Independent Member for Pittwater Jacqui Scruby MP has welcomed the NSW Government’s upgraded Small Business Advisory Program that will provide free support to businesses.
The service will be available online, face-to-face, and over the phone, with owners able to access business advice and build practical skills, including customer acquisitions, cash-flow strategies, and the adoption of AI. The program, built directly from feedback taken from more than 3000 business owners, will provide small businesses with up to four hours of free personalised advice through the Service NSW Business Bureau.
Late last year, Ms Scruby confirmed the Premier’s support in Question Time, that free 1:1 in person business support would be reinstated if the Liberal Party stopped blocking Workers Compensation Reform, to bring costs down for business, following it being erroneously scrapped in the NSW Budget.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our local communities and owners are dealing with rising costs, staffing pressures and an increasingly difficult trading environment,” Ms Scruby said.
“I’ve been a business owner and know the value of strategic business consultancy advice, particularly in times of hardship or when having to develop a new strategy. This is a valuable opportunity for small business owners to take advantage of a program developed for business, by businesses.”
The new Small Business Advisory Program was made in consultation with businesses, industry experts led by Mark Bouris.
Ms Scruby has recently visited businesses across Pittwater with Sharen Delaportas from Service NSW Business Bureau, speaking directly with local operators about the day-to-day challenges they are facing and the support available to them.
“The key is making sure local businesses know what help is available and providing the opportunity to access it easily – from the $1,000 SafeWork rebate, to listing on Buy NSW, and now this new 1:1 support program.
“Talking to business owners in their shops and workplaces gives us a much clearer picture of what is happening on the ground and the issues affecting them the most. Customer numbers are remaining but spend per customer is down.” Ms Scruby said.
“Businesses have been appreciative of the information and many have taken action. One local Newport business listed on Buy NSW which led to them securing multiple government contracts.
As part of NSW Small Business Month, on Friday 30 October, Ms Scruby is partnering with Pittwater Business (Powered by the Mona Vale Chamber of Commerce) to hold a small business roundtable with the NSW Small Business Commissioner at Newport.
“This will be an opportunity for local businesses to raise the issues affecting them directly. I want businesses to come away with something useful and for the Business Commissioner to understand key issues like empty shopfronts to support my advocacy for a Parliamentary Inquiry on the issue,” Ms Scruby concluded.
Local business owners interested in getting involved in the October event are encouraged to contact Pittwater Business at [email protected] or by registering here.