Friday, October 28, 2011

Proter and Gamble - Mission, Products and Heritage

Procter and Gamble is one of the worlds largest corporations. I'd bet every one in this class uses at least 1 of P&G"s products on a daily basis. While researching the company I found that they own more brands than I thought. Their mission or as they call it their "Purpose" is to provide the world with quality products "that improve the lives of the world's consumers." Targeting any audience that likes to be clean and use quality household products. P&G's  statement presents them as not just product providers but rather providers of improved life. P&G brands serve 4.4 billion people, which covers more than half of the worlds population, so I guess its not too much of a stretch to say they are providing some form of happiness to the world. Lets face it who doesn't want minty clean teeth (crest) and confident manly scents (Old Spice) or clean floors quick and easy (Swiffer). P&G cover the spectrum of beauty grooming and household care. They own 51 Beauty and grooming brands and 33 household care brands. Old Spice, Crest, CoverGirl, Gillete, Clairol and Dolce and Gabbana are some of the beauty line up while Vicks, Cascade, Febreze, Swiffer and Downy are some headliners of the household care line up.
http://www.pg.com/en_US/brands/all_brands.shtml link to full list.

 P&G has been a leader throughout their entire history. Their continuous efforts to understand their consumers help them become leaders in the consumer market, and it all started with valuing their own employees. In 1887 P&G instituted a profit sharing program that gave employees stake in the company. By doing this P&G instituted a positive mentality in their employees, allowing them to feel more connected to the company success. P&G was devoted to understanding their consumers. Back in 1924 P&G decided to conduct data-based market research with consumers. P&G pioneered data-based marketing and it allowed them to understand what the consumer was really in need of and then provided products accordingly. By understanding their consumers P&G understood how to advertise brands in connection with consumer values. In 1882 P&G innovated brand building with an IVORY soap print ad focusing on the purity of the soap. 1984 P&G was named in the top 100 places to work by Great Places to Work Institute and they have continued to receive this honor each year since. P&G has also received awards for its advanced technology and innovative manufacturing.

P&G goes beyond just providing products to improve the lives of those who can buy their products. They have been extremely charitable. Their conscious effort to reach out to those less fortunate and ensure a large majority a healthy way of life has helped millions of poor people around the world enjoy the feeling of being clean and healthy. The Proctor and Gamble Fund has provided money globally to community organizations and have improved the lives of 50 million kids around the world each year. P&G has gone to Africa to educate women on female hygiene and protection as well as reaching out to poor countries and providing them with clean drinking water. In 2006 P&G started the Children's Safe Drinking Water Program. Using their very own PUR water purifiers P&G has provided healthy drinking water for improved way of life to some poor countries around the world.