Both Dr. York and lead investor wanted to forge ahead with sales. Installing SR Corp's system at a large customer site would require allocation of a significant portion of the company's resources. While everyone believed that securing three large accounts was a reasonable objective in the next 18 months, SR Corp's limited resources would require that implementation to the three customer sites be performed sequentially. Dr. York said that the company would also have to create remote offices near each major customer to provide field support and technical training. Hastings also believed that SR Corp would have to ramp up investment in its marketing activities for direct sales and trade show exhibitions.
The lead investor indicated a willingness to sup- ply additional funding. However, he wanted to see a clear marketing plan and customer contracts that garnered a significant portion of the total sale up front to help cover systems integration expenses.
Hastings then presented the data he had gath ered from company visits and industry expert sources, addressing first the Fortune 500 niche then the telephone company niche, and lastly, the telephone switch manufacturer niche. From these data, SR Corp's attack plan would be formed.