Tag Archive for: Manufacturing eCommerce Strategies

The Ohio SBDC at Miami University offers this exciting webinar on eCommerce Strategies for Small Businesses on Friday, August 28 at 10:00am which features a case study with Falconer Electronics

With a new sense of urgency for entrepreneurs to create a strong digital presence as well as eCommerce, please join us for a discussion on the necessary steps to implement an eCommerce strategy for your business including:

  • Receive an eCommerce checklist as well as additional resource guides 
  • Also Capturing 1st page rankings on Google 
  • Creating effective landing pages that convert into RFQ’s as well as sales
  • Targeting customers with Google Ads as well as Google Shopping
  • Taking advantage of online marketplaces including Amazon as well as Alibaba
  • In addition, explore a step by step eCommerce success story with Falconer Electronics

Click on this link to register: https://clients.ohiosbdc.ohio.gov/workshop.aspx?ekey=53400011

Ohio SBDC eCommerce Workshop

 

First, topics discussed during the eCommerce workshop include: 

  1. Make a Great First Webpression 
  2. Dominate Search 
  3. Get on the Offensive 

In addition, we cover:

Other topics covered as well include: 

  • Let that dream customer – Soulmates – make a buying decision on Friday night at midnight 
  • Scale Your Proprietary Process 
  • Configurator – Quotebuilder 
  • New customized product populates into the eCommerce store 

We also explore eCommerce Opportunities with Online Marketplaces including:  

Podcasts 

Related Article: Converting Your Proprietary Process into an eCommerce Opportunity

Ohio SBDC

Ohio Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Miami 

The Ohio Small Business Development Center at Miami Regionals (formerly known as the Butler County Small Business Development Center) advises tenants, local existing business owners as well as other entrepreneurs in the community on strategic planning, marketing and gaining access to financial capital. 

The small business center works with the various Butler County chambers, with the main office at Miami University Regionals Voice of America Learning Center as well as a satellite location at the City of Middletown Department of Economic Development. 

“It is really an honor to be recognized for helping businesses get started as well as grow in the community,” said David Riggs, director of the Ohio SBDC at Miami Regionals. 

In 2017, the SBDC devoted a total of 1,356 counseling hours, helping small businesses generate more than $3.1 million in new sales, creating 183 jobs as well as retaining 264 jobs, according to the state. The center also led all centers statewide with 58 business starts and connected companies to $3,080,755 in capital.

Wrapping It Up 

Lastly, thanks for reading this post. Hopefully, you found this helpful. 

For additional information to assist you with your eCommerce journey, please click links below: 

Alibaba.com, the B2B business unit of Alibaba Group, announced the results of its Alibaba.com U.S. B2B Small and Medium Business (SMB) Survey and launched a new Digitization Sprint for U.S. SMB manufacturers digitizing – a traditionally analog segment of SMBs that has been digitizing at twice the rate of other industries during the pandemic.

Following its inaugural survey, which was disseminated in January 2020, Alibaba.com conducted a second survey of 5,015 U.S. B2B SMBs with the following key findings:

  • SMBs accelerated their pivot to digital: 93% of B2B companies are now conducting some portion of their business online. Up from 90% in December, and 43% are utilizing ecommerce, an 8% increase over the same time period.
  • SMBs are finding opportunities internationally: even with supply chain disruptions during the pandemic. 63% of B2B companies report conducting some amount of cross border B2B trade, up from 59% in December.
  • SMB manufacturers surpassed other industries in digitization: amid the pandemic, manufacturers’ online B2B trade increased 8% – twice the rate of the overall 4% increase in all industries for the same period and tied with retail as the industries with the most digital growth. In December, U.S. manufacturers’ online B2B trade volume lagged all other industries except construction but have now passed multiple industries in their pivot to digital.

“We were happy to see the increasing digitization of US B2B companies and that many are increasing trade despite the pandemic, showing the resilience and grit of American business owners and entrepreneurs,” said John Caplan, President of North America and Europe of Alibaba.com. “Our research finds that digitization is no longer a nice-to-have, but a must-have for companies in every industry to bridge from surviving to thriving in the next era of business.”

Additional Highlights from the Alibaba.com U.S. B2B SMB Survey

SMBs are Optimistic in Their Business and Recovery

  • SMBs are optimistic about their business with 85% saying they are confident about the future of their business.
  • The majority of SMBs (62%) managed through the pandemic, maintaining or increasing their business when compared to 2019 levels.

Even More U.S. B2B SMBs Digitized During the Pandemic and Are Hiring to Support their Online Growth

  • 56% hired and retained new staff to support their e-commerce operations since the start of the pandemic. 79% plan to hire employees over the next year to support their increased online business.
  • 42% of respondents saw increases in online B2B transactions in the past six months. More than three-quarters (75%) finding increased demand for e-commerce marketplaces such as Alibaba.com.
  • Online B2B companies show far more confidence than offline: 86% of those doing business online expressing optimism in the future of their business compared with 68% of those who are not yet doing business online.

