Which component is NOT included in the marketing mix?

The marketing mix traditionally consists of four key components: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion, often referred to as the "4 Ps." Each of these elements plays a crucial role in how a business markets its offerings.

In this context, "People" is not one of the original components of the marketing mix. While aspects related to customer service, target audience, and market interaction are indeed important to marketing strategy, "People" is not formally acknowledged as one of the core elements within the traditional framework of the marketing mix. Instead, the focus is on the tangible products offered, their pricing strategies, the various methods employed to promote them, and the channels (place) through which they are distributed to consumers.

It's also worth noting that modern marketing considerations have expanded this framework to include additional elements like "People" (under the 7 Ps framework) in contexts such as service marketing, but within the traditional view, it remains outside the original mix. Thus, recognizing that "People" is not a core element of the marketing mix helps clarify its separation from the more foundational aspects of marketing strategy.