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Click here for the February 10
revision of the syllabus in Word format. See the class pages for assignment
details with hyperlinks.
Class Schedule
Classes are from 6:30 to 9:15 p.m. on Wednesdays in Lone Mountain 244B. Check the class
Web site for schedule or room changes and assignment details.
| Class 1 |
January 27 |
Introductions, Why
Internet Business |
Lecture: Introductions, Overview, Team creation
Why Internet Business?
The Five Secrets of Success: rapport, empathy, persuasion, cooperation, and consensus
building.
| Class 2 |
February 3 |
Portals &
Collaboration |
Lecture: Basic Internet Technology
Businesses: Internet Portals (Teams 1-5)
Technology: Collaboration (Teams 6-10)
| Class 3 |
February 10 |
Retail & Marketing
Tools |
 | Project proposals due (see below for details). |
Lecture: The 5A Framework
Technology: Marketing Tools (Teams 1-5)
Businesses: Retail papers due (Teams 6-10)
Lecture: Digital Economy
Businesses: Retail presentations (Team 6-10) and discussion
Businesses: Telecom—voice papers due (Team 1-5)
| Class 5 |
February 24 |
Telecom |
Lecture: Security & Privacy
Businesses: Telecom—voice presentations (Team 1-5) and discussion
Businesses: Travel Industry papers due (Teams 6-10)
Lecture: E-commerce systems
Businesses: Travel Industry presentations (Teams 6-10) and discussion
Businesses: Media 1 papers due (Team 1-5)
Guest: Software Methods & Tools
Businesses: Media 1 presentations (Team 1-5) and discussion
Businesses: Media 2 papers due (Team 6-10)
| Enjoy Spring Break next week |
Guest: CitySearch (TBA)
Businesses: Media 2 presentations (Team 6-10) and discussion
Businesses: Finance Industry papers due (Teams 1-5)
Guest: American Express (TBA)
Businesses: Finance Industry presentations (Teams 1-5) and discussion
Businesses: Telecom—data papers due (Teams 6-10)
| Class 10 |
April 7 |
Telecom—data |
Guest: TBA
Businesses: Telecom—data presentations (Teams 6-10) and discussion
Businesses: Electronics Industry papers due (Teams 1-5)
Businesses: Business to business papers due (Teams 6-10)
| Class 11 |
April 14 |
Electronics and B2B |
Businesses: Electronics Industry presentation (Teams
1-5) and discussion
Businesses: Business to Business presentation (Teams 6-10) and discussion
| Class 12 |
April 21 |
Project Presentations
(part 1) |
| Project presentations |
| Class 13 |
April 28 |
Project Presentations
(part 2) |
| Project presentations |
| Class 14 |
May 5 |
The Future of Internet
Business |
| Teams report on their experience using collaboration
tools. |
| The Future of Internet Business panel discussion with
guests (to be arranged). |
| Course evaluation. |
| Project papers due. |
Approach
You are responsible for your learning and for helping your classmates. We will take a
cooperative approach to researching and sharing information.
This course will improve your ability to:
| Use a consulting approach to analyzing a situation, evaluating alternatives, and
creating an action plan that includes follow-up or measurement. |
| Think creatively using business, marketing, and technology skills. |
| Communicate effectively and concisely. |
| Critically evaluate Web style user interface designs. |
Internet use will be an integral part of this course including:
| The class Web site at www.ehrlichorg.com/mba659/
will contain course materials, class notes, references, assignments, and other
information. |
| E-mail for questions and assignments. |
| Purchasing books online. Try other companies in addition
to Amazon.com and evaluate their strengths and weaknesses. |
| Collaboration tools for project work. |
Assignments
There are weekly assignments and a major project as described below. Assignments have
been planned for ten teams of two to four people each.
Teams are encouraged to try using Internet based collaboration tools. In our final
class each team will report on their experience with these tools.
For each class, please:
- Bring in news about Internet Business to share with the class.
- Turn in a paper copy of your assignment (see below) AND e-mail a copy to me.
- Prepare for discussion by learning about the companies and reading the other team’s
papers. All assignments will be posted on the Web site.
- Send an e-mail feedback message within 24 hours after class. Use the question list
posted on the Web site. Include one "The good, the bad, and the ugly" Web design
URL and ad banners with a brief description.
Business Briefs
Each team will prepare Business briefs as specified in the schedule. These include a
short written report (5 pages maximum) with references, an oral presentation, and
discussion. A brief may be looking at one company or comparing and contrasting two or more
companies. It should address the following topics:
- How do they make money?
2. What marketing and brand strategies are they using?
3. What alliances and relationships do they have?
4. How are they using the Internet?
5. What management issues do you see?
- What would you recommend and why?
Please use the following file name convention for your business briefs:
| B for Business, T for Technical |
| Due data in the form MMDD- |
| Group number in two digits |
For example, B0203-06 for a business brief due on February 3 by team 6.
Written Assignment Guidelines
| Organize your ideas into a structure that suits the assignment and the points you want
to make. |
| Use business English with proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation as if you were
writing for a consulting client. |
| Neatness counts. All assignments are expected to be legible with 12-point type. |
| Label the first page with the names of all Team members in alphabetical order, course
number, assignment, and date. Subsequent pages should include names and page numbers. |
| Papers should be stapled or fastened with metal binder clips. Please, no notebooks,
fancy covers, bindings, report covers, etc. |
Class Notes and Materials
If anyone is willing to share their class notes, e-mail them to me and I will post them
on the Web site.
My slides and materials will be posted on the Web site each week. If guest speakers are
willing to provide copies of their materials, these will also be posted.
Class Projects
A major project is required for this class and may be done individually or in teams.
Each project will include:
| Formal presentation to the class and guests with supporting materials. Assuming we have
10 teams, each team will have 20 minutes for presentation and 10 minutes for discussion. |
| Written report. |
The following types of projects are acceptable:
- Business Plan
for a new business that uses the Internet for marketing. Plans will be
evaluated based on the strength of the business concept, the market and customer analysis,
and presentation clarity.
- Consulting Report
outlining an Internet Strategy for an existing business and
showing how the Internet can be used to solve marketing problems, create new products,
invent new channels, encourage repeat purchases, or improve customer support. Reports will
be evaluated based on the understanding of the problem, the strength of the solution, and
presentation clarity.
- Analyst’s Report
evaluating a publicly traded Internet-based business in terms
of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats, and recommendations for improvement.
Reports will be evaluated based on the depth of the analysis, the strength of the
recommendations, and presentation clarity.
Project topics must be approved in advance. The schedule for projects is:
| Project proposal (one page) identifying the team members, type of project, and subject
area is due on February 10. |
| Presentations and class discussion will be April 21 and 28. |
| Written reports are due on May 5. This gives you the opportunity to revise your report
based on feedback during the class discussion. |
Company Confidential Information
Any papers that include company confidential information should be clearly marked as
confidential. Confidential papers will not be posted on the Web site.
Grading
This course will not be graded on a curve. Grades will be determined based on:
20% |
Oral class participation,
preparation, active discussion contribution |
50% |
Business and Technology
briefs |
30% |
Final project (report and
presentation) |
All members will receive the same grades for Team assignments. You are responsible for
assuring that everyone contributes to the success of your team.
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