Can we make and sell it economically against the price the consumer is willing to pay? How long will it take our company with its present or potential resources to recoup investiture and start making a profit from its operation. Approximately where is the break-even point? (The point at which marginal revenue equals margarita cost, at this po int there is not profit or acquittance). e. Preparing customer specifications-If preliminary evaluation is affirmatory just what is it that the consumer would like in a product of this kind what could the consumer not like?What assurance do we have that a product meeting those specifications will find a ready market? What should our vernal product be like? What should it do to meet customer specifications? f. Developing the product-Armed with this information, which marketing research has developed for us, we can turn to the engineering or laboratory discussion section for the, development of a product which meets those specifications as close as possible. g. Pre-testing the product-The try out model product, as designed and enveloped by engineering has to be tested in the market against competition.If there is nothing like it on the market now. It must be tested against consumer spiritlessness or resistance. Generally at this demonstrate some modification are indicated as co nsumer lasted change, or as our model fails to meet customer specifications. h. Producing the productOnce was have tested the model and have support customer desire to buy. We can move over it to engineering for last minute modifications and then turn it over to manufacturing for production for the market. narrow sales, advertise and promotion department to sterilize their programmes for proper market coverage and market introduction. . Marketing the product-If all necessary planning and programming have been accomplished, marketing the product should begin as son as production has turned out decent unit to meet the initial plan. It is important that stars and distribution as well as the companys own sales force, shall have full knowledge before hand. j. Control and evaluation-After new product has been introduced into the market, it has to be controlled and continuously evaluated. Does it meet a real need? Is there sufficient repeat business to keep it in the line?Does it ca rry its own weight (Volume of sales, volume of profit addition to company prestige etc) 2. 6NEW PRODUCT What is a New product? Must an inter be all new in concept before we can class it as a new product? Each marketing category may requires quite different marketing programme to ensure a reasonable probability of market success. trey recognizable categories of new products are as following. 1. Products that are really innovative-Truly unique. Example would be a hair-restorer or a malignant neoplastic disease cure-products for which there is a real need but for which no existing substitutes are considered satisfactory.In this category we can also include products but satisfy the same needs. Thus television to a spectacular extent replaced radio and movies. 2. Replacement for existing products that are significantly different from he existing foods. Instant umber replaced ground coffee and coffee bean in many markets, then freeze dried inkstand replaced instant coffee. Annual mo del changes in autos and new fashions in clothing belongs to this category. 3. first step product that are new to a particular company but not new to the market. The company simple wants to capture pant of an existing market with a mention product.Perhaps the cay criterion as to whether a effrontery product is new is how the intended market recognize it. If buyers perceive that a given item is significantly different (from competitive goods being replaced) in some characteristic appearance, performance) then it is a new product. 3. 7PLANNING FOR NEW PRODUCTS It is now form that modern business takes the matter of new product very seriously. The well known management consultant, Peter Druck, refers to it as the management in innovation. Basically, business consider that new product pose three major challenges to management . a.The uncertainty of new-product results the rate of failure, even with better organizations, is great until recently cardinal to night present of all new products failed. In some companies now, the rate of failure is down as low as 25 percent. tho in industry as a while, a new product has no more than a 50-50 chance of success. b. Shortage of the technically-Trained technically handy personnel, capable of taking change of new product development are scare. As new product multiply, the burden on the technically trained grows. Further more, as technology progresses, the technological proficiency of the individual has to gain.This is often a behindhand process of conation and experience gained on the job and it cannot be developed over night. c. Difficulty of organizing and controlling the new-product development process. We have seen how companies are all empting to meet the problems of organizing and controlling the new product development process. It is elephantinely a homo kind of than a technical problem involving such decision as how we use the skill s available, where to place the product manager, to whom he should report . And what functions will be depute to him.Before ever fierceness, is to be laid on functions of product manager, first of all I have to emphasis on management. Management and judicial system are interchangeable. Management defined broadly as getting things through with(p) through other people. This include lower strata and top management. Management deals with All those who have supervisory responsibility ranging from the chief executive down to the first line. Supervisor in this case management is regarded to as a Box and that is those who direct the work of others and their work through their own efforts and effort of others.Management generally has three basic task. 1. To set up a general plan or strategy for the business. 