Australia’s small businesses now have greater assistance when it comes to online training, with the launch of the E-Nable program this Thursday.
The E-Nable training program, put together by training organisation Business Success Group, is a Government funded initiative that provides assistance to 400 small businesses to help them avoid online pitfalls and increase their online presence. The program will be offered for free to all Queensland small businesses with an ABN and with fewer than 20 employees.
The training will help small businesses and their owners understand how to use the online medium to their advantage, according to Business Success Group Director Steve Dewsbery.
“A lot of businesses still don’t have websites, and others that do simply aren’t using them effectively. Meanwhile, more and more consumers are embracing the concepts of searching the web for products and services, so businesses are losing out,” Mr Dewsbery said.
“The E-Nable program will give them the skills, for free, to do exactly that and expand their horizons,” Mr Dewsbery added.
The program will cover topics including integrated online marketing strategies, developing online shopfronts, and minimising online costs.
“By developing the right online tactics small businesses can directly complete with much larger companies on an equal footing, and significantly improve their turnover,” Mr Dewsbery said.
The program’s launch coincides with recent statistics that suggest the growing importance of a strong online presence for small businesses. The statistics found that 83 percent of Australian retailers plan to increase online budgets in 2011.
These statistics indicate a clear shift away from media such as press and traditional direct mail, according to Chairman of AIMIA Retail Industry Group Robert Wong.
“It’s an emerging fact that Australian’s are becoming conditioned to believing “if you want the best deal” you really need to go online – at least to look for the best deal – if not buy it online. There is no question that traditional media such as press still reaches a lot of people on a daily basis, but there are simply more eyeballs to be found online,” Mr Wong said.
