1. Department of Infrastructure & Department Innovation, Industry and Regional Development Multimedia Victoria and The Office of Small Business Emily Simatos (Multimedia Victoria) Megan Vassarotti (Office of Small Business) CECC – University of Ballarat26 April 2005

2. Department of Infrastructure & Department Innovation, Industry and Regional Development 2 Setting the Scene What is MMV? The Victorian Government’s agency responsible for implementing the Government's information and communication technology policy

3. Department of Infrastructure & Department Innovation, Industry and Regional Development 3 Ebusiness – What is happening? Computer, internet website ownership by businesses has continued to rise slowly 74% businesses using the Internet Broadband connections were most prevalent for businesses employing 100 or more employees (78%) and those employing 20-99 people (54%). In comparison about 50% of businesses employing less than 5 employees or between 5 to 19 people used dial-up (analog) to connect to the Internet

4. Department of Infrastructure & Department Innovation, Industry and Regional Development 4 Patterns of ICT uptake Industry SectorsComputer usage (%) Internet use (%) 2002-032003-042002-032003-04 Electricity, gas and water supply (highest)90957984 Wholesale trade88917986 Health and community services86917276 Retail trade78816069 Construction77786163 Personal and other services72765860 Accommodation, cafes and restaurants (lowest) 717258

5. Department of Infrastructure & Department Innovation, Industry and Regional Development 5 What about eBusiness adoption? In the last two years the number of businesses placing (31%) orders exceeded those receiving orders (12%) via the Internet or websites. Orders that were received by businesses via email not linked to a website, email linked to a website online order form and/or website shopping cart facility (6%). 86% of businesses that received orders did not have automated links to any other business systems.

6. Department of Infrastructure & Department Innovation, Industry and Regional Development 6 What is MMV doing? Industry Policy Review eCommerce Roadshows eCommerce Exhibition Projects Program (ECEPP)

7. Department of Infrastructure & Department Innovation, Industry and Regional Development 7 Role of the Office of Small Business The Office of Small Business facilitates business growth by providing support and assistance to promote a prosperous Victorian economy In particular the Office of Small Business: Provides coordinated and accessible information to make it easier to start and operate a small business Develops and advocates policies to promote a business environment that is conducive to small business growth. Designs, delivers (and influences) programs to skill small business operators to achieve their potential

8. Department of Infrastructure & Department Innovation, Industry and Regional Development 8 Information www.business. vic.gov.au Online resource for businesses across Victoria  Business Start up  Business Improvement and expansion  Business programs and Industry assistance  Licences, regulation and Taxation Victorian Business Line 13 26 15  Free business start up and operating information, provides referrals to specialist business service provides and details of licences that are required

9. Department of Infrastructure & Department Innovation, Industry and Regional Development 9 Policy A Key areas of focus for the Statement include: Creating an even fairer and more conductive business environment in Victoria for business owners and their staff Identifying and assisting small and medium enterprises looking to grow and export; Looking to reduce the bureaucratic burden from all levels of Government; Building on the role of the independent Small Business Commissioner There will be a public consultation process A new Small Business Statement to be released before the end of the year

10. Department of Infrastructure & Department Innovation, Industry and Regional Development 10 Programs Under New Management Small Business Counselling Service StreetLife Grow Your Business Program Track –A- Project

11. Department of Infrastructure & Department Innovation, Industry and Regional Development 11 Under New Management (UNM) W1- Buying a Small Business W2- Signing a Retail Lease W3- Buying a Franchise W4- Strategic Business Planning, new for 2004 Group workshop plus one-on-one counselling

12. Department of Infrastructure & Department Innovation, Industry and Regional Development 12 Small Business Counselling Service (SBCS) SBCS’s 50 counsellors and mentors assist approximately 600 OSB clients each year, and deliver about 1800-2000 counselling sessions. The Counselling & Mentoring Program assists about 95% of the small and micro businesses that approach OSB to improve profitability. Help with marketing to increase the number of customers and sales is by far the most common request.

13. Department of Infrastructure & Department Innovation, Industry and Regional Development 13 Grow Your Business (GYB) Increase productivity and lift competitiveness. Explore new export opportunities. Promote investment in research and innovation. Attract investment and venture capital. Pursue environmentally sustainable practices. Consider new marketing and promotion opportunities.

14. Department of Infrastructure & Department Innovation, Industry and Regional Development 14 StreetLife Partnerships with community, government and small business to undertake local economic development strategies. Focused on small business growth and development in and around commercial precincts.

15. Department of Infrastructure & Department Innovation, Industry and Regional Development 15 E-Commerce Exhibition Project Program (ECEPP) – Track-A-Project  Govt funds 5 e-business projects in order to be able to EXHIBIT them to Victorian SMEs and encourage uptake of e-Commerce.  Allows people to monitor an ECEPP project, and feel a sense of involvement.

16. Department of Infrastructure & Department Innovation, Industry and Regional Development 16 E-Commerce Exhibition Project Program (ECEPP) – Track-A-Project  Track-A-Project demonstrates the key challenges and benefits to SMEs of adopting B2B eCommerce.  Does so by tracking and publicising the progress of funded projects along key milestones.  Project Participants receive a webcam to record milestones.

17. Department of Infrastructure & Department Innovation, Industry and Regional Development 17 E-Commerce Exhibition Project Program (ECEPP) – Track-A-Project  Footage is used on webpage as well as edited for various industry forums and other Government events (such as eCommerce roadshows).  We encourage SMEs to visit the web diaries online and to sign up so they are notified when new diary entries become available.