Online Business – Why I Shun Ebay?
Like everyone else I was thinking of using EBay for a little business. In all, my sales must have been less than $2000.
I got a jolt some time back from EBay. At a time when I was almost inactive on EBay, I got an email from them that my EBay seller experience has been poor and so I was being suspended.
I was obviously surprised and pointed out that I am no more active on EBay and that my feedback score is in tact. I really could not understand what they were talking about. I got a reply from EBay that my account will not now be suspended but will remain under observation. After about a month I got another email from EBay like the earlier one.
I again responded and again received the same reply. This time I was not only not selling anything on EBay, I was not even logging on to my account. Then it happened one more time.
Each time I tried to reason out with EBay customer service, I was surprised to receive the same reply. I got fed up and stopped thinking of EBay altogether. I don’t even log into my account now, not to mention of doing any transactions.
I believe that they have stereotyped replies and hardly bother to address real issues.
What are the lessons? Don’t rely too much on EBay. They may shut down your account at any time without any reason. I know now that this has happened with many others and they also left EBay. EBay will not only not listen but make one more frustrated by raking in irrelevant issues.
If one is serious about online business, one should always have options and not to depend heavily on EBay. This should be used as an aid rather than as the main platform for doing business.
The best place to do business is from one’s own web site. It is dirt cheap now to set up a web site and to display one’s products. The only thing one has to do is to drive traffic to the same. This may not be that difficult if one follows right strategies.
Another important measure to consider is to also try other online sites. There are so many now like Amazon, Yahoo Auction, OnlineAuction, overstock, Ubid, BySellTrade, Eepier etc.
Online business is now expanding. One should never put all eggs in one basket. My best advice will be to use EBay as one of the promotional tools rather than the main platform for doing business, lest one is frustrated at some point of time because of the weird EBay customer service.
Business Plan: A Simple Approach
What is it?
A simple business plan will describe the internal and external environment of a company. Its aim is to inform internal and external stakeholders, individuals or groups of individuals internal or external to the company. Usually it will include information about the strategic position of the business, plans for the future, the management, products and services offered and the financial position of the business. In a few words it will give a detailed description of the business.
A simple business plan structure:
Executive summary: A short description of the whole business plan. Many stakeholders may read this part only, because of the lack of time or because they may not require a deep understanding of the business. For example consumers will not care about the financials of the business but will only care about the products and services. Thus, its best to use rich information based on the stakeholder the report will be given to.
Business description: An overall description of the business’s history, the basic market sectors the business is part of, and what the business main products or services are.
Competitor analysis: Describes who the main competitors of the business are and how they can affect the business’ performance.
Market analysis: Describes targeted consumers based on their demographics, geographic location and psychographics.
Marketing plan: How targeted consumers can be reached based on their demographics, geographic location and psychographics.
Management summary: Introduces people who hold the key management positions and shows their responsibilities and their prior business experience.
Financial Analysis: Shows whether the business is profitable, whether current operations are profitable and the current value of the business by providing a Profit and Loss, Cash Flow and Balance Sheet Account.
Why create a business plan?
Many stakeholders will require having a look at your business plan in order to initiate different actions that have to do with your business. For example, a bank will require checking the financial position of the business in order to assess whether a loan can be issued to the business. The bank needs to know if the business is able to survive in the future and thus, receive all the loan payments. On the other hand, investors will need to consider whether the business will survive in the long run and thus, provide a return on investment. The business plan can help investors determine whether the firm has a competitive advantage over competitors, whether its financials are healthy and whether the management is able to run the business successfully.
The Business plan should be created based on stakeholder preferences in order to make it easier for them to take fast decisions. If stakeholders find your business plan easy to read then the chances of receiving a positive reaction are increased. Imagine trying to find relevant information among a large pile of irrelevant information. The chances are that you will stop looking and reject the business. In Conclusion, the most important factor for a great business plan is to include rich information about the business that is related to the needs of the stakeholders.
Logistics For Small Businesses
Logistics includes all the process involved right from purchasing the raw materials until the product is delivered to the customers. It includes processes, such as, purchasing, inventory management, warehousing, production, storing, shipping etc. Improvements in logistic management would benefit any company from large corporations to small businesses significantly.
Advantages of Logistics Management:
Logistics improvements can effectively reduce the cost of doing business as well as improve profits greatly. It also improves efficiency, reduces inventory, improves delivery time and customer satisfaction, as well as giving your business a competitive edge. You can manage and improve the logistics or outsource if you cannot do it yourself. When you opt for out sourcing, you get a professional to help improve your logistics, as well as to reduce costs, which may take some time if you plan to do your own logistics improvements. Businesses have to keep their logistics in order; if they want to succeed Careful planning as well as incorporating the plans will help achieve that.
Different Areas of Logistics:
Several service providers, such as, accountants, attorneys, bankers insurance agents, information technology experts, website developers, e-commerce gurus, travel service providers and real estate service providers keep logistics for small businesses in order. If the advice of these people is sought and used, small business will definitely see improvements in all aspects of the business. They have to be consulted when a small business is to be started, as they will help your business take the right steps to ensure success. Since their help in keeping logistics for small businesses in order is tremendous, they have to be selected with care.
Consider choosing reputable, ethical and experienced service providers to ensure they help improve logistics for small businesses. Make sure you are clear about how they will help your business, what you expect from them and to make sure you are able to work within your budget. These people will help logistics for small businesses by helping set goals to be achieved within certain period of time. Carefully choose people who understand the nature of your business and are trust worthy.
Your businesses will definitely grow, when all logistics operations are carefully planned and in harmony with each other. Failure to coordinate logistics will result in loss of time, money as well as effort and will be a step towards failure of the business. When you are not sure how to improve the logistics, consider professional help as these experts can improve logistics for small businesses without much ado at reasonable costs. There are consultants; large as well as small firms offering logistics help for all kinds of businesses. Choose wisely keeping in mind if they are suitable as well as economical.
There are firms that help new entrepreneurs by offering services and products that effectively and efficiently run a business.