How can service providers use a differentiated offer, delivery, and image to avoid competing solely on price?

A meal can be served in different ways. The way service also. One need not necessarily follow the same route as that of the competitor in the same line of business.  The attraction of the services are the way they are dealt with by creating various satisfying  impressions that cannot be narrated by words as that of the experience derived.  How the strategies are developed at each stage by being varying in nature and approach all that counts and it also provide immense opportunities to improve and make it competitive at every stage if the demand of the situation warrant so.

A service offer can include innovative features that differentiate the company's offers from competitors. Service delivery can be differentiated by hiring and training more reliable customer-contact people, developing a superior physical environment in which the service is delivered, and designing a superior delivery process. Services can also be differentiated through symbols and branding, creating an image that sets a company's services apart from competitors'.

AGREE WITH MR. VENKITARAMAN KRISHNA MOORTHY VRINDAVAN  

They must understand why they are different and why would the customer buy from them.

if a company can answer the questions why should a customers buy from us I believe they can be on the   right track.

differentiation means knowing their competitive advantage and conveying it to the customers .

Thanks Patel !

The rich and the non utmost explored field is the implicit customer needs (none expressed needs).I

Innovation and creativity within that field may stand up the business out of the common competitors.

It, is wrong to say when seniors , experienced & talented educationists are all around .

There are2 types of products and services - One catering to the masses & second elite /luxury brands . " If, we want to come in masses there is only1 principle : Best service and fastest delivery of  product -keeping quality parameters at par to best brands available . And being value for money spent . "

For luxury brands : " Be different & be the best "

Ah the old preschool catch phrase,

“You get what you get and you don’t throw a fit.” If you’re like me, that little ditty never really pacified me. As it turns out, I was not alone. Quite simply, consumers want what they want when they want it. Accenture’s latest research confirms that consumers of all ages overwhelmingly want the ability to customize their service experience.

The only thing which can make your service unique is the quality of your service you provide to your customers for the price you are charging. 

By incorporating distinctive characteristics in a service offer that differentiate the company's offers from competitors , by creating superior delivery process  in service delivery or by creating symbols or image that sets a company's services apart from competitors'.

Well said by Mr. Patel and Mr. Venkitaraman.

Customers are used to base their service provide selection on the combination of price, features and quality, where price is the most important factor. As a service provider, you should direct customer's attention to other factors than price in such a way that makes it difficult for the customer to compare upon price. This can be done by offering services in a different way than other competitors and highlight the special features of your service. You should come up with new features to add more value to your service, give more attention to quality of service, improve delivery process, offer support and after sales services.