1
Preparing To Conduct Business Research (Part 1): Shapeways®
RES/421
2/18/2015
2
Preparing To Conduct Business Research (Part 1): Shapeways®
Shapeways® is the current leader in online 3D printing services for the general public.
They are interested in capitalizing off of the current evolutions in the medical industry, with
concerns to 3D printed prosthetics, tissue, and other medical equipment and life enhancement
products. The current market is very specialized, with only a select few businesses actually
producing 3D printed materials in that scope. The initial plan of approach will be to organize the
prospective doctors and their services, efficiently connect the inquiring public to the
professionals. From this initial phase in development, Shapeways® would like to move into
actual production, with an auditing process that gains the necessary diagnostic information from
the client/patient, and allows orders for specialized orders of Shapeways® available inventory.
Combining the commodity business model with one that is more hands on, and potentially
medically oriented presents a multitude of complications and considerations before a plan is
acted upon. Because we are dealing with a certain amount of unknown variables, it may be
important that the vision be further refined as we progress, but our avenues of execution are clear
and defined; Define a process in which complex 3D printed can be made available to the general
public in a cost effective, and efficient manner. Connect and broker relationships to prospective
clients/patients in need to custom printed items (similar to designing a custom engagement ring
through an online configurator). Initial an auditing process that gains the client info that can be
scaled nationally/internationally. Item an ever-expanding list of services, within the scope of this
direction, which can be accomplished with both our current and prospective equipment.
3
The Realities of Our Endeavor
The significance of making the service of custom item printing more functional and
applicable to the physical needs of the public, is that it stands to solidify the potential 3D printing
in the minds of those who serve to benefit from it, most. This marriage of service and production
may also open an avenue for access to other industry specific goods and designers, evolving the
science, exponentially. These and a multitude of other implications serve as sufficient initiative
for Shapeways® inquiry.
The Scope
The scope of such development includes potential licensing requirements, HIPPA
compliance research, creation of a inventory of services, doctor search and contracting, auditor
training and curriculum, and whether or not the business should remain one entity, or create a
sister company or subsidiary to carry the new initiative.
The Magnitude
Beyond the small number of additions and development, are the large number
compartmental pieces included in those changes. Due diligence, with regards to the materials
needed, research and development, and trials will further help us refine the magnitude of our
initial launch, as well as what the future beyond that point, holds.
The Feasibility
Shapeways® current positioning in the 3D printing market opens our innovations to a
public that isn’t entirely ignorant of the mediums implication. In a very real way, the individual
pieces of the monster which we are trying to construct already exist in a fragmented way. Our
4
position will be that of a conduit for those current technologies and an aggregate of the various
genres /sub-genres of services needed to create the final product.
Why We Should Act On The Times
Though the aforementioned market position is advantageous, it stokes the flames of
urgency for research into these potentials, if Shapeways® is to retain that dominant,
advantageous position. Being on the cutting edge of the reach of 3D printing, beyond the current
commercially driven uses, creates possibilities for people that may not have existed, prior. It can
be seen as the responsibility of the big fish in such a market, to make the more necessary and
essential products which this medium can furnish, more widely available in a cost effective and
timely manner. It is also important to establish a well vetted, tried, and tested set of standards for
3D human application, which can be researched by those who intend on using it. This
transparency not only edifies the market base, but allows those who would seek to enter of
further expand the industry a safe minimal pivot point.
Conclusion
As mentioned before, the pieces of the vision seem to exist, but mainly needs to be
refined, organized, and applied toward a common goal. The findings of our research department
should serve as an essential peek into the true scope of what we are trying to accomplish. This
service stands to empower and educate users as to the possibilities of 3D printing for personal
function, and push the limits of design and medicine.
5
References
Shapeways. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.shapeways.com/
Running head: PREPARING TO CONDUCT BUSINESS RESEARCH (PART 2)
Preparing to Conduct Business Research (Part 2) Shapeways®
RES/351
02/26/2015
1
PREPARING TO CONDUCT BUSINESS RESEARCH (PART 2)
2
Preparing to Conduct Business Research (Part 2) Shapeways®
Abstract
This paper discusses Shapeways® business objectives, what they will consider in
research and the ethical consideration that they conduct the research and as they conduct their
daily business.
