Final answer:
A business consultant identifying key differentiators for competitive advantage is likely to mention price, quality, customer service, and marketing strategy. Intangible aspects like consumer perceptions shaped by advertising also contribute to differentiation but may be considered less direct and immediate for strategic focus.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a consultant assists a company in identifying key differentiators to increase competitive advantage, they are likely to consider various factors. Among these differentiators, the ones a consultant is most likely to mention include price, quality, customer service, and marketing strategy. These are all tangible aspects that can significantly impact a company's positioning in the market. Intangible differentiators, such as a guarantee of satisfaction, reputation for high quality, additional services like free delivery or financing options, and particularly the perceptions held by consumers due to advertising, also play a crucial role. It is within the latter that preferences are shaped, oftentimes without a direct link to the physical qualities of the product itself. This factor—consumer perception shaped by intangibles—is significant yet less tangible and may be less directly mentioned by a consultant focused on immediate, actionable strategy.