Economics interview Return to Main Page

1. What is your business, what do you sell?

The business I work in is not really a business, which sells specific goods / products, it is a shipping and freight forwarding company where we sell services. It is still the same as selling a particular product but in my opinion there are wider options to deal with clients.

2. How many members of staff do you need to maintain your web site?

Well, a website is not essential that every business must have; it is optional. However, most companies are using this as a means of advertising. Not all websites require the same detailed information as others. I admit however that it is a necessity, especially in our case, where you are promoting a service. I would say that two people could do the job well.

3. How many orders, on average per- week, do you get from your site?

This all depends on how detailed the website is. We all know that in today’s busy and hectic world, the Internet has become a lifesaver. It is in the interest of most import/export-orientated companies to check prices available on the market in order to compare with competition.

Clients can enquire other information from the website such as;

Tracking of cargo loaded into containers/s, groupage cargo breakbulk cargo, etc.

Agents’ details in various countries the company is represented

Orders despatched from various European and Far Eastern grooupage depots

Sales are secured depending on how much information there is in the website. It is evident that the more information there is a greater chance in acquiring business. This, however, varies and I cannot give an exact average of how many jobs we get.

4. What methods of payment do you make available from your website ?

In our case, and whenever possible, the best method of payment is either a bank draft or from the web, but in shipping it is very common to arrange a price by using the method called barter. This is an exchange of service for something else but not cash. We also accept Visa cards. When it is a cash sale the money is transferred straight to the bank.

5. How often do you update the site?

In our job the site is always in use because we don’t just leave it there and people can just enter it and use it. We are asked information and we answer them at that time. The web site is there to make the client more comfortable when he wants to ask some information. There are also many links which help the client faster to find out the information. So the site isn’t updated by just typing new information but with new facts, which are, answered by us managers.

6. Are your services available to customers outside Malta?

Of course! Generally nearly half of our exports are done by Libyans. We have many contacts with foreign businesses that work with us and they bring us a lot of work.

7. Are there any special offers on the net?

As I said in the beginning, my business is a sale of service and not a product or goods. The only kind of special offer we give is a 30-day credit. Sometimes when we work with people we know, we even give a 90-day period of credit.

8. Is advertising easier on the net?

Yes that is a fact. It is basically cheaper and sometimes more practical, to advertise on the Internet.

Site : http://www.parnisengland.com