Networkin g Professional Academic Personal? Hazel Palmer

Networkin g Professional Academic Personal?

Hazel Palmer +

Hazel Palmer +

S MART C ARDS Location Canada Mississauga, Ontario Hazel’s Resume. pdf > Education University of Western Ontario Richard Ivey School of Business Current Work Bank of Nova Scotia Accounting Analyst Curriculum Vitae. docx > Hazel’s Publication > S MART C ARDS Location Canada London, Ontario Curriculum Vitae. doc > Education University of Western Ontario Richard Ivey School of Business Current Work Bank of Nova Scotia Accounting Analyst Hazel’s Resume. pdf > Hazel Palmer +

Political o Patents o Canadian Innovation Commercialization Program. PEST ANALYSIS Economic o The Canadian economy is going through a mid-cycle expansion Social o Social responsibility o Privacy Technological o Technological and mobile era

Company Analysis • Help professional students develop network and market value • Distribution channels : online, through societies or programs • Functional structure : different departments with specialized personnel report to CEO • Organic Structure : teamwork & brainstorm room • Mission : establish Smart. Cards as the leading networking tool in the Business and Management fields.

Company Analysis • Short-term goal : increase financing and market exposure to capture market share & compete for customers in 5 to 7 years • Strategy & tactics : differentiation & expand number of stores • Long-term goal : — develop current market by maintaining competitive advantage and customer loyalty in Canada & builds brand awareness by enter new markets in 8 to 12 years • Strategy & tactics : — New product lines — Attain foreign customer — Partnerships with foreign business schools

Value Proposition • For “students who intend to seek for careers and enhance job experience”, “Smart. Cards” is “an professional information integrated business card” that “offers essential information delivery to recruiters which allow you to network more efficiently” because “of its advanced Quick Response (QR) technology and secure storage of profile”.

SWOT- Strength&Weakness Strength • Innovation • Affordable price • Partnerships with universities in Ontario • High ROI and net NPV Weakness • Insufficient funds to execute marketing plans • Weak recognition • Inadequate resources & professional personnel • No patent

SWOT- Opportunities&Threats Opportunities • First-mover advantage • Large potential consumers • Build more distribution channels • Build strategic alliance Threats • No patent – imitation • Increasing competitors • New technology takes time to adjust in recruitment process

Customer Analysis Our segmentation mostly relies on two variables: Demographics • 18 -30 year old • University and college students Psychographics • Curiosity • Ambition

The buying process 1. Need recognition : need to connect effectively 2. Information search : websites, clubs, educational institutions 3. Evaluation of alternatives : Linked. In, traditional business cards 4. Purchase : online, post-secondary institutions’ clubs or societies 5. Post-purchase evaluation : website, FAQs

• No direct competition • Indirect Competitors: • Linked. In • Digital Business Cards. COMPETITION

PORTER’S FIVE FORCES

Smart. Card: A “smart” business card that gives access to a professional web profile o Encrypted with a Quick Response (QR) technology – scan-able o Once scanned, information is stored on the phone (Online Address Book) o Web profile contains all necessary professional information o All info is stored in cloud – simultaneous updates on all devices o Snapshot Data Sorting tool organizes data in the most relevant and useful manner The physical card is customizable: use our templates or hire a designer at competitive rates Product

Price NAME PRICE QR Code Only $9. 99 Standard $29. 99 per 100 cards Most Popular $49. 99 per 250 cards Premium $59. 99 per 500 cards. Linked. In: • $7. 99/month to $60. 99/month • Max: $499. 99/month • Most use free no frills accounts Our Pricing Vista. Print: • $10 per 100 cards for plain vanilla • >$20 per 100 for advanced design • Accessories available

Targeting Job Seekers Targeting Students. Promotion Search Engine Optimization Social Media Marketing

Place Main Store: Website Distribution: Mail Service: Cloud Next Platform: Mobile

Market Perception After 16 UTM students were given our product to try for two weeks, we conducted the following survey. It is evident that UTM students see the value and benefit of our product. Our sample confirms that Smart. Cards is easy to use, as well as an innovation that students value. See Appendix A* for Survey

Strategy Competitive Advantage Focus on post-secondary student needs and its unwavering dedication to database technology Marketing & Customer Retention — Target Market: Post-Secondary Students — Value-Based Pricing — Direct selling to post-secondary institutions — Marketing Channels: post-secondary institutions and online (See Notes) — Social media Engage students by providing tips to successfully network with recruiters — Customer Retention strategy — “Smart Points” (See Notes) — Sponsor networking events with business cards that have a QR code/access to our software

Business Model Canvas See Appendix B for SWOT Analysis