1. QuickBiz
Team Assignment
Strategic IT Project Management Analysis
ISM4011 spring 2012
Jennifer Write, Rita Sylvia, Carlos Bertizlian
May 8, 2012

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Table of Content Page
Introduction, Mission, Vision…………………………………………………………………………..3
SWOT Analysis………………………………………………………………………………………...4
Strengths……………………………………………………………………………………….5
Weakness………………………………………………………………………………………6
Opportunities …………………………………………………………………………………..7
Threats …………………………………………………………………………………….……7
Advertisement…………………………………………………………………………………………..8
What the project/company does now………………………………………………………..8
What the project/company plans to do in the future…………………………………….….8
Ideals project/company committed to………………………………………………………..8
Project goals/deliverables……………………………………………………………………..8
Project Manager Roles…………………………………………………………………………………9
Functional Head………………………………………………………………………………10
Transformational Lead……………………………………………………………………….10
Business Strategist…………………………………………………………………………...11
Smarter Project………………………………………………………………………………….……..12
Specific…………………………………………………………………….…………………..12
Measureable……………………………………………………………………………..……12
Achievable……………………………………………………………………………………..12
Realistic……………………………………………………..…………………………………12
Time Specific………………………………………………………………………………….13
Ethical………………………………………………………………………………………….13
Recorded………………………………………………………………………………………14
GUANXI………………………………………………………………………………………..15
Kaizen………………………………………………………………………………………….16
Risk Adversity…………………………………………………………………………………16
Work Cited……………………………………………………………..…………………………….…17

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Introduction
Andrew Langston is president and founder of QuickBiz, a bicycle, car and truck deliver
company with 90 employees in Seattle, Washington. QuickBiz is a very professional, well
established, and well respected company used by attorneys, pharmacies, art galleries, and
many other businesses. It all began during college. Andrew competed in the cycling club’s races
at Eastern University. A friend told him that he worked part time for a local bicycle delivery
service, so Andrew decided to sign up too. That is how he learned the ropes of the messenger
delivery business. After graduation, Andrew had moved back to Seattle, his hometown, and
started QuickBiz in the early 1990’s. It is the best way he could think of to combine his love of
cycling with the need to earn a living.
Mission
We have been able to accomplish the impossible by banning together to provide reliable,
professional service without compromise.
Vision
Earning your trust one delivery at a time

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QuickBiz – S.W.O.T
QuickBiz SWOT ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES
SIS Database Security
Culture Technology
Unique Balance Time
Kaizen Equipment Breakdown
Technology Working Conditions
OPPORTUNITES THREATS
Technology IT Weather
Changing from Microsoft access to Oracle Local Competition
Expanding to other areas National Companies i.e. UPS, USPS
Expanding to other business, i.e. attorneys High Turnover
Selling company in near future City Traffic
Table 1 - S.W.O.T Analysis
Strengths
From the beginning (see table 1), Andrew Langston as President and founder of QuickBiz
has always shown an interest in research development and implementation of technology for
the organization. His strategic information vision is part of the overall organizational strategic
plan. As QuickBiz encountered its growing pains, Andrew used SIS to achieve his long term
competitive advantage.
The culture that exists within QuickBiz is a willingness to be team players, loyalty for the
company and its founders, and dedication for the company and its success. The messengers of
QuickBiz saw firsthand how much Andrew cared for his employees and families. Actions are

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taken immediately to solve company issues. Employees appreciated Quickbiz’s interest in how
the company communicated with them, designed the work life schedule and a well structured
human resource department.
QuickBiz is unique in the sense that is one of the first companies in downtown Seattle to
offer messengers on bicycles. They emphasize on-time delivery, VIP services, and putting the
customers first. Andrew’s unique approach of “white glove” services to galleries and medical
centers made him one of a kind messenger delivery company.
QuickBiz has another strength known as kaizen. It means continuous improvement.
QuickBiz is always improving to be the best messenger service in Seattle. At first, business was
slow but the timing was right and helped the company to survive. As QuickBiz expanded rapidly
over its first few years as the demand grew for its services. Since the business is growing,
Andrew started to add more staff—messengers and dispatchers, and went from bikes to trucks.
Throughout the expansion of the company, they had to meet several challenges but the
company keeps on improving themselves and the company.
At first, Andrew opened QuickBiz and worked solo, he wrote every log sheet and
customer slip by hand and he had no computer. When business picked up, it has upgraded its
information systems to streamline its processes and handle its increasing customer load.
Technology has helped Andrew manage Quickbiz’s complexity repeatedly through the years.
Weaknesses
QuickBiz always gather and maintains many types of data in its databases. But
sometimes the security and safe backups aren’t always secure while being accessible to

