What is e-Strategy?

First came the boom. Then came the bust?

Not exactly.

It turns out that the euphoria over e-Business was well justified. e-Business has changed our lives. It has changed the face of business. Ask Barnes and Noble and Blockbuster, what e-Business has done to their businesses. Been to a travel agent lately? Heard about all those people making all that money on e-Bay?

After over a decade, now, there is still confusion on what is e-Business!!

So, what is e-Business? Some think that putting up a website is e-Business. Some others think that unless you sell online you are not an e-Business. It turns out that there is truth in both views but it is much broader than they suggest.

e-Business is the use of the internet to create value

This value can be created by selling online. But it can also be created by servicing online. It can also be created by partnering online. e-Business is the interaction of a business with the online ecosystem. You are in the living rooms - or wherever the "computer" is these days - of people. It is up to you as to how you use that access to create value for your business.

What is e-Strategy? e-Strategy is identifying how you will create value for your business online. Every business is not suited to sell online. Imagine Boeing having a shopping cart! But Boeing could use the net to build its brand. Create a positive buzz about its planes or fight the negative headlines about its defense business.

e-Strategy is not about the functions and features of your website. It is about changing your business model to take advantage of the net!