E - Business: Success or Failure?

Technology has been able to change our lives incrementally and sometimes drastically. According to Chanaron & Jolly (1999), this impact is more pronounced on businesses, as computers and other technologies are here and not going any time soon. The proliferation of technology in products and services show an insight into how many companies across industries are investing in technology (Papers4you.com, 2006). This insight provides a lesson for managers on how to run and grow a business in a volatile and competitive market place. This has resulted in the rise of electronic businesses across the globe in the last decade.

The diffusion of the internet and commerce has been the center of discussion both by the academics and the practitioners due to its growing importance in the developed countries. This has largely been contributed due to the high penetration of internet connectivity and online transactions of business-to-consumer (B2C) and business-to-business (B2B) nature. E-businesses have evolved from plain text websites to interactive e-commerce hubs that use internet and mobile technologies to reach their current customers and attract the potential customers (Karen, 1996). Theorists (Chang & Kyungdoo, 2005) believe that the evolution of internet itself has been staggering in the last decade and therefore more ways to conduct businesses have emerged. The use of internet has provided firms with the ability of ‘lean’ and ‘agile’ value chain, which means that firms can keep their operating costs at minimum along with the flexibility to grab any window of opportunities.

Current improvements in the internet services and its inherent characteristics like improved security, reliability, user friendliness, two-way communication, low costs, accessibility and customizability, have been the driving forces for e-commerce (Papers4you.com, 2006). The use of internet offers value to all the stakeholders. Drawing upon Dawes & Rowley (1998), it reduces the operating and distribution costs of the businesses and provides products and services to the customers sitting at home at any time.

The use of internet has opened new avenues for the adoption of innovative business models based on the proliferation of this technology. Tendering via reverse auction also called “e-reverse auctions” or “B-2-B reverse auctions”, for example, have been a common method to source production and non-production goods and services by many Fortune 2000 companies since 1995 (Richards, 2000). Similarly internet has provided the opportunity for affiliate marketing, which optimizes marketing spending by only paying when the particular marketing objectives have been met. Another example of e-business is online bartering, which according to Copeland (2006) is the process by which two parties strike a deal to exchange goods or services without money changing hands.

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Buying Used Construction Equipment – Bring Your Safety Eyewear

Any business involved in the construction industry large or small at times need heavy equipment, from bulldozers, bobcats, front-end loaders to dump trucks, somewhere along the line the idea pops up about buying equipment instead of hiring out contractors. After looking at the pricing of new and the current budget, finding quality used equipment may be the answer.

Finding the used, second-hand or surplus construction equipment for sale is not difficult, but taking the time to make sure you are buying a reliable piece of equipment is important. The process is much like buying a used car, put on your safety eyewear and give the equipment a thorough review before signing on the dotted line or you could find yourself hanging a for sale sign on the rig.

In today’s world of business buying and selling, some companies may only show the equipment on their books for a short time. When a company buys another out they may sell off excess construction equipment or liquidate the older machinery. Some businesses may be going out of business and get rid of their equipment through an auction. If you keep on the look out for equipment that is in good shape and functional without lots of extras, good deals can be found. Look for heavy equipment sales and auctions in your area for some great buys.

Checking out Equipment before You Buy

Once you find a piece of what appears to be reliable used equipment that meets your needs, use a trusted source to check things out – a construction equipment mechanic. A mechanic can offer some basic insight about the equipment, but a trained heavy equipment mechanic understands how things work. Plus they can offer advice on future potential mechanical issues, defects or repairs that may be needed along with the associated cost all in an effort to help you come up with a fair purchase price.

They can make sure the motor is in good working order, the chassis and frame are straight and all moving parts, pulleys, and bearings are working well and without defect. Remember a good deal takes into account the whole cost including repairs to get the equipment on the job and transportation when purchasing construction equipment either new or used.

With a little homework your company can save a bundle on buying used equipment for your construction business or the next project.

Nathan Waterman certified in PPE use in industry writes for www.safety-glasses-n-goggles.com recently discussed fulmer helmet face shields.

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