Business Commons^™

Small businesses and entrepreneurs are rushing to the Internet to do business and reach new markets. While e-commerce is used for advertising, business-to-consumer and business-to-business transactions, small businesses and entrepreneurs encounter several challenges. This paper examines both the opportunities and challenges that are posed by the use of e-commerce and makes recommendations to small businesses and entrepreneurs so they can overcome the challenges and exploit the opportunities presented by e-commerce.

Russell Vernon, a second-generation owner and manager of West Point Market in Akron, Ohio must decide whether to settle, go to court or reconcile (mutually agreeable solution) with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on an allegation of racial discrimination. He firmly believes that he is innocent. If he chooses to reconcile or settle the case out of court, he could be construed as a racist. If he chooses to go to court and loses, he may lose his family business. This emotionally charged situation is presented as a management decision that must be based on an analysis of the facts. …