udent. This is an area of opportunity as college students are always looking for ways to save time and money.Additionally, Office Depot currently has a five year agreement with AOL to develop a small business site, offering business-related content and programming specifically addressing the needs of a small office consumer. This small business site will offer buying guides and directories as well as a "quick checkout" tool. The site will provide millions of small businesses with streamlined access to the tools and resources they need to remain competitive, while offering a broad array of Office Depot merchandise. The small business proves promising however, Office Depot may be losing out on a potential profit maker by overlooking resources already available to them. Office Depot could gain substantially by offering special services within its stores and by out sourcing employees to help small businesses. While the Internet is widely used and recognized, there is still a need for in store service in the area of small business which Office Depot cannot let fall to the wayside. Letting the Internet be the sole focus on small business would be detrimental. Another area of expansion that Office Depot should consider would be the possible merger with a computer or software company. As computers are used in nearly every aspect of the business and personal world today, a merger with a computer superstore such as CompUSA could prove to be powerful and profit worthy step. This merger would open a new consumer base and much sales capability. Office Depot has already proven its ability to merge with another company successfully and profitably when it merged with Viking Office Products. The only foreseeable problem could be the mammoth company a merger of this sort would create. It may be difficult to maintain its strong customer service while it continues to grow and expand.Ethical ScenarioWe have seen problems when large companies join...
