Knowing what you hope to achieve with your use of the Internet in your business is fundamental to selecting the level of e-business you will engage in, how much time and money you will be prepared to put into it and how you will judge whether it's been a success or not. If you don't know the aim, how will you be able to tell a web designer what you want on your website or what new skills staff might need to make it a success?

What to do  

Conduct a brainstorming session with the others in the business, and those that may have useful views such as colleagues or well-informed friends, to help determine the aims of the e-business and where the priorities should lie.   For example, consider whether the aim of the e-business is to:

• raise revenue for the business
• provide information about the business to the public and customers
• improve awareness of the business
• create efficiencies and time-saving
• develop and provide new products and services
• open up new markets and audiences
• promote specific products and services
• improve business management and efficiencies
• educate and train customers, the public and suppliers
• entertain
• create debate and groups of interested people
• support specialist activities.  

Once these have been prioritised make a definitive statement about the aims and purpose of the e-business and seek feedback from your business advisors.

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