Knowing that you need a coherent e-business strategy is one thing, getting one is altogether more difficult.

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It is no longer clear how the current investments in the very low-margin e-tailing business or the current strategy in the very competitive tablet business will result in better margins going forward.

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The potential is enormous, but governments will need committed leadership, a full understanding of e-business principles and a clear strategy for overcoming the barriers to change: the departmental rivalries, the hostility of unions, the fears of individuals and the sheer size of the thing.

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The rise in e-mail comes at a time when, according to Business Strategy Review, there is a growing need for executives to ensure that their communication is more direct and personal.

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Each player sees the e-book as a cornerstone of its larger platform strategy and business model.

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Rakuten offers an additional layer of support by providing e-commerce consultants and experts to advise merchants on their online business strategy, implementation, sales and marketing as well as lead and revenue generation.

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