? Questions - Questions - Questions ?

Websites are constantly changing and evolving, and have to have the executive commitment to electronic publishing the corporate vision to all interested parties with a stake in the company.

• How do we integrate e-mail and a interactive website into our day to day operations? Can we improve customer & supplier communications while streamlining our sales order cycle via the internet?

• How do we convert our "old model clients", who still are still billed on open account terms basis, to our new e-commerce model with online quotes and ordering -EDI/EFT payments ?

• What is the main purpose of the "website"? -Is it to allow for a corporate web-presence to project our image, and allow new and existing customers 24 hr. access to information on our manufacturing capabilities? Are we willing to actually conduct business and generate revenues via the internet, and expand our customer base nationwide and abroad ? What information do we wish to pass on to this audience ?

• What target market are we seeking to attract to our website, and what is the proper way to accomplish this?

• Can we benefit from e-commerce solutions for our existing vendors and customers, and attract new business?

• What benefits can be derived to each of our operating departments by web-enabling our company ?

• How do we simplify our sales cycle while expanding our "order fulfillment" and settlement proceedures to increase cash flow to more of our customer base?

• Does the internet/Intranet give us a competitive advantage when dealing with our largest accounts ?

• Are we in tune with our industry and supplier/customer base by promoting our company via a website ?

• Should we entertain contractual commitments with other web sites like Amazon.com does? Can we have our own affiliate program? Want foreign customers seeking relationships with US business ? (margins on international trade accounts are often double stateside accounts, but often require more front office and legal work to meet the new requirements and compliances.)

• How do we advertise our website to our targeted audience?

• Will our website structure allow for easy online publishing by our own non programming staff once completed ? Do we have the tools?

• What are the monthly expenses associated with hosting our site on a secure ISP server with e-commerce support?

• Who will handle the e-mail flow within our organization, once our customers and suppliers find out we are web-enabled ?

( Visions without action are daydreams...
Actions without vision can be Nightmares...)