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  • 1

    Hindustan Unilever

    Lifebuoy

  • 2

    Index

    Sr no. Topics Page no.

    1 Chapter 1: (a) Introduction of HUL 4

    (b) History 5

    (c) Vision 6

    2 Chapter 2: (a) Introduction of lifebuoy 7

    (b) History 8

    3 Chapter 3: Mission and objectives 10

    4 Chapter 4: Product Portfolio 11

    5 Chapter 5: SWOT Analysis 14

    6 Chapter 6: Strategies followed by the co 16

    7 Chapter 7: Comments and suggestions 27

    8 Bibliography 31

  • 3

    Acknowledgement

    I would like to thank Ms. Rita Khatri and

    Dr. Navin Punjabi for giving us the

    opportunity to do a project on strategic

    management. It really helped me to

    understand the management working of

    Hindustan Unilever and Lifebuoy better.

  • 4

    Chapter One

    Introduction to HUL

    Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) is India's largest Fast Moving Consumer Goods

    Company with a heritage of over 75 years in India and touches the lives of two out of three

    Indians.

    HUL works to create a better future every day and helps people feel good, look good and get

    more out of life with brands and services that are good for them and good for others.

    With over 35 brands spanning 20 distinct categories such as soaps, detergents, shampoos,

    skin care, toothpastes, deodorants, cosmetics, tea, coffee, packaged foods, ice cream, and

    water purifiers, the Company is a part of the everyday life of millions of consumers across

    India. Its portfolio includes leading household brands such as Lux, Lifebuoy, Surf Excel, Rin,

    Wheel, Fair & Lovely, Ponds, Vaseline, Lakm, Dove, Clinic Plus, Sunsilk, Pepsodent,

    Closeup, Axe, Brooke Bond, Bru, Knorr, Kissan, Kwality Walls and Pureit.

    The Company has over 16,000 employees and has an annual turnover of around Rs. 21,736

    crores (financial year 2011 - 2012). HUL is a subsidiary of Unilever, one of the worlds

    leading suppliers of fast moving consumer goods with strong local roots in more than 100

    countries across the globe with annual sales of about 46.5 billion in 2011. Unilever has

    about 52% shareholding in HUL.

  • 5

    History of HUL

    Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) India's largest consumer goods company based in

    Mumbai, Maharashtra. It is owned by the British-Dutch company Unilever which controls

    52% majority stake in HUL. Its products include foods, beverages, cleaning agents and

    personal care products.

    HUL was formed in 1933 as Lever Brothers India Limited and came into being in 1956 as

    Hindustan Lever Limited through a merger of Lever Brothers, Hindustan Vanaspati Mfg. Co.

    Ltd. and United Traders Ltd. It is headquartered in Mumbai, India and has employee strength

    of over 16,500 employees and contributes to indirect employment of over 65,000 people. The

    company was renamed in June 2007 as Hindustan Unilever Limited.

    Lever Brothers started its actual operations in India in the summer of 1888, when crates full

    of Sunlight soap bars, embossed with the words "Made in England by Lever Brothers" were

    shipped to the Kolkata harbor and it began an era of marketing branded Fast Moving

    Consumer Goods (FMCG).

    Hindustan Unilever's distribution covers over 2 million retail outlets across India directly and

    its products are available in over 6.4 million outlets in the country. As per Nielsen market

    research data, two out of three Indians use HUL products

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fast_moving_consumer_goodshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mumbai,_Maharashtrahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unileverhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleaning_agenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_care_productshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lever_Brothershttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mumbaihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India

  • 6

    Vision of HUL

    Unilever products touch the lives of over 2 billion people every day whether that's through

    feeling great because they've got shiny hair and a brilliant smile, keeping their homes fresh

    and clean, or by enjoying a great cup of tea, satisfying meal or healthy snack.

    A clear direction

    The four pillars of our vision set out the long term direction for the company where we

    want to go and how we are going to get there:

    We work to create a better future every day

    We help people feel good, look good and get more out of life with brands and services

    that are good for them and good for others.

