International Students Care: E-Commerce Project - Assignment Example

? UBP E-Commerce Project: Individual Final Report Table of Contents Part I - International Care: The Business Concept............................................................3 Part II - Business Plan......................................................................................................................4 Part III - SWOT Analysis................................................................................................................6 Part IV – Advertising and Marketing...............................................................................................7 What I Have Learned From the E-Commerce Project.....................................................................8 UBP E-Commerce Project: Individual Final Report Part I - International Students Care: The Business Concept I and my group mates started to conceptualize a business that would take advantage of the technologies offered by the internet (which is also known as e-commerce). We understood that through e-commerce, business development can become smoother and much more convenient, given that this medium can take you to any target market at the least possible time and at with the widest exposure, all with minimal costs. In this case, we decided to think about a specific business that will actually cater to the needs of the student population. This is because of the fact that the younger population is more familiar with the technology offered by the internet. In addition, it is also a fact that more and more students in the world are already using the advantages of the internet in their studies, either by researching information they needs, buying books and other school merchandise, or even in browsing the prospective schools that they are going to attend to. Another factor is that a lot of universities have already gone online, with most of them even displaying offered courses and other valuable information concerning their educational institution. With these in mind, our group started to conceptualize for an online business that would cater to all of the needs of a student—a sort of one-stop shop for students who are browsing online. In this case, I and my group decided to focus on something that will help the students plan their education to reach their goals. Given the lingering effects of the economic crisis, our group decided that this kind if business would help students maximize their opportunities and plan their careers ahead. This is where we came up with the business named “International Students Care.” International Students Care would be an online firm that would advise students on how to plan their education so that they can effectively reach their goals. With acknowledging that education plays a large part on the career growth of an individual, we visualize International Students Care to be the leading firm that would help students have informed planning and decision making in their education, ensuring that this all leads to them achieving their goals. Part II - Business Plan In preparing the business plan, our group outlined the factors that must be addressed in order for our online business to be set up successfully. This includes the following: Official Company Name Place of Business Number of Employees to be Hired Equipment and Merchandising Needs Other Concerns In this case, we decided that the official business name would be “International Students Care” given that this name would not only be direct to the point, but will also signify our commitment to serve students worldwide, and help them reach their dreams. In addition to that, we also think of expanding our business and do services to students outside the country, making us put the word “International” in the business name. At first, the business would only be set up on an apartment. Given that the nature of our business is knowledge-based, our group thought that we do not still need some building or office until we have expanded so much that we have needed an HR Department. In this case, any decent apartment that has a reliable internet connection will do. It would be more than enough for our webpage to be viewed by millions of students worldwide. At the setting up stages of our business, we think that we still do not need employees yet. Given that out business is just starting, we thought that three of us owners can be able to fulfill the requirements of our business, which includes research, building a database or directory of educational institutions, marketing, and as well as advertising. We actually thought that at the initial stages of our business, hiring employees are not yet feasible. With regards to the different merchandise and equipment needs, we have prioritized the following: A telephone (with international connection) A fax machine A printer A scanner Three desktop computers Three office desks A reliable server The services of a reliable webhosting company Database of information regarding educational institutions, available courses and possible career paths In setting up the International Students Care, I and my group mates thought about packaging our services in a way that we would be able to help students make informed decisions that would always lead them to reach their specific career goals. In this case, the International Students Care would prioritize giving reliable information on what are the best courses to take, depending on the specific career path or career goal that the student wants to have. This would include having a survey of all of the different courses offered by different educational institutions in every field. In addition, the International Students Care would also give clients the most up to date university rankings, both in a specific field an overall, in order for the students to choose the best educational institution that they would attend to. For students who are not yet certain on what career path they would like to take, or on what goals they would like to meet, the International Student Care would also offer consultation services, which will be designed to help students identify their goals and career objectives according to current industry standards in any field that they would choose. This would include giving them a picture of possible employment opportunities, career growth, and as well as the trend of the industry that they