Bridging the digital gap with One Small Step

Eight in 10 Australian small business owners aged under 40 state they would like to be more digitally proficient as half say digital enhancement will have a greater role in their business post COVID-19, according to fresh data released to launch technology industry collaboration campaign, One Small Step.

The research of 1050 small businesses conducted by MYOB, showcases the critical role SME owners and operators have identified for digital tools in their future productivity and profitability, with 60% claiming the main benefit of digital tools is access to more customers and 63% say it saves time. However, more than a quarter (26%) rate their use of digital technology as low. This rises to 30% for female respondents.

One Small Step is a collaboration between Government and industry to help bridge the digital knowledge divide for small business, bringing together Adobe, AustCyber, Facebook, MYOB, Navii, ServiceNow, tawk.to and Uber to provide small businesses with tangible small steps they can take to enhance their digital operations, coupled with one-to-one guidance through newly launched technology advisory service, Navii.digital.

Established as a key outcome of the Australian Federal Government’s Small Business Digital Taskforce, Navii empowers small businesses to go digital, helping them navigate the web of information and providing trusted advice and tech solutions to drive small business digital transformation, growth and productivity.

One Small Step starts with a series of live broadcasts, aired weekly from the 18 November, in conversations led by small business owners and operators sharing real life experiences of digital. The episodes explore cyber safety, digital marketing and growing your business online, and businesses featured include Balance Internet, Fluffy Crunch, hopperound, IQ Accountants, Jumbled, and Global Ballooning.

Businesses can register for the free series via: navii.com.au/one-small-step, and links to each episode will be sent directly to their inbox.

One set of business operators sharing their digital journey through One Small Step, Fluffy Crunch owners Paola and Michael Karamallis, had to completely change their customer engagement strategy when COVID hit, moving from selling their selection of sweets at Easter Shows and other physical events, to an online experience.

“We reached out to our audience on Facebook and Instagram and asked them to help us by purchasing online or to spread the word about our products. In the matter of an hour, it went crazy,” according to Paola.

“Things skyrocketed,” says Michael. “We increased our sales up to 500% from previous years and expanded our product range."

Stories like these are what drive NaviiDigital founder, Liz Ward, who is passionate about helping businesses expand their digital capabilities to thrive.

“We’re playing our part at NaviiDigital to help small businesses to take their next best step on their digital journey,” explains Liz. “Just one small step develops their confidence and builds theirskills and business capabilities as they go from smart to smarter.

“Hearing stories from other small businessesand seeing how digital has grown their sales and improved their productivity is inspiring. It motivates business owners to take steps to harness the power of digital with a sense of if they can do it, I can do it too.”

Additional findings from MYOB’s research include:

• Nearly half (48%) of all respondents said digital enhancement will have a greater role in their business post COVID-19
• 68% of small business owners and operators would like to be more digitally proficient
• 29% of respondents do not have a website or social media presence
• Nearly a quarter (24%) say that digital tools would save them money
• 41% of respondents flagged time to set up and learn as the biggest barrier to adopting digital tools (compared to 63% who say digital tools save them time)
• 19% stated access to helpful resources was the biggest barrier to their digital adoption, while 15% don’t know where to start

Small businesses can register and explore the One Small Step resources here: navii.com.au/one-small-step.

ENDS

For further comment or other information please contact:

Collette Betts, Australia PR and Corporate Communications Manager
[email protected]