The Business Strategic-Planning Process

STRATEGIC PLANNING

Strategy adopted by HUL

 HUL (Hindustan Uni Lever Ltd) formerly HLL and see how the complex task of brand management is actually handled. This company is taken for this article as HUL is considered as one of the most successful in Brand Management.

HLL has a large brand portfolio consisting of nearly 110 bands. In every product line, it has built a number of brands over a period of time. Quite a few brands have come to its fold from the parent company. It has also acquired several ongoing brands from the market. HLL also vigorously pursues brand extension strategy. And concurrently, HLL undertakes line pruning and brand restructuring and consolidation, based on marketing compulsions. HLL is also playing the rejuvenation and re-launch game. With great benefit the corporate-level endeavors at business expansion and diversification are also throwing new challenges on the brand strategy front. HLL lends itself for a proper understanding of the complexity of the brand management task. We shall examine how HLL handles the complex demands in brand management.

Such an array of brands is the outcome of a conscious corporate strategy by HLL. As a corporate, HLL wants to be a leader in every one of its businesses and the strategy is to fight on the strength of the competitive advantage arising from the possession of strong brands. It is this strategy that is getting reflected in the development of a multitude of strong brands. If we take the business of bathing soaps, as an example, HLL has the objective of being a national player (not a niche or a regional marketer) and the leader therein. HLL also wants about 30 per cent of the corporate income to come from this line.

So, HLL opted for the strategy of developing quite a few strong brands in this line, and among them they cover different market segments and price points. Dove, Lux, Liril, Rexona, Pears and Lifebuoy are the outcome of such a well planned brand strategy.