Town of Cochrane Strategic Plan – Final Report October 2014
2.4 Other Benefits and Applications
In its handbook, “How You Can Profit from E-business,” 178 the Province of Ontario outlines the 10
primary reasons why businesses consider investing in E-business applications:
1. Heightened competition: this results
in the loss of customers and revenues
to businesses already utilizing Ebusiness.
3. E-business can increase sales.
5. E-business can help reach new
markets.
7. E-business enables quick and
widespread distribution of
information.
9. E-business can reduce cost.
2. E-business facilitates the spread of
competitive information, equalling better
business deals.
4. E-business can improve marketing
strategies.
6. E-business enhances customer service.
8. E-business allows small businesses to
compete with large businesses.
10. E-business can improve efficiency.
A range of beneficial applications are available to SMEs interested in implementing E-business
functionality. The most common examples include customer relationship management systems for
integrated business-to-consumer operations, blogging for external communications, and those
fostering efficiencies around internal operations and production. For a series of overview documents
on these and other applications, see the Government of Ontario’s E-Business Toolkit.179
3. Cochrane’s ICT Environment and the Strategic Plan
The following provides an assessment of the various factors that may impact Cochrane’s decision to
invest in or encourage SMEs in their leveraging of E-business applications. The first consideration is
the mandate by which the Steering Committee is empowered to evaluate project possibilities. That
is, the town’s vision and mission.
Vision:
Together, Cochrane residents are building a
sustainable economy that supports a culturally
diverse and vibrant northern way of life.
Mission:
Our mission is to provide residents with exemplary
municipal services through positive leadership,
innovation, and an entrepreneurial spirit.
From the previous assessment of E-business and its ability to reinforce both SME operations and to
bolster community economic development, the investment in online activity directly applies to
Cochrane’s vision and mission. These operations are vital to a sustainable model of economic
development, utilise innovative technological means to boost economic activity, and, if driven by
enterprising individuals or organisations, embody the best features of entrepreneurship. As such, Ebusiness and E-commerce operations can rightly be considered as consistent with Cochrane’s
strategic plan.
178
Ministry of Economic Development, Trade, and Employment. (2013). Chapter 3: How You Can Profit From EBusiness. Available at: https://www.ontario.ca/business-and-economy/how-you-can-profit-e-business
179
Ibid.
118