Assignment

General Specifications
Scenario
Role
Players

Scenario

Sunholm Solar Inc. is a startup company that intends to design, finance, install, and maintain residential solar power systems for homeowners across the United States. Sunholm Solar was founded 3 months ago by a group of executives from established solar companies who decided to strike out on their own. The new company has been refining its business plan, securing financing, hiring staff, and preparing to launch operations about 2 months from now. Sunholm's next priority is to begin work on a company website, a key element of the firm's aggressive marketing plan. To keep their internal staff to a minimum, Sunholm executives wish to contract with an independent web developer to create their site. They are now interviewing candidates and gathering ideas about how to proceed.

Role

You are an independent web developer being considered by Sunholm Systems for the job of designing and building its new website. The initial interviews went well; company executives are impressed with your background and qualifications. You are now meeting with some of the company's key personnel to learn more about their goals and plans for the site. On the basis of what you learn in this meeting, you will prepare a general specification memo that outlines your initial ideas for the site. You hope this memo will convince the Sunholm executives that you are the best developer for the job.

Players
Hugh Holben
President and CEO
Susan Dalton
VP of Marketing
Janet Mclane
CFO
Steve Garry
VP of Operations
Deliverable

Given the scenario, your role and the information provided by the key players involved, it is time for you to make a decision.

If you are finished reviewing this scenario, review the Your Role/Assignment section below, to complete this assignment.

You can return and review this scenario again at any time.

Sunholm Solar Inc. is a startup company that intends to design, finance, install, and maintain residential solar power systems for homeowners across the United States. Sunholm Solar was founded 3 months ago by a group of executives from established solar companies who decided to strike out on their own. The new company has been refining its business plan, securing financing, hiring staff, and preparing to launch operations about 2 months from now. Sunholm's next priority is to begin work on a company website, a key element of the firm's aggressive marketing plan. To keep its internal staff to a minimum, Sunholm executives wish to contract with an independent web developer to create its site. Sunholm is now interviewing candidates and gathering ideas about how to proceed.

Your Role/Assignment

Write a one- to two-page, well-written business memo as if you were writing directly to the client. Submit your assignment to this week's assignment Dropbox.

Include the following.

• Identify the client's website needs.

• How would you propose that the company go about creating a new website to help it achieve its goals?

• What features should the site have?

• Who is the audience of the site, and how would you address their particular needs?

• What should be included and excluded from the site?