2. To direct the execution of this plan 3. To evaluate , analysis, and control the plan in actual operation. Management is usually defined in term of function performed management is what management does. This means that management is both the executive p ersonnel (boss) and a personify of knowledge, a practice a straighten out or a process. A wide accepted listing of management functions includes. 1. Planning 2. Organizing 3. Directing 4. Coordinating and 5. Controlling 2. 8THE EXPANDING DUTIES OF THE PRODUCT MANAGERThere is a growing need of a product manager, a single individual in the product division who coordinates the developments of new products. The product manager because, in effect a product specialist who meets the special problems posed by the rapidly growing number of products, the growing importance of new product. The product manager has the responsibility of making sure that each new product has the necessary effort behind it to make it a success. He is more than a mere coordinator. Typically he is charge with the following duties and functions. a. He recommend additions to the line (base on research reports of market needs). . He forecasts sales (based on sales potentials launch by research). c. He supervises th e zeals of sales promotion to achieve sales goals. d. He determines new product specification based on reports fromn the research department. e. He participates in the zeal sales programmes f. He assists in selling big accounts. g. He councils and advises regional and submit sales managers. h. He participates in the preparation of advertising plans and programs. i. He prepares product-development budgets (including the budgets for marketing the product). j. He makes pricing recommendations. k.He coordinates the development of new product from idea through commercial marketing. It is important to be aware that the situation with regard to the product manager is in most cases, quite fluid and it is constantly changing. about companies have used a production manager for years. While many others have adopted the system only recently. The position of product manager, is in neither standard nor settled. In general, there are three main(prenominal) types of product manager set ups eme rging in business. integrity type of product manager places the emphasis on product, another on sals service and the trinity on decentralization. . 9PRODUCT ATTRIBUTES. A firm capacity elect to product a product based on specific attributes. still these attributes can never be catalogued. The alternatives of product form are infinite. In fact, this great range in alternatives is the reason product development is such a repugn management problem, while we can scene at all of the potential features of products, we can look at all of the potential features of products, we can look at certain attributes that historically have command substantial management attention. PRODUCT DIFFERENCIATIONRegardless of the form a new product takes a company most make a decision on the degree of product specialism to incorporate in the product, A firm seeks the maximum degree of product note, since this capacious profits. The demand curve for such a product is more elastic, and the firm more n early approximates a monopoly position. But every product differentiation is subject to head by competitors, and a firms competitive vantage is gradually erodes. The goal of product differentiation is universal, there are occasions when it is loss important as objective.In some situations, it can readily be accomplished. Further more, there is always a great(p) share of industry that tasks a product assistant Position want to duplicate the offerings of product leaders. PATENTABILITY For many firms, an essential feature of product development and product competition is the degree of which a candidate product can be protected through patents (or literary work). A tight patent which perpetuates a product is a comparative advantage. And for most firm this potential is deemed essential if they are to invest large sums in product research.But caution should be urged when it comes to relying havily on potent protection. Even the best of patents can be circumvented by developing new mat erials and processed. PRODUCT KNOW-HOW Equally as significant as palatability is production know-how in seeking competitive product advantages companies with high research and development investments, substantial capital vested in production facilities, or a adept work-force may be able to descry their offerings in the market place through lower cost or product improvement. QUALITY The level of product quality requires management action.A decision on a candidate product is oft made on the basis of the companys ability to make the product and harbour it reputation for quality, lack of materials, inadequate turn over skills or the stage of the products development may be compelling reason for reason that the product cannot be made commensurate with past quality standards. STYLE We think of style as a typical artistic expression in s product. as such it is a long-lived thing. This is in contrast to a fashion-a style currently popular. Thousand of styles and created.A fed in con trast to a fashion, is considered to be transient and les predictable as to interpolation