ABSTRACT

How can an organization achieve the goal of becoming an e-enabled enterprise that utilizes e-business for a competitive advantage in the marketplace? There are always many different methodologies or ways to accomplish a goal. This book presents one way that works. Feel free to take the methodology and modify it to fit your particular needs and company, as all environments have slightly different needs. The key is to utilize some methodology or process to plan the e-business journey. Far too many organizations take the “Ready, Fire, Aim” approach to e-business and then wonder why they are unsuccessful or spend all their time catching up to competition, never really gaining a competitive edge. Actually, as stated by Mika Yamamoto Krammer, a Gartner Group senior analyst, this is really a “Ready! Fire! Duck! Clean Up!” mode.*

The old and lengthy business planning models will not work in the new environment. A 24-to 36-month planning cycle is neither realistic nor affordable. Instead, an iterative process is necessary that allows changing to multiple planned and quick “Ready, Aim, Fire” sequences. This means establishing a new business model, planning, and implementing in a very

short cycle time (i.e., 3 to 6 months). In today’s quickly changing environment, this shortened planning cycle can be accomplished only by an agile organization with an in-depth understanding of customers, business, market, and industry. Take advantage of the strengths of the business and mold it into what customers want it to be. The methodology presented here provides one way to make the transformation successful.