Businesses that take the time to develop the Internet as a sales tool, he says, will then have a strategic advantage over their off-line competitors.
Predictor: Broadhead, Rick
Prediction, in context:In a 1995 article for The Ottawa Citizen, reporter Pat Brethour interviewed Rick Broadhead. She writes: ”Electronic commerce is still in its infancy. Business is searching for strategies to make shoppers out of cyberspace surfers, who are known to be hostile to the hard sell. Any time now? Some say full-blown cybershopping could be here in five months. Others believe five years could pass before consumers will be able to browse and buy on-line. But businesses should get on the Internet now to build up a profile, even though profits could take a decade to materialize, says Rick Broadhead, co-author of the newly released Canadian Internet Advantage. Businesses that take the time to develop the Internet as a sales tool, he says, will then have a strategic advantage over their off-line competitors. ‘That’s the reason to get online,’ insists Broadhead. ‘Forget about sales.'”
Biography:Rick Broadhead was an author of more than 29 books, including “Selling Online,” “Lightbulbs to Yottabits” and “The Canadian Internet Handbook.” He was billed as one of North America’s leading speakers on the Internet and electronic commerce. (Entrepreneur/Business Leader.)
Date of prediction: January 1, 1995
Topic of prediction: Economic structures
Subtopic: Shopping
Name of publication: Ottawa Citizen
Title, headline, chapter name: Firms Jockey for Online Reward; Internet Develops as Virtual Shopping Mall
Quote Type: Paraphrase
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe/document?_m=85aa955369397b6f5f62122ec1c28257&_docnum=20&wchp=dGLbVlb-lSlAl&_md5=f1d2a3a257938663974ea2b9fb456472
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Burnham, Jay