Pricing Concepts and Methods
Using data and information to set prices.
Level 1 Demonstrates introductory understanding, directing people to the appropriate source for further information.
BEHAVIORS
- Explains the fundamentals of price-setting strategies, such as cost-plus pricing, demand or value-based pricing, and competitor indexing.
- Collects and maintains internal and external data to inform pricing decisions, (e.g. customers, competitors, products and service offerings).
- Follows prescribed methods to produce thorough and accurate reports summarizing pricing information.
- Recommends price in line with price setting strategies.
QUESTIONS
- Tell us about a time when you collected and maintained internal and external data to inform product pricing decisions.
Probing Questions
* What was the situation?
* What did you do?
* What was the product that pricing decisions were being made about?
* What was the result of your efforts?
- Describe a situation where you prescribed methods to produce thorough and accurate reports summarizing pricing information.
Probing Questions
* What was the situation?
* What information did you gather and summarize?
* What methods were employed?
* What was the report used for?
Level 2 Applies the competency in common situations that present limited difficulties, working with a moderate level of guidance.
BEHAVIORS
- Describes the relationship between pricing and the overall financial, marketing and strategic objectives of the organization.
- Conducts pricing analyses on internal and external data to identify drivers for setting/changing prices (e.g. labor market information, inflation, price elasticity, etc.).
- Conducts an ongoing diagnosis of pricing performance using measurement tools (e.g. value maps).
QUESTIONS
- Describe an occasion when you recommended a product or service pricing in line with appropriate price setting strategies.
Probing Questions
* What was the product or service?
* What were your personal responsibilities with regard to recommending product/service pricing?
* What were the appropriate price-setting strategies?
* What were the results of your recommendations?
- Tell us about a time when you conducted pricing analyses on internal and external data to identify drivers for setting or changing price.
Probing Questions
* What was the product or service requiring pricing decisions?
* What data and analysis were you tasked with providing?
* How did you conduct the requested analysis?
* What were your findings or recommendations?
* What was the impact of your analysis on product/service pricing?
Level 3 Applies the competency in the full range of typical situations, requiring guidance in only the most complex or new situations.
BEHAVIORS
- Implements strategic pricing policies across a range of products/services and segments.
- Sets price consistent with strategic pricing policies and valid market analysis.
- Manages pricing portfolio by customizing pricing to the unique needs of the customer and/or the market.
- Integrates multiple analyses on industry dynamics and market conditions to assess the impact on price setting.
- Uses product and customer lifecycle data to inform pricing strategies.
- Makes recommendations to adapt pricing strategies based on interpretations of analytical data and pricing performance.
QUESTIONS
- Describe a situation where you were responsible for implementing strategic pricing policies across a range of products/services and market segments.
Probing Questions
* What was the situation?
* What were the strategic pricing policies being implemented?
* How was the implementation conducted?
* What were the results of your efforts?
- Tell us about a situation when you managed a pricing portfolio by customizing pricing to the unique needs of the customer and/or the market.
Probing Questions
* What was the pricing portfolio that you managed?
* What were the unique needs addressed?
* How did you address them?
* What were the results of your work?
Level 4 Applies the competency in new or complex situations and advises others.
BEHAVIORS
- Develops pricing strategies aligned with the financial, marketing and strategic objectives of the organization.
- Revises pricing strategies as necessary to accommodate changing market conditions.
- Coaches others on pricing setting techniques and methods.
- Provides organizational oversight with regards to price setting.
- Foresees market changes and trends and anticipates how to adapt to them.
QUESTIONS
- Tell us about a situation when you were required to develop pricing strategies that were aligned with the financial, marketing and strategic objectives of the organization.
Probing Questions
* What was the situation?
* What were the key alignment issues?
* How did the pricing strategies address the alignment issues?
* What were the results of your alignment efforts?
- Describe a time when you identified market shifts and trends and anticipated how to adapt pricing strategy to them.
Probing Questions
* What was the situation?
* What were your personal responsibilities?
* What were the market changes and trends that you identified?
* What changes to pricing did you recommend?
* What was the outcome of these recommendations?
Level 5 Develops new approaches and methods in the area. Is recognized as an expert within the organization.
BEHAVIORS
- Oversees the development of competitive and sustainable pricing strategies.
- Promotes the strategic and creative use of pricing to achieve organizational objectives.
- Influences the organization’s strategic direction through potential pricing strategies.
- Champions pricing as a key value driver for the organization.
- Monitors organizational revenue and recommends appropriate pricing strategies, taking into account pricing constraints and sensitivity of demand to price changes.
QUESTIONS
- Tell us about a time that you promoted the strategic and creative use of pricing to achieve organizational objectives.
Probing Questions
* What was the situation?
* What was your role?
* What were the strategic and creative uses of pricing that you promoted?
* What was the impact of these strategic and creative uses of pricing on organizational results?
- Describe a situation when you influenced the organization's strategic direction by proposing different pricing strategies.
Probing Questions
* What was the situation?
* What was your role and responsibility in this situation?
* What were the pricing strategies?
* How did the pricing strategies influence the organization’s strategic direction?