Comparative brand positioning strategies of Apple and MatsSoft

Marketing Research: Products and Brands

In the wake of globalization, business organizations have embraced different strategies aimed at increasing their competitive edge. Increased focus on quality management lays great emphasis on customer-oriented services and continual learning. As such, companies have embraced personal brands such as brand positioning and client's satisfaction. This study identifies the similarities and differences of strategies adopted by Apple and MatsSoft in terms of personal brand and positioning strategy.

Product branding plays a crucial role in determining the success of a business. Companies with established personal brands often boast of a loyal customer base. This ensures that the company sales remain at an all-time high by preventing them from purchasing competitor's products. According to Fournier (1998), a company's product brand acts as a business partner. This indicates that a company's brand personality is crucial to its success. A critical analysis of Apple's and MatsSoft's websites provides sufficient information about their services and products.

The websites also provide an insight into the company's branding and positioning strategies. For instance, it is evident that Apple's product brand is among the most successful brands in the world. Apple's brand has spearheaded its success by creating a large and devoted client base due to its ability to evoke human emotions. Additionally, MatsSoft has been struggling with its own brand personality because the company serves different targets such as IT leaders, CEOs, customer service managers, marketing teams and operational chiefs. In addition, the company could not fit singularly into any existing category such as business process management or workflow management (B2B Marketing, 2012).

The branding and position strategies of both Apple and MatsSoft

Apple Inc. uses the Apple brand to enhance a cutthroat benefit over other players in the industry (Marketing Minds, n.d). The brand involves its numerous products such as its Macintosh line of computers and software, Smartphones like Apple iPhone, electronic products such as digital music distribution, and the iPod. Apple's customers are loyal to the brand as depicted by Apple's persistent dominance in the industry. Customers often relate to this brand because it evokes human emotions. Apple products have a humanistic touch, unlike other products, thus cementing the relationship between consumers and the Apple brand. MatsSoft is an electronic manufacturing company.

Similarities between their brands

Both company's brand personality compare with the sense that they are great and project their company's corporate culture. Additionally, both companies' brand strategies are customer-oriented. As such, they emphasize on their customer's requirements. For instance, MatsSoft focuses on the CEOs, employees, and marketing team needs while Apple targets rich people.

Differences between their branding efforts

MatsSoft's branding efforts differ from Apple's branding efforts in that it is largely depicted through bold illustrations presented in a comic-book style (B2B Marketing, 2012). The brand also seeks to inspire recognition of typical difficulties and open a dialogue with prospective customers. MatsSoft Company embraces the inbound marketing strategy and consistent communications as part of her personal branding. According to B2B Marketing (2012) the centerpiece of MatsSoft's rebranding entailed total redesigning of MatsSoft's website. This approach was echoed across PR department.

While MatsSoft's brand personality focuses on the platform that makes the life of stakeholders, employees and personnel easy, Apple's brand seeks to provide products that enhance the customer's emotions. For instance, MatsSoft's customers often purchase its products because they satisfy their needs, thus making their individual lives easier. Apple's customers, on the other hand, purchase its products due to their perceived connections with the products.

Lessons learnt

The companies' brand positioning strategies offer some valuable insights that I may incorporate in the business world. I learnt that the brand positioning strategy revolves around the customer requirements and needs. Successful businesses often focus more on their customers when developing and marketing their products. I also learnt that companies should also give their products a human touch. For instance, Apple's success can be attributed to its humanistic products. Apple Inc. products often capture the customer's emotions that make them more attractive.

In conclusion, the brand positioning strategies are very important and key to business success. It aids in creating brand loyalty and permanent customers. For instance, customers who identify with Apple products are often loyal to the products, which in turn ensure that the company has a customer base. Therefore, businesses must embrace product brands that are in harmony with customer needs.