FEEDBACK platform Suggest it has found Ballarat\u2019s Best Ideas following a recent effort to crowd-sourced visions for local businesses and organisations.<\/p>\n
Judged by experts in economics and enterprise, residents\u2019 creative and actionable suggestions for Plate Up Ballarat, 1816 Bakehouse, and Haymes Paint Shop have won the competition.<\/p>\n
With each receiving a $500 to realise the ideas, Plate Up Ballarat will publish a cookbook showcasing the city\u2019s hospitality venues and chefs\u2019 best dishes, 1816 Bakehouse will develop a weekly bread subscription and delivery service, and Haymes Paint Shop will star in a Paint the City campaign, refreshing historic Sturt Street fa\u00e7ades.<\/p>\n
Community member Kate Tol submitted the suggestion for Haymes. She\u2019s one of three \u2018gurus\u2019 receiving a $500 voucher to spend at a Commerce Ballarat member business.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt could be an amazing tourism thing for Ballarat for people to come here, see a real-life Haymes colour swatch on buildings, and go home with some sample pots,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
1816 Bakehouse head baker Josh Chapman said integrating the crowd-sourced idea for their business will boost production levels and help plan employee rosters around demand.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s such a good idea. I know that lots of our regular customers would use and love this subscription service,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Plate Up Ballarat director Kate Davis said a cookbook was discussed early in the organisation\u2019s early days.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo have someone else suggest that idea reinforces where we\u2019re at with hospitality. Ballarat is a leading regional dining destination,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cA cookbook will celebrate and shine a spotlight on our chefs, and our producers.\u201d<\/p>\n
Haymes Paint\u2019s Andrew Senyard said his team is looking forward to further exploration of the Paint the City campaign.<\/p>\n
\u201cInnovation is key to business success, and platforms like Suggest it give the local community the opportunity play a part in the success of local businesses,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
City of Ballarat mayor Cr Daniel Moloney congratulated the businesses and gurus.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are plenty of great ideas in Ballarat but connecting those ideas to businesses and council can sometimes be hard,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis competition showed the wonderful community spirit that we have. We want to share ideas to help our businesses and city to thrive. These ideas have the potential to make a difference in big and small ways.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe also give our love and best wishes to the Haymes family on the passing of David.\u201d<\/p>\n
Federation Business School\u2019s Professor Christina Lee, Regional Development Victoria\u2019s Tammy Fitzgerald, City of Ballarat economic growth team leader Kelli Moran, and Runway HQ\u2019s Nichola Sleight judged the Ballarat\u2019s Best Ideas competition; an initiative of Suggest it founders Ben Wearne and Nick Clare.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlthough the competition has ended, Suggest it continues as a platform for people to give positive, constructive ideas for local businesses,\u201d Mr Wearne said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe really want Ballarat people to keep giving ideas. If you walk into a business and see something they could do, suggest it.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
FEEDBACK platform Suggest it has found Ballarat\u2019s Best Ideas following a recent effort to crowd-sourced visions for local businesses and organisations. Judged by experts in economics and enterprise, residents\u2019 creative and actionable suggestions for Plate Up Ballarat, 1816 Bakehouse, and Haymes Paint Shop have won the competition. With each receiving a $500 to realise the […]<\/p>\n