The key benefit of blended learning for teachers is flexibility—educators can control the time, place, and pace at which they learn. Phone: 780.423.5552 | [email protected], The Importance of Differentiation In Your Marketing Strategy, Incite Announces Expanded Advisory Services to Support M&A. Written by Tim Lee on September 28, 2017. Remember that observation and feedback play an integral part in ensuring that the plan is followed with fidelity. Is there a gap in the industry that you could fill (that you aren’t already filling)? It is also one of the most challenging parts of being in business. 4. Here are a few key questions to consider: The goal is to successfully answer the following: What is my organization really good at that the market needs right now, and that few others are doing? The aim of differentiation is to employ a variety of teaching styles to ensure that students can approach learning in different ways but with the same or similar outcomes. If successful, it allows the business the opportunity to charge a premium for the good or service. A company having a better product compared to its competitors can carve out its place in the business community. I believe it’s time to transform professional development, which is too often passive, into professional learning, which is engaging, rigorous, task-oriented, and experimental. After the Montour School District of Pennsylvania established a digital community for educators to engage in year-round, on-demand professional learning, they determined that there was a 600 percent increase in staff participation. This makes it easier to generate interest and close sales. He was in my intermediate Spanish class and always sat in the middle. From market expansion and brand development, to supporting post-merger integration and building internal engagement, Incite’s strategic approach helps clients to better understand their market, clearly articulate value, align organizational resources, and connect with key stakeholders to achieve success. One strength of a differentiation strategy is that it builds on the unique qualities in a product. Every teacher deserves personalized learning they can engage with at their own pace, in a community that provides opportunities to collaborate with peers. 1. Definition: Differentiation strategy, as the name suggests, is the strategy that aims to distinguish a product or service, from other similar products, offered by the competitors in the market.It entails development of a product or service, that is unique for the customers, in terms of product design, features, brand image, quality, or customer service. A well-executed differentiation strategy is an opportunity for your business to stand out in a saturated marketplace and convince potential customers … Unlike the Cost Leadership strategy, the Differentiation strategy allows multiple products to co-exist as long as they concentrate on different attributes. Product differentiation occurs on two clear levels: vertical and horizontal. 5. Microsoft for Education offers guided virtual workshops and webinars that conclude with opportunities to explore tools on their site. The more you focus, the more you create opportunities to differentiate. That’s what makes you different. 3. That sweet spot is your organization’s unique ability. On your website, if you can switch a competitor’s logo for your own organization’s logo and the content still makes sense, there is a problem. 3. It is the student in the middle who doesn't cause problems, who obeys, conforms, and never demands attention. Differentiated instruction IS more qualitative than quantitative. “Marketing is the art of meaningful differentiation.” – John Lederer. 1:07 Product Differentiation Competitive Advantage: Cost Advantage & Differentiation Competitive Strategy is about applying offensive or alternatively defensive actions to create a advantageous position within marketplace, with a purpose to deal with issues effectively with competitive forces in addition to come up with a much better return on investment. Benefits of Differentiated Instruction Differentiated Instruction Benefits Everyone. One of the largest benefits of differentiated instruction for students is that it incorporates many different teaching styles. Often the cost of production and distribution is only marginally higher than in a cost leadership strategy; however, perceived quality differences allows the selling price to be set at significantly higher points. Professional learning must be strategically planned before it’s implemented. Consumers of differentiated products are not as sensitive to price changes, therefore, the manufacturers can increase their prices. Strengths & Weaknesses of a Differentiation Strategy. Here’s how product differentiation can benefit a business. Authentic learning occurs from opportunities to communicate, think critically, explore, and hone a new craft. Incorporating blended models for professional learning creates an environment that caters to the individual needs of each teacher. Beyond existing competitors, a differentiation strategy also creates benefits relative to potential new entrants. 3  2. Teachers will need encouragement to participate and explore new strategies. Differentiation strategy has many advantages and benefits. Differentiation is a key aspect to effectively marketing your business. He wasn't the best in the classroom, and he wasn't the worst. Research reveals that short-term PD without follow-up doesn’t work. If a firm has a product that is high in demand the firm can price it higher. Professional learning is most effective when it’s ongoing, active, specific to learners’ needs, supported throughout implementation, and consistent with institutional vision. There are some big advantages to using a differentiation strategy. A flipped classroom approach is just as effective for educators as it is for students. Another adv… Innovation / Invention – The best way to implement differentiation strategy is to invent or innovate. Blended learning combines in-person and digital off-site learning. That’s what helps your organization stand out and succeed. Differentiation is meant to stimulate creativity by helping students make stronger connections, understand relationships, and grasp concepts in a more intuitive way. 2. Differentiation strategy will help you to: 1. 