Electronic Commerce
Some commentators would have you believe that, after all the high-profile casualties in 2000, the e-commerce market has collapsed. We don't subscribe to that view. True, it may appear that the "bubble" has burst – but we think that would have happened anyway. Most (if not all) of the casualties were businesses that would have failed in the bricks-and-mortar world too. In the hype of the late 1990's, too many businesses were launched – and got funding – on the basis of a poorly thought-out strategy and plan. Many of them went to the wall when the over-exuberance of the world's stock markets for dotcom shares was replaced with common sense.
Aurora Consulting doesn't accept that means that the e-commerce market has disappeared. It does mean, however, that new e-commerce ventures have to be founded on sound business strategies and be based on solid business plans. That's where we can help you – whether you're an entrepreneur with an idea for a start-up, or an established business that wants to take advantage of the information revolution.
Aurora offers a comprehensive range of consulting services focusing on e-commerce. We can work with you from initial concept to service roll-out. Some of our services for e-commerce – defining strategies, business planning, communications strategies and research – are explained briefly below. For further information about Aurora’s services, please contact us.
Defining Strategies For the established business, the growth, and pace of change, of electronic commerce over the past few years, especially Internet-based e-commerce, has been quite extraordinary. Any company that isn't already using electronic commerce will need to develop an e-commerce strategy within the next few years if it is to maintain its market position. There are many sources of technical advice on how to implement a strategy, but how can a company create the strategy in the first place? Aurora works with a client to first define what it wants to achieve from a business perspective, and then how to achieve that objective through implementing electronic commerce.
Developing business plans for start-up companies
Entrepreneurs and innovators are often good at creating and developing ideas for new business ventures, but lack the skills needed to turn them into winning propositions. To get financial backing, you need a business plan. This typically includes detailed product or service definition, market analysis and positioning, competitor analysis, revenue and expenditure projections, and financial statements. Aurora produces professional business plans, based on detailed discussions with the start-up management team, and contributes to the definition of the strategic and tactical directions for the new venture. We also work with established companies to develop their e-commerce business plans.
Advising on business plans
You may already have a detailed business plan. Before you use the plan to solicit outside investment, or seek board approval for your new venture in an established company, Aurora can review an existing plan and advise you on how to improve it. Alternatively you already have made an initial unsuccessful search for funding (or been unsuccessful in getting approval from you board of directors, perhaps) – we can work with you on your plan to improve it for a second bite at the cherry.
Communications Strategies
Although a e-commerce business may have an excellent product or service, a good business plan, and sufficient funding, it may lack the means to communicate successfully to its potential customers, suppliers and employees. Aurora's expertise in both corporate and marketing communications helps the client to address these issues.
Using a variety of communications planning tools, Aurora can help a client to establish a communications strategy focusing on audiences, priorities and messages, and then turn it into an implementation plan that includes the appropriate delivery mechanisms. This includes designing and presenting training programs.
For an existing company, moving to electronic commerce means a change to the way a company conducts its business, both externally and internally. A communications strategy focused on e-commerce, and an associated implementation plan, will address the concerns of employees and suppliers, and ensure that they understand what electronic commerce means to the company, why it is important, and the impact on themselves.
Research
Information is at the centre of all business decision making. That goes for setting out your e-commerce strategy and creating your business plan. Getting the right information, and getting it at the right time, is not always easy. Bought-in research reports often cover a topic too broadly, with not enough depth for your specific requirements. Yet conducting detailed research yourself is time consuming and deflects you from your main role.
Aurora Consulting offers a research service that plugs the gap. We can do the research for you, or manage a third-party researcher on your behalf, leaving you to get on with your core activities.
