IT 100 Final Project Scenario: You Have Graduated From SNHU ✓ Solved

IT 100 Final Project Scenario You Have Graduated From Snhu And Are

You have graduated from SNHU and are now employed as a business analyst by Business Consultants (BC), a business consulting firm. As a business analyst, you are responsible for analyzing businesses to determine how your firm can help them meet their sales goals. Your first business to analyze is New Hampshire Business Products (NHBP). NHBP is a small company operating as a sole proprietorship desiring to expand its geographical reach. The products sold by NHBP fall into three categories: office supplies, office equipment, and printing services.

NHBP has been in business since 2005 and operates one brick-and-mortar location selling various products and services. The company operates a retail store from its one physical location and offers services to customers in its current geographical area via a catalog published semi-annually. Customers using the catalog call their orders in to the retail location by phone, and the company delivers completed orders via delivery truck and third-party carriers such as United Parcel Service (UPS). NHBP has concluded that its one retail outlet and its current catalog business have reached their maximum potential and is seeking a means to expand sales as well as geographical reach. NHBP has also concluded that adding internet sales is the best option to expand both sales and geographical reach.

BC has been hired to evaluate current operations and suggest paths that will satisfy the sales goals set by NHBP. In your capacity as a business analyst for BC, you have met with the management team at NHBP and made an initial review of the current business operations. Your notes of the review show the following:

• The total current sales (2016) are $500,000, divided into the following categories:
  • Office supplies: $150,000
  • Office equipment: $300,000
  • Printing: $50,000
• The company desires to increase sales by 20% per year in each category for the next five years.
• NHBP thinks that online sales will result in reaching its intended sales goals over the next five years.
• The company is currently unsure how to implement online sales and is seeking guidance in developing a website as well as the mechanics of online marketing and fulfilling online orders.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

In the rapidly evolving landscape of retail commerce, small businesses like New Hampshire Business Products (NHBP) face the critical challenge of expanding their reach and increasing sales. With a history dating back to 2005, NHBP has established a solid local presence through its physical retail store and semi-annual catalog distribution. However, to sustain growth and capitalize on new market opportunities, embracing online sales has become essential. This paper explores the strategic considerations and practical steps NHBP must undertake to implement an effective online sales platform, including website development, online marketing, and order fulfillment processes. It also examines projected sales growth over the next five years, based on the company's goal of 20% annual increase in each product category.

Current Business Overview and Challenges

NHBP operates in three primary product categories: office supplies, office equipment, and printing services, with total sales of $500,000 in 2016. The bulk of these sales (60%) derive from office equipment, followed by office supplies (30%) and printing services (10%). The company's current sales strategy relies heavily on the physical retail store and a catalog-based ordering system, which limits its market reach to a geographical area within driving distance of the store. Despite success within this limited scope, the company recognizes that further growth is constrained by its existing distribution channels.

To overcome these limitations, NHBP aims to expand geographically and increase sales volume by leveraging e-commerce. The management believes that establishing an online sales platform will facilitate reaching new customers nationwide, provide convenience, and create new revenue streams. However, uncertainties around website design, online marketing strategies, inventory management, order processing, and logistics need to be addressed to ensure a successful transition into digital commerce.

Strategic Importance of E-commerce for NHBP

Implementing online sales is strategic for several reasons. Firstly, e-commerce opens access to a national and potentially international customer base, vastly increasing market potential. Secondly, online channels provide a platform for personalized marketing, product recommendations, and customer engagement, fostering brand loyalty. Thirdly, e-commerce allows for collection of valuable customer data, enabling targeted marketing and promotions.

Projected Sales Growth and Goals

NHBP has set ambitious sales growth targets, aiming for a 20% increase annually across all product categories over five years. Starting from a 2016 baseline of $500,000, with initial categorical sales of $150,000 (office supplies), $300,000 (office equipment), and $50,000 (printing), the projected sales trajectory under this growth rate would be as follows:

• Year 1: $600,000
• Year 2: $720,000
• Year 3: $864,000
• Year 4: $1,036,800
• Year 5: $1,244,160

Correspondingly, each product category is expected to increase proportionally, with significant contributions from online sales to meet these projections.

Implementation Plan for Online Sales

To achieve these growth objectives, NHBP must develop a comprehensive online sales strategy encompassing website development, online marketing, and order fulfillment.

1. Website Development

The foundation of online sales is an intuitive, secure website capable of showcasing products, processing orders, and handling customer inquiries. Key features include a user-friendly product catalog, shopping cart system, secure checkout process, and integration with inventory management systems. Recommendations include utilizing e-commerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, or Magento, tailored to NHBP's needs and scalable for future growth (Laudon & Traver, 2016).

2. Online Marketing Strategies

Effective online marketing is crucial for attracting and retaining customers. Strategies involve search engine optimization (SEO) to improve visibility, pay-per-click advertising (PPC) campaigns, email marketing, social media engagement, and content marketing. Building a strong digital presence enhances brand recognition and drives traffic to the website (Chaffey, 2019).

3. Order Fulfillment and Logistics

Prompt and reliable order fulfillment is essential to customer satisfaction. NHBP can utilize existing delivery trucks for local orders and partner with third-party carriers such as UPS or FedEx for nationwide shipping. Implementing inventory management software integrated with the e-commerce platform ensures real-time stock updates and order processing efficiency (Khouja & Dutta, 2015).

Conclusion

Transitioning to online sales offers NHBP an opportunity to surpass current business limitations and achieve substantial growth over the next five years. By developing an effective website, deploying targeted online marketing strategies, and streamlining order fulfillment logistics, NHBP can expand its market reach, increase revenues by 20% annually, and position itself competitively in the digital economy. Strategic planning, investment in technology, and a customer-centric approach are vital for success in this venture.

References

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