Five Technological Tools For Motorcycle Sales And Repair Business - Essay Example

Five Technological Tools for Motorcycle Sales and Repair Business I. Introduction It is good that the motorcycle sales and repairs business has been using computer technology for customer and customer relations management. However, the business use of computer technology has been so far limited to the use of accounting softwares and emails. Unfortunately, the failure to imbibed and use some of the latest technologies in computer and internet technologies and tools will not enable one to survive in the competition of the business, especially as an economic crisis can hit the United States at any time and the US market can be constrained by such a crisis. The state of competition requires that the business use some of the most inexpensive business tools technology available in the market and in the internet world. Some of these technologies are even costless. Many of them are inexpensive and can be afforded by small businesses. What are some of the most modern internet communication technology and services that can be accessed by a small business firm, particularly that one that is engaged in motorcycle sales and repair business? In short, what are some of the technological tools available for a motorcycle sales and repair business? How can one access the technology? How much would the technological tools costs? What are the applications for the business? These are the key concerns of this short report. We focus on five tools that can be used by small firms engaged in motorcycle sales and repairs businesses: the social networking sites, website, softwares for motorcycle diagnostics, Iphone, and the iPads. II. Social Networking Sites Description. Social networking sites are sites from which one can reach thousands of people on a daily basis. The social networking sites are many. One of the groups monitoring the social networking sites, the Selfgrowth.com, reported that the top social networking sites are Facebook with 500 million members, MySpace with 130 million members, and Friendster with 90 million members. Self-growth.com mentioned that Twitter is a fast-growing networking site that managed to grow so fast in a matter of a few months. Twitter allows one to send messages of more than 140 characters through SMS but current improvements in Facebook allows the user to change “status” or “messages” via SMS on a 24-hours/7-days-a-week basis. Access. Access to social networking sites is through their websites and their websites are searchable through all search engines such as those of Google and Yahoo. Cost. The additional cost of using the social networking sites are practically costless. Businesses usually have a computer and usually have access to the internet. A business can allocate one or two hours for social networking and it is feasible to pay the person executing the social networking activities of the business at minimum wage costs. Business Applications. Nevertheless, while it is feasible to outsource the labor for the individual who would manage the firm’s social networking, it is best that the task be assigned to the person responsible for customer relations. The business application for social networking is to see it that social networking leads to more customers, deeper relations and rapport with customers are established, and customers become familiar with the company’s products and services as well as acquire a deep faith and trust in the company’s products and services. Relevance for a Motorcycle Sales and Repair Business Firm. The social networking sites can serve the advertising, promotions, and customer relation initiatives of any business. III. Websites Description. The OpenNet Initiative, a research group devoted to internet media has estimated that internet access in the United States has reached almost seventy-five percent of the population. This means three out of four people in the country has access to the internet. Research indicates that adults spent an average of 13 hour a week online (MC Marketing Charts, 2009). Unlike advertising on television, customers who want products and services access the internet for sellers, suppliers, and customers for the products and services they want. Access. Fatcow can be accessed through www.fatcow.com, yahoo hosting services though http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/webhosting, and Google hosting services though http://www.ginside.com/2009/3221/google-hosting-services/. Cost. Hosting companies like Yahoo, Google, and Fatcow can provide hosting services for as low as $44.00 per year. However, as of writing, the minimum cost of regular hosting services in one the more inexpensive, Fatcow, is about US$78 per year. The amount includes a domain name, hosting, and access to freebies such as free ads in select social networking sites. Creating webpages can be as easy as writing a simple essay because Microsoft Word can create htm or html files, which are the usually used files for webpages. Of course, the other option is to outsource the website creation that can be as low as $300 for several pages of webpages. Business Applications. The internet is the best place for a firm to describe its business organization, track record, and the type of services it can offer for at least several thousand customers. Unlike in newspapers, internet advertisements do not have to be managed daily. Relevance for a Motorcycle Sales and Repair Business Firm. A small business firm can post in the internet its services, rates, and the list of customers who may provide testimony on the quality of the products and services provided by a small business firm. IV. Computer-Software Tools for Motorcycle Diagnosis Description. There are several softwares that can be used by motorcycle repair business firms. Using the softwares will allow a business firm to brag it has computerized motorcycle diagnosis and other tasks related to motorcycle repair. Of course, using the softwares will also allow the motorcycle repair business to improve the speed of diagnosis and repair works. Access. There softwares can be easily downloaded from several websites. Other than the software only systems, there are diagnostics systems that include hardwares that are as portable as a small briefcase. Cost. There are sharewares or softwares that can be accessed without cost. Some of the softwares are sold for less than $100 and can be reused for so many times or in an unlimited way. For example there is a software for the diagnosis of Suzuki motorcycle sold at only $7 from http://www.download32.com/suzuki-motorcycle-diagnosis-system-software.html. Other than the software-only solution, there are technologies that provide both the hardwares and the softwares for diagnosis. For example, there is the PicoScope 4000 Series 4-Channel Advanced Diagnostics Kit that costs about $3,291.75 per kit. At the same time, there are versions of the diagnostic kits that cost less. Model PP495 of the diagnostic system cost