Finding regional online heroes

Article from The Adelaide Advertiser on September 29 2015

A nationwide competition is looking for regionally-based businesses using the internet to ease the tyranny of distance the best.

Google and the Regional Australia Institute (RAI) have partnered up for a campaign, Online Heroes, aiming to identify 10 regional small and medium enterprises based on innovative internet usage. Judges will be considering revenue growth, attracting new customers, export growth, hiring new staff and giving back to the community.

PwC research revealed earlier this year, states South Australia’s small businesses could unlock $3 billion, or about $57,300 per small business, of economic value over the next decade if they made better use of online and mobile technologies.

RAI CEO Jack Archer said, “Our research shows one of the greatest national competitive challenges is ensuring regions have the strategies and support necessary to make the most of online opportunities. “We’ve seen first-hand the significant impact an online strategy can have for regional businesses,’’ he said.

The winning 10 entrants will be flown to Sydney in November for a Google-run masterclass.

Full article published in The Adelaide Advertiser.