Client:	The Open Network for Commerce Exchange (ONCE) Palo Alto, California
Project:	Global Small and Mid-Size Enterprise eBusiness Educational Awareness

At one point, eCommerce was linked too closely to passing and unsuccessful craziness
resulting in poorly conceived business plans and lacking functionality. It was said, that for
any business desiring to remain competitive in the years ahead that it must have some
eBusiness capability. Following one of the longest market corrections in history stemming
from the so-called “Internet bubble”, many concluded that eCommerce was simply a passing
trend – leading to a lack of interest among small and mid-size enterprises (SME’s) around the
world to develop online trading capabilities. Yet for Global 2000 companies, supplier and buyer
enablement was the critical link for their massive eCommerce investments to pay off.

Presence was hired to educate the world’s business SME communities that continued investment
toward electronic commerce capabilities is essential for a healthy global economy. Working with
business groups and governments, a 16-city world tour was developed that taught the essentials
of online trading. But more importantly, the message was communicated, plainly and simply, in
a language that all could understand. That is, eCommerce is about international trade, just
without the traditional borders.