Telstra to help small businesses go digital

TELSTRA has revealed an $8.5 million program to help support small businesses by handing over major advertising space at the nation’s biggest football stadiums and launching a service to help them plan for and benefit from Australia’s rapidly growing digital economy.

The telco will offer regional Victorian small businesses free Telstra Business Go Digital Consults throughout 2021.

Small businesses that register their interest will also have the chance to win a takeover of Telstra’s premium advertising at AFL and NRL games across the country, including the MCG and Marvel Stadium, in the first week of May.

Telstra consumer and small business group executive Michael Ackland said the initiative comes after a year that saw more customers than ever seek to interact with businesses online.

“Regional Victorian small to medium businesses deserve a Brownlow Medal for how they have kept themselves and our economy running during an incredibly challenging period,” Mr Ackland said.

“They’ve earned an opportunity to have their name up in lights.

“We’ve seen across the state and nationally a massive acceleration in the number of customers shopping online over the past year.

“To harness this opportunity, now is the time for more small businesses to go online and interact with customers in new, digital ways, as well as embrace more efficient ways of selling, marketing and invoicing.

He said more regional Victorian businesses going digital could help to grow Australia’s economy by $90 billion and create up to 250,000 jobs during the next five years.

“We know this is a big change for many small businesses, so we are offering free Telstra Business Go Digital Consults to help businesses embrace the digital economy,” Mr Ackland said.

The consults will be offered free to all SMB customers throughout 2021, and is being championed by media personality Brian “BT” Taylor.

The new service (valued at $149) helps businesses be their best online through a consultation by a Telstra Small Business Expert of their digital touchpoints – from online marketing and cyber security to e-commerce and employee engagement – to identify gaps, vulnerabilities, and opportunities.

They then help equip the business with a tailored report and roadmap to go digital.

The consultation also unlocks a host of exclusive offers with Telstra’s extensive partner network also providing SMB support, including Small Business Australia, Samsung, Cisco, Spotzer, Facebook and Microsoft.

To enter, eligible Telstra Small Business customers should book at telstra.com.au/nameinlights and share a brief description on why they deserve a ‘big plug’. Full terms and conditions are available on the website.