    We will inspire people to take small everyday actions that can add up to a big

    difference for the world.

    We will develop new ways of doing business with the aim of doubling the size of our

    company while reducing our environmental impact.

    We've always believed in the power of our brands to improve the quality of peoples lives

    and in doing the right thing. As our business grows, so do our responsibilities. We recognise

    that global challenges such as climate change concern us all.

  • 7

    Since HUL has many brands under it, I will be focusing only on one of their brands

    which falls in the Personal Health Care category LIFEBUOY

    Chapter Two

    Introduction

    Lifebuoy is a famous and distinctive brand of soap that was created by the Lever Brothers

    soap factory in 1894. It was the first soap to use carbolic acid, which gave it a red colour and

    strong, medicinal scent. Lifebuoy is still manufacture d today and the leading brand of soap

    in many developing countries including India. Today Lifebuoy is sold in all over the World.

    It is market leader in every market where it is sold. The desire to be clean, active and healthy

    is intrinsic to every one irrespective of age or economic status. Lifebuoy understands this

    need and champions the cause for hygiene and health around the world. An inspiring vision

    for more hygienic, healthier and ultimately more vital communities is the driving force

    behind the Lifebuoy brand. To realise this vision, Lifebuoy has looked to consistently

    innovate and provide accessible hygiene and health products to a wide variety of consumers.

    This vision also commits the Lifebuoy brand team to visible action, inspiring projects that

    motivate consumers to improve their hygiene behaviour.

  • 8

    History

    In 1894, William Hesketh Lever launched Lifebuoy in the UK as the Royal

    Disinfectant Soap.

    Lever grew up in industrialised Bolton, Lancashire, which was a typical English city

    of the Industrial Revolution era, with thousands of people living in slums where

    disease ran rampant. Epidemics of typhoid, dysentery andyellow fever were common

    and infant mortality was exceptionally high

    Cleanliness is next to godliness' was a common theme of reformist groups, which

    demanded hygiene education and improved living conditions for the poor and

    working classes. They also demanded a preventative approach to reduce disease and

    illness that were primarily caused by unsanitary conditions

    Lever was actively seeking the perfect formula for a soap product that couldcombat

    germs and still be affordable to everyone. In what could be termed asa major

    scientific breakthrough of the era, he found just that in carbolic acid.

    The Brand went global in 1911 and began distributing in countries such as US ,

    Germany , Switzerland , Canada , India etc.

  • 9

    In India:

    Parent Company : HUL

    Category : Personal Care Soap

    Sector: FMCG

    Tagline/ Slogan:

    SOAP: Healthy hoga Hindustan; Lifebuoy hai jaha tandurusti hai waha

    HANDWASH: "99.9% Germ Kill , In Just 10 Seconds

    USP

    Lifebuoy provides 100% better protection from germs as compared to ordinary soaps

    KEY FACTS

    Worlds No. 1 Selling Germ Protection Soap

    Distribution across 50 lakh + stores across the country

    Awarded the Bronze Global Effie for the Superfast Handwash campaign

  • 10

    Chapter Three

    Mission

    Lifebuoy, an undisputed market leader for 117 years, has a compelling vision to make 5

    billion people across the world, feel safe and secure by meeting their personal care hygiene &

    health needs

    OBJECTIVE

    Lifebuoy's goal is to provide affordable and accessible hygiene and health solutions that

    enable people to lead a life without fear of hygiene anxieties and health consequences.

    STP

    Segment

    Personal Care Soap, Hand Sanitizer, Hand Wash, Talc

    Target Group

    All households, to provide a 100% anti-bacterial soap for complete protection

    Positioning

    Lifebuoy's goal is to provide affordable and accessible hygiene and health solutions

  • 11

    Chapter Four

    Product Portfolio

    Today, the Lifebuoy brand is more than the quintessential bar of red soap, and provides

    hygiene and health for the entire family through a range of products like liquid hand wash

    and specially designed body wash. Beyond ensuring daily hygiene and freshness, Lifebuoy

    products also address special needs like anti-acne and skin fortification for an all around

    cleansing experience.

