Rural and regional SMBs are gearing up for the arrival of an educational road show designed to give them the tools and knowledge to achieve success online.
Launched today in Canberra by the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy Senator Stephen Conroy and the Minister for Small Business Nick Sherry, the Driving Business Online roadshow is a joint initiative of PayPal Australia in partnership with Australia Post, Optus, Norton by Symantec, MYOB, Powerfront, eBay and the Australia Retailers Association (ARA).
The Driving Business Online campaign bus will tour 15 regional NSW towns and act as a business meeting hub for SMBs to meet with eCommerce experts. SMBs are invited to attend the Driving Business Online town hall session to learn more about the digital economy and to book one-on-one consultations with eCommerce experts.
Phase one of the tour will see the bus make stops in Bathurst, Mudgee, Dubbo, Muswellbrook, Kiama, Merimbula, Albury, Wagga Wagga, and Orange. The bus will also stop in Sydney to attend the COSBOA National Small Business Summit at the end of July.
PayPal Australia Managing Director Frerk-Malte Feller said Driving Business Online will enable Australia’s SMBs to realise the major benefits of expanding online, including reducing overhead costs, being open for business 24/7, improving communication channels with customers, and increasing incremental sales.
“Operating online is no longer an option for Australian retailers and service providers, but an absolute necessity to gain the momentum they need to stay competitive in today’s changing consumer landscape,” Feller said.
“As we travel across NSW, we aim to help educate rural and regional small businesses on how to take advantage of these opportunities, whilst simultaneously building strong relationships with key industry players whose decisions can impact the success of the SMB sector,” he added.
For more information, visit: www.drivingbusinessonline.com.au
