While there has been so many e-business ventures, very few actually even live to see the light of profit. A major reason for this is that business never think properly in depth before going online. There are so many aspects that the CEO needs to give time to think before going online, and not do it just because its the way others are going. Few such questions are as follows:
- First and foremost, the top management needs to deliberate on the nature of the business and the industry. What are the core competencies of the business. Will that be enhanced by going online?
- What about the navigational structure and the way the organization functions? Will the culture embrace such a change effectively? What are the chances of talent loss to competing firms due to the cultural changes and process changes?
- How would the existing customers react to the change? Is there a customer retention plan in place? Will the move help to reach out to new potential customers?
- Is the business geared with the proper technological architecture? Have the processes been remodeled to fulfill service demand?
Do keep in mind that the technological architecture has to be designed keeping the service planned, in mind. The architecture preferably needs to be custom fit with your business process. If you are doing the reverse, i.e. fitting your processes to the architecture, do try to weigh out the pros and cons of the switch of the business model to the new business model. Then the above questions become relevant even more to ensure that the company stays healthy and safe.