    1. HAND SANITIZER:

    Lifebuoy Hand Sanitizer effectively disrupts bacterias cell membrane&

    viruss outer coat thereby kills germs & viruses on your hands.

    Proven To kill 99.9% Germs instantly

    Proven to kill H1N1 virus

    Dries quickly, is non-sticky and has soothing fragrance.

    Has Moisturizer and Vitamin E to keep your hands soft and smooth

  • 12

    2. BAR SOAP:

    Has Moisturizer and Vitamin E to keep your hands soft and smooth. Lifebuoy Body

    Wash provides deep cleansing of pores, protecting against the threeroot causes of skin

    health problems clogged pores, over-drying, and infection-causing germs.

    3. HAND WASH

    Clean, germ-free hands are the key to good health, as ingestion of germs from

    unhygienic hands at mealtimes is the most likely cause for common diseases.

    Lifebuoy Hand Soaps offer hospital-strengthgerm protection, with a unique

    formulation that generates a richlather. This provides an effective and hygienic wash

    in everycorner of the hands and nails, at the same time leaving your hands pleasantly

    fragrant.

  • 13

    4. LIFEBUOY CLINI CARE

    Germs may be getting stronger but Lifebuoy has also evolved in the fight against

    infection. Clini-Care soaps have Activ Naturol Shield technology combined with superior

    cleansing capabilities. These offer 10 times more germ protection than rival soaps as well

    as providing 10 times more care to prevent skin damage and germ attack through

    damaged skin

  • 14

    Chapter Five

    SWOT Analysis

    STRENGHTHS

    Strong Brand Portfolio

    Strong Distribution Network

    Over 16 million outlets all over the world

    700 million Customer Base

    Strong R&D of the company

    Highly Skilled Human Resource

    First soap to use carbolic acid, which gave it a red color and strong, medicinal scent

    Wide portfolio for the Lifebuoy brand ranging which includes Soap, Hand Sanitizer

    and Hand Wash

    High consumer awareness for the brand of Lifebuoy

    Most popular soap brand specially in the rural market

    Excellent brand visibility and extensive distribution

    WEAKNESS

    Strong Competition

    Changing consumption Pattern

    High Advertising Costs

    Lower market penetration in urban areas as compared to rural areas

  • 15

    Initially positioned as a masculine soap, which was eventually turned as a family

    soap.

    Not been perceived as a beauty soap, and is mainly used just for hand washing

    OPPORTUNITIES

    Large domestic market in India over abillion population

    More potential in rural markets

    Changing Lifestyles & Risingincome levels, i.e. increasing per capital income of

    consumers

    The Lifebuoy Swasthya Chetana programme uses adirect consumer contact

    methodology, and touches the lives of 70 million people in 18,000villages

    Imparting education about importance of hand washing to prevent spread of ger

    Used global epidemics like swine flu to further promote products for better hygiene

    and protection

    THREATS

    Tax and regulatory structure

    Mimic of brands

    Entry of ITC in FMCG sector

    Increasing cost of raw material

    Competitor brands offering similar levels of protection

    Considered to be a low-end product, and may find it difficult to move up in the

    segment

  • 16

    Chapter Six

    Strategies followed by the company

    INTRODUCTION

    Lifebuoy has always been marketed as a tough cleaning soap for a tough man. (Of course,

    the 2002 re-launch targeted Lifebuoy as a soap that brought good health to the entire family).

    Lifebuoy has been seen as a value for-money product, a soap that is long-lasting. In a very

    smart TV ad campaign, children are shown cleaning a street. The message put across is that

    since these children are secure from ailments that are caused by a lack of proper sanitation

    and hygiene, thanks to the fact that they use Lifebuoy, they are in a position to ensure

    cleanliness and hygiene for the entire community. Thus, Lifebuoy not only ensures good

    health and cleanliness for individuals, but healthy and productive communities as well.

