Maximize opportunities by marketing on the Web.

• Author: GOULIQUER, DIANNE

Making the transition from the old, M paper-based way of doing things to the world of computer-based business continues to intimidate investors and consumers. This fear is preventing up-and-coming businesses from reaching their full potential when trying to market or sell new computer software or applications, says the chief executive officer and president of the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre (SSMIC).

"Initially people are still wrapped up with the traditional ways of marketing products and services," Gerry Taylor says of companies struggling to sell their intellectual property. "There is a whole host of new techniques out there that people can get involved in, especially Web-enabled types of techniques, to get your products and services out to the local market.

The solution, he says, is for companies to set aside their fears and take the plunge into the information technology world.

"I think the biggest mistake is people not overcoming that very fear of moving into the environment that's moving very quickly," Taylor says. "There's a lot of opportunity that people miss because they're not participating and they're not racing down that fast track; they're very timid and they sit back and watch other individuals and other businesses proceed. Some fail and others succeed, but there's still that hold-back, that sense of fear. Even with e-commerce, there are people that understand that you can make a transaction over the Internet, but they don't understand what the full. impact of e-commerce is; and that if they don't put their service or product out on the Internet or register with certain search engines, they're going to lose sales.".

The Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre is a not-for-profit organization with a mandate to encourage the development of the knowledge-based economy in the Algoma District. SSMIC works closely with its community partners to enhance the information technology capacity of the district, and to position the area as a world leader in providing information system solutions.

The centre helps clients identify their information system needs and walks through the planning, development and implementation stages with them.

"We're involved with the chamber of commerce, we're in discussions with various groups in the city, and we try and bring new information to people," Taylor says. "We're developing a. dynamic Web site, and we're going to be developing newsletters with certain hints and techniques on participating in the...