mrharry started this topic @ 13:20 on 23/01/2007
Hi guys, I was hoping some of you might be kind enough to give me some feedback on a business I’m working on with some friends that I attended business school with.
We’re looking into developing an internet based business, which will be a kind of business services marketplace, which will bring buyers and suppliers (predominantly) of services together. Typical services will include shipping, distribution, recruitment, marketing/PR, accountancy, website related services, security, etc. Instead of having to shop around, a buyer can save time (and costs) by using this intermediary to locate pre-approved suppliers. The suppliers will pay a small fee for each business lead they choose to respond to and there will be no membership charge.
We’d love to hear from anyone who might have some feedback or who would want to use this kind of service. We plan for the site to go live with a number of suppliers already registered. Initially the service will be totally free of charge, so if anybody is interested in receiving free leads, then please let us know. In addition, if anybody feels their services would be of use to us, then we’d also like to hear from them.
Many thanks,
Harry
RE: New B2B business
theagency | 23/01/2007 01:37 PM
Hi Harry
I like the idea, and feel our services would be perfect for your site.
However, you say that suppliers will only pay for each lead they respond to.... is there a chance your customers will be left waiting days for someone to reply to them?
For more information about our services, please see our website www.theagencybirmingham.co.uk. Any questions, email me directly, rebecca@theagencybirmingham.co.uk
I look forward to hearing from you,
Rebecca
------------------------
Rebecca
The Agency
Tel: 0121 384 3311
E: rebecca@theagencybirmingham.co.uk
W: www.theagencybirmingham.co.uk">href="http://www.theagencybirmingham.co.uk">www.theagencybirmingham.co.uk
Virtual Assistance • Call & Message Handling • Secretarial Services • Bookkeeping • Credit Control • Diary Management • Telesales • Property Letting & Management • Support Staff
RE: RE: New B2B business
mrharry | 23/01/2007 01:45 PM
Hello, thanks for your reply.
This is how the system will work:
The customer will enter their requirements into an online form.
All but the customer’s name and contact details will be sent to the appropriate suppliers.
Each supplier can choose whether or not to respond, based on their availability etc.
The process will be automated using a dynamic website so the leads being sent out will be instantaneous. How quickly the supplier acts on each lead is up to them, but the process itself is designed to provide a speedy and efficient service.
I hope this answers your question,
Harry
RE: RE: New B2B business
theagency | 23/01/2007 01:48 PM
Would your customers know how many suppliers their information had been sent to and how many had decided that they couldn't help?
------------------------
Rebecca
The Agency
Tel: 0121 384 3311
E: rebecca@theagencybirmingham.co.uk
W: www.theagencybirmingham.co.uk">href="http://www.theagencybirmingham.co.uk">www.theagencybirmingham.co.uk
Virtual Assistance • Call & Message Handling • Secretarial Services • Bookkeeping • Credit Control • Diary Management • Telesales • Property Letting & Management • Support Staff
RE: New B2B business
mrharry | 23/01/2007 03:29 PM
I hadn’t really considered that aspect. The PHP code will be written to limit the amount of suppliers the lead would be sent to by using certain factors like location etc.
Do you think letting the customer know is important?
RE: RE: New B2B business
theagency | 24/01/2007 08:43 AM
From a customer perspective, if there was no guarantee that you couldn't find me a supplier, and there was no way of me knowing that, i doubt i personally would even use the system.
However, if you could say to me that my request had been sent to x suppliers and that i would receive a reply within x working hours, i would probably wait for a response from you.
Immediate responses are expected with today's technology. I think it's vital that your customers are kept up to date every step of the way. That might just be my opinion though.
------------------------
Rebecca
The Agency
Tel: 0121 384 3311
E: rebecca@theagencybirmingham.co.uk
W: www.theagencybirmingham.co.uk">href="http://www.theagencybirmingham.co.uk">www.theagencybirmingham.co.uk
Virtual Assistance • Call & Message Handling • Secretarial Services • Bookkeeping • Credit Control • Diary Management • Telesales • Property Letting & Management • Support Staff
RE: New B2B business
rcain | 11/02/2007 12:09 AM
Hi MrHarry,
I don't wish to appear negative in any way, but this sounds very like an online smart-search business directory. The internet is littered with (abandoned) attempts to operate a successful business model here.
The technology is easy.
Central services - are easy (Rebecca's company for example can service for a fee)
The marketing isn't.
I think you really have to prove you are adding value here (as a business, over and above what the customer can be achieve directly by using google, chambers of commerce or department of trade trading directories, for example.
Of course if you are adding specialist (market) 'knowhow' to the equation or you own an 'exclusive' list of suppliers (or buyers), then that would be a different proposition.
If you come up with a business plan you are happy with a requirements specification or blue-print for your desired system, then we would be very happy to draw up a proposal for you.
regards
rob
rcain@systemcore.co.uk
www.systemcore.co.uk
RE: RE: New B2B business
MTG Solutions | 11/02/2007 09:14 AM
Hi Mr Harry
I have 2 issues to add to the dicsussion
1) You say the supplier will be pre-approved - what does that mean? If it is purely that they've paid you to register their business details then it doesn't stand for much.
Lots of business talk the talk to obtain leads and contacts. How will you validate their services and there ability to deliver?
2) The types of businesses you are aiming at don't usually have a specific buyer for those services offered. In some businesses sourcing a new marketing company could be the accountants responsiblity, in others it could be a company director, in others it may be part of the office managers role. How will you market and contact the right person in the business?
Rachel
www.mindthegapsolutions.com
