Key points to consider

• Market segment structure does not have to be obvious, but should nonetheless be straightforward and actionable.
• Useful market segments consequently could be other than demographic combinations, but not complex clusters.
• For medical products, certain additional variables about organizations could provide insights. These include
  • Complementary (or competing) technology within specific institutions, e.g., imaging vis a vis vitro diagnostics
  • Specialty consultations among hospital departments, e.g., cardiology or neurology vis a vis the emergency department
  • Aspects of facilities that affect processes, for example work shift, or day of the week
  • Clinical algorithms used, such as transfers to specialty departments, or interventional versus medical treatment
  • Availability of equipment

The following analyses illustrate some of the various segmentation approaches that were investigated by Biosite, and presented at its 2006 Investor R&D Conference. In addition to the “usual suspect” of hospital bed size, the chart below shows and number of respondents (surveyed randomly) in each of two other potential segments. One was based on the environs of the hospital (e.g., rural or urban), and the other on imaging availability combined with use of stroke scales (process).

The segments chosen were to be usable for both downstream marketing, as well as upstream product development.

As all respondents to the survey had CT Scanners (imaging), an important element investigated was the percent of hospitals in a segment that had MRI imaging available This became part of the definition for the process segmentation approach.

The other part of the definition for the process segmentation was the propensity to use a stroke scale

The combination of these characteristics is shown in all figures.

The most important important aspect of the segmentation is related to the actual time to diagnose patients. This is a function of the combination of factors shown below—such as the stroke scale examination, neurology consult, imaging, and work shift. One can see in in the diagram below that these times vary greatly in the process segmentation. Also, this variation is caused by different aspects of timing. The cohesive nature of the segmentation, and its foundation, make it actionable.