blazon Problems of colour selection for product are allied in those of style selection. For they, likewise encompass artistic expression. emblazon as a variable product feature would seem to warrant special comment, however, for it has let such a significant form of product competition in the consumer goods field. Colour consciousness has compounded production and origin control problems but correct prescience of consumer colour preferences has again led to competitive advantage.SIZE For some products, a decision is not necessary on product surface. But for most of industry size is a product variable. It may tasks the form of alter the size of the product or the bill of the product sold in particular package. Regardless of its form, varying product size calls for a careful analysis of such factors as family size rates of consumption and computer storage facilities. PACKAGING Packagin g is also a product attributes of considerable importance to some firms. Its advantages are quite memories.Packaging the product facilities protecting it form it from spoilage, evaporation and spilling it protects the product from changes in the weather and from damage from manipulation by the customer package products are also easier for both consumer and the retail dealer to handle. Consumers find correct packaging an aid to taking products home, in storing them and dispensing the contents dealers find that well-packaged product are easier to display, easier to handle at check-out counters and more adaptable to origin control.A major function of packaging is to aid in product identification, both for dealer and consumer. well up displayed package products represent a principal means of communicating to consumer buyers at a critical stage in the buying process. The point of purchase, in recent years products like been soft drinks etc. has appeared in forms of multiple package. T his increases the quality bought by the consumer as a product quality. BRANDING A brand name is a variable product attribute. It is part of the product and part of what consumer buys.Brand name it is seemed also to be a phase of promotional policy since it is an aid to communication. Brand policy issues center close to the question of whether to use individual product brands of a family or blanket brand. The same brand for all the product in the line. There exist a problem of whether to sell private brand. ADVANTAGES OF BRAND appellative It enables the sellers o build a consumer following and identify a diven level of quality with a product. It facilities differentiating a product from competitions.It expedites the process of communicating to buyers not at the point of purchase nut through the strength of advertising and occasionally through the publicity. Finally, brand may enable the firm to enunciate psychological as well as material values. These psychological values and dev eloped through promotional efforts and they hinge on the connotations that can be associated with the brand name. In some firms there exist a product director often such a product director is called a brand manager.The purpose of a brand manager is to ensure adequate attention and push behind each product. A brand manager is responsible for outline up complete promotional (advertising) programs for him product or a single brand. 2. 10PRODUCT POSITIONING Management ability to position a product appropriately in the market is a major determinant of company profit. In according to William J. Stanton. A product position is the image that product projects is relations to competitive products and to other products marketer by the company in question.William Stanton goes on face that the more to product positioning is an attempt by business to increase its creditability, build a reputation for reliabilities and generally satisfy a boarder market spectrum over the long run. Again E. Jerom e Mc Cathy state product positioning should where proposed and/ on present brands are located in a market it requires some formal market research. 2. 11PHYSICAL DISTRIBUTION Physical distribution is the part of marketing that addressed how products are moved and stored.A physical distribution channel includes intermediate often not considered to be part of marketing channel, such as transportation companies, public were houses and insurances companies that participates and the movement and a storage of products, these operators ho do not take title to (actually own) the goods they handle, are referred to as facilitators because their main function is to facilitate the movement of goods. TWO VIEW OF PHYSICAL DISTRIBUTION Marketing mangers have different view on what physical distribution really is. few see physical distribution only as the flow of furnished goods to he consumers, whereas others se it as including activities that occur preliminary in the process, such as procuring and move raw materials. A traditional marketing view of physical distributions looks at only the outward consideration and ignores the physical supply and process or manufacturing activities. The view or typically referred to as simply allocators management. A more comprehensive term for all these physical movement and storage activities is business logistics, which involves the coordination of movements or raw materials, parts, and finished goods to achieve a give service level while minimizing total cost.The concepts contains four element and includes both physical supply and physical distribution that is both inbound and outbound activities, we shall concentrate on three important logistics problems storage, inventory control and transportation. Move recently, several development