24 × 7 @ Full Speed:Accelerated Time to Market

摘要

“It’s only a web site. What could be so difficult about that?” This quote is from the cafeteria of a start-up business funded byrna North American retailer, after the disastrous ‘Black Friday’ of 2000, during which its web site experienced systemic failure.rnThis case describes the dynamics, complexities and consequences of fast tracking an e-Business strategy with a small startup.rnThis consumer electronics retailer created one of the most visited retail websites, from concept to operation in sixrnmonths. Market analysts were predicting a major increase in online sales whilst consumers were adopting the Internet at arnrate faster than any previous technology. Meeting the multi-channel demands of the dynamic and competitive environmentrnrequired operational balance, stability, innovative flexibility, organizational fit, and the alignment of resource capabilitiesrnwith technology. This case challenges the reader to comment on how a large company positioned itself and integrated thernnecessary competencies to compete successfully in this developing market by fostering an SME.