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customers and employees. Since they live in Seattle, natural disasters can happen at any time.
QuickBiz would need a better way to keep their databases safe and secure.
Technology does have its advantages and weaknesses. Systems can affect the quality of
output. Since technology is a critical component of an organization's risk management strategy,
constant monitoring is necessary to ensure its effectiveness.
Equipment breakdown is a big weakness for QuickBiz. When Seattle had a 6.8 –scale
earthquake, Quickbiz’s main office suffered some damage but its main information system is
down for 2 days. Messengers could still make deliveries and save data on their handheld
computers but the main system is down. When equipment breakdowns no companies can
access their data or keep in contact with their employees.
Working conditions can be stressful for Quickbiz messengers. There was a time that a
quickly opened door of a parked car had flattened one of his first messengers and landed him in
the ER. Riding on a bicycle on the street while there is traffic can really cause some damage and
injuries for the messenger.
Opportunities
The internet and the latest technology should be used as a huge advantage for QuickBiz.
Changing from Microsoft Access to Oracle will make QuickBiz more control of their business
and their customers and employees. Expanding to other areas and businesses is a big
opportunity for QuickBiz. QuickBiz needs to offer more options and services to consumers, i.e.
shipping online and faster delivery. QuickBiz should consider contracting with other online
companies that use shipping services to gain brand recognition and trust! Maybe in the near
future, Andrew and the company could sell the business.

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Threats
The major threats to QuickBiz are the other major competitors within their market
segment. For example, BAX Global, FedEx, DHL, and other local couriers are services that also
experienced continued growth in these years. Another threat would be the weather of Seattle.
One minutes it could be sunny the next it would be raining like cats and dogs. This could slow
down deliveries. High turnover is another threat. Not everyone wants to be a delivery person
for their entire life. Traffic is big threats to any company that delivery’s; it slows down delivery
time, can’t make the delivery on time, if it is an important delivery such as legal documents or
certain medical supplies. There will always be threats to any company.

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Fast, reliable, professional & quality oriented
 Reasonable rates without compromise!
From small packages to large cargo
Ask about our VIP services!
Routes Services:
• Bank deposits
•Dental/Medical
•Entertainment WWW.QUICKBIZ.COM
123 MAIN STREET AVE
• Hotels SEATTLE, WA 98115
•Legal
•Mail services
•Payroll
•Real Estate
•Retail

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QuickBiz is implementing systematic processes to benefit of the organization.
Functional Head
Andrew Langston, Leslie Chen,
Leslie Chen as Functional head is focused on reducing costs, committed to company
success, suggests creating an intranet so that messengers could upload delivery information
through their wireless connections is way to increase the bottom line. To reduce time uploading
data, Leslie Chen progressed to using handheld computers. A cell phone representative
recommended using a wireless card that messengers could use to upload delivery information
directly to the company’s database. In addition, QuickBiz reduces overhead by accessing input
from all employees, turning all lights off when not in use, using VoIP phone service, recycling all
paper waste, and the purchase of high quality used equipment.
Transformational Lead
Kayla Brown
Kayla Brown, a Transformational Lead effectively enhanced QuickBiz by motivating both
individuals and groups to look at ways to improve. As an IT consultant, she helped Andrew see
he needed to use a more powerful database management system (DBMS). Andrew’s
commitment to innovation is important and Kayla Brown respected this sense of identity/brand
and mission. This critical lead provides a window, allowing the organization to not see is as it is
or where is was, but what it can be in the future. Kayla Brown used data-mining software to

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find BI for the company; she is able to show the strengths and weakness of the company,
allowing Andrew to align tasks to optimize performance.
Business Strategist
Sarah Truesdale
Short Term goals—
 Keeping up with changing software and technology
 Increasing profit
 Cutting costs
 Improving efficiency
 Improving Human Resources
Long Term goals-
 Be the dominant Messenger Courier in Seattle
 To become recognized in our industry
 Customer service
 Employee Appreciation
 Expand the company
 Sell the company
 Increasing profit
 Cutting costs

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QuickBiz continues to explore new ways of implementing SIS in its organization. Using
information technology has led to many successes for example:
S- Specific
Quick Biz wants to expand to other cities around Seattle within two years. As Quick Biz
expands to those other places the company will gain more clients and employees. The
company would invest into the latest technology to help their messengers, and drivers to help
their clients have the best service they can have. Sometime in the future, the company will
probably be sold. The goal is to be the best messenger courier in Washington.
M- Measurable
Outcomes of a notable change or benefits produced from change. (see table 3)
Customer Friendly Adding 100 more Jobs in WA
Keeping up on the latest Technology Expand Cliental
Consist contact with the messengers
Table 3 Measurable Benefits
A = Achievable
Set goals successfully carried out (see table4)
Using Oracle by in the end of the year A GPS in every handheld computer by June 3,
2012
Messengers will use Smart Phones by Add a Traffic-Monitoring Service by 2013
July 15, 2012
Add tracking to the deliveries by 2013
Table 4 Success Goals

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R- Realistic
Realistic goals when met drive the team, department and organization forward.
 Goals to go from bicycles, cars, and trucks.
 Higher office staff who result-oriented.
 Increasing and upgrading its information system are result oriented by allowing support
of the increasing customer load, a worthwhile endeavor.
 The decision to buy a server and hand help computers allowed dispatcher’s and
messengers to stay connected. A results-oriented project.
 Automating payroll and accounting service.
 Streamlining customer paperwork.
 Tracking equipment maintenance and supplies.
 Routing deliveries
 Maintaining customer and messenger contact
 Providing customer services on the web.
 Handling customer and employee database files.