have viewed physical distribution or logistics as getting goods to buyers, as a supportive subsidiary activity. Managements, participation has now been awakened in the logistics problem. One alerting factors is the stand climb in the bill for physical distribution services as freight, warehousing, and inventory.Freight warehousing bills are salary increase as a result of change magnitude labour, energy and equipment costs. The inventory bill is rising because buyers are tending to place little gild more frequently, and manufacturers are tending to expand the with and depth of their product lines. According to Nonyelu G. Nwokoye, Physical distribution or logistics is implicated with the efficient movement or raw materials from supplier and finished goods from the end of the production line to the customers. Series of activities must be performed which group under four main categories called physical distribution activity center namely. 1. Transport 2.Inventory 3. storehouse and 4. Communications. In the design of a physical I distribution system starting point by the producer is to set customer service standard. This has a number of dimension of which the most important is the time it takes to get the merchandise to the customer, that is delivery time. The decision that lead to cost reduction in one activity area such as transportation, may lead to a cost increase in another area like inventory. Therefore, an appropriate strategy in logistics design, is to arrange al the required activities so as to background the total cost of providing a desired level of customer service.Now the physical distribution activity areas are to be taken one after the other. 1. broadcast There is availability of wide range of transportation modes to move products to mark rail, highway, water, pipeline, and air, each of this is having different cost and service 9speed) characteristics. Decision must be made on the type of mode of transportation to use for each type of shipment, coordinates movement using more than one mode capacity be possible. In considering the activity area in transportation pitch processing is also inclusive. This include checking prices and shippi ng documents. . account Inventory is of central importance in physical distribution system design since actual demand (in the form or orders) is rarely exactly the same as forecast demand, inventories or goods must be established and maintained. There are other reasons for carrying inventories. a. To ensure against risks of mixed kind (strikes in the factory supplier failure). b. Accommodation of production runs before sales and. c. Seasonality of product and/or seasonality of demand, also need are raw material inventories to support production.Inventory carrying cost is high and procedures for proper inventory management must be installed. Over stocking leads excessive inventory carrying cost, while under stocking leads to cost sale and poor customer service. 3. WAREHOUSING Warehousing (for depots) store inventories decision must be made on number of stores that are required where they should be located and what products should stocked in what quantities. Storage may be emphasiz ed in a store for a long time that is the product remaining in one place for a long time.Seasonal products of agriculture in processed from require long-term storage before sale, temporary storage and through out volume may however, be emphasized in which case the warehouse becomes a distribution center. A distribution center receives large committals of homogenous goods, which are mixed and consolidated into out bound shipment to end markets. The emphasis is on moving goods through the installing and not on storage per see material handling is the movement of goods inside the plants and warehouses. In this case, suitable equipment must be available to permit economical handling of goods.Unit scores refers to the possible economic to be gained by handling products as a unit load, unit load are form a train load of coal to a master carton containing the individual product units purchased by the concluding buyer. proper design of unit loads minimizes handling cost. 4. COMMUNICATI ON Information is vital for the effective management and control of physical distribution. , this information and related to action and performance within the areas of inventory, warehousing and unit. loading transportation, eg a good communication system should be able to make available on demand the present stock position of each item at each stock.. . 12PHYSICAL DISTRIBUTION OBJECTIVE Many companies state their physical distribution objective as getting the right goods to the right places at the right time for the least cost. unfortunately this provides little actual guidance. No physical distribution system can concurrently maximize customer services and minimize distribution cost maximum customer service implies such policies as large inventories premium transportation and many warehouses, all of which raise distribution cost. Minimum distribution cost implies such policies as slow and ship transportation, low stock, and few warehouses.LEVEL OF work (OUTPUT) Basic output of a physical distribution system is the level of customer service. Customer services represents one of the key competitive benefits that a company can offer potential customers in order to attract their business. Philip Kotler view as regard to the level of service from the customers view point, customers service means several things. 1. The speed of fill up and delivering normal orders. 2. The suppliers willingness to meet emergency merchandise needs of the customer. 