联邦快递今天宣布启动联邦快递电子商务学习实验室，这是一项与Accion Opportunity Fund (AOF)合作开发的新项目，AOF 是一家的非营利组织，为小企业主提供渠道、网络和辅导。该计划旨在帮助希望发展或扩大电子商务业务的多元化小企业主，因为他们在 COVID-19 大流行之后继续调整其商业模式，重点关注女性和有色人种企业家。
The plan will provide intensive practical learning for 150 small business owners across the United States through a series of seminars and one-on-one guidance from e-commerce experts. They will receive free technical support for establishing and maintaining virtual stores, as well as support in marketing, promotion management, customer service, order and fulfillment management and product photography. Participants will also receive a commercial grant of US $2000 to start and develop their e-commerce business. In addition, AOF and FedEx will also develop a series of virtual seminars on more * * e-commerce topics, as well as an online learning center featuring on-demand virtual learning courses, to open knowledge to any small business owners seeking to expand e-commerce.
FedEx E-Business Learning Lab aims to support small businesses owned by women and people of color who are seriously affected by COVID-19. Due to more consumers shopping online during the pandemic, eMarketer reported that e-commerce volume increased by 33% in 2020. Through this plan, FedEx hopes to connect various small businesses with tools, resources and experts to help them control online sales and open up new growth paths."It is no secret that the pandemic has had a significant impact on small business owners, especially women and people of color. Through the new cooperation with AOF, we are helping to create a fair competitive environment and make these small businesses stand up again, which is particularly important in the context of the continuous record growth of e-commerce," said Brie Carere, executive vice president of marketing. And the communications officer, FedEx. "With the launch of FedEx E-Business Learning Lab, we will not only help individuals meet customers' needs in new ways, but also provide comprehensive plans to let them have the tools to navigate in these uncertain periods."
The intensive hands-on learning experience will be open to 150 small business owners who have just been exposed to e-commerce. It is planned to last for five months from September 2021. This time frame will ensure that participants receive technical support in all aspects of holiday support marketing and promotion as well as management of holiday orders. Traditionally, e-commerce is the busiest time of the year.
Technical support, order fulfillment and initial hosting of online stores will be provided in cooperation with 37 Oaks, a Chicago social enterprise founded by Terrand Smith, which aims to help small businesses owned by women and people of color prepare through different growth channels At the end of the experience, participants will be ready to use what they have learned to open their own online store. This new plan is based on FedEx's commitment to support enterprises to establish e-commerce operations, including cooperation with SCORE to develop e-commerce themed educational resources for small enterprises.
Luz Urrutia, executive officer of Accion Opportunity Fund, said: "Together with FedEx, we have the opportunity to help raise the voice of entrepreneurs who are often ignored." "By providing resources and opportunities and providing customized support, we can prepare these communities for future growth and * ultimately create more equitable economic opportunities for various enterprises."Participants in the queue must have no existing active e-commerce presence. They are currently producing and selling packaged products (prepackaged food with stable shelves or non-food general goods, such as fashion, beauty or home decoration), with an annual income of less than 500000 dollars, and are willing to commit to participate fully in the plan. More details about the application process will be provided in June. You can register here to receive notification when the application goes online.