Supporting the creation of business re‐engineering ideas

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to offer systematic support for the creation of business re‐engineering ideas to exploit new communication channels (such as internet, mobile phone, SMS, and RFID). This approach is designed to enable users to develop new ways of doing business. Design/methodology/approach – Relevant parameters as well as their possible values are identified. These parameters are used to generate a questionnaire containing all possible option descriptions. This (ordered) questionnaire offers systematic support for the creation of business re‐engineering ideas that exploit new communication channels. The methodology is completed by an approach that supports the assessment and selection of new business ideas. A tool that supports this approach has been designed, built, and tested. Findings – The relevant parameters are found to be communication channel, communication mode (informational, interactional, or transactional), stakeholders group, stakeholders status (current or new), product/service group, and product/service status (current or new). Within this approach it is effective to use a workshop leader who organizes and facilitates group discussions. Research limitations/implications – Further research should be directed to the optimal way to use the tool (e.g. by the company itself or by a dedicated consultant). Practical implications – The tool turned out to trigger fruitful group discussions within the company about new business re‐engineering ideas by deliberately utilizing new (or forthcoming) communication channels. Originality/value – The main value of the paper is the systematic (tool) support for the very early stage of the creation of new business ideas.