Internet as a Business Tool: Case Studies in The Gambia

Seminar on "Internet in Business": Case Studies Topics covered Recap of how the Internet can benefit businesses Case Studies –Local based business - TAF Holdings –International based business - Maersk Line –Promoting Investment Opportunities The Gambia Chamber of Commerce & Industry Tourism - Senegambia Beach Hotel

Seminar on "Internet in Business": Case Studies Recap of how the Internet can benefit Businesses? Communication – , discussion groups, exchange documents Research –Search engines –Resource sharing

Seminar on "Internet in Business": Case Studies Recap of how the Internet can benefit Businesses? Publishing –web presence, newsletters, brochures, reports Fundraising & Marketing –research funding opportunities, requests for proposals, general info E-Commerce –product enquiry's, take orders, sell products

Seminar on "Internet in Business": Case Studies TAF Holding Company Background –consolidation of “TAF” operations TAF Construction TAF Estate Developers TAF Building Products TAF Tourism Development –when & why TAF launched web site improve efficiency of services, easy access to information need for globalization Feb 2000

Seminar on "Internet in Business": Case Studies How TAF uses the Internet –Communication collaborating with business partners worldwide through –marketing products and services –building supplies –self catering apartments –hotel rooms –house the nation project

Seminar on "Internet in Business": Case Studies How TAF uses the Internet –research resource sharing overseas product enquiry’s

Seminar on "Internet in Business": Case Studies Web site features –general info products & services of subsidiaries –online applications

Seminar on "Internet in Business": Case Studies

Seminar on "Internet in Business": Case Studies

Seminar on "Internet in Business": Case Studies Feedback –170,000 hits so far, –Average of 6 responses per day –responses directed towards Taf Estate Development –numerous commitment for house the nation project

Seminar on "Internet in Business": Case Studies Cost Analysis –what it takes development hosting updating –what you save phone/fax calls worldwide marketing less personnel ~D25,000

Seminar on "Internet in Business": Case Studies Future plans –e-commerce –interactive site

Seminar on "Internet in Business": Case Studies Maersk Gambia Limited Background –profile International Shipping agency World’s largest provider of containerized transport solutions Spans 6 continents with over 325 offices head office in Copenhagen, Denmark

Seminar on "Internet in Business": Case Studies Maersk Gambia Limited How Maersk Gambia uses the Internet –Communication connectivity with head office/sister offices collaboration with business partners worldwide

Seminar on "Internet in Business": Case Studies Maersk Gambia Limited Internet Maersk Gambia Maersk Head Ofice Security Wall

Seminar on "Internet in Business": Case Studies Maersk Gambia Limited Central Data Processing using the Internet –access to world wide data –data input from different countries daily –data retrieved from anywhere in the world

Seminar on "Internet in Business": Case Studies Maersk Gambia Ltd Web Presence – –offers business online –offers information on containers & ships –online enquiry’s and cargo tracking

Seminar on "Internet in Business": Case Studies

Seminar on "Internet in Business": Case Studies Maersk Gambia Limited Cost Analysis –what it takes leased line to nearest POP site specialized equipment for routing and securing data transfer online system - interactive web page

Seminar on "Internet in Business": Case Studies Maersk Gambia Limited –what you gain easy/fast/reliable data access edge over competitors cost savings phone/fax calls/ DHL worldwide marketing reduced personnel cost savings on equipment

Seminar on "Internet in Business": Case Studies Maersk Gambia Limited Future Plans –web site for Maersk Gambia currently under construction Localized information about Gambia track ship movements project a good image about Gambia Port attract investors to do business in the Gambia

Seminar on "Internet in Business": Case Studies Promoting Investment Opportunities Gambia Chamber of Commerce & Industry - GCCI –provision of essential business services to the private sector –to advise and influence government in creating a favorable business environment. It also –serves as a one stop spot for foreign investors.

Seminar on "Internet in Business": Case Studies –successfully using the web to attract investors to the Gambia – expanding international trade activities and promoting growth –Web page launched in 1999 provides information on investment opportunities in Gambia provides information on its members –online registration

Seminar on "Internet in Business": Case Studies GCCI Web Page –Features GCCI publications The Entrepreneur - newsletter of the GCCI The Business Directory 2000 –lists Businesses registered with GCCI according to area of Business

Seminar on "Internet in Business": Case Studies

Seminar on "Internet in Business": Case Studies Promoting Tourism What it takes –pay particular attention of how to present information on tours and products –detailed information about destination, including attractions & prices –quality and up-to-date information (constant update of info) –Consider the Internet as an information gathering tool

Seminar on "Internet in Business": Case Studies Promoting Tourism What you gain? –Considerable cost-saving in information dissemination –Significant portion of revenue generated from Internet and growing

Seminar on "Internet in Business": Case Studies Promoting Tourism - Gambia River Excursion Example of a tour operator in The Gambia Web site features –general info on The Gambia –services offered –info on special packages, lamin Lodge, Pirogue Jamond Adventure

Seminar on "Internet in Business": Case Studies

Seminar on "Internet in Business": Case Studies Promoting Tourism - Senegambia Beach Hotel Sengambia Beach Hotel Web site has had a significant impact on business for the hotel Features information on –rooms & suites, bars & restaurant, activities & services, enquiry & reservations provides virtual tour of the hotel facilities

Seminar on "Internet in Business": Case Studies

Seminar on "Internet in Business": Case Studies Feedback –average of 600 visitors per week –15 bookings per week What it took –cost to develop and host site

Seminar on "Internet in Business": Case Studies Gains –value for money –cost savings in International calls, faxes –less personnel needed –significant portion of business through Internet

Seminar on "Internet in Business": Case Studies Summary Overview of benefits to Businesses Specific examples –local based –International corporation –promoting Investment opportunities Internet is the future for Businesses DON’T RE-INVENT THE WHEEL EMULATE FROM PEERS