Case Study $4\mathrm{.}3$

Is There Really a Market for It$?$

The primary objective in analyzing any market is to determine the poten$-$ tial demand for a good or service being offered to that market. The market analysis typically determines the size and composition of the target market and profiles potential customers in terms of their demographic and socio$-$ economic characteristics. The market is also typically profiled in terms of health$-$related characteristics such as disease incidence, utilization rates, and referral patterns.

The initial market analysis attempts to estimate the market potential. The analyst will typically determine, for example, the age distribution, racial characteristics, and marital status of the target population along with socio$-$ economic characteristics such as income levels, workforce characteristics, and educational levels. Through this process, the analyst compiles all of the information necessary to determine the potential market for the goods or services being offered.

Such characteristics need to be verified from as many perspectives as possible and interpreted on the basis of any information on the commu$-$ nity that may have a bearing on the market. An analyst must be able to read between the lines and capture the essence of the market, which may not be obvious from the raw data.

In some cases, especially when entering a new market, the analyst may have only secondary data. The analyst should verify this information through ground$-$level research using whatever means available$$even primary research. In fact, the analyst may not be able to determine the effective level of demand in a market without surveying the residents.

A case in point involved a growing suburban area outside a medium$-$ sized southern city. The community had all the earmarks of an up$-$and$-$coming suburb. Its population was growing rapidly, and an increasing number of upscale housing units were being constructed. Income levels were rising, and the socioeconomic status of the resident population was steadily increasing. An examination of the available data suggested a highly attractive market in terms of its demographics.

Analysis of the secondary data revealed that the market was composed of an upwardly mobile population with a moderately high level of ambula$-$ tory care needs. The population appeared to be ripe for innovative programs $($e$.$g$.,$ freestanding birthing centers$),$ progressive services $($e$.$g$.,$ behavioral healthcare$),$ and even trendy services $($e$.$g$.,$ fitness centers$).$ In short, the community appeared to be a dream for marketers offering new services. Even better, virtually no competition had emerged in the community.

The analyst conducted a survey of community residents to confirm the conclusions drawn about the services this population would likely demand. However, early in the interviewing process, interviewers encountered high refusal rates and a generally hostile respondent population. The analysis of the survey data revealed that, contrary to the initial analysis, the population was anything but progressive. The residents of this suburb were traditional in their approach to healthcare and resistant to new or innovative services. They had little interest in such programs as women$$s services, fitness centers, or behavioral health programs, despite large numbers of residents who fit the profile for those services.

The high proportion of military personnel and retirees in the area also influenced the respondents$$ attitudes. These residents$$ situations were much different from those of typical suburban residents in that their military affiliation and retirement health plans influenced their health service utiliza$-$ tion patterns.

Ultimately, the community was offered a basic package of primary care services. The gap between the residents$$ lifestyles and their socioeconomic status as well as the presence of a large military and retired population pre$-$ cluded the development of the types of services typically offered to a growing,

upscale suburban population. The hospital$$s market analyst obtained the information necessary to prevent a serious strategic miscalculation based on the initial profile of the market area.

Case Study Discussion Questions

$1.$ Whatcharacteristicsofthisfast$-$growingsuburbanpopulationmade hospital administrators envision a potential market?

$2.$ Whenthesuburb$$spopulationwasinitiallyexamined$,$whattypesof services did the analyst think would appeal to the community?

$3.$ Whattypeofresearchwascarriedouttoverifytheconclusionsbased on secondary data for this population?

$4.$ Howdidthefindingsfromtheconsumersurveycontradictwhatwas deduced from the secondary data?

$5.$ Whatdidtheanalystdiscoveraboutthispopulationthatdiscouraged the development of innovative health services?

$6.$ Ratherthancutting$-$edgeservices,whattypesofprogramsdidthe analyst conclude were more appropriate for this