[8] 2002 e-business-strategies-for-virtual-organizations
[8] 2002 e-business-strategies-for-virtual-organizations
[8] 2002 e-business-strategies-for-virtual-organizations
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e-<strong>business</strong> <strong>strategies</strong> in the <strong>virtual</strong> organization<br />
10.5.1 Online transactions – personal or<br />
impersonal?<br />
Nobody, in their role as customer or supplier, likes being<br />
reduced to a line item in a catalogue. We value being treated<br />
as individuals and enjoy dealing with other people. But once<br />
we start to think about online opportunities, all sorts of<br />
possibilities open up. Replacing the static catalogue, sending<br />
an e-mail, or possibly speaking with an inexperienced sales<br />
representative, sellers can use online technology to present<br />
their wares precisely the way they want. Instead of describing<br />
a product, suppliers will be able to show the product in use,<br />
offer real-time education and training, and pop-up chat windows<br />
to speak with experts on the topic. Also, online-based<br />
sales methodologies are reliable. They aren’t renowned <strong>for</strong><br />
having a bad hair day, or leaving the office to play golf.<br />
Getting the best of both worlds, content gets presented in a<br />
consistent fashion and can still be customized <strong>for</strong> groups and<br />
individuals.<br />
10.5.2 Profiling and segmentation will<br />
boom<br />
Exchanges that help suppliers develop close linkages with<br />
their customers through the marketplace will find it a lot<br />
easier to attract suppliers. They don’t want to treat every<br />
customer the same, and customers have different needs and<br />
differ in importance to the supplier. An intermediary represents<br />
a potential barrier between transacting parties. Exchanges<br />
that make that barrier as permeable as possible and<br />
provide technology infrastructure to foster relationship-building<br />
should have a good value proposition <strong>for</strong> suppliers.<br />
Not surprisingly, a batch of specialist companies has emerged<br />
to provide the technology <strong>for</strong> profiling and segmenting customers<br />
by behaviour traits – both online (website traffic) and<br />
offline. Analytical technologies <strong>for</strong> customer profiling and<br />
segmentation from companies like E.piphany, Broadbase, and<br />
Hyperion will be converted into marketplace services over<br />
time. So while buyers can compare suppliers on price, suppliers<br />
can also compare different types of buyers. Suppliers will<br />
be able to discover the 20% of the customers that represent<br />
60% of the profits. Buyers will see presentations created on<br />
the fly and addressing their specific needs.<br />
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