Digital Acceleration is Driving Global Business

  • Cross border business is increasing in importance for B2B companies. Making up an average of 25% of their business – an increase from 17% in December.
  • Respondents said key benefits of eCommerce include helping them access international markets (24%). Built-in translation services that help communicate with trading partners in different languages (16%).

SMB Manufacturers are Confident and Accelerating to Catch Up Digitally

  • Manufacturers over-indexed in investments in e-commerce during COVID-19: more than two-thirds (68%) of manufacturing businesses hired new staff to support online trade compared with 56% overall.

The Alibaba.com U.S. Small and Medium Business (SMB) Survey: Research Methodology

Alibaba.com commissioned leading global research firm, Ipsos, to conduct the second Alibaba.com U.S. B2B Small and Medium Business (SMB) Survey on behalf of Alibaba.com as a follow up to the December 2019 survey. The sample of 5,015 was collected using a double opt in online panel sample and conducted anonymously from September 4 – 20, 2020. The survey targeted decision-makers at U.S. companies that buy or sell physical goods and materials with other businesses. The study has an overall margin of error of ±1.39% at the 95% confidence level.

Additional data, analysis and insights from the second Alibaba.com U.S. SMB B2B Survey will be shared in future B2B Today content and events.

Alibaba.com’s Digitization Sprint for U.S. Manufacturers

According to IBISWorld, there are 565,537 manufacturing businesses in the U.S. According to SCORE, an organization focused on mentoring U.S. small businesses, 98.6% of American manufacturing companies are small businesses, and three-quarters (75.3%) of those businesses have fewer than 20 employees.

U.S. manufacturers are well known for their technologically advanced production capabilities. However, until recently, they have been slower than other industries to adopt online sourcing and selling tools according to Alibaba.com’s survey. With manufacturers now rapidly turning to digital channels, Alibaba.com is launching its Digitization Sprint for U.S. Manufacturers. With the tagline “Let’s Get Digital,” the program accelerates the digitization of these businesses’ online marketing, selling and sourcing and ensure their long-term success. Alibaba offers this program to qualified manufacturers at no cost. The Alibaba.com team is bringing together experts and their ecosystem of collaborators, including the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, Brooklyn Navy Yard and manufacturing e-commerce expert Curt Anderson, to give manufacturers digitizing a four-week masterclass in getting digital and going global.

Manufacturers Digitizing 

“We were delighted to see in our research that manufacturing businesses are catching on and looking for ways to ride new waves of digital opportunity,” said Caplan. “U.S. manufacturers have huge potential to grow their online business and emerge from this pandemic better positioned for the future. Our first-ever Digitization Sprint will give manufacturers the curriculum, coaching, and community they need to accelerate their digital skills and access the $23.9 trillion global B2B ecommerce opportunity.”

Through the program, select manufacturing companies will gain access to:

  • Curriculum from Alibaba.com’s team, industry leaders and partners on topics ranging from understanding the fundamentals of e-commerce like marketplace structure and pricing dynamics to learning tangible skills like leveraging digital advertising to generate leads, taking quality photos for product listings and digital storefronts and even leveraging social media to build their brand and reach new customers.
  • Coaching on succeeding in the digital economy during weekly modules and during tailored sessions from partners and experts in e-commerce for manufacturers like the Brooklyn Chamber of CommerceBrooklyn Navy Yard and e-commerce consultantCurt Anderson.
  • Community through a private LinkedIn group and roundtable discussions. Manufacturers digitizing with experts and peers for ongoing education and shared experience.

The inaugural Alibaba.com Digitization Sprint for U.S. Manufacturers will kick off in mid-November with limited spots available. Interested leaders at manufacturing companies with fewer than 500 employees can apply for their companies to join the initiative at alibaba.com/digitalsprint

Wrapping It Up

Finally, thank you for reading our blog post on Manufacturers Digitizing. 

For additional information, please check out these helpful posts below as you continue your eCommerce journey:

 

The University of Nebraska MEP and B2Btail teamed up to present the “Manufacturing eCommerce Success” workshop which features Falconer Electronics as a case study. 

This exciting program takes place on November 5th at 10:00 est. 

Click here to register: Manufacturing eCommerce Success Workshop 

Nebraska MEP eCommerce Workshop 

Nebraska MEP

Sense of Urgency 

With a new sense of urgency for entrepreneurs to create a strong digital presence, please join us for a discussion on the necessary steps to implement an eCommerce strategy for your business including:

  • Receive an eCommerce checklist as well as additional resource guides 
  • Also Capturing 1st page rankings on Google 
  • Creating effective landing pages that convert into RFQ’s as well as sales
  • Targeting customers with Google Ads as well as Google Shopping
  • Taking advantage of online marketplaces including Amazon as well as Alibaba
  • In addition, explore a step by step eCommerce success story with Falconer Electronics

First, topics discussed during the eCommerce workshop include: 

  1. Make a Great First Webpression 
  2. Dominate Search 
  3. Get on the Offensive 

In addition we cover:

Other topics covered as well include: 

  • Let that dream customer – Soulmates make a buying decision on Friday night at midnight 
  • Scale Your Proprietary Process 
  • Configurator – Quotebuilder 
  • New customized product populates into the eCommerce store 

We also explore eCommerce Opportunities with Online Marketplaces including:  

In addition, the program features B2B Experts such as…

Related Article: US Manufacturers Digitizing at Twice the Rate of Other Businesses

Nebraska MEP Mission 

Nebraska MEP

Transforming Nebraska manufacturers through continuous improvement, innovation, sustainable practice as well as technology acceleration services.

