Professor Sara Dolnicar on Market Segmentation [#17]

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This week I’m joined by Professor Sara Dolnicar, a social scientist, professor at UQ Business School, TEDx speaker, and author with 25 years of research in market segmentation. We dig into why segmentation isn’t just an academic exercise – it’s existential for any small business trying to stop competing on price and start owning a corner of the market.


Timestamps:

  • 00:02 – Strategic vs tactical marketing
  • 04:27 – Red flags: when segmentation is missing
  • 06:16 – The core benefit of owning a segment
  • 09:05 – How to start segmentation (simple to advanced)
  • 11:29 – Who to talk to: customers vs non-customers
  • 17:04 – When to move from qualitative to quantitative
  • 19:12 – Common mistakes in segmentation analysis
  • 33:14 – Survey design pitfalls
  • 40:44 – Case study: segmenting a SaaS meetings platform
  • 47:13 – How often to review your segmentation

Key links: