Investigation & Design E-Business Solutions - Comphora Skin Product - Case Study Example

Name: Course: Tutor: Date: Report on the Investigation & Design e-Business Solutions The growth and development of Comphora skin product, of the Australian College based in Kuwait, will require solutions to the different factors that establish its design and structure in the process of achieving the set goals of the company. The structure, on the company’s objectives, marketing and sale channels, and feedback, will be the primary focus of our solution to help develop the skin product, e-Business Company. It will also look into the Bricks-and-Clicks style of business as discussed by Brahm (103) utilized by the company, looking into ways of developing the e-Business styles to improve on profit and continuity in sales through the different marketing e-platforms. Plan Singh et al. (50) state that the satisfaction of a customer’s needs are the basis of profitability when it comes to any business in the beauty industry. The fact that the products used by Comphora are natural gives the company an opportunity to venture into the market of commercializing the manufacturing process, where another company incurs the cost of production at a cheaper and faster rate. The Large manufacturing company offers quick, reliable and automated manufacturing process which will expand the market through more products in the market. At the same time, it may establish preferred packaging taste, on portability and mobility, in the case of female customers, whose preference is important in before the purchase of the product. Through the above process, the company can focus more on sales and marketing, rather than production which consumes time and money. Large scale manufacturing and processing are cheap, effective and efficient in their respective processes as stated by Singh et al. (52). Marketing will play a critical role in the identification of the customer’s preference in the quantity and packaging of the product. Online channels will include social platforms such as Twitter and Facebook, which will utilize ads to help promote the popularity of the product. The above principles will improve not only the product's popularity but also its feedback which can now be determined by the reactions of the various users and their experience with the product. In the case of physical stores, the company can utilize the process of interaction to establish preference through communication. Live feedbacks from short interviews in the stores will also be a source of information on the taste and preference of the product. Develop/source The building of a god buyer-seller relationship is critical to the growth and development of any company argues Cruz-Cunha et al. (28) and requires a commitment for both parties. The company can build good relation with the customers through chat platforms which enable the customers to voice their concern about the product. The platform should also make it possible for the customers to interact amongst themselves which will aid in the acquisition of feedback. In the case of negative feedback, the company needs to have measures put in place for addressing it. Information is power when it comes to advertising of new products and re-establishment of an already present product. Among the services the company should offer in the creation of good relation include discounts on products, prices and offers that attract both the large and small scale buyers. The offers can be in the form of lower price for more quantity or special packages which cost less when bought alone. The product’s website should also have a feedback platform where the customer can know more information on the product or the prices which help develop the market faster. In the case of advertisements, Cruz-Cunha (30) states that the company should ensure authenticity in the information communicated on the use of the product and the period for the results to be visible. Advertising falsely will not only lead to a weak market but also lawsuits against the company. Design The information obtained from the chat platforms and the website feedbacks will be the basis of design when it comes to packaging. In most cases, the preference on portability should be small and easily retrievable for use regarding female users. The design should be straightforward and clear with the instructions for use and caution clearly outlined on the product's packaging. The storage conditions and expiry date should also be included in the package. Delivery To be able to solve the transportation problem, the company needs to ensure the reach of the product is far and wide on the number of stores it can be purchased at. It, in return, enables the company to deliver faster. The retail outlet that sells the product will now aid in the delivery process and for those who prefer going to shop can access the product easily. It helps shorten the delivery time and ease the accessibility of the product by the customer Return In the case of damaged or opened goods, a return policy should be set, with the steps to be taken in the event of the above situations. Evidence of damage should be produced first before compensation or refund. VALUE CHAIN IMPROVEMENT Cruz-Cunha (33) explains that the activities involved in the value chain are divided into primary and secondary factors, which influence the direction of the company in the view of development and growth. The steps are divided into primary and secondary stages which define the businesses position in the market. Primary Stages of Value Chain Improvement Inbound Logistics For Comphora to improve on its inbound logistic, it is required to widen the supply market of the by-product, Commiphora or myrrh. The availability of the product will ensure a continued supply of the product to its demand. The suppliers should have qualities that meet needs of the sale of the product, that is, they should be timely in their delivery, and the products should be fresh and of high quality. Through a scheduled supply, the company can improve on the value of the whole process of acquiring raw materials. The company will take responsibility for the establishment of good relations with the suppliers of the raw materials, on pay and continued scheduled buying of their products. Operation To add value to the service, the company requires outside help to unburden itself from all the processes involved in creating the product argues Singh et al. (60). For Comphora to establish a sufficient market for its skin product, it needs to focus more on sales and marketing rather than production, which at times proves to be