Top Bookstore on the Rise

Table of Contents

Proposal

I. Subject of the Project

II. Business Problem Statement

III. General benefits to the organization

IV. High level Approaches

V. Audience

Milestone 1

I. Company Background

II. Discussion of Business issues

III. Benefits of Solving the problem

IV. Businses/technical Approach

V. High Level Solution

Milestone 2

I. Technology or business practices used to augment the solution

II. Value of the Approach

III. Business process changes

Milestone

I. Technology or business practices used to augment the solution (plus)

II. Conclusions and overall recommendations

III. High-level implementation plan

IV. Summary of project

PROPOSAL

1. Subject of Course Project

The subject of my Course Project is TOP Bookstore using technology to increase competitiveness and profitability. It lacks in dealing with the competition because the word is not out about the bookstore and they do nothing to put themselves out and let others know they are there. I, for one, did not know about the bookstore until I was informed about the open position. Another problem with TOP bookstore is that they lack in the profitability department. Being that not many people come in and buy, not much money is made.

2. Business problem statement

The problem with TOP bookstore is that it lacks technology. In today's society, technology has taken over and if you aren't a part of it then you will be left behind. Lauren Hunter stated that, "Churches are often fearful that technology needed will be too expensive, too difficult to learn, or too complex to maintain." (Hunter, 2012) However, this isn't the case, especially if you have a younger tech savvy person as myself working on the inside. The plan is to find a way to implement technology to increase business for the bookstore.

3. General benefits it will provide the organization

The company will benefit from adding technology in many different ways. First off, it would benefit financially because the use of technology would bring in more and different customers and they would buy products. Second, it would benefit the company in a competitive way. It would have a competitive advantage over other surrounding bookstores. Another benefit for the company would be preparation for the future. Adding in technology would benefit the business in the long run. It would bring in customers and makes things run more smoothly within the business. It would also help the employees to communicate more effectively among themselves and among the customers.

4. High level approach(es)

One approach for involving technology with a bookstore is creating a website (Hollingdrake, 2012). It is one of the easiest ways to bring in customers from all over. People surf the net all of the time and having a website can give them insight on what to expect when they call or come in to the store. The website should include but should not be limited to: name, address, number, directions, pictures, and even some products that are being sold in the store.

A second approach for involving technology would be opening an online store or catalog. This approach allows the customers to order online or come in and discuss a product they saw online. It also allows easy access for the customers who don't have time to come in or those who want to just see if the store carries a certain product.

5. Audience

The target audience for this project is the employers, the store, and the customers. Everyone can benefit from it. It helps the employers build their paycheck since they are paid off of commission, it helps the store because it could possibly build customer loyalty and increase word of mouth, and it helps the customers with fulfilling their needs and wants.

MILESTONE 1

The business problem is lack of competitiveness and profitability due to the lack of technology implemented within the business. Investigating and finding a way to add technology into the business to increase competitiveness among other bookstores and profitability is what needs to be done.

1. Company Background

The organization that my project will be on is TOP Christian Bookstore. It is just like a traditional bookstore and sells all types of book. The only difference is that it only sells Christian books only. It also sells bibles, bible covers, bookmarks, cards, certificates, key chains, bags, car stickers, jewelry, journals, and cups and mugs. We, the employees, are continuously ordering things to add into the store. At the bookstore, if we don't have something then we try our best to find it and order for our customer. If we cannot order it then we suggest somewhere else that it can be found. Its name comes from the church that started it, (T)emple (O)f (P)raise. It is operated in conjunction with the church and has been operating since 2008. It closed down for a few months for some renovations. It recently opened back up and I was hired as a sales associate. It only employs two people, including myself. The manager is an older lady and the person before me was an older gentlemen so they really didn't reach out to the younger generations as well as needed. Before they closed down they only employed members of their church but when they decided to reopen, they thought of bringing others in because it would bring more and new customers in. TOP Christian bookstore is located on South Main Street in Hinesville, Georgia.

2. Discussion of Business Issues

TOP bookstore gets pretty good business. They are just like a typical bookstore. However, it lacks technology that brings in new and different