Point of Parity and Point of Difference
POINT OF PARITY AND POINT OF DIFFERENCE
These can be utilized in the positioning (marketing)[->0] of a brand[->1] for competitive advantage[->2] via brand/product[->3].
In essence:
Points-of-difference[->4] (PODs) – Attributes or benefits consumers[->5] strongly associate with a brand, positively evaluate and believe they could not find to the same extent with a competing brand i.e. points where you are claiming superiority or exclusiveness over other products in the category.
Points-of-parity (POPs) – Associations that are not necessarily unique to the brand but may be shared by other brands i.e. where you can at least match the competitors claimed benefits. While POPs may usually not be the reason to choose a brand, their absence can certainly be a reason to drop a brand.
While it is important to establish a POD, it is equally important to nullify the competition by matching them on the POP. As a late entrant into the market, many brands look at making the competitor's POD into a POP for the category and thereby create a leadership position by introducing a new POD.
The assessment of consumer desirability criteria for PODs should be against:
· Relevance
· Distinctiveness
· Believability
Whilst when assessing the deliverability criteria for PODs look at their:
· Feasibility
· Communicability
· Sustainability
These will help understand how successful these PODs are likely to be in the minds of the consumer.
Kevin Keller[->6] and Alice TyboutHYPERLINK \l "cite_note-0"[1] note there are three types of difference: brand performance associations; brand imagery associations; and consumer insight associations. The last only comes into play when the others are at parity. Insight alone is a weak point of difference, easily copied. Putting these together, check their desirability, deliverability and eliminate contradictions.
Traditionally, the people responsible for positioning brands have concentrated on the differences that set each brand apart from
These can be utilized in the positioning (marketing)[->0] of a brand[->1] for competitive advantage[->2] via brand/product[->3].
In essence:
Points-of-difference[->4] (PODs) – Attributes or benefits consumers[->5] strongly associate with a brand, positively evaluate and believe they could not find to the same extent with a competing brand i.e. points where you are claiming superiority or exclusiveness over other products in the category.
Points-of-parity (POPs) – Associations that are not necessarily unique to the brand but may be shared by other brands i.e. where you can at least match the competitors claimed benefits. While POPs may usually not be the reason to choose a brand, their absence can certainly be a reason to drop a brand.
While it is important to establish a POD, it is equally important to nullify the competition by matching them on the POP. As a late entrant into the market, many brands look at making the competitor's POD into a POP for the category and thereby create a leadership position by introducing a new POD.
The assessment of consumer desirability criteria for PODs should be against:
· Relevance
· Distinctiveness
· Believability
Whilst when assessing the deliverability criteria for PODs look at their:
· Feasibility
· Communicability
· Sustainability
These will help understand how successful these PODs are likely to be in the minds of the consumer.
Kevin Keller[->6] and Alice TyboutHYPERLINK \l "cite_note-0"[1] note there are three types of difference: brand performance associations; brand imagery associations; and consumer insight associations. The last only comes into play when the others are at parity. Insight alone is a weak point of difference, easily copied. Putting these together, check their desirability, deliverability and eliminate contradictions.
Traditionally, the people responsible for positioning brands have concentrated on the differences that set each brand apart from