Collaboration Tools
Collaboration is working together for common objective.
Objective in this case – reach out new customers.
Collaboration tools help:
- Individuals to work as a team
- Share information
Collaboration tools that may be used:
- Blogs
- Social networking sites (Facebook, Twitter)
- Wikis (Manzo, Piziak & Rhoads, 2007).
Selected tool: Social networking sites (SNSs).
Collaboration can be defined as the process of working together to achieve a common objective. In this case, the common objective is to assist the company market jewels to new and existing customers. The main aspects of the collaboration tools are that they allow individuals to work as a team, share information and workspaces, conduct meeting and update each other on the current trends. Various collaboration tools can be used. They include, blogs, social media, content exchanging, using wikis, online communication and online advertisements. The selected collaboration tool was the social networking sites.
Using SNSs to Serve Customers
Company will have Twitter handle/Facebook page.
Through them, company will dispense critical information.
Customers may:
- Inquire prices;
- Know about company stores, products;
- Inquire payment options and shipping times.
SNSs provide cheap and prompt customer access.
SNSs help leverage customer comments to improve operations.
Provision of direct links to company websites.
The Jewelry company will have a Twitter Handle and a Facebook Page where they will handle customer queries on various aspects of the business. This includes, stores, prices, products, payment options, shipping time etc.
The global nature of the usage of social networking sites provides the company a wide and easy reach to all clients.
The social networking sites will also have a link such that directs customers to the company website to purchase jewels and/or view products. SNSs are a healthy information source where comments from the customers will be analyzed by the management so that they can improve their services and products (jewels).
Web 2.0 Expansion Option
Web 2.0 is second generation internet.
Using Web 2.0 to expand market, through:
- Search Engine Optimizations;
- Internet marketing;
- Building an informational website.
These tools will help reach larger markets.
Company will enhance “outside resources” e.g. Google (Evans & Coyle, 2010).
Web 2.0 refers to the emergence of the second generation of the internet. This second generation focused on the ability of en masse to share information and interact through world wide web. It refers to the emergence of search engines, social networks, and information banks. The company may leverage this to expand its market through.
- Using and leveraging use of websites.
- Using internet to market products through internet advertising.
- Search engine optimizations. The company should enhance their products’ search above competitors on the internet.
- The company will optimize outside resources such as Google to its advantage.
B2B and B2G
B2B refers to a Business to Business model.
B2G is trading directing with government, its agencies.
B2G – Business to Government.
Should company expand to B2G and B2B? No.
Reasons:
- Business identity will be lost;
- Creation of supply chain headache;
- Ineffective marketing.
Company should target retail market only.
The company should not expand to Business to Business and Business to Government models because:
- Business identity will be lost as the company tries to satisfy all nature of clients.
- It will lead to creation of supply chain problems because the company will try to enhance all forms of supply chain management options in order to meet all manner of clients.
- Ineffective marketing because messages have to be tailored to a certain group of clientele which will bring confusion.
- To be effective, the company should employee targeted approach where it focuses on retail market only.
Advantages of SNSs
Competitive advantage:
- SNSs are Information resources;
- Product information availability;
- Two way communication;
- Expand client base;
- Direct links to websites;
- Prompt replies to queries.
The use SNSs is advantageous to a company as they assist both managers and customers get pertinent information about the jewels. Jewel features can be analyzed by examining jewel images, videos and following customer’s comments. The use of SNSs creates a two way communication which is very effective. Links in the SNSs direct customers to the company’s website and also assist them in locating the nearest store and give information about different jewel prices enabling customers compare the price and quality of different products. Overall, this helps the company to gain competitive advantage and increase client base.
References
Evans, A. & Coyle, D. (2010). Introduction to Web 2.0 . Upper Saddle River, N. J.: Pearson publishers.
Manzo, M., Piziak, R. & Rhoads, J. (2007). Microsoft Office 2007 in business core. Upper Saddle River, N. J.: Pearson publishers.