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T- Time Specific
Opened QuickBiz Offices June 1, 1986
Assisted the rescue of new messengers who became lost – September 3, 1992
Offering Website Service online to handle increased customer demand January 2, 2003
Launched Software to enable connection between dispatch and courier March 3,2003
Opened 2nd office to double staff November 15, 2004
Acquired more powerful database management system (DBMS) March 22, 2008
Opened 3rd Office expanding Territory January 1, 2009
Table 5 Time Specific Goals
E- Ethical
QuickBiz gathers and maintains many types of data in its database. Their goals are to
ensure security while still being accessible to customers and employees. These goals
are accomplished by using set of conditions to ensure autonomy and dignity.
 QuickBiz Information Privacy- the way in which they handle personal information such
as age, addresses, sexual preference and so on.
 Financial Data – Personal financial data must be kept in its highest confidentiality in
order to secure private information including credit cards, checking and savings
accounts, loans, payroll direct deposit, and brokerage accounts.
 All financial transactions must be done with proper authentication method which can
be filled up by the user, such as personal log on name, password, account number, or
PIN (Kinicki & Williams, 2006).

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R- Recorded
 Customer comes first
 On time delivery
 Automated Payroll and Accounting Services
 Ongoing training for messengers and dispatchers
 Streamlining customer paperwork
 Tracking equipment maintenance and supplies
 Routing deliveries software
 Instant communication technology for customer and messenger contact
 Provide customized services on the web
 Use DBMS to handle customer and employee files
 Track employee productivity for Kaizen
 Implementation of Wi-Fi
 Biometrics for security of finance and sensitive information
Guanxi
Andrew Langston grew his company QuickBiz into a very successful enterprise. Andrew
appreciated the collaboration of many people along the way. One of those individuals that
Andrew first hired was Sarah Truesdale. She helped him as a bookkeeper and receptionist.
Sarah organized the office and set up basic business applications - word processing,

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spreadsheet, and database programs. In addition, Andrew had assistance from college
students as part time messengers. As business expanded Andrew and Sarah needed help, so
they hired Leslie Chen as QuickBiz new administrative assistant to help with the office main
functions such as downloading and uploading delivery information, capturing data, emailing,
and faxing clients.
A family member that had an effect on Andrew is his cousin who worked for a seafood
company. He mentioned to Andrew that his company uses a Linux-based system, and he
recommended that Andrew should switch from his windows-based system to Linux. Linux is
computer system that is flexible, adaptable and with multiple different applications.
Andrew’s cellular phone company also had collaborated with him in suggesting that Andrew’s
messengers switch from using cell phones to using smart phones. This will enable his drivers to
get instant messages about the next delivery, traffic jams, weather and special VIP deliveries.
Another Person that collaborated with helping Andrew’s company grow is Kayla Brown. She
advised him to seek out a more powerful database management system (DBMS). Andrew
agreed and consequently shifted to Oracle. An oracle database helped accommodate both the
increased size of the database and the need for concurrent access.
Kaizen
From Andrew’s investment on the company’s very first PC to the latest database
management system and software has indeed paid off. Andrew’s vision along with the
collaboration of Sarah and Leslie to improve and grow Quickbiz had revolutionized how

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delivery is done in the Seattle downtown area. QuickBiz saw its first part time college
student messengers carrying beepers to cell phones to smart phones.
Natural disaster can occur at any time and without warning. One beautiful
morning Seattle had a 6.8 magnitude earthquake which caused Quickbiz’s main
information system to be down for two days. QuickBiz messengers could still make
deliveries and save data on their handheld computers. But this crisis got Andrew
thinking that this business needed to improve and add safeguards such as having the
data and its main information backed up to CDs.
Risk Adversity
There are risks involved for a messenger or a transportation companies. For QuickBiz it
will be traffic in the Seattle area. For bicyclists it is very dangerous to maneuver their way
through heavy traffic. Moving fast and as small as they are compared to cars, accidents can
happen where people can get injured or die. This of course brings in the element of lawsuits
and bad publicity in town. The other main risk is the injury of employees. Since this type of
personalized messenger requires these bicycle messengers to be in top physical shape.
Nevertheless, accidents can happen at any time, but if these occur very frequently it can disturb
the flow of business, affect Quickbiz’s culture, reduce the availability of messengers, and as
result make unhappy customers.

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Work Cited
http://www.computereconomics.com/article.cfm?id=1128
http://www.foogazi.com/2006/12/19/5-advantages-of-using-linux-over-windows/
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/201731/ten_reasons_to_dump_windows_an
d_use_linux.html
http://www.klynas.com/Streets_Manual.pdf
http://maps.google.com/
Kinicki, & Williams. (2006). Management: A Practical Introduction, 2nnd Edition. New York: McGraw Hill.
OZ. (2006). Management Information Systems, 5th Edition. Canada: Thompson Course
Technology/Cengage Learning.
Parthasarthy, R. (2007). Fundamentals of Strategic Management. New York: George Hoffman.