Business Objectives
Shapeways® main objectives include productivity. They are aiming at increasing their
productivity on providing online 3D printing services to medical industry. They aim at providing
to the healthcare industry well organized printing materials to connect medical professionals and
the general public. Secondly, they aim at providing 3Dprited materials to the general public in a
cost effective way. Shapeways® also aims at empowering people to design and make money
from their sites. They achieve this though allowing designers from all over the work to design
and sell their wonderful designs online. Its business objectives also include making the designers
to access the best industrial 3D printing technology for higher profitability to them and the
company. They are also interested in marketing their products appropriately with the help of
their affiliate designers and customers who enjoy their products. They also aim at reducing
competition from competitors by creating a platform that makes the company to be more
competitive.
Research questions
In preparing to do business the research question that should be asked include the
following. First, who is the target market? In ensuring that the product has a market, the
company should ensure that they define the market to avoid making products that has very
limited market. Secondly, who are our competitors in the market? Defining and understanding
PREPARING TO CONDUCT BUSINESS RESEARCH (PART 2)
3
the competitors is also vital in running business, therefore, we should try to analyze our
competitors in online 3D printing business. What reputation does or brand have in both local and
global market? This will be helpful in evaluating the reputation of the brand and how it can be
improved in the market. What improvement could be made in the brand to meet the customer
need and serve them better? This will deal with the brand development for better customer
experience.
Hypotheses and variables
In the research process the company should consider the effect that would be brought
about by enlarging the market from local to global. In this case they should consider how market
size would be affected by launching promotion methods in foreign countries (Keay, 2011). They
should also consider the effects of market if we consider hiring and motivating our designers in
the online market as they embark on improving on quality and standardized designs. On the other
hand we should also consider effects of raising the cost of services we offer to our clients, both
the affiliate designers and the customers. Will it give a competitive end or it will lead to
competition disadvantage to the company. Lowering the price of the products and promoting our
brand would lead to an increased sale and competitive advantage.
Ethical issues
This business is not free from ethical issues hence some ethical considerations will be
evaluated. First, information security is vital in online business since it might expose the business
to hackers leading to loss of information and money made by online sales. This will negatively
affect business operations making the employees lose confidence with company. The
organization may also face the intellectual property theft and copy right issues since anyone one
in the industry can access information and the organization brand and sell to other customers the
PREPARING TO CONDUCT BUSINESS RESEARCH (PART 2)
4
way it is without the consent of the company (Fraedrich, and Ferrell, 2010). This will affect the
production and business of the company. Finally, we are prone to offering poor services to the
customers by offering them with products that do not give them value for their money. This will
tarnish the name of the organization.
Research purpose
Purpose of the research will be to research and analyze the competitors in art industry.
This research will be used in identifying and analyzing the competition in the industry and
possible improvements that can be done to the brand to continue leading in the market. Secondly,
the research will be used to set the most appropriate price of 3D material. This will be used to
ensure that the set price of the company’s brand are not too high and that are not too low to make
losses or to be doubted on quality. This research is to ensure that the clients and the customers of
the organization get value for their money. The research will also aim at evaluating effectiveness
of the method that is used in the organization to design and distribute to both local and foreign
market. The research will also consider evaluating the issues that organization might be exposed
to in the operations.
Conclusion
Shapeways® Company aims at providing printing services to their market in an effective
way from all corners of the earth. This is achieved by distributing their products and their
affiliate’s products through internets. In ensuring that these services are effectively distributed
they need to take up a research evaluating the market, their products and their competitors. In
running this business they need to have an understanding regarding ethical issues that may affect
business operation like information loss and hackers that might affect business. This will help
them to operate effectively and be in a position to compete in the market (Shapeways® 2015).