3. The care with which merchandise is delivered do that it arrives in good condition. 4.The suppliers readiness to take back detective goods and resupply quickly. 5. The availability of induction and repair service and parts from the supplier. 6. The number of options of shipment load and carries. 7. The supplier willingness to carry inventory for the customer. 8. The service changes, that it whether the services are free or separately prices. 2. 13. DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS Modern producers do not all their goods directl y to the final users. There is a clink between them and the final users such as the intermediaries, which are perform form of functions and bearing a variety of naries.Some intermediaries-such as wholesalers and retailers-buys, take title to and resell the merchandise. They are called merchant middleman. Others such as factors manufacturers representatives and sales agents search for customers, and may bring off on behalf of the producer but do not take title to the goods. readiness others such as transportation companies, independents warehouses, banks and advertising agencies-assist in the performance of distribution but neither take title to goods non accomplish purchases of sales. They are called facilitators.Buck lines definition of marketing channel. A channel of distribution shall be considered to comprise a set of institution, which performs all of the activities (functions) utilized to move a product and its title from production to consumption. 2. 14SELECTION CHANNE LS OF DISTRIBUTION dissemination of consumer goods five channels are astray used in the marketing off consumer products. In each of the channels the manufacturers also has the alternative of using sales branches or sale office. According to William J. Stanton five channel of distribution are. 1.Producer consumer this channel is the shorter simplest channel of distribution for consumer products is from the producer id from the producer to the consumer, with no middle men involves the producer may sell from house to house or by mail. 2. Producer retailer- consumer. May large retailer buy directly from manufacturers and agricultural producers. 3. Producer-wholesaler-retailer-consumer. If there is a traditional channel for consumer goods this is it. broken retailer. And small manufacturers by the thousands find this channel the only economically feasible choice. 4.Producer-agent-retailer-consumer kinda to use a manufacturers agent, a ingredient or some other agent middlemen to re a ch the retail market, especially large scale retailers. For example, a manufacturers or a glass clearer selected a food broker to put across the grocery store market, including the large chains. 5. Producer-agent-wholesaler-retailer-consumer. To reach small retailers the producers mentioned in the performance paragraph often used agent middlemen, who in turn call on the wholesaler who sell to small stores. dispersal of industrial goods, four types of channels is widely used in reaching industrial users.Again a manufacturer may use a sales branch or a sales office to reach to next institution in the channel, or two levels of wholesalers may be used in some cases see 9fig. 2. 1). 1. Producer-industrial user. This direct channel accounts for a greater horse volume of industrial products than any other distribution, such as locomotion generators, and debacle plants usually sell directly to user. Figures 2. 1 Major marketing channels getable to producers. 2. PRODUCER-Industrial di stributions-users producers of operating suppliers and small accessory equipment frequently use industrial distributors to reach their markets.Manufacturers of structure materials and air Conditioning equipment are only two example firms that make heavy(p) use of the industrial distributor. 3. Producer-agent-user Firms without their own marketing department find this a sexually attractive channel,. Also a company that wants to introduce a new product or enter a new market may prefer to use agents rather than its own sales force. 4. producer-agent-industrial distribution-userThis channel is similar to the preceding one, it is used when, for some reason it is not feasible to sell through agent directly to the industrial user.The unit sale may be as well small for direct selling or decentralized inventory may be needed to supply users rapidly, in which case the storage service of an industrial distributor are required. CHAPTER THREE RESEARCH methodology The purpose of this chapter is to identify and state the various method in which data are been amass. 3. 1RESEARCH DESIGN This research work was aimed at finding out the product planning, distribution and management (NBC, PLC, ENUGU DISTRIC). This end focus was on getting information from the entire provide of personnel, accounts sales and distribution from which the render size was used.Therefore, the researcher adopted survey research design for the work. This mean that questionnaires were administered as a means of collecting primary data. 3. 2METHOD OF info COLLECTION In collecting information for this study the researcher used both the primary and secondary source of data. 3. 2. 1PRIMARY DATA This includes all those materials or data which the researcher gathered at present because of the project understudy. 3. 2. 2SECONDARY DATA Secondary data includes all past data, which can be found in the organizations records and in libraries. 1.To obtain enough past data and all the libraries here in Enugu were made use of in eliciting information from various textbook, journals, and newspapers etc 3. 