Small businesses are the beating heart of Australia having contributed $393 billion to the Australian economy in 2018. When small businesses are digitally engaged, they are 50 per cent more likely to be growing revenue, eight times more likely to be creating jobs, seven times more likely to be exporting, and 14 times more likely to be innovating new products or services. In acknowledgement of these staggering statistics, the Australian Government launched the Small Business Digital Champions project designed to assist small businesses in unlocking their potential and digitally revolutionise their business.

Beginning in 2019, the Digital Champions Project saw 100 small businesses receive a comprehensive digital transformation of their business valued at up to $18,500. 15 of those businesses were selected to become Digital Champions and receive additional support.

Those 15 Digital Champions include:
Altina Drinks | Aubrey + Areegra | Aurora Marketing | Barc for Pets | Chancellor & Bendle PTY LTD | Geared Up Culcha | Heart Health and Fitness | Heating & Cooling Services | Jurra Industries | Kangaroo Island Wilderness Tours | Painter 4000 | Pro Art Signs and Designs | Simplicity Campers | Strategic Connections Group | The Parents Village

These 15 Digital Champions receive additional support from mentors who are high-profile innovators and leaders known for their success in digital innovation. The mentor’s role is to guide the Digital Champions through their digital transformation in such a way that success is ensured. Find out more here.

These mentors include:
Leanne Berry | Angus Capel | Ron Gauci | Larry Kestelman | Justine Kyle Yao | Dr Sam Prince | Joe Procter | Yohan Ramasundara | Tim Reed | Jason Robinson | Jason Romney | Marcus Wilson | Emma Shipley. Find out more here.

The Small Business Digital Champion Project will also see 15 Australian Industry Associations promote the benefits of ‘going digital’ to their members in order to provide a trusted digital advisory service. Free advice will be provided on the topics of technology trends and technology adoption; hardware; software; digital training; online content development; online digital planning; coaching and support. The Motor Trades Association of Queensland (MTA Queensland) is one of the 15 Industry Associations assisting members and the wider automotive industry with their digital journey and has a library of resources and information available here.

The 15 Industry Associations include:
AI Group | Caravan Industry Association of Australia | Commercial & Asset Finance Brokers Association of Australia | Housing Industry Association | Master Plumbers Australia | MTA Queensland | National Farmers’ Federation | National Disability Services | National Retail Association | Retail Drinks Australia | Small Business Association of Australia | South Australia Employers’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry | The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers Ltd | The Pharmacy Guild of Australia | Tourism Industry Council SA Find out more here.

21 Aug 2019