| Every business needs to be web saavy | |
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As an example, take PC Flowers and Gifts. Their home page, when you look under flowers, comes up in online malls, various storefront, and within other major, high-traffic sites. Now, if you click on a picture, and they say, `For Mothers' Day, show me the different floral arrangements you have,' you'll get a virtually unlimited possibility -- all images of the different floral arrangements. There is no phone involved, there is no 800 number charges, a salesperson's time, and even more important, the buyer is entering all their information. HATTIE: (Voiceover) But it is a truism to say that the web opens up new business opportunities. DAN: For instance, I come to your site, and say, I've decided to purchase your book, "Beating the Odds." Well, I click, complete your form, buy it, and then up pops other secure transaction forms, "Want other similar titles? Want to enroll in an online course based on that book? Want to discuss the book with other readers? Right now? We are opening up an unimaginable range of options. If you think about how can you expand your reach as a small business, small-business owners can't afford not to be on the Internet and to understand how this technology. The way that we buy products and services will never be like it was in the 20th century. And if you are a small-business owner, or you run a retail profit center, you better be understanding how the Internet can apply to your business, because it does. |
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| Join your trade association! | |
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DAN SCHULMAN: One of the ways for a small-business person to save money is to join an association. Many firms offer associations, like the National Association of Women-Owned Businesses, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce discounts for their members. For example, you can often receive an additional 5 percent discount on your phone bill even after you negotiate your best price, that goes with technology products, and even entertainment. HATTIE: Do those associations really promote those benefits? Because I'm a member of a couple of associations and I've never seen long-distance service as one of the benefits that are offered. DAN: You've got to ask. Sometimes the regional association does not know about all the benefits from their national associations. Sometimes you have to recommend it to them, to form a partnership, so that they can share technology trends including more aggressive discounts on things like phone bills. HATTIE: Well, other than those tangible benefits to association membership, why do you think being a member of an association would be good for a small-business owner? DAN: One benefit -- you're not alone. You have people to talk to, people who are in the same industry as you, who have probably gone through the same issues that you're wrestling with today. So it's not just you against the world. It's you and other people that are working on similar issues that can be united. HATTIE: It's kind of the idea of two heads are better than one. DAN: Yeah, exactly. |
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| Pervasive computing and the new Internet. | |
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HATTIE: As a small-business owner, I want to do what I do best, and that is not sitting in front of a computer surfing the Internet. On the other hand, we need to pay attention to new business opportunities. Meet Information Specialist, Dan Schulman in this week's "You're Wired." HATTIE: All right, Dan, it's all over the newspapers, it's all over the magazines. Explain to me, clarify, where we going with the Internet? DAN SCHULMAN: Think about it, "Millions of computers with vast amounts of information, almost instantly available to about anybody on just about any subject. The Internet for electronic commerce completely redefined the way that small business operates today. The Internet as pervasive computing will change the way we live day-to-day, moment-to-moment. Intelligence is breaking out all over. HATTIE: Give me an example. DAN: Simple. You have customers. You impart value to your customers. First, we profile your customer and then we can give you lists of many millions of people who fit that profile. They could become subscribers, potential customers for your service. Second, the Internet is getting pervasive. Traditionally you had to be at a computer, now you just open your cell phone. Hattie, where is your cell phone? Soon, it will be ubiquitous access virtually from anything anywhere anytime. Imagine the reach for a small business that has a limited amount of dollars but extraordinary products and services. The best values. They normally would be limited to a geographic area; now they are only limited to the earth. And soon, that will change. |
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HATTIE: If you'd like free information on starting or growing a business, come to our website, SmallBusinessSchool.org. Click on "Send me Hattie's tips," and we'll send them to you. Write: SMALL BUSINESS SCHOOL, Suite 508, San Diego 92101 619-232-4272 |
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Also, check out other resources on the web for EDI, the web, and the bleeding edges of technology:
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| We invite your questions or comments. |
DAN SCHULMAN: Well, today on
the Internet I know many different small businesses that are going to make, by
year end, about $200 million in transactions over the Internet. Now that's just
a drop in the bucket. And it is always accelerating.