Message-ID: <000401bea4a8$cded6220$876e86a5@default> Date: Sat, 22 May 1999 18:14:12 -0500 From: Jerome Katz <mailto:katzja@SLU.EDU> Subject: SUMMARY: SME Help via the Internet To: mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU
SUMMARY TO QUESTION: What kind of help might be offered to
SMEs or their consultants via the Internet
I want to thank all those who answered. I was overjoyed with
the responses to the list and to me directly. This note summarizes
the responses, as I promised.
The help wanted fell neatly into four categories (if you're willing
to let one category get very varied):
(1) Providing outside analysis - in effect second opinions - on
the different kinds of plans SMEs might develop, e.g. business
plans, feasibility studies, marketing plans, etc.
(2) Providing conventional library and Internet research capabilties
to consultants who cannot use these services. For example, where
Internet charges are billed per-minute, or long-distance, or both,
the cost of Internet searching quickly becomes prohibitive. Also
many consultants are working where there are minimal library resources.
(3) Consulting on using the Internet for business.
(4) Specialized, industry or geographically specific kinds of consulting
requested by specific organizations.
Three NGOs reponded with requests to be provided the MBA-student-delivered
service if and when we can create it. After the response to my query, I
feel more confident that the service can be developed. If there are other
consultants to SMEs who think they might want the help from our service,
please let me know and I will include you on the planning group. My email
is mailto:katzja@slu.edu . My website is http://www.slu.edu/eweb .
Once again, thanks for your help,
Jerry Katz
Jerome (Jerry) Katz, Murray Endowed Professor, Saint Louis University, 3674
Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108 USA, mailto:katzja@slu.edu, 314-977-3864w,
314-275-8721h, 314-275-7513fax, www.slu.edu/eweb