    The Lifebuoy Swasthya Chetana programme uses a direct consumer contactmethodology,

    and touches the lives of 70 million people in 18,000 villages. A unique feature of this

    campaign is that it utilizes multiple contacts, as opposed to other programmes which are

    single contact in nature. Gushes the HLL spokesman, This programme aims to educate

    people about the benefits of hand wash with soap, and how hand wash can help kill invisible,

    disease causing germs. It is thus a marketing programme with a strong social cause of

    improving the health and hygiene of rural India. The brand USP is, Lifebuoy provides 100%

    better protection from germs as compared to ordinary soaps.

  • 17

    1. Turnaround Strategy

    Lifebuoy soap is a very old brand of bath soap in India, Life Buoy is an anti bacterial soap

    and in the beginning it positioned itself on its antibacterial qualities, lifebuoy gained a

    number of customers with this positioning, but then there comes the competition with the

    Dettol soap.

    All this put Lifebuoy out of lime light and to survive in market, Lifebuoy positioned itself on

    price it became low price antibacterial soap. This strategy may have boosted short term sales

    of Lifebuoy but it lost its brand value and credibility in the minds of customers. Lifebuoy

    needed to reposition itself on quality rather than price.

    The repositioning campaign of Lifebuoy was started at 2008, but it became more prominent

    and became effective in 2009, Lifebuoy along with the advertisement has improved its

    quality and fragrance, most of the people had shifted from lifebuoy because it was low

    quality and it smelled terribly, as Lifebuoy has improved its quality all it needed to run an

    effective advertisement campaign to get the customers attention. The advertisement team of

    Lifebuoy came up with excellent theme Healthy Hoga Hindustan and it is targeting parents

    which is their target market, Lifebuoy made very effective ad and it also used fear strategy

    (which is effective in case of antibacterial soap). This has enabled Lifebuoy to get more and

    more customers. Now a days, Lifebuoy is everywhere in Television, Radio, Newspapers and

    Billboards, Lifebuoy is running a huge campaign to promote itself which is very necessary in

    case of repositioning the brand.

  • 18

    With the help of marketing department and advertisement, Lifebuoy has successfully

    repositioned itself as a quality antibacterial soap with better fragrance and more durability.

    Many companies try to reposition themselves when they see market trend shifting but most

    fail to do so. In case of Lifebuoy it has been successful. The interesting thing about this

    campaign is that Lifebuoy is running the same campaign in Pakistan and in India as is done

    by Unilever, this suggest that Lifebuoy is considering India and Pakistan as the similar

    market segment.

    2. Diversification Strategy

    Although Unilever itself is a part of a Multi market, but since we are talking about the

    product Lifebuoy we can say that it is using a multi market strategy as well because it has

    both soap and shampoo, not these two only but they have others anti bacterial liquid baths as

    well opening a way for Lifebuoy to be a multiple product. Lifebuoy has expanded their

    product range by launching closely related products, this is called horizontal diversification.

    3. Stability Strategy

    Lifebuoy is one of the old products of Unilever which has more than a 100 years

    of successful journey, we can simply say that Lifebuoy is the early entrants

    internationally and in India it is the first-in in its kind of soaps.

  • 19

    By adopting the first-in strategy, Lifebuoy has captured the maximum share of

    the market. Over 60 years in India we guess there is not a single home that didnt

    use it. Lifebuoy has taken the risk of the first-in and consequently got one of the

    biggest markets in Asian countries by providing its quality and sustained priced

    product to both rural and urban areas of India

    4. Market Commitment Strategy

    Being the first-in in the market Unilever has shown strong commitment with its brand of life

    time i.e. Lifebuoy and that commitment to its brand has really foster the growth of Unilever

    as well as its brand of Lifebuoy. But from the recent decade Unilever is no more showing the

    strong commitment to Lifebuoy because over the period of time many of the competitors

    came in the market with new innovative product, better market strategies and stronger

    commitment. In the present scenario, Unilever is just showing an average commitment to its

    brand of Lifebuoy which has really put its brand on the back foot

    5. Modernisation Strategy

    Lifebuoy has unveiled a breakthrough technology in germ protection - Activ Naturol Shield.

