Internet as a Business Tool: Case Studies in The Gambia.

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


Recap of how the Internet can benefit Businesses?Communication– email, discussion groups, exchange

documents

Research– Search engines– Resource sharing


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


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


WWW.TAFGAMBIA.COM

How TAF uses the Internet– Communication• collaborating with business partners

worldwide through email

–marketing• products and services

– building supplies– self catering apartments– hotel rooms– house the nation project


WWW.TAFGAMBIA.COM

How TAF uses the Internet– research • resource sharing• overseas product enquiry’s


WWW.TAFGAMBIA.COM

Web site features– general info• products & services of subsidiaries

– online applications


WWW.TAFGAMBIA.COM


WWW.TAFGAMBIA.COM

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


WWW.TAFGAMBIA.COM

Cost Analysis– what it takes• development• hosting• updating

– what you save• phone/fax calls• worldwide marketing• less personnel

~D25,000


WWW.TAFGAMBIA.COM

Future plans– e-commerce– interactive site


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



How Maersk Gambia uses the Internet– Communication• connectivity with head office/sister offices• collaboration with business partners

worldwide



Internet

Maersk Gambia

MaerskHead Ofice

Security Wall



Central Data Processing using the Internet– access to world wide data– data input from different countries

daily– data retrieved from anywhere in the

world


Maersk Gambia Ltd

Web Presence– http://www.maersksealand.dk– offers business online– offers information on containers &

ships – online enquiry’s and cargo tracking


Http://www.maersksealand.dk



Cost Analysis– what it takes• leased line to nearest POP site• specialized equipment for routing and

securing data transfer• online system - interactive web page



– 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



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


Promoting Investment OpportunitiesGambia 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.


Http://www.gambiachamber.gm

– 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



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


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


Promoting Tourism

What you gain?– Considerable cost-saving in

information dissemination– Significant portion of revenue

generated from Internet and growing


Promoting Tourism - Gambia River Excursion Example of a tour operator in The

GambiaWeb site http://www.gre.gm

features– general info on The Gambia– services offered– info on special packages, lamin Lodge,

Pirogue Jamond Adventure


Http://www.gre.gm


Promoting Tourism - Senegambia Beach HotelSengambia 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


Http://www.sengambiahotel.com



Feedback– average of 600 visitors per week– 15 bookings per week

What it took– cost to develop and host site



Gains– value for money– cost savings in International calls,

faxes– less personnel needed– significant portion of business through

Internet


Summary

Overview of benefits to BusinessesSpecific examples – local based– International corporation– promoting Investment opportunities

Internet is the future for BusinessesDON’T RE-INVENT THE WHEELEMULATE FROM PEERS

Internet as a Business Tool: Case Studies in The Gambia.

Documents

Transcript of Internet as a Business Tool: Case Studies in The Gambia.