The Rudd Labor Government’s $50 million a year Enterprise Connect network has just signed up its 2,000th client for a free, comprehensive business review, furthering its objective of assisting Australian business to become more innovative, productive and competitive.
Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, says results are demonstrating that this fresh approach is hitting the mark with small and medium-sized business operators.
“Launched 18 months ago, the Enterprise Connect network takes a radically different approach to assisting small manufacturers and service providers,” Senator Carr said.
“The focus is on providing free, face-to-face advice, tailored to each individual business, and developing collaborative opportunities across sectors.
“More than 90 expert business advisers are attached to 12 manufacturing and innovation centres located across Australia.
“Business advisers conduct reviews on location in metropolitan, regional and remote parts of the nation.
“Once a review has been conducted, participating businesses have the option of applying for a dollar-for-dollar Tailored Advisory Service Grant of up to $20,000 to implement the recommendations flowing from the review. (see attached case studies).
“Enterprise Connect is helping to re-vitalise manufacturing in Australia by giving small and medium-sized firms the support they need to think ahead and become more competitive.”
To date, over 1,500 business reviews have been completed with another 500 currently under way, and over 700 applications for grants have been received. In addition, Enterprise Connect has obtained strong results from a range of complementary services to help SMEs. These include:
Researchers in Business
This initiative funds the placement of an expert from a university or other research institution to work with businesses to develop new, cutting-edge products for market. It provides a dollar-for-dollar grant of up to $50,000, with seventeen placements having been approved under the initiative so far.
Technology and Knowledge Connect
Participating businesses have access to the