1. Here are some of the benefits. Ultimately, it will lead to better competitive positioning for your brand. Which students miss out most? Establishing a differentiated product experience oftentimes yields a multitude of benefits. Beyond existing competitors, a differentiation strategy also creates benefits relative to potential new entrants. A concern with a product differentiation strategy is the investment you typically have to make to produce or acquire a top-notch product. Solicit a member from each campus department who is confident in content. The phrases “dime a dozen” and “vanilla” come to mind when values, clientele, services, and staff expertise are interchangeable between your organization and another’s. It is because once a consumer is satisfied with a few pr… Establish site-based professional learning communities (PLCs) for ongoing learning. 1. Differentiation allows you to add value and establish a premium position in the market. I remember that he did struggle with rolling his rs. 1. Differentiation strategy makes sense when the customer is not price-sensitive, and the market is saturated or competitive, and the needs of the customer are very specific an… Who else does what you do? Design and implement a goal-oriented plan. methods and strategies involved in differentiated instruction Usually, differentiated instruction utilizes four methods which involve content, process, product and learning environment. The Benefits of Differentiation in Professional Development Strategies like flipping instruction and providing opportunities for repeated practice work … What are your customers looking for that they aren’t getting right now? This creates more … Specifically, the brand loyalty that customers feel to a differentiated product makes it difficult for a new entrant to lure these customers to adopt its product. … Researchers suggest that teachers can differentiate instruction by... Differentiation Curriculum Should Include “Do-Overs”. Less, really is more. Strategic differentiation is not just about new products or services but about doing what is valued much better than the other guy. Differentiated instruction is an educational strategy in which teachers adapt their instruction to meet the needs of their class. Vertical differentiation refers to products that fall on a scale from best to worst, highest to lowest, impacting the overall functionality of the item. Your people are aligned more clearly. We make choices every day based on differentiation. For example, following the differentiation focus strategy, Betterment – the largest automated investing service – clearly has a strong advantage by focusing on a narrow segment. Many teachers incorrectly assume … What it all comes down to is focus. Focused organizations grow faster and command more brand loyalty, and who doesn’t want that?” – Ted Kouri. In the book, Good Strategy Bad Strategy, author Richard Rumelt states that one of the pillars of good strategy is making sure your competitive advantage is difficult for competitors to copy. Because customers perceive the unique customer service or product features as special, a company following a differentiation strategy is typically less sensitive to price fluctuations than the general market. Alternatively, they might begin learning from instructional videos, explore scenarios in a series of face-to-face sessions, and then practice independently. You do not have to compete on price alone.Since you have distinguished yourself from your competitors the prospective client cannot reduce their choice to the dimension of cost alone. To do this, survey the campus to gather ideas based on teachers’ interests. We rarely give her the time of day in our race to take care of the extremes.I had one of those students in my classroom. Beyond existing competitors, a differentiation strategy also creates benefits relative to potential new entrants. Benefits of Differentiated Instruction Since I'm no expert on the pros and cons of differentiated instruction myself, I did some digging to see what the consensus … Strategies like flipping instruction and providing opportunities for repeated practice work as well for adults as they do for students. How do I effectively differentiate my brand from the rest? Before we delve into the benefits of using differentiated instruction in class, let’s define what it is. Brand differentiation is a part of any comprehensive marketing strategy that your business can use to distinguish itself from the other offerings on the market. In courses applying differentiated instruction, whole-class discussions are often followed by group or individual learning activities that help cement subject comprehension. We know that differentiation is a powerful vehicle for student success—and these same approaches can support teacher development. Higher Cost. What do they do really well? It allows firms to shield themselves from the competition. Morning sessions are synchronous and led by a facilitator, while the afternoons are asynchronous. 