The document discusses the benefits of Harley-Davidson's Posse rides for customers. It finds that the rides provide social satisfaction from bonding with others who share interests, as well as opportunities to experience thrills and form memorials. However, customers felt the augmented product offerings were evaluated less positively and that they were not always heard. The document also evaluates whether the Harley Owners Group constitutes a community, finding that it is dynamic due to its varied structure and spontaneity. Finally, it argues that the Posse rides achieve Harley-Davidson's goals of fulfilling dreams and learning about customers, and that the company should continue the rides while improving their return on investment.

1. CASE STUDY Building Brand Community on the Harley-Davidson Posse Ride

2. What are the benefits of long rides as Posse, for customers of Harley Davidson (HD)? Evaluate the relational effects based on Exhibits 7 and 10, which refer to pre and post evaluations. Question 1 Group 4 - E. Mulder, C. Neghina, D. Oosterveer, L. Partouns, S. Voet

3. Question 1 Benefits of long rides such as Posse for customers? Discover landscape  broadening the horizon People with the same interests  social satisfaction Thrills and excitement Memorials (t-shirt, tattoo’s, etc.) Get away from their stressed lives ‘Feel free’ Group 4 - E. Mulder, C. Neghina, D. Oosterveer, L. Partouns, S. Voet

4. Group 4 - E. Mulder, C. Neghina, D. Oosterveer, L. Partouns, S. Voet Question 1

5. Group 4 - E. Mulder, C. Neghina, D. Oosterveer, L. Partouns, S. Voet Question 1 Very satisfied with the Harley The ride was tremendous However, augmented product evaluated less Customers feel not that ‘heard’

6. Can the Harley Owners Group’s (HOG) Posse be characterized as a community? Question 2 Group 4 - E. Mulder, C. Neghina, D. Oosterveer, L. Partouns, S. Voet

7. Group 4 - E. Mulder, C. Neghina, D. Oosterveer, L. Partouns, S. Voet Question 2 Community? YES: People want to be included Exclusiveness, pride Shared interests Focus on the customer experience

8. If so, is the community static or dynamic? Support your answers with data from the Posse event, referring, for example, to day-to-day changes! Question 3 Group 4 - E. Mulder, C. Neghina, D. Oosterveer, L. Partouns, S. Voet

9. Question 3 Dynamic Varied structure Geographic concentration Social context Temporality Spontaneity, dynamism Group 4 - E. Mulder, C. Neghina, D. Oosterveer, L. Partouns, S. Voet

10. How would you evaluate the interaction between HOG managers and customers? Question 4 Group 4 - E. Mulder, C. Neghina, D. Oosterveer, L. Partouns, S. Voet

11. Question 4 a ‘close-to-the-customer’ philosophy as a ‘togetherness’-way come closer due to complaints and feedback business-related; learning experience, user-experience, feelings towards the brand Group 4 - E. Mulder, C. Neghina, D. Oosterveer, L. Partouns, S. Voet

12. Question 4 current customer-management interaction in line with the stated goals of HOG positive influence on the places which they visit improves the Harley Davidson lifestyle experience brings the company close to its customers Group 4 - E. Mulder, C. Neghina, D. Oosterveer, L. Partouns, S. Voet

13. Question 4 The HOG has an essential role of developing the community Initiator and organizer HOG should continue learn about their customers in a way which is really valuable members are spending significantly more money community fulfills the goals which are stated for HOG However; community with hundreds of bikers cannot be completely influenced Group 4 - E. Mulder, C. Neghina, D. Oosterveer, L. Partouns, S. Voet

14. How would the Posse ride contribute to HD’s corporate goals? How would it contribute to its financial objectives? Should the company work harder to improve Return On Investment (ROI) of the Posse ride? Question 5 Group 4 - E. Mulder, C. Neghina, D. Oosterveer, L. Partouns, S. Voet

15. Question 5 Mission: “fulfill dreams” Customer – centric model Know the consumer Learn about how the consumer interacts with the product Establish a tradition – consistency $474,000 extra in revenues Evaluate dealers Identify dissatisfaction Group 4 - E. Mulder, C. Neghina, D. Oosterveer, L. Partouns, S. Voet

16. Should HD continue with Posse and other rides? What role should HOG play in the marketing mix? Question 6 Group 4 - E. Mulder, C. Neghina, D. Oosterveer, L. Partouns, S. Voet

17. Question 6 Should HD continue with Posse and other rides? 1. Hard-core customers -> valuable firm asset Connectedness, limited registration -> A culture Artifacts/symbols: T-shirts, tattoos Rituals: Story night, The Posse Oath They become an important spokesperson 2. Checkpoints in the form of dealerships Tourists & neighborhood get attracted by commotion (riders and non-riders) Merchandise opportunity for dealer Management sees how dealerships are run Group 4 - E. Mulder, C. Neghina, D. Oosterveer, L. Partouns, S. Voet

18. Question 6 What role should H.O.G play in the marketing mix? Large WOM function Free one-year membership gives a direct feeling of belonging to the Harley community (culture with symbols and rituals) Makes it a very strong promotional tool Members will spread the word as will the events Promotion Group 4 - E. Mulder, C. Neghina, D. Oosterveer, L. Partouns, S. Voet

19. Evelien, Carmen, Danny, Luc and Stijn (aka Group 4) thank you for your undivided attention !!