Free digital business advice for South West Wales firms
BUSINESSES across South West Wales have been quick to take advantage of free support available from Superfast Business Wales, the Welsh Government’s digital technology support service.
To date more than 1,260 businesses have registered onto the programme, with over 375 firms booking onto free events run this year.
The flagship programme provides free one-to-one digital business advice, a free website review, digital technology workshops and an online information hub. The scheme is backed by the Welsh Government and European Regional Development Fund.
One organisation to benefit is Glynneath Training Centre, a Neath Valley-based community learning centre and charity. Malcolm Scott, learning coordinator at the centre believes that its approach to digital has played a key role in not just surviving, but thriving in a challenging third sector.
Social media marketing and changes to the website has increased enquiries, while implementing cloud-based CRM and email systems has enabled the training centre to work more efficiently.
Malcolm said: “The centre offers an invaluable service to the people of Neath Valley and we recognised we needed to adapt and be open to new ideas if we wanted that to continue.
“We attended a Superfast Business Wales workshop and had a follow-up one-to-one with an adviser for bespoke advice. We were encouraged and supported to take action immediately and it’s making a huge difference.
“For example, we dipped our toe in the water with social media historically, but after the workshop and advice we set up a new Facebook page and followed the guidance to ensure our activity was effective and we have increased enquiries. In addition, we made the website more user friendly, which is causing more people to get in touch.
“One of Superfast Business Wales’ other recommendations was utilising a cloud-based CRM system, as well as Office 365 and Sharepoint for emails and file storage, to allow staff to access information remotely. Communications within our organisation, have greatly improved, as a direct result of integrating this software within our operations.”
Places are limited on the remaining free workshops running in 2018. ■ Search online for Superfast Business Wales events. ■ Let’s Get Digital! 9am–4pm; November 21, Neath ■ Sell more with social media 9am–1pm; November 28, Swansea ■ SEO to grow your business; 9am–1pm, December 12, Port Talbot
■ Search online: Superfast Business Wales Events ■ Information correct at time of press