While going digital offers opportunity, many business owners and leaders are still grappling with understanding how to adapt, what digital programs are suitable for them or where to get helpful information. Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said the Brisbane City Council had invested significantly in initiatives to improve the digital capability of Brisbane’s business sector.
“We know that programs such as our Power-Up Small Business workshops have already helped 1200 small businesses to effectively use digital technologies,” Cr Quirk said. “But we want to further understand businesses’ ability to discern whether certain technology would be a help or hindrance to them. The survey will do just that, and will help inform Council about what more can be done to nurture a confident business economy.”
Brisbane Chief Digital Officer Cat Matson believes the survey is the first of its kind.“Digital readiness, literacy and maturity – they’ve all been measured before, but none of those metrics tell us how confident small businesses feel in this digital age,” Ms Matson said.
“We don’t need every business to know exactly how artificial intelligence works, but we do want businesses to have the confidence to decide whether it has any relevance to their business.
“Digital confidence extends beyond whether you’ve set up a website, and the research we’re gathering will help us build on our offerings and inform future policy.”
QUT Chair in the Digital Economy Marek Kowalkiewicz said the survey was academically robust, but small business orientated. “We are paving a new path here and exploring a completely new concept,” Dr Kowalkiewicz said.
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