Originally posted by Pentax_WA We can all argue and justify Pentax's action all the day long. As someone with a strong business background, Ricoh isn't doing anything major to benefit the brand. Pentax barely attracts new customers if any and the current supporters, including myself, don't buy every new item the company releases. Continuing like this, the only source of revenue to continue its development would be directly through Ricoh itself which isn't financially doing well either. If you understand business operation, finance and market strategy concept, then you understand what I'm talking about. If not, you will continue to justify your non-business oriented mindset.
I'm not arguing or justifying. I'm just discussing
Personally, I wish Ricoh would do a bit more marketing. That said, taking your points above individually:
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Ricoh isn't doing anything major to benefit the brand"
... except for developing and releasing high quality new products. Not at a prolific rate, I'll admit, but what it's releasing is mostly well-received. Indeed, the original K-1 caused something of a stir and - if online reviews and articles are to be believed - attracted numerous people to the brand, including previous critics, who recognised its capabilities for (amongst other things) landscape photography.
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Pentax barely attracts new customers if any"
Can I ask, what's the official source of this information? Or is it merely your perception? That's fine, but see my point about the K-1 above. My perception is different than yours.
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current supporters, including myself, don't buy every new item the company releases"
That's the same for every manufacturer of every kind of product. Many iPhone owners don't buy the latest version, or wait a couple of years to buy the outgoing model at a discounted price, for example. Nikon doesn't sell every new camera, lens and accessory to every one of its current supporters either. Indeed, that's a problem facing every player in the ILC market... People aren't upgrading their cameras and lenses as often. I know several photographers using Nikon and Canon gear that are still shooting equipment one, two or even three generations behind the current products.
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Continuing like this, the only source of revenue to continue its development would be directly through Ricoh itself which isn't financially doing well either"
But this assumes that the Pentax division of Ricoh Imaging isn't selling enough of the products its manufacturing at prices that are profitable and sustainable for the business. I see no official data to suggest that's the case.
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If you understand business operation, finance and market strategy concept, then you understand what I'm talking about. If not, you will continue to justify your non-business oriented mindset"
Although I've never worked in marketing specifically, I have a strong business background. Included within that was a period working as a convertible bonds analyst, reviewing company performance, strategy, finances and risk either prior to, or following, issuance of convertible bond instruments. I'd say my business credentials are OK.
Furthermore, I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss the opinions and mindset of those without your particular business experience... especially when they're customers of the brand we're discussing, and our fellow members here. Not one of us, regardless of background, really knows what makes Ricoh Imaging tick. We're all just making educated guesses