about US$2,301.75 and should be affordable to many small motorcycle repair businesses. The other details are in the website of Pico Auto, 2010. Business Applications. The softwares are meant to make diagnosis easier and faster. Thus, they are expected to reduce labor costs. Relevance for a Motorcycle Sales and Repair Business Firm. Other than reducing labor costs or making work easier for employees, the use of computer softwares for motorcycle repair diagnosis projects builds the builds the firm image of a small motorcycle repair firm. V. Iphones Description. Iphone 4, a product of Apple, is an excellent sales tool in today’s businesses. Iphone 4 allows video calls in real time. It has a 960-by-640 resolution in 3.5-inch screen in which graphics look “unbelievably crisp and sharp” (Apple Corporation 2010a). It takes photos at 5-megapixel with a built-in LED flash (Apple Corporation 2010a). Iphone 4’s “retina display” allows “text in books, webpages, and email is crisp any size” ((Apple Corporation 2010a). It allows internet access and, therefore, access to the social networking sites through the fingertips. Access. Iphone 4 can be ordered through one of the official websites of Apple Corporation at http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_iphone/family/iphone. Delivery time can be in 24 hours. Cost. Iphone 4 can be purchased at a starting price of $199 with 16 gigabytes capabilities. Iphone 3G is priced lower at US$99 with 8 gigabyte capabilities. Business Applications. Through the Iphone, a sales personnel of a small motorcycle business firm can show to his or her target customers that features and capabilities of the motorcycle product that he or she is trying to sell. Further, internet access through the Iphone will allow a firm to access the social networking sites on a 24-hour, 7-days-a-week basis to develop or enhance customer reach and relations. Relevance for a Motorcycle Sales and Repair Business Firm. For a small firm that lacks large funds for reaching consumers and advertising, the Iphone 4 is a great equalizer. The Iphone can make customer relations work and advertising initiatives of small firms just as effective as those of the large firm. Iphone 4 has the potential to make a small firm’s reach with consumers at low costs and as effective as face-to-face interaction with the customer. VI. iPads Description. Perhaps one way to describe iPads is that iPads are computer units or “laptops” in a tablet form. In this aspect, the iPad is different from an Iphone. The Iphone is basically a phone while the iPad is basically a computer unit with telephone access. Of course, the installation of a proper software, hardware, and subscription will allow the iPad to have the functions of a phone as well. While the Iphone can fit into a pocket, the iPad can perform better at product presentations because of its large screen almost the size of a regular bond paper. Access. iPads can be ordered through http://www.apple.com/ipad/ with a promised delivery period of 24 hours from order and free shipping. Cost. iPad prices start at US$ 499 at 16 gigabytes. A 32 GB model is priced at US$ 599 while a 64 GB model is priced at US$699. All models have a Wi-Fi and can connect to the internet whenever there is a Wi-Fi hotspot (Apple Corporation 2010b). There are other iPad models from US$629 to US$829 that come with access to the AT&T’s 3G cellular network (3 G service must be purchased separately). However, a Wi-Fi connection or an iPad without a 3G should serve the concerns of most small businesses adequately. Business Applications. The advantage of the iPad over the Iphone is that the iPad can be better for presentations. In certain cases, where funds are enough, it may be better to have an iPad rather than Iphone because the functions of the Iphone are also be served by the iPad provided the appropriate softwares and hardwares are there. The softwares and hardwares do not cost much and will result to costs similar to or lower to the iPhone. Relevance for a Motorcycle Sales and Repair Business Firm. Sales and manpower training concerns can be served better through an iPad rather than Iphone. In addition, the functions of the Iphone can be served by the iPad and can be a better purchase than an Iphone. VII. Conclusion Thus, based on this presentation, the small business firm engaged in motorcycle sales and repairs must cease limiting its use of computer technology to accounting softwares and emails. It must consider using as well social networking sites, websites, softwares and hardwares for computerized motorcycle diagnosis, Iphone and the iPad. As we have seen the adopting many of the technologies are costless. A rough estimate of the cost implication of adopting all of the five technologies identified in this short report is between US4,000 to US5,000. Adopting only some of the recommendations of this report can have zero additional costs. Yet the benefits can be tremendous: better reach to customers, better sales of motorcycles, increases in the number of clients availing the firms’ services. My report did not yet touched on the possibilities that access to the technologies can make on buying second hand bikes from customers but I am very sure that it will be one result of adopting the technologies. I have preferred to focus more on motorcycle sales and repairs. Again, as what had been emphasized in this report, adopting the technologies or tools that are being recommended in this short report will not only increase sales and will likely to reduce costs or improved employee performance. Using the technologies or tools identified in this report will also improve corporate image. Employees will take pride in being employed in the firm and customers as well will be happy and pleased to be identified as consumers of the business. Of course, the enhanced firm or business image will lead to better revenues and profit but more importantly, it can establish branding that can pave the way for accelerated business growth through franchising. References Apple Corporation 2010a. Iphone 4 at a glance. Accessed 26 December 2010 from http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_iphone/family/iphone Apple Corporation 2010b. iPad: A magical and revolutionary product at an unbelievable price. Accessed 26 December 2010 from http://www.apple.com/ipad/ MC Marketing Charts, 2009. Internet users spend 13 hours/week online. Accessed 26 December 2010 from http://www.marketingcharts.com/interactive/internet-users-now-spend-13-hoursweek-online-11471/ OpenNet Initiative, 2010. United States and Canada. Toronto: University of Toronto. Accessed 26 December 2010 from http://opennet.net/about-oni Pico Auto, 2010. The powerful diagnostic tool for all modern motorcycle. Accessed 26 December 2010 from http://www.picoauto.com/motorcycle-diagnostics-kit.html Selfgrowth.com, 2010. What are the most important social networking websites? Accessed 26 December 2010 from http://www.selfgrowth.com/socialnetworkingwebsites.html Read More