Case study number two on page Com 39 in our Microsoft Office 2007 textbook by co-authors Gary B. Shelly, Thomas J. Cashman and Misty E. Vermaat, reflects a growing problem that is occurring in our society and around the world; the internet is competing with small business. It seems if you are not online, you are probably not making it with a small business. According to Sara Cole, an EHow contributor, in her article called What Businesses Have Been Affected Negatively by the Internet?, small businesses, print newspapers, the pornography and entertainment industries and travel agencies have been hit the hardest. In order to thrive in an already tough environment, small business must make the transition from thinking small and expand into the world of technology. That technology can and will help you. In the example that our text book gave us, the authors described travel agents as outbid by easy, do-it-yourself travel websites that allow you to look at a hotel's view, prices,along with flights to get there, all made easy by the click of a mouse from your living room. How do you compete with that? Travel agents, along with many other businesses that this type of situation is happening to, must go with the flow. A lot of people still want their vacation planned for them, but the office travel agent is out of touch with our society. People want to plan their vacation from the comfort of their own home. So why not create an online travel agency that customizes your dream vacation and makes every arrangement for you. Like your own private concierge. There has to be ways to do it better. You cannot just sit and complain that the internet is hurting your business. Do something about it. Change your thinking, be creative and step up to the plate.
If you are going to survive as a business owner, you have to have a website. Sara Cole, also wrote, "Business websites are often where consumers go shopping for goods or services. A website visit can be the first interaction a consumer has with a business, and without one (or with a poorly designed website) businesses are at a significant competitive disadvantage." (para. 2) Sara also explained how small businesses lack the resources, time and funding to give to website design. (para.2) However time consuming and expensive, these tools for growth are necessary for the continued success of the business. No longer can business owners afford to not be a part of the internet world.
There are also other ways to grow your business without breaking the bank. In an article called Should You Move Your Business to the Cloud?, author James Martin gives ways to save money by utilizing free online software that also provide "secure, reliable file storage and backup, ease of use; freedom from maintenance costs; and easier collaboration among colleagues in distant locations." (para. 6)
Businesses that use technology to their advantage are ahead of the game. In a competitive world, you have to be. The world is changing and if business owners want to keep the ball rolling, instead of sinking in the mud, they will start thinking outside the box.
If you are going to survive as a business owner, you have to have a website. Sara Cole, also wrote, "Business websites are often where consumers go shopping for goods or services. A website visit can be the first interaction a consumer has with a business, and without one (or with a poorly designed website) businesses are at a significant competitive disadvantage." (para. 2) Sara also explained how small businesses lack the resources, time and funding to give to website design. (para.2) However time consuming and expensive, these tools for growth are necessary for the continued success of the business. No longer can business owners afford to not be a part of the internet world.
There are also other ways to grow your business without breaking the bank. In an article called Should You Move Your Business to the Cloud?, author James Martin gives ways to save money by utilizing free online software that also provide "secure, reliable file storage and backup, ease of use; freedom from maintenance costs; and easier collaboration among colleagues in distant locations." (para. 6)
Businesses that use technology to their advantage are ahead of the game. In a competitive world, you have to be. The world is changing and if business owners want to keep the ball rolling, instead of sinking in the mud, they will start thinking outside the box.
