Assessment

Word Limit: 1000 words.

Task

You are a consultant for the business 'CSU e-commerce Consulting Services'.

It is your role within the company to respond to customers that have lodged an eCommerce query that requires action.

All clients, that you are directed to respond to, have an ongoing relationship with your company and have pre-paid blocks of time for any queries they have.

Clients need to know that the advice is accurate so you will need to provide references to back up your assertions.

References used must be from reliable sources; Wikipedia or other crowdsourced services may contain accurate information, however this advice needs to be backed up with reputable sources that can withstand scrutiny.

Task Requirements

You are to write a professional business style email response to the following client. A response example is provided under 'Presentation' below. (Email style)

Your completed response with references should be prepared in Word format.

APA (6th edition) styles references, more than 10 references and in-text citations

Client 1

Name: Mr. xxx Sarandakis

Background: Business owner of music shop, 'Top Note Music'.

Incoming correspondence:

Hello,

My company manufactures guitars within Australia using local components however these components are becoming more and more costly to purchase.

I still wish to continue to manufacture guitars in Australia but I would like procure the most costly parts from a cheaper source. I have heard of eMarketplaces but am unsure as to what types exist and how to progress.

Please advise as to the options I have in purchasing from an eMarketplace, what you recommend I use, and any issues that may arise.
I look forward to your response.

Thanks.

xxx

Owner, Top Note Music

Note to help the assignment:

- What are the issues in the scenario?

- Your ideas/recommendations to tell Mr. George how to solve the problem and can help him to continue running his business for success.

- Where can he buy good products? Supplier? Cheap or expensive products to manufacture the guitars.

- Cheaper resources (listed and explain, some prove and review from people who have used it)

- Types of e-marketplaces suit for his business (Apply the theories why chosen? preferred to text book, slides or journal articles)

- Look at Alibaba website (http://au.alibaba.com/) or eBay website (www.ebay.com.au/). Do they have warranty that makes people trust when they buy the products online?

- Risk Management in e-marketplaces (Alibaba or eBay)?

- Evaluate problems posed by utilising electronic commerce, including security, legal jurisdictions and effectiveness. (For example, local rules when Mr.George bring the guitars into Australia (woods, and the parts of guitars).

Presentation

Example required correspondence. Feel free to change.

Dear [Client Salutation and Surname],

Thank you for your query.

I have researched the circumstances of your question and can provide the following response.

[Detailed response with citations]

Please feel free to respond to my query with any further questions you might have.

Regards.

xxx

Consultant - CSU eCommerce Consulting Services

Email: xxx@csuecs.com.au