    This technology has been launched in India through Lifebuoy clini-care10 with proven 10

    times better germ protection compared to leading germ protection soaps.

    The invention, attributed to an Indian scientist, Dr. Amit Chakrabortty, Global Head-

    Research on Hygiene and Water, Hindustan Unilever, and his team. The HUL R&D centre in

  • 20

    Bengaluru, India, was the lead research centre for this breakthrough technology. This

    technology is being launched first in India, through Lifebuoy clini-care10.

    The Activ Naturol Shield technology is a combination of naturally occurring substances that

    when combined with the best of technology in cleansing, provides Ten Times better

    protection against disease causing pathogens. Lifebuoy clini-care10 addresses all the four

    aspects of complete germ protection, which are:

    Faster and better reduction of a wide range of germs in real-life washing time

    Superior germ reduction from the skin in actual hand-wash studies

    Longer lasting protection to reduce germ re-growth on skin

    Milder and superior skin care to prevent skin damage and germ attack through damaged skin

    Lifebuoy has always been at the forefront of R&D in health & hygiene. The Activ Naturol

    Shield technology in Lifebuoy clini-care10 has also beenendorsed by the British Skin

    Foundation (BSF) and tested and validated at various international (recognized and

    accredited) laboratories.

    Lifebuoy clini-care10 is available in two variants Lifebuoy clini-care10 Complete and

    Lifebuoy clini-care10 Fresh.

    6.Tie-Ups for Social Resposibilty

    Lifebuoy aims to bring safety, security and health to five billion people, through the active

    promotion of hand washing with soap.

    By the end of 2011, our Lifebouy handwashing campaigns had reached 48 million people.

  • 21

    Dont forget the soap when washing your hands. It helps prevent the spread of germs and

    reduces the risk of disease.

    GLOBAL PARTNERS FOR SOCIAL MISSION

    London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM)

    LSHTM provides scientific, research and technical expertise on behaviour change and

    handwashing impact effectiveness. LSHTM undertakes handwashing research and

    programme evaluations of Lifebuoy programmes.

    The Global Public-Private Partnership for Handwashing with Soap (PPPHW)

    Lifebuoy is proud to be one of the founding members of the global Public-Private Partnership

    for Handwashing with Soap which aims to save children's lives by promoting the awareness

    of this simple practice and raising the profile of handwashing globally.

    http://www.lshtm.ac.uk/http://www.globalhandwashing.org/

  • 22

    USAID MCHIP (Maternal and Child Health Integrated Programme)

    MCHIP focuses on the reduction of child mortality in the 30 USAID high priority countries.

    Lifebuoy is working with them to promote hygiene behaviour change amongst new mothers

    and birth attendants in these countries to reduce child mortality rates by 25%.

    Millennium Village Project

    Our newest partner, the Millennium Villages Project teaches handwashing across rural Africa

    in a bid to end extreme poverty. Using the latest research and technology, it helps some of the

    countrys poorest communitys break free of the vicious cycle of poverty.

    http://www.mchip.net/http://www.millenniumvillages.org/

  • 23

    Healthmap & Boston Childrens Hospital

    Lifebuoy is proud to partner with Healthmap and Boston Childrens Hospital, the worlds

    largest pediatric medical centre. Healthmap delivers real-time global updates of emerging

    public health threats, keeping you and your family one step ahead of infections.

