The City of Greater Bendigo in central Victoria has launched a new tool to assist small and micro businesses.
Small business is the single biggest employer in Greater Bendigo – of the 7500 businesses operating in the region, over 85 percent employ less than five staff.
The City’s Economic Development Unit recently launched a Business Health Check self-assessment tool, as part of its ongoing commitment to enable local micro and small businesses to thrive.
Economic Development Unit (EDU) Manager Brian Gould said, “With small business the City’s single biggest employer, the City of Greater Bendigo has made a commitment through its Economic Development Strategy to provide practical support to local and micro business owners.
“The Small Business Health Check Service has been designed in Bendigo by the City’s Economic Development Unit, with the help of leading industry professionals and is available free to local small businesses.
“The online tool is supported by face-to-face consultations and detailed follow-up by certified EDU staff to provide small business owners with a “check-up” of their businesses’ health,” said Mr Gould.
To deliver the service, the City has partnered with Paul Henshall Chief Executive Officer of ActionCOACH Australasia-one of the world’s leading business coaching franchises.
“The online questionnaire is simple and takes about 25 minutes to complete,” explained Mr Gould.
“It examines everything from sales and social media to marketing and client base to profitability and strategic planning and provides an invaluable insight into the condition of a business especially where clear trends emerge.
“Using the results, the City’s small business advocates Peter Jeffery and Dawn Holland who are both accredited by ActionCOACH in the use of the tool, will consult with business owners and link them with practical support services such as business mentors, specialist networking groups or shared work spaces that are available across the region.”
