Rotary Club of Bintulu Central

"Internet Awareness for Business Community"

Introduction

The first public project organised by Rotary Club of Bintulu Central was held on 5th Sept. 98 at Plaza Hotel on "Internet Awareness for Business Community". Eleven participated in the forum / creative thinking session, from 2.30 to 5.30 p.m.

The second seminar was on 18th Sept. 98, 7.30 - 10 p.m. at Plaza Hotel, with 13 participants, 7 of them attended 2nd time as they found new creative ideas in every session.

The Program

Introduction (By organiser Rtn. Mohd Saufi Lim)
What is Internet? (By Rtn. Farida)
Internet : Some common terminology (By Rtn. Tiong Kee Meng from RCB)
Using Present concepts to understand Internet (By Rtn. Andrew Wong)
Your Business Objectives and Strategies
Creativity in Business using Internet
Make Contact in Cyberspace
Implication of use of Internet to Business
Homepage Support Services - Internal or External?
What Next? (By Rtn. Andrew Wong)
Meeting Evaluation (By organiser Rtn. Mohd Saufi Lim)

What is Internet?

Some information on the historical development of Internet.

Internet : Some common terminology

Some commonly used terms used on Internet, and the meaning.

Using Present concepts to understand Internet?

Some common and familiar concepts were made use of, to study their characteristics and to examine the advantages, usefulness, or difficulties or limitation. Comparison is then made with Internet environment. Participants gave their own ideas and experience.

Common and familiar concepts like:

[Tools / Facilities] Yellow Pages, Telex, Fax, Phone,
[Market Place] {Shopping complex, fish market...}
[Exchange Centre] {Currency, Stock market, Ideas forum, Feedback / customers complaints, commerce..}
[Tools / Facilities] {Telephone, Telex, Fax, Mobile Phone, Yellow Pages}
[Library] {Catalogue, documents, information, research}
[Exhibition] {Open house, Showroom, }

Your Business Objectives and Strategies

Participants business types are : Bakery, Signcraft, Sports, Welding service, Material Supply agents, Hotel, Legal service, Port services and Management.

Second batch participants are : Air conditionings: sale and services, Bakery, Welding / Fabrication workshop, Aluminium work / Glass / Picture frames, Signcraft, Legal Practice, Retailing, Materials Supply Agents, Badminton coach,

Participants' ideas and discuss as follow:

External / Downstream:

Attract potential customers - new market
Networking with existing business partners and future partners
Education of new products / research
Developing Internet Business Agents
Communication, Co-ordination and Collaboration outside organisation
Creating an Influence
E-commerce
Knowledge Era for 21st century, not just products

Internal / Upstream

Suppliers value chain
Research & Development - new ideas, info
Communication, Co-ordination and Collaboration within organisation, esp. scattered groups.
Knowledge for staff

Creativity in Business using Internet

Two case-examples of participants' business were discussed and brainstormed, i.e.. Sport equipment Retail and Signcraft:

Suppliers of raw materials or products for both Retail and Signcraft:

Search for new products / agents / suppliers / manufacturers in Internet
Look for latest trends of sports products in Internet
Look for new materials for signcraft, environmental friendly materials

Customers for both Retail and Signcraft:

Main customers in Bintulu - look for Internet Bintulu homepage and network to attract Bintulu Cyberspace customers e.g. sport clubs of schools, companies.
Signcraft : can sell ideas, design etc. to customers in Internet, not just Bintulu
Due to cheaper labour costs in Bintulu, can sell value add products to overseas using Internet marketing e.g. for signcraft.
Analyse customers profile and focus on sectors of customers
Customer service and follow up if they have Internet access, email etc.

Display / Show-room for Retail:

New Ideas from Internet or products manufacturers
Show range of products / services in homepages

Staff development / training both Retail and Signcraft:

Training materials from Internet, products manufacturers by emails

Research for graphics, new design for Signcraft:

Download ready made graphics, designs, clip arts

Advertisements for both Retail and Signcraft:

Through popular homepages in Bintulu to attract Bintulu customers
Make impact in email discussion group, forum to attract attention
For retail, network and link with hotels, tourism homepage on Bintulu

Other Ideas like:

Make use of important Events like commonwealth games, eclipse, etc. as attraction towards your homepage

Internal company management : look for best practice from Internet

Get ready for Internet e-commerce, e.g. Internet Bank Account in near future

Get ready for copyright of your own bright ideas / design

Arrange Group or bulk purchase in Internet

Another two cases discussed:

Welding / Fabrication workshop

Raw Material / Steel and consumable
- New suppliers, better quality and cheaper
- Alternative materials

Manpower
- Skilful and cheaper source

Equipment / Machinery
- New technology

Skills and methodology, Design
- New ways

Customers
Bigger market
Even in Bintulu, what % of population / companies know your workshop services, esp. among increasing number of people subscribed to Internet

Management, Training materials
Finance
Relationship with existing customers, potential customers
- Use frequent email communication

Knowledge Business :Legal advice / Badminton Coaching

Core-Knowledge
- More research in Internet, Search engine

Charisma & Leadership, Motivation
- Create Homepage, Join forum of same topic, Use provocative / creative / Original ideas
Intellectual property copyright
Presently one to one or a few customers service
- Can be one to many customers
Project Management
Advisor, Mentor, Coach, Resource Person

Make Contact in Cyberspace