Archive for January, 2009
Hightech Water Boarding from Intuit?
Posted by admin in Internship, Worthwhile on January 29th, 2009
Background: switched payroll service from Intuit to Paycycle.com. Waited until year end in order to simplify the transfer of information. Was reassured by Intuit that they would process all my 2008 tax filings. However when we sent them the state quarterly documents, they promptly returned them w/o explanation. I emailed the Intuit employee who helped me cancel the service and was the one who said no problem, all 2008 stuff would be handle. He gave me a phone number and said I needed to call and get this taken care of.
I called this afternoon and ended up being on hold for 4+ hours (see image below to prove the time on the phone). During this time, rather than listening to music, there was this lady who came on about every 30 seconds to tell me why my bank account might have been charged for processing W2’s and how I could go online to find out when my W2’s will be delivered. Do the math – every 30 seconds X 4 hours!!! It was driving me crazy!!! Everytime I’d step away from my desk to talk with an employee I’d come running back as soon as heard her voice, hoping beyond hope that a real person would be there. Only to experience the continual trip of that lady’s voice with the same message, over and over and over and ….. you get the drift.
Finally I had reached my torture endurance level and hung up. But before doing so I wanted SOMETHING tangible to come from my 4 hour on hold experience so I snapped this photo. On a more positive note – this confirmed that my decision to leave Intuit payroll service was a GREAT ONE!! Paycycle has been very responsive to my requests. I’ve also cut my monthly payroll processing fees in half. And now my employees have access to their paystubs history online! You see, technology can be used for improving our condition rather than torturing us! 
I know, some of you are thinking “serves him right for calling a payroll service during the month of January!” I’ve learned my lesson. Leave the “big boy” and give the guy in 2nd a chance to impress you. He might just win you over!!
Proof I was on hold for 4+ hours
BJU MBA 675 – Chapter 2 Priceline Case Study
Complete these questions from the Priceline case study presented in chapter 2.
- What are the core components of Priceline’s business model?
- Do you think Priceline will ultimately succeed or fail? Why?
- How has Priceline (and similar online services) impacted the travel services industry?
- Follow up on development at Priceline since September 2008 when this case study was prepared. Has its business model and/or strategy changed at all? If so, how? (suggestion: start with sec.gov looking for reports filed by Priceline)
- Who are its strongest competitors?
- Is it profitable or operating at a loss?
BJU MBA 675 – Chapter 1 Discussion of “The Revolution” Part 4
Consider the “disciplines concerned with e-commerce” (figure 1.11). Discuss your depth of experience/knowledge in each area.
Discuss how you would take this information (so many disciplines involved in e-commerce) and apply it to creating a new e-commerce business.
BJU MBA 675 – Chapter 1 Discussion of “The Revolution” Part 3
Consider the “insight on technology” discussion about the structure of the Web. At one point in time we thought the web structure was like human networks – we are all separated by 6 degrees (I encourage you to google this if you have never heard of it). It was believed that all web pages are separated by only 19 clicks. This article suggestions something radically different. What impact does this have on you as an e-commerce manager?
BJU MBA 675 – Chapter 1 Discussion of “The Revolution” Part 2
You are the owner of a single brick and mortar retail store. Sales are not spectacular. You are considering moving the store online. Select one of the “eight unique features of e-commerce technology” and discuss how it would impact your decision. If you would prefer to take the negative position on this one, explain why you would not switch to e-commerce and what you would do to make the business grow.
BJU MBA 675 – Chapter 1 Discussion of “The Revolution” Part 1
Here are the first set of questions about chapter 1; btw, if you don’t have your textbook with you you might find some answers in the ppt files, located in 360 under “resources”
Copy each of these questions and paste into your response (comment) followed by your answers. Please put the questions in BOLD as I’ve done below.
- What impressed you the most about the myspace/facebook discussion at the start of the chapter?
- What were 3 statistics about e-commerce which most impressed you?
BJU CpS 477 CpS Internship Updates – Spring 2009
Those of you taking the CpS Internship this semester, this is where you will submit your bi-weekly updates as specified in the course requirements. Each post should be 150-200 words and should summarize the work you performed in your internship position the prior 2 weeks. Share lessons learned, problems solved, problems unsolved, things you need to learn, etc.
Refer to the course schedule for due dates. Late post grades will be negatively impacted propotional to the amount of lateness.
Each post should include the number of hours you worked during the period and the cumulative hours you’ve worked for the semester.
BJU CpS 467 IT Internship Updates – Spring 2009
Those of you taking the IT Internship this semester, this is where you will submit your bi-weekly updates as specified in the course requirements. Each post should be 150-200 words and should summarize the work you performed in your internship position the prior 2 weeks. Share lessons learned, problems solved, problems unsolved, things you need to learn, etc.
Refer to the course schedule for due dates. Late post grades will be negatively impacted propotional to the amount of lateness.
Each post should include the number of hours you worked during the period and the cumulative hours you’ve worked for the semester.