Small Business Minister Stuart Nash and Tourism Minister Kelvin Davis have announced details of a $20 million digital capability package for small businesses.
The package, which forms part of the COVID-19 economic response, is focused on helping small businesses and tourism operators transition in the COVID-19 world by lifting digital capability through enhanced digital skills.
The $20 million package includes:
$10 million specifically for small businesses plus an additional $5 million to help boost digital capability in the tourism sector as part of the Tourism Recovery Package
$5 million for Qualmark to help tourism operators develop digital strategies and skills.
The key initiatives in the small business digital capability package are:
a Spotlight Series where small business owners who have recently transformed their business by becoming digital can share their experiences with other small business owners — this will include businesses from a wide range of sectors including tourism
providing digital skills training and support focused on enabling small business owners realise the benefits of becoming more digital — this will be available to every small and micro business in New Zealand
working with the private sector to put together the most relevant digital tools, technologies, products and services to support small businesses with becoming digital, including offerings tailored for the tourism sector
industry specialists appointed by Qualmark to provide a series of workshops and one-on-one advice. Key areas are strategic digital marketing, Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), organic growth, website performance and online booking system audits, online advertising and paid media, social media content and creation, conversion optimisation, lead generation and measuring success.
MBIE is currently engaging with potential private sector providers to deliver the small business digital capability package, and more information will be available here in the coming weeks.
In the meantime:
Expert advice (to the value of $5000) is currently available through the COVID-19 Business Advisory Regional Business Fund to support business recovery and growth.
COVID-19 Business Advisory Regional Business Fund (external link) — New Zealand Trade & Enterprise
Qualmark funding is available to help tourism operators to develop digital strategies and skills. More information on this funding is available on the Qualmark Website
Tourism Advisory Support Service (external link) — Qualmark
SOURCE: BUSINESS.GOVT.NZ
