For a business to be efficient and effective, your digital capability needs to be like a well-oiled machine.
Both internal systems (such as how you communicate with your team, manage your data or finances), and external with your clients and customers through channels such as websites, social media and e-communications, has never been more important with flexible ways of working and new ways of connecting with audiences.
PoweringON is a digital enablement programme designed to help small businesses overcome the barriers they face with their digital capability.
The PoweringON programme, delivered by Chamber member Venture Centre, will help address these challenges with practical knowledge, tailored support, talent matching and digital resources, and develop a plan to improve – and best of all, it is free!
We discussed the importance of digital and how businesses can seek support from PoweringON with Digital Navigator Craig Williams.
Why is a well-considered, integrated digital plan important to any business?
In a world that is constantly changing at a very fast pace, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by new technology and keep the status quo, or sometimes worse, waste time and money on directionless digital spend.
For some small businesses, just having a business plan is the right first step. Having a well integrated digital plan helps ensure you’re working towards the same overarching business goals.
What are some of the challenges facing small businesses when it comes to their digital knowledge and their digital capability?
Small businesses generally don’t have an IT or digital department to turn to, so keeping up to date with new technologies can be challenging. Finding time and budget, and the right service provider to partner with are common challenges facing our small businesses.
In many cases, it’s actually not even being aware of the missed opportunities that progress in technology could offer the business.
Even Bunnings, an international business, was caught short in lockdown, scrambling to pull together an online ordering system to trade.
Speaking generally, what are the top must-haves for any business when it comes to digital?
Visibility – How many businesses in the 1980s would have a phone number and not have listed their number in the Yellow Pages? Today everyone needs to have an online presence. Start with getting on Google for Business. It’s free.
Communication – The recent lockdown also highlighted the need to communicate with your customers, and the benefits of having a systems in place, like a customer relationship management (CRM) tool, to make it easier
Payments – Electronic payment allows your customers to make cashless payments for goods and services through cards, mobile phones or the internet. This became another must have with cash being seen as a no-no recently. And it comes with cost and time savings, potential for increased sales and reduced transaction costs.
What are some of the ways PoweringON can help small businesses get up to spec?
Taking a first step! The online questionnaire is a great start. It is designed to inform the business of the digital areas they should be looking at, along with providing a personalised action plan to progress their current capabilities. All that in about 10 minutes.
Talking to a human! That’s why free one on one Digital Navigator sessions are a key part of PoweringON. They are delivered in person or online Our Digital Navigators are there to help with taking action and tool and supplier agnostic.
Getting practical information! Free or low-cost workshops run regularly. Topics so far have included digital marketing, building websites, making videos, social media, leveraging planning tools and changing systems. If there is something of interest you want to see covered just ask.
Connecting with professionals! With a plan at hand and some information, it is then to explore your options further. Start with this directory of local digital service providers and act on the quick wins.
What does a Digital Navigator session entail?
These are 45min one on one clinics designed to ensure the action plan received post questionnaire makes sense. Importantly you can discuss in confidence ways to ensure your business plan and objectives aligned with a digital plan.
And it is super useful for things like… holding some accountability for getting things done and start to see change happen. It also provides a space where you can help formulate the questions you need before going and engaging a digital service provider.
What are some examples of the ways you have helped businesses?
Some great outcomes from the actions businesses have emerged. After engaging on the PoweringON programme new websites have been built, new marketing strategies put in place, and tools are being tested. It’s also great to see all this happen between our local small businesses and our local digital service providers. Overall, everyone goes away more confident in digital and with actions to take their business forward.