1. Incite is a marketing and strategy consulting firm specializing in growth, brand, and communications. The issue comes back to how. Inventory Management: The Benefits of Delayed Differentiation. Everything becomes easier when your strategy is narrowly focused on a single market segment. Provide a Google Form interest sign-up sheet to collect potential candidates. Increased brand awareness: A differentiated product is, by definition, distinct from its competition. That’s what we’ll be discussing in this post – the differentiating quality that sets your business apart. Although many teachers have made strides in providing innovative, individualized learning, most of them still receive one-size-fits-all professional development. Their learning was sustained through deep reflection and metacognitive dialogue via online discussion forums. Like students in a classroom, teachers require active learning and consistent opportunities to activate new knowledge and skills. There should be a collaborative effort to determine the needs of the whole campus, the desired student and academic outcomes, and the time frame. He never said a lot, and he did his work quietly. Specifically, the brand loyalty that customers feel to a differentiated product makes it difficult for a new entrant to lure these customers to adopt its product. Customer Perception. Edutopia® and Lucas Education Research™ are trademarks or registered trademarks of the George Lucas Educational Foundation in the U.S. and other countries. It is also one of the most challenging parts of being in business. When a company efficiently differentiates its products, and few essential products stand out, it usually brings out brand loyalty on the consumer’s part. In a model that has come to influence others, the University of Central Florida and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee employed a blended program for staff in which instructors met biweekly face to face to learn directly from each other. These four factors can create a pervasive learning environment, and student can benefit a great deal under its influence. Posted in Blog Dynamic, Frontpage Blog. This allows participants to explore, practice new tools, and freely discuss with peers. 4. What makes your organization stand out from the competition. Create opportunities for educators to observe their peers utilizing the new tools and materials—and to provide feedback based on their observations. Create Mutual Benefit Using a differentiated marketing strategy, you choose groups of customers you believe you can best serve based on your company's capabilities. Here are five steps to create an accountability system that leads to lasting change. Benefits Of Product Differentiation. Differentiation strategy is a way for a business to distinguish itself from the competition. Another implication of product differentiation is that very often, it brings brand loyalty into the picture. 10507 Saskatchewan Drive, Edmonton, AB T6E 4S1 The primary idea behind the differentiation strategy is to differentiate the product in one or the other way in order to compete successfully and better with other competitors in the market. You have greater appeal to your target audience.Since you are different, and presumably better, you make a more appealing choice. Recruit teacher leaders to share their expertise. Blended learning takes a variety of forms: Teachers might learn a new tool in a traditional face-to-face setting led by an expert, then engage in self-directed learning and online chats. Too little causes … We make choices every day based on differentiation. A big challenge of inventory management is maintaining the right amount of stock. You might consider incentives such as a brag board, a bulletin board to post accolades, social media posts, or continuing education credit hours. Unique Product. Take the time to find your differentiated value, focus on it, and stand out. No Perceived Substitute: A product differentiation strategy that focuses on the quality and design of … When professional learning is flipped, teachers learn in a collaborative setting, then continue to explore asynchronously, often aided by websites and apps like Flipgrid and Padlet. AVID Center offers a two-day digital learning experience for educators through a Canvas course. 20 separate instances and as many as 50 hours of instruction. It takes a minimum of 20 separate instances and as many as 50 hours of instruction, practice, and coaching before anyone can master a new strategy. Specifically, the brand loyalty that customers feel to a differentiated product makes it difficult for a new entrant to lure these customers to adopt its product. Not having to compete with commodity products on price leads to higher profit margins. Many companies have successfully differentiated their products with respect to competitors by making a brand image or brand mark, for example, Nikeshoes. A product differentiation strategy should demonstrate that a product can do everything the competing choices can but has additional benefits no one else offers. Utilize a learning management system to facilitate asynchronous learning. 5. That’s the sweet spot, the centre of your Venn diagram where strengths, market needs, and uniqueness coincide. These communities should meet regularly to support, reflect, and collaborate. The G Suite for Education is also a versatile platform for communities of learners to remotely share, collaborate, and store materials. “In our experience working with clients, you can’t be everything to everyone and you shouldn’t try to be. Learning management systems such as  Blackboard, Canvas, Google Classroom, and Schoology are popular communication tools that extend discussions and collaboration. At the program’s end, 87 percent of participants reported a more positive outlook on teaching—and said that they’d changed their approach to teaching as a result of the program. In order to make the Differentiation strategy work, you must ensure that the premium price you are able to charge is enough to cover your costs of focusing on the chosen attribute. Reputation. 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