Shopping metaphors
People shop in different ways depending on their needs and their product knowledge. The Product Advisor allows you to organize and present your product data in different ways, so that customers can search for products in the manner that is best for them. The different styles of presentation are called shopping metaphors. The metaphors are intended to reproduce the effect of having sales people on the floor available to assist customers make informed purchase decisions.
Creation of these metaphors requires careful consideration, and in-depth knowledge of your business. The Product Exploration and Product Comparison metaphors depend upon worthwhile, accurate product attributes and values. Therefore, product specialists have valuable insight into the arrangement and presentation of these metaphors. The sales professional's expertise is similarly relevant for the Guided Sell metaphor. Knowing your customers and being able to ask appropriate questions, in a logical sequence, translates into a metaphor that provides better support.
(C) Copyright IBM Corporation 1996, 2006. All Rights Reserved.