Did you know that when small businesses are digitally engaged, they are 50 per cent more likely to be growing their revenue, eight times more likely to be creating jobs, seven times more likely to be exporting and 14 times more likely to be innovating and creating new products and services?
Grappling with new technology can be challenging, especially when operating a small business with limited resources and competing priorities. Not every small business operator has a background in technology, and if you’re aged over 30, you’re not a digital native. Over 40, and you probably didn’t even get an email address until you were in your mid-twenties – about the same time as you bought your first mobile phone – and your business probably wouldn’t have had a website until after that.
The Small Business Digital Champions Project is an Australian Government initiative that aims to help small businesses improve their digital capabilities. It’s for those who need a bit of help making sure they can grow their sales online, or reach more people, and understand how it all works.
In March this year, 100 Australian small businesses were selected to be given a digital transformation, fifteen of which were then selected to become Digital Champions. As part of this project, the South Australian Business Chamber was selected as one of 15 industry associations to receive funding to enable us to provide free digital advisory services to help small businesses improve their digital capabilities. By being able to provide digital support and advice in workshops, one-on-one mentoring and helping owners and operators access digital tools and resources, we’ll be able to highlight the impact of going digital and help businesses reach their full potential.
Over the next two years industry associations, including the South Australian Business Chamber, will undertake, coordinate and deliver services to members showcasing digital best practice. Businesses with up to 19 full-time equivalent staff members can be involved, where we will undertake an initial digital needs assessment with them. A team of experts on a Digital Advisory Panel will then ensure each business receives specific advice tailored to meet their individual business needs. We’ll walk small business owners through the project, helping them to learn how they can grow by adopting an improved digital approach.
The Small Business Digital Champions Project is aimed at growing businesses and their capabilities by helping them extend their reach and being more competitive. It’s also about giving them the confidence to build their online presence and market their goods and services to a wider audience.
Australian Bureau of statistics data shows that only 50 per cent of Australian businesses have a web presence and even less use software for accounting and invoicing. Digital disruption is here to stay, so it’s time to unleash the power of digital transformation and support small businesses as they create jobs for our economy and build prosperity for future generations.
Jenny Briggs is the South Australian Business Chamber’s executive director employer solutions and programs.
This article was originally published in the South Australian Business Journal on Tuesday 19 June 2019.
