Step 1: E-mail

Most companies will now be familiar with the concept of electronic mail. The ability to send messages, text files and graphics worldwide at the touch of button has revolutionised the way in which we communicate – both inside the organisation and with partners, suppliers and customers.

E-mail is faster and cheaper than the fax and is far more versatile: you can edit documents on screen, attach technical drawings, artwork, contracts, invoices, inventories, manuals, even sound and video files. It can be accessed from home, office, in the field or overseas.

It has also rapidly taken hold as a marketing tool. Whilst there are still some people that will send out junk, unsolicited emails that have no relevance to your business, the number of people using email as an effective marketing tool has grown rapidly. It’s a good way of keeping your name in front of potential customers, especially if you give them something worthwhile to read instead of just advertising. As an example, JHM Technologies (USA) and Plastech (UK) do this to good effect with their RTM Newsletter, giving readers hot tips about closed-mould processing at the same time as keeping them informed of new product launches, special offers etc.

This is e-Business in its simplest form, but it can generate significant efficiencies by making your time more productive, as well as saving costs on conventional communications (phone, fax, post, stationery etc).

Gordon Bishop, NetComposites. First Published in Reinforced Plastics