Alibaba Project Guidelines

Discover Alibaba Your first assignment is to get an idea of what Alibaba.com actually does, and how they do it. ◦ Provide some examples of what services and options that are available to prospective clients. ◦ What services would you see as being necessary in addition to the standard offerings (i.e., what’s not there that should be there)

Choose a product Pick a product that your group thinks would be a good money making item to sell at retail in the United States ◦ Do some product research and describe the unique characteristics that make this new product better than existing models. ◦ If it’s a new product, what niche’ market are you filling with this design.

Getting the product manufactured Describe the process you may have to go through in order to get this product manufactured. ◦ Does it make sense to manufacture overseas? ◦ What laws apply (if any) in getting the product manufactured (i.e., environmental, health, safety, etc)? ◦ What are the estimated costs (production/import costs, selling costs, transportation costs)?

Market the product Describe how you would market the product. ◦ How do you handle advertising? ◦ How would you sell it (eBay, mail order, retailer, personal e-Commerce website, etc.)? ◦ What is your estimated Market Demand (if it takes off, or if it fails)? ◦ How do you handle fulfillment? (i.e., inventory, packaging, shipping, etc.)

Conclusion Can Alibaba help you in your overall effort. For example – ◦ Choose a Product:  Finding and choosing a product to sell? ◦ Getting the product manufactured:  Manufacturing, advertising, legal issues, cost estimates? ◦ Market the product:  Marketing, selling, packaging, inventorying, shipping? Your overall experience with Alibaba and your opinion on this type of service. ◦ Good/bad?