Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Gold/Mining/Energy : Valu-Net Corp (VNE on ASE - was Faymar) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: New Economy who wrote (900)	4/13/1999 12:57:00 PM
From: New Economy	Respond to of 974

Burgeoning online shopping ibm.com Last year, business-to-business online sales hit $43 billion. And although the $9 billion in online retail sales accounts for only one percent of the total, compare it to 1997's $3 billion and you'll start to realize something big is happening here. By the year 2000 the U.S. Commerce Department expects sales to reach $30 billion. Busier customers Nobody can sell time, but your business can help customers save it. This past holiday season showed that about 10 percent of shoppers preferred to make their purchases from home. Some of their reasons included avoiding long lines and lack of time. Loyal clientele should no longer have to call and ask you about your product. If you're smart, you'll anticipate their questions and provide answers before they ask. Many airlines send online e-mail bulletins to frequent customers announcing special deals. Wolferman's provides repeat customers with personalized address books so they can send gifts to friends and relatives without entering the information every time they make a purchase. Personalized marketing It's not how many customers you reach, it's how well you reach them. Inc. magazine recently profiled a small business, Custom Research Inc., that nearly tripled its revenue by cutting its client base in half. The reason it worked: by focusing on a select group of clients, the company was better able to determine their needs and build loyalty. According to The Industry Standard, two-thirds of executives of major online retailers say that their strategy is "enhancing communication and exposure to customers rather than generating sales and profits."