Small Businesses looking for advice and support on how to move their operations online following the COVID-19 pandemic will now have access to an online support tool through the Federal Government’s Empowering Business to Go Digital program.

The online website will provide small businesses with up-to-date digital advice as well as training and online support forums to help owners incorporate digital technologies to adapt to the changing business environment.

Digital Coaching International has been selected to oversee the development of the online resource, with the Government delivering a $1.9 million grant to establish ‘The Enterprising Community’, a non-government organisation that will create and monitor the website.

With small businesses across the country looking for guidance and support as they move online for the first time, Digital Coaching International Managing Director Liz Ward is confident the online resource will play a key role in supporting the transition.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to be the successful recipient of this grant and we have a clear vision on how the grant will empower small businesses to come out of the COVID-19 crisis stronger than before,” said Ms Ward.

To assist small businesses across the board, ‘The Enterprising Community’ will work closely with industry associations to provide detailed, industry-specific advice and information.

Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews believes the website would be significantly beneficial for businesses who for whatever reason had not been able to implement digital technologies into their operations and were now at risk of getting left behind during the COVID-19 recovery.

“Australia has a very active and innovative small business community, but some businesses tend to put investing in digital technologies on the backburner due to costs and limited resources,” said Minister Andrews.

“This has only been magnified by the COVID-19 crisis. The most resilient businesses throughout this pandemic have been those that have been quick to adapt, using digital tools to change how they do things, what they offer and who they sell to.”

Minister Andrews also pointed out that moving into the digital space to support the recovery of small businesses would also aid the wider economic recovery of the nation, as well as create new jobs in new areas.

“Importantly, new technologies, increased access to global markets and global competition are redefining and creating new roles and skills across the economy.”

For more information about ‘The Enterprising Community’ project, visit http://www.navii.com.au/

29 June 2020