Microsoft New Zealand SMC Lead, Carol Brown
Microsoft is proud to be one of the organisations involved with the government’s free Digital Boost online learning tool to help businesses build digital skills.
In these unprecedented times we all need assistance and this is a fantastic example of public and private organisations working together for New Zealand business.
According to MBIE’s recent Digital Boost Initiative: “Management consultancy McKinsey estimates that in an eight-week period, COVID-19 accelerated the business adoption of digital tools and services by the equivalent of five years. Strong research and evidence shows that small businesses who leverage digital tools have a distinct competitive advantage in the internet age. Whether it’s about reaching more customers, making business processes more efficient, connecting to suppliers or gaining better insights from data – all businesses can benefit from using digital tools.”
In digital times the need for upskilling is critical to businesses big and small. Microsoft has introduced a number of initiatives to encourage and foster digital skills, with a worldwide announcement to help millions of people acquire digital skills, including a New Zealand initiative with recruitment company Adecco to upskill as many Kiwis as possible.
Digital Boost is free for any registered business or sole trader to sign up. It is a self-paced learning journey, with no assessments, daily Q&A sessions, regular fireside chats and access to support people.
Digital Boost for small businesses
Published: 21 December 2020
From today, small businesses will be able to benefit from a Government-funded Digital Boost skills training and support initiative.
The Digital Boost skills training is the first initiative to be launched from the Digital Boost programme, a partnership between the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and the private sector to support thousands of small businesses in realising the benefits of using digital tools and technologies in their business.
Building business strength with digital tools — Beehive media release
“Today we start delivering on the Government’s vision for New Zealand small businesses to be the most digitally-enabled in the world. 2021 will be the year of digital transformation for thousands of Kiwi small businesses” says AJ Millward, General Manager Small Business and Strategic Programmes.
To deliver the training and support, MBIE is excited to partner with The Mind Lab and Indigo, who have extensive experience in helping business owners develop the capabilities needed to take advantage of our rapidly changing digital environment.
Ms Millward says, “The Digital Boost programme is an excellent example of the public and private sectors working together for New Zealand small businesses. Industry Leaders, small business owners and MBIE have designed this programme to meet the needs of kiwi SMEs as we adapt to the digital age and take the opportunity to come out of COVID-19 more resilient and future focused.”
Management consultants McKinsey estimates that in an eight-week period, COVID-19 accelerated the business adoption of digital tools and services by the equivalent of five years. Strong research and evidence shows that small businesses who leverage digital tools have a distinct competitive advantage in the internet age. Whether it’s about reaching more customers, making business processes more efficient, connecting to suppliers or gaining better insights from data – all businesses can benefit from using digital tools.
Our Spotlights on Kiwi businesses succeeding through being digital are live. Other initiatives from the Digital Boost programme, including a digital applications and services directory will become available in early 2021.
Spotlight series (videos and free tools) — business.govt.nz
Find out more about the Digital Boost skills training modules.