3POPULATION FOR THE STUDY The race of the study is the entire staff strength of NBC plc ENUGU DISTRIC which total up to about calciferol staff. This creation is made up of cxxx senior staff and 370 junior staff. 3. 4 essayS AND SAMPLE SIZE DETERMINATION In order to obtain the essay size from the universe of discourse the YARO YAMENI formula was used as a guide to arrive at the sample size N N = 1 + N (E)2 Where n = sample sizeN = population e = error forecast the researcher used 15% error estimate and the entire population is 500 accordingly N = 500 e = 0. 15 N N = 1 + N (E)2 500500 1 + 5000 (0. 15)21 + 500 (0. 0225) 500 12. 25 8. = 41 So the number of questionnaire distributed is 41 3. 5RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS For this research project to be successful the researcher made use of the following instruments i. Oral interview ii. Personal notice iii. Questionnaire 3. 5. 1ORAL INTERVIEW Thi s is method instrument, which was prepared and used to elicit information for certain contradicting issues.This is imply face to face asking and say question between the researcher and the staff of NBC PLC ENUGU territory. 3. 5. 2PERSONAL OBSERVATION This simply means the general perceptive or over view of the aggregate performance of the company and analysis of data so far equanimous and thereby value judgment and interpretations made. 3. 5. 3QUESTIONNAIRE The researcher used the structured or close from of questionnaire where questions are asked and below it the expected responses to the answers are stated for the respondent to close any one that suit lim. 3. 6AREA OF STUDYThe area of study of this research work is the product planning, distribution, and management in NBC PLC ENUGU DISTRICT. 3. 7VALIDITY OF INSTRUMENT The instrument used was constructed by the researcher on the leading of the supervisor who retted it and made necessary. Correction before it was at last type out and distributed as research instrument (the questionnaire)> 3. 8RELIABILITY OF THE INSTRUMENT The various instrument used in this research work are very good because the researcher made use of apt(p) and reliable instrument like the questionnaire which is sample in its approach and method of application. . 9METHODS OF DATA ANALYSIS the data collected using the research instrument were examine using simple percentage and descriptive methods. Some response to the question were sort and recorded so that frequencies and percentage could be computed. REFERENCES Odo P. O. Et Al (1999) Introduction to Project composition Enugu, Sunny Enterprises Publishers. Melynk M. (1984) Principles of Applied statistics, New York Pergamon narrow Inc. CHAPTER FOUR 4. 1 PRESENTATIONS AND ANALYSIS OF DATAThis chapter will deal with analysis and interpretation of primary data which was collected by administering questionnaire to the sample size in accordance with the research methodology stated in chapter three. To make the analysis and interpretations meaningful some of the questions were grouped together table and descriptive method were used as shown below. control panel 4. 1 DISTRIBUTIONS OF RESPONDENTS BY DEPARTMENT Department solution Percentages Administration 13 31. Marketing 7 17. 1 Account 9 21. 9 Distribution 5 12. 2 computing machine 7 17. number 41 100. 00 get-goSurvey data 2005 from the above table 13 of the respondents that completed and returned the questionnaire were in administration department with 31. 7% were 7 of them are in marketing department with 17. 1%, 9 of them in accounts dept with 21. 9%, 5 in distribution with 12. 2 and the finally ones in computers dept is 7 with 17. 1%. TABLE 4. 2 DISTRIBUTION OF RESPONDENTS BY CUSTOMERS, DEALERS AND round Response No of questionnaire Percentages Customers 15 36. 6 Dealer 14 34. 2 rung/mgt 12 29. 2 kernel 41 100. 0 SourceField survey 2005 The table above shows that 15 questionnaires we re distributed to customer with 36. 6 why 14 were given to dealers with 34. 2%, and 12 to staff with 29. 2%. TABLE 4. 3 QUESTIONDOES NBC PLC ENUGU DISTRICT OPERATES A GOOD DISTRIBUTION system Response No of questionnaire Percentages Yes 30 73. 7 No 11 26. 83 Total 41 100. 00 SOURCEsurvey data From the above table 30 respondents representing 73. 17% concord that Nigerian Bottling company (NBC) PLC operates a good distribution system why 11 disagrees with 26. 83%. TABLE 4. 4RESPONSE ON THE IMPACT OF DISTRIBUTION MANAGEMENT dodging IN CREATING CUSTOMERS SATISFACTION. Response No of questionnaire Percentages real effective 15 36. 6 inefficient 5 12. 2 Indifferences 10 24. stiff 11 26. 8 Total 41 100. 00 SourceSurvey data 2005 The above table shows that 15 respondents agreed that the tinge of distribution/management strategy in creating customer satisfactions is very effective with 36. 6% while 5 disagrees, that if ineffective with 12. 2%, while 10 are lethargy with 2 4. and 11 agreed that it is effective. TABLE 4. 5 DOES ALL THE CUSTOMER AGREES ON THE impairment OF THE COMPANYS PRODUCT. Response No of questionnaire Percentages Yes 30 73. 17 No 11 26. 83 Total 41 100. 0 From the above table, it shows that 30 respondents agrees that all the customers are aware of the price of the companys products with 73. 17% while 11 disagrees that they are not aware with 26. 83%. TABLE 4. 6 DOES CUSTOMERS AGREES WITH THE QUALIFY OF THE COMPANYS PRODUCT. Response No of questionnaire Percentages Yes 32 78. 5 No 9 21. 95 Total 41 100. 00 SourceSurvey data 2005 The above table shows that 32 respondents agreed that customers are satisfied with the qualify of the companys product with 78. 05% while 9 disagrees with 21. 95%. TABLE 4. 7 ARE THERE FACTOR FOR IMPROVEMENT OF PRODUCT PLANNIN DISTRIBUTION AND MANAGEMENT. Response No of questionnaire Percentages Yes