Nebraska MEP is part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program. Residing within the U.S. Department of Commerce, MEP was created in 1988 with the intent of enhancing the productivity as well as the technological performance of U.S. manufacturers. Today, the MEP program consists of 51 centers in every state as well as Puerto Rico with over 400 service locations as well as 1,300 technical experts working together to advance and strengthen U.S. manufacturing.

Nebraska MEP is headquartered on the University of Nebraska’s flagship campus in Lincoln. University service providers as well as facilities are split between the Lincoln and Omaha campuses. Additional staff are also housed in central Nebraska. 

Central Community College—with campuses in Grand Island, Hastings, as well as Columbus—services a 25-county region in central Nebraska which includes the manufacturing dense tri-cities. The Central Community College region, combined with the Lincoln as well as Omaha MSAs, represents 32 of Nebraska’s 93 counties and collectively account for nearly 70% of the state’s manufacturing base. 

The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) is the lead economic development agency for the state. As the previous cooperative agreement holder with NIST, DED is uniquely positioned to augment Nebraska MEP’s efforts statewide. DED has six field offices across Nebraska in addition to their main office in Lincoln.

Wrapping It Up 

Finally, thank you for reading our blog post on Manufacturers Digitizing. 

For additional information, please check out these helpful posts below as you continue your eCommerce journey:

 

A question to consider, What if the What If Syndrome kicks in? 

It’s tough to making a path when facing multiple options. Especially with those big life decisions. The “WHAT IF” Syndrome kicks in.

What is the “WHAT IF” Syndrome? 

So glad you asked. 

WHAT IF…

…I pick the wrong college? 

…end up dating the wrong person? 

…I select the wrong career? 

…Wear white after Labor Day? (just asking for a friend) 

In business, the “WHAT IF” Syndrome might look something like…

WHAT IF…

…I hire the wrong person? 

…Carry the wrong product? 

…Partner with the wrong person? 

…Offer the wrong product or service? 

…Buy too much product? Too little? 

…Sign the wrong lease? 

…Hire the wrong accountant or attorney? 

…Sell sushi to help diversify our pizza shop? 

Offering TOO MANY products and services that are too diverse will lead to trouble. 

Yet, picking a clear path or selecting the right cause is tough. 

FOMO kicks in. UGH!!! 

That’s right! 

The dreaded Fear of Missing Out on the party. 

Then the “WHAT IF” Syndrome becomes ISHOULDHAVEITIS. 

That darn phrase “I Should Have…” 

I Should have bought Amazon, Apple and Netflix stock in 2002. 

I Should have bet the house, the farm, the dog, my watch, my coveted 8 track collection (Google it) and every other possession I own on Bitcoin. 

Oh, the humanity. 

So many choices. 

So little time. 

Conquering the “WHAT IF” Syndrome 

what if syndrome

How on earth do we know when or if we are making the right decisions? 

We don’t. 

That’s what makes life SO MUCH fun and exciting. 

Making the right decision and picking the correct path can mean the difference between building the largest eCommerce business on the planet vs not building the largest eCommerce business on the planet. 

What am I talking about here? 

Let’s take a look. 

Jeff Bezos and I both launched an eCommerce business the exact same year. 

Somewhere along the way Jeff and I both took drastically different paths. 

Jeff Bezos had incredible vision as well as placed insanely wild bets on his business. 

I am typing this up in my pajamas, in my 200 square foot basement on my MacBook Air.

Something tells me Jeff Bezos is not hanging out in his 200 square foot basement wearing his pajamas. 

Well, maybe he is…

Anyway, we just simply do not know how the story is going to play out. 

Think of your all-time favorite movie. Did you just say the title out loud? 

WHAT IF you knew the ending beforehand? BORING! 

That’s why we get so mad at someone when they tell us the end of an amazing movie or book before we have watched or read it. 

“DON’T TELL ME WHAT HAPPENS!!” 

We long for the end.

Sitting on the edge of our seats. 

The Thrill of Hope. 

In business, our Thrill of Hope falls on the knowledge, smarts, gumption, insight, as well as gut instinct to make the accurate choices. 

Bottom line: Go with you gut.  Stay focused and give it everything you’ve got! 

You Bet on You. 

Just think, WHAT IF you succeed beyond your wildest dreams? 

 

Wrapping It Up 

Lastly, thanks for stopping by. 

Check out these additional articles to help you on your entrepreneurial journey: 

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