PREPARING TO CONDUCT BUSINESS RESEARCH (PART 2)
Reference
Fraedrich, J., & Ferrell, L. (2010). Business ethics: Ethical decision making and cases:
2009 update. Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage Learning.
Keay, A. (2011). The Corporate Objective. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Pub.
Shapeways®. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.shapeways.com/
5
1
Preparing To Conduct Business Research (Part 1): Shapeways®
RES/421
2/18/2015
2
Preparing To Conduct Business Research (Part 1): Shapeways®
Shapeways® is the current leader in online 3D printing services for the general public.
They are interested in capitalizing off of the current evolutions in the medical industry, with
concerns to 3D printed prosthetics, tissue, and other medical equipment and life enhancement
products. The current market is very specialized, with only a select few businesses actually
producing 3D printed materials in that scope. The initial plan of approach will be to organize the
prospective doctors and their services, efficiently connect the inquiring public to the
professionals. From this initial phase in development, Shapeways® would like to move into
actual production, with an auditing process that gains the necessary diagnostic information from
the client/patient, and allows orders for specialized orders of Shapeways® available inventory.
Combining the commodity business model with one that is more hands on, and potentially
medically oriented presents a multitude of complications and considerations before a plan is
acted upon. Because we are dealing with a certain amount of unknown variables, it may be
important that the vision be further refined as we progress, but our avenues of execution are clear
and defined; Define a process in which complex 3D printed can be made available to the general
public in a cost effective, and efficient manner. Connect and broker relationships to prospective
clients/patients in need to custom printed items (similar to designing a custom engagement ring
through an online configurator). Initial an auditing process that gains the client info that can be
scaled nationally/internationally. Item an ever-expanding list of services, within the scope of this
direction, which can be accomplished with both our current and prospective equipment.
3
The Realities of Our Endeavor
The significance of making the service of custom item printing more functional and
applicable to the physical needs of the public, is that it stands to solidify the potential 3D printing
in the minds of those who serve to benefit from it, most. This marriage of service and production
may also open an avenue for access to other industry specific goods and designers, evolving the
science, exponentially. These and a multitude of other implications serve as sufficient initiative
for Shapeways® inquiry.
The Scope
The scope of such development includes potential licensing requirements, HIPPA
compliance research, creation of a inventory of services, doctor search and contracting, auditor
training and curriculum, and whether or not the business should remain one entity, or create a
sister company or subsidiary to carry the new initiative.
The Magnitude
Beyond the small number of additions and development, are the large number
compartmental pieces included in those changes. Due diligence, with regards to the materials
needed, research and development, and trials will further help us refine the magnitude of our
initial launch, as well as what the future beyond that point, holds.
The Feasibility
Shapeways® current positioning in the 3D printing market opens our innovations to a
public that isn’t entirely ignorant of the mediums implication. In a very real way, the individual
pieces of the monster which we are trying to construct already exist in a fragmented way. Our
4
position will be that of a conduit for those current technologies and an aggregate of the various
genres /sub-genres of services needed to create the final product.
Why We Should Act On The Times
Though the aforementioned market position is advantageous, it stokes the flames of
urgency for research into these potentials, if Shapeways® is to retain that dominant,
advantageous position. Being on the cutting edge of the reach of 3D printing, beyond the current
commercially driven uses, creates possibilities for people that may not have existed, prior. It can
be seen as the responsibility of the big fish in such a market, to make the more necessary and
essential products which this medium can furnish, more widely available in a cost effective and
timely manner. It is also important to establish a well vetted, tried, and tested set of standards for
3D human application, which can be researched by those who intend on using it. This
transparency not only edifies the market base, but allows those who would seek to enter of
further expand the industry a safe minimal pivot point.
Conclusion
As mentioned before, the pieces of the vision seem to exist, but mainly needs to be
refined, organized, and applied toward a common goal. The findings of our research department
should serve as an essential peek into the true scope of what we are trying to accomplish. This
service stands to empower and educate users as to the possibilities of 3D printing for personal
function, and push the limits of design and medicine.
5
References
Shapeways. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.shapeways.com/
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