time and money consuming. The outsourcing of the manufacturing process will allow the company to focus on staying in the market rather than surviving in it. It will also be advantageous to the company in meeting the demands of the customers in the expected developed and broad market. Outbound Logistics The supply of the product by the company into the market will be dependent on its ability to transport the products from the manufacture plants to the different distribution centers and shops of the final product. Transportation requirement needs efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of products favorable and good conditions. Companies such as Delivery Express, from Kuwait, have proved to be the best in delivery and Comphora can utilize their services to improve on their outbound logistics. Marketing To improve on marketing, Comphora needs to widen the reach of the customer through incorporating social media connectivity in its marketing plan. Social media has become one of the major platforms where people interact and discuss new products, creating awareness of new products such as the skin product from Comphora. For skin products, the result of use will be the most convincing way to advertise the product to the customers. Online advertisements should include videos of before and after use of Compora’s product. Interactive platforms, such as chat platforms within the company’s website will also be a good advertising channel where an individual can acquire the relevant information for the purpose of use. Services Services such as delivery of the product to the consumers should be fast and efficient in every region. The company, through outsourcing services, can contract different distribution companies in the region of the question to help in the process of delivery. To add value to the already available services, after services such as customer follow up and information communication on new available products, would not only be advantageous to the company but also the user who with time will gain the trust of the company. Secondary Stages of Chain Value Improvement Procurement The growth and development of the company depend on the availability of the raw material which is addressed under procurement. For the company to meet the needs of the customers, there must be an availability of raw materials. The company can source its raw material from different suppliers, but ensure that they have one common drop point location for all suppliers. Technology Development Amidst the development of technology on innovation and technology, the company should ensure that they move at the same pace as the development. Advertisements in the form of blog and web ads will play a critical role in the marketing of the product at a global level. Even though the company utilizes Instagram. It is important for diversity to take place in the communication channels relating to advertising on the social media platforms and other online channels. Human Resource Management The division of labor in accordance to the skill will help the company in the effective and efficient management of resources argues Cruz-Cunha (26). The concept of diversity management should be employed in the company to encourage innovation and creativity within a multicultural company. Firm Infrastructure Being an e-based company, the infrastructure needs improvement to compete with the current trends involved in marketing and advertising. A flexible infrastructure which allows the accommodation of change, which forever remains a trend in the business world, will be advantageous. Strength and Weaknesses of the Company (Comphora) Business Strengths The business logo can be termed as one of the strengths of the enterprise because it’s simple and has room for development and improvement when growth and development take place. The simplicity of the picture and the level of preciseness made the brand popular in one of the social media platforms, Instagram, which proves the picture as one of the strengths of the company. Business Weaknesses The company, being new to the market, has a limited market, due to the lack of diversity in the product, on use. It is a result of lack of knowledge of the product from different potential customers. The sales, among other factors, showcase the weakness clearly together with the online platform, Instagram, which has a low count of followers. New Policies and Procedures for Fueling Growth One of the best policies towards growing the business is addressing the delivery process which would need restructuring to enable quick and efficient delivery within the same day of purchase. It would involve contracting delivery service companies to aid in the process. Overall Evaluation of the Business: Operations Managers Take The business development level is at an appreciable level but still more room available for improvements through utilizing the e-marketing channels for advertisement and feedback on the product on effectiveness in its use. Regarding sales, the company performed as showcased below in the table and represented on the graph. Lessons Learnt My technical skill regarding business design and marketing were developed and improved. My marketing skills developed and helped me understand the structure and design for different kinds of markets. My time organization skills became organized on my work. Recommendation A quick and efficient delivery service creates an added advantage to the company in the sale of its products. The technological advancement and innovation have created platforms which advertise products at a fee but are global, expanding the business from local to international markets. Supporting Feedback from Customers Customers preferred to have a quick delivery service which meets their needs in the process of accessing the skin product. There should be more interactive means of addressing the issues related to the product use. Supporting Feedback from the Business Partner Having a diverse means of getting feedback will be a critical component in the growth of the company. Apart from the communication of product details and feedback, it is relevant to ensure that the delivery of the product is on time and satisfies the customers. Works Cited Canzer, Brahm. E-business: Strategic Thinking and Practice. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2006. Print. Cruz-Cunha, Maria M, and Joao Varajao. E-business Managerial Aspects, Solutions and Case Studies. Hershey, PA: Business Science References, 2011. Print. Singh, Mohini, and Dianne Waddell. E-business Innovation and Change Management. Hershey, PA: IRM Press, 2004. Print. Read More