would plan to enter as a professional. Meanwhile, for students who want to be trained under the best, the International Student Care would also provide current and up to date professor rankings according to field and/or specialization. This will give students a clear picture of who are the best that can train them. With regards to additional services, the International Student Care would also cater to professionals who want to have more opportunities and have a new career path by offering them the most ideal certificate, graduate and post graduate studies program that they can attend, as well as the best educational institutions that offer them. Part III - SWOT Analysis We understand that in order to succeed in the business that we are going to venture; we have to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of our firm (SWOT analysis). This would help us take advantage of the opportunities and build on our strength, while improving our weaknesses and eliminating our threats at the same time. With the International Student Care primarily catering to students who are planning to go to college, one of our biggest strengths is our market, given that thousands of high school students graduate every year. In addition, we have the potential to have a long-term relationship with our clientele, given that the International Student Care is there to guide students until they are able to land on career opportunities that will help them reach their goals. Finally, it is also our strength that we have a variety of services to offer, from helping them choose the right course, to making them study in the right institution. However, one glaring weakness is that we currently do not have enough connections with the different universities at present. This is an important thing to develop. In addition, we are not known yet in the market, in which we have to build from nothing. Meanwhile, the International Student Care also have opportunities in extending after-graduation services, such as helping them land the right job opportunity, or provide them with trainings that will make them successful in the industry. In addition, another opportunity for the International Student Care is being able to expand internationally, given that students around the world can get our services wherever they are in the world, as long as they have access to internet. Some of the threats that we have to eliminate are threats from other competitors, as well as from universities that offer services similar to what we are offering. Part IV – Advertising and Marketing Having an advertising plan is essential not only for attracting more customers and increasing our sales, but also being able to stamp the name and image of the International Student Care in the industry. This is why our advertising campaign focuses on having banners set up in high schools that show a student receiving a certificate under the logo of the International Student Care, along with the slogan “The Perfect Way to Reach Your Goal.” In this case, we will be able to project the image that the International Student Care is an institution that will ensure students to make correct informed decisions towards reaching their goals. The International Student Care would also launch print ads and TV commercials that would indicate how students have benefitted from the services of the International Student Care. Also, our marketing plan would include cross marketing schemes with the websites of bookstores. What I Have Learned From the E-Commerce Project One of the most enjoyable projects that I have experienced is the e-commerce project. Not only did I have the opportunity to learn how to set-up a business using the internet, it has also given me the opportunity to be able to share my ideas with other people, and come up with solutions to the problems that we have encountered. Overall, the e-commerce project has helped me learn more on how to come up with business opportunities using the technology of the internet. E-commerce may not be a new concept to people who are already familiar with using the internet in their business transactions. However, it is also true that a lot of people are not aware of the tremendous potentials that e-commerce provides. Aside from the fact that e-commerce is more cost-effective and convenient than a traditional business, e-commerce enables entrepreneurs to take advantage of its immense collection of information to give better services to their respective target market. From being able to reach out to millions of potential customers at the same time, to being able to give services that withstand distance and location limitations, e-commerce surely proves to be the business of the future. Another important knowledge that I learned from the e-commerce project is the value to work with a team. From this experience, I was able to prove to myself that three heads are surely better than one, given that one is able to get new ideas and insights from teammates. Of course, it is inevitable that one would encounter challenges and difficulties in setting up any business. However, I have personally learned that it is much easier to come up with ideas and solutions on solving these problems and overcoming those difficulties, as long as the team works as one and sets it sights on a common goal. In addition, the e-commerce project has also given me the opportunity to work with other people coming from different cultures. From this experience, I have learned that unity can arise from diversity, as long as there are common goals and ideals to follow. It was actually fun learning new cultures at the same time as learning the dynamics of setting-up an online business. With the onset of globalization, I think that it will be inevitable for people to encounter someone from a different culture, and I have learned that cultural boundaries can actually be surpassed as long as there is understanding and trust with one another, especially in the field of business. In this case, the e-commerce project has helped me to become a better person. I have learned how to work with a team, how to maintain and appreciate the importance of open communication, and as well as how to strategically plan a business and enable it to take advantage of its strengths and improve on its weaknesses. In addition, I have also learned that success comes from preparation, especially in e-commerce. Read More