An industrial tool manufacturer relies on a distributor network with the largest online outlet and store network aimed at construction workers. The distributor network is seeking a manufacturer to provide them with private label products. They've decided they will offer only their own product line and not any other brand in this category of industrial tools. Now, the industrial tool company must decide whether or not to agree to this proposition or lose this company as a customer. This is an example of which of the competitive forces at play in this industry?

This activity is important because as a marketing manager, you must allocate resources to reach your target market. during the strategic marketing process, managers move through three important phases to determine how to optimally allocate resources: a planning phase, an implementation phase, and an evaluation phase. in this interactive exercise, you are asked to review various strategic marketing actions and determine where in the strategic marketing process the action would occur. the goal of this exercise is to demonstrate your understanding of the strategic marketing process and related marketing actions.