    Oxfam

    Oxfam is an international NGO specialising in emergency and development work around the

    world. Lifebuoy supports Oxfam in times of natural disaster by helping to distribute relief

    kits, hygiene promotion materials and soap to those in need.

    http://www.childrenshospital.org/http://www.healthmap.org/en/http://www.oxfam.org.uk/

  • 24

    Partners in Health

    Partners in Health are an NGO that provides effective medical care to all parts of the

    developing world. Lifebuoy joined forces with PiH, donating hygiene products during the

    2010 Haiti cholera outbreak and during times of natural disaster since.

    PSI (Populations Services International)

    PSI partners with Lifebuoy to deploy behaviour change schools programmes. The current

    focus is deployment in sub-Saharan Africa. Lifebuoy also supports PSI at the time of natural

    disasters with appropriate hygiene promotion materials and soap.

    http://www.pih.org/http://www.psi.org/

  • 25

    Red Cross

    The Red Cross is an international NGO which focuses on emergency and long-term relief in

    disaster zones. Lifebuoy partnered with Red Cross during the 2011 Brazil landslides, and

    supports them by providing appropriate hygiene aid at times of natural disaster.

    Save the Children

    Save the Childrens slogan is No child born to die. They protect children in 120 countries,

    fighting for their rights and helping them fulfill their long-term potential. Lifebuoy helps

    Save the Children to distribute hygiene aid in times of natural disaster.

    http://www.redcross.org.uk/http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/

  • 26

    UNICEF

    UNICEF works with families, communities and governments in over 190 countries to protect

    and promote childrens rights. Partnered with Lifebuoy, UNICEF runs Global Handwashing

    Day awareness activities and handwashing education programmes in schools.

    Water & Sanitation for the Urban Poor (WSUP)

    Lifebuoy works with WSUP to expand the impact of its handwashing programmes through

    promotional campaigns in Bangladesh and Kenya. WSUP and Lifebuoy have jointly

    launched school programmes to change the handwashing habits of children and their families.

    http://www.unicef.org.uk/http://www.wsup.com/

  • 27

    Chapter Seven

    Comments & Suggestions

    Market Commitment Strategy

    MY EVALUATION: In evaluating the market commitment strategy it is necessary for

    the Unilever to again show strong commitment to its product. Although Unilever has well

    realized the situation and make changes in its strategies which are making some changes

    in the consumers mind but we think there is more need required to retrieve its image of

    better quality at lower price in the customers mind

    Diversification Strategy

    MY EVALUATION: In evaluating this multimarket strategy, one comes to know that

    Unilever is well using its product of Lifebuoy in promoting its business. It has diversified

    that brand into different categories to capture every part of the market. This strategy is

    helping Unilever in a way that due to variety of products it not only saves the existence of

    a single product but also saving other products which are complement to it.

    Comments

    I have tried to fully analyze the existing strategies of Lifebuoy, what I find from this detail

    analysis are discussed as improved version of Lifebuoy where suggestions are given from

    my side and what adjustments can be made in the present strategies to improve the product

    performance and overall image of the product in the customers mind.

  • 28

    In evaluating the position of the Indian market, Lifebuoy is lacking in its market

    Geography strategy as it is more common in rural areas of the country where more of

    the urban citizens keep it as a low level brand

    The major challenge Unilever has to face is its commitment to its old brand

    of Lifebuoy. Unilever got a major setback when Reckitt Benckiser introduced Dettol

    through a heavy media campaign. Unilever has tried to compensate that through

    promotional program of Healthy Hoga India but still it needs a strong and

    continuous commitment to this product.

    Lifebuoy has well repositioned itself but still there is need to change the image that it

    is a low quality low price product.

    Suggestions For New Campaigns

    Lifebuoy is a century old brand and is now synonymous with health. In this case study, i have

    analyzed the current position of its Hand wash version, in certain key markets such as India,

    Malaysia, Japan and Singapore.

    My basic idea was to create an emotional connect with people. Hence, i came up with a

    revolutionary habit changing campaign. The basis of this idea is continuous trials for a

    prolonged period of time, backed with prolonged visibility campaigns. I intend to get in direct

    contact with the customers, and permanently convert them into Lifebuoy users. The consumer

    today is more rational while choosing a product. If the consumer is not convinced with a

    certain piece of information, he/she may just move on. Ample interaction is required to

    convince the consumers to change their routine choices.

    To implement this, i have proposed two campaigns along with branding at key touch points.

    With these efforts, i believe, i will be able to generate significant Word of mouth promotion

  • 29

    (Evangelism Marketing) and revolutionise Lifebuoy. Apart from this, i have identified key

    triggers and barriers to the category based on my consumer interaction. Talking about

    barriers, a lot of consumers actually like the fragrance of Lifebuoy, but the fragrance of

    Dettol reminds them of hospitals and gives them a sense of assurity. Another barrier is that

    people perceive Lifebuoy to be an inferior product and consumers attributed this to its

    packaging, but i believe there are certain underlying reasons for this perception, which i need

    to understand. I have also managed to capture a key consumer insight, which i have tried to

    leverage, by associating it with my new variant.

    For my first campaign, i decided schools as my location, since i needed a place where i could

    address a significant number of women at the same time. As a part of this model, i have also

    decided to target children, as i feel children these days are key influencers in a family, when

    it comes to personal care products, apart from having an accurate brand recall ability. This

    campaign has been called EMPOWERING THE TEACHERS

    My second campaign is a nationwide WOMENS WALK-A-THON, which will be hosted

    in 8 cities over a period of 8 months. This campaign will be associated with a cause, and the

    basic idea is to significantly increase the brand recall value as against my competitors.

    To back these campaigns, i believe , i need continual branding at key touch points like buses ,

    malls and hospitals. To further back my efforts, i need to have strategic focus on promotions.

    I recommend, that a larger part of the investment be done on consumer promotions as

    compared to trade promotions, and i have identified MTOs as a key channel for this.

    Now, elaborating on my new variant, i plan to introduce LIFEBUOY-VITALISE, with lime

    extracts. I have chosen Lime because lime was the preferred fragrance during my consumer

    research.

  • 30

    Talking about the other Asian Nations, the penetration of Lifebuoy in Japan is very low. If i

    consider liquid soap market share in Malaysia and Singapore, Lifebuoys share is 10% in

    both the countries, viz a vis Dettol which has a share of 11% in Malaysia and 12% in

    Singapore. (Source AC Neilson 2010). Major competitor is Johnson and Johnson and other

    local brands in both the countries.

    Malaysians are, on average, the worlds biggest users of social networks with more friends

    than any other country in the world. Hence Social Media could be used aggressively for the

    promotion of Lifebuoy. It is forecasted that the anti bacterial properties in soaps are the main

    selection criteria when it comes to Singaporean consumers selecting a brand for the house

    hold. Emphasis on the same would be a major boost to the promotion activities being carried

    out by Unilever in Singapore.

    Overall, it is possible that the user of a particular brand may not be the one buying the

    particular liquid soap. Therefore it is very important that marketing strategies cater to this

    demographic change. Conversely, to retain and sustain customers whose families used these

    products, reinforcing campaigns may prove valuable.

  • 31

    Bibliography

    Books:

    (1) Strategic Management by Michael Vyaz

    (2) Strategic Management by Kale Karnavat

    Websites:

    (1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strategic_management

    (2) http://www.hul.co.in/

    (3) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindustan_Unilever

    (4) http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-03-23/news/29178563_1_lifebuoy-

    global-brand-soap

    (5) http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/keyword/lifebuoy

    (6) http://www.lifebuoy.com/pagenotfound.aspx?aspxerrorpath=/gurudwara.html.aspx

    (7) http://www.unileverme.com/brands/personalcarebrands/lifebuoy.aspx

    (8) http://www.ibscdc.org/Case_Studies/Marketing/Marketing%20Strategies/MM0026.htm