BMC Channels refers to the various methods an organization uses to interact and communicate with its customers to deliver its value proposition. These channels encompass every step taken by the organization to ensure that its products or services reach the right customers.

Primary Functions of BMC Channels

The role of channels within the BMC is crucial in ensuring that the organization’s value proposition reaches the appropriate customer segments effectively. The primary functions of BMC Channels include:

1. Raising Customer Awareness: Channels are utilized to ensure that customers are aware of the products or services being offered. This includes advertising, promotions, social media, and other forms of communication that can capture the customer’s attention.
2. Helping Customers Evaluate the Value Proposition: Channels also play a key role in assisting customers to evaluate and understand the value proposition offered by the company. This can be achieved through clear product information, demonstrations, customer reviews, or consultation sessions.
3. Enabling Customers to Purchase Products and Services: One of the main functions of channels is to facilitate customer purchases. This can be accomplished through various platforms such as physical stores, websites, mobile apps, or direct sales teams.
4. Delivering the Value Proposition: After the purchase, channels are crucial in delivering the product or service to the customer. This includes logistics, shipping, or providing access to digital services.
5. Providing Post-Purchase Support: Channels are also essential for offering after-sales support. This includes customer service, warranties, maintenance services, or technical assistance to ensure customer satisfaction and build brand loyalty.

Key Questions Regarding BMC Channels

When discussing BMC Channels, several key questions need to be answered to ensure the selected channels are optimal and effective:

1. Which Channels Do Customers Prefer for Interaction? – Do customers prefer to interact through digital channels such as websites or apps, or are they more comfortable with physical interactions like in-store experiences?
2. How Can We Reach Customers Through These Channels? – This involves marketing and sales strategies that need to be tailored to the selected channels to ensure they reach customers in the most effective way.
3. How Can We Integrate These Channels for a Seamless Customer Experience? – Integration between various channels is essential to ensure customers have a consistent experience, whether they interact through online or offline platforms.
4. Which Channels Have Proven to Be the Most Effective? – It is necessary to analyze and monitor the channels used to identify which ones are the most effective in achieving business objectives.
5. Which Channels Are the Most Cost-Efficient? – Besides effectiveness, the operational costs of each channel must be considered to ensure maximum profitability.
6. How Can We Align Channels with Customer Routines? – Understanding customers’ lifestyles and habits is vital to ensuring that the chosen channels fit with the way customers typically interact with products or services.

The Five Phases of BMC Channels

BMC Channels consist of five (5) main phases, and each channel may involve one or more of these phases. These phases are:

1. Awareness: How do we make potential customers aware of the products and services we offer?
2. Evaluation: How can we help customers evaluate the value proposition we provide?
3. Purchase: How can we facilitate customers to purchase our products or services?
4. Delivery: How can we ensure that our products or services are delivered to customers in the best possible way?
5. After Sales: How can we provide post-purchase support to ensure customer satisfaction and loyalty?

Types of BMC Channels

To reach customers, organizations can use various types of channels, including:

1. Owned Channels – Direct: This includes through the company’s sales team, company website, or company-owned stores. A straightforward example would be retail stores owned and operated by the company itself.
2. Owned Channels – Indirect: This involves stores or branches operated by the organization but possibly owned by third parties. For example, KFC restaurants owned by franchisees under the KFC brand.
3. Partner Channels – Indirect: This includes distribution through wholesalers, third-party retail stores, or sales agent websites that collaborate with the company.

Owned Channels vs. Partner Channels

Partner Channels typically result in lower profit margins due to profit-sharing with partners. However, they offer the advantage of broader market reach, especially if the partner has an established market presence. Conversely, Owned Channels offer higher profit margins but require greater investment. This includes costs associated with opening new branches, daily operating expenses, and marketing costs to attract customers to these channels.

What Should You Do?

The best strategy usually involves combining various channels to provide a great customer experience and increase revenue. Utilizing multiple channels also allows the organization to reach different customer segments more effectively and efficiently.  Therefore, an organization can ensure that its value proposition is delivered to customers in a way that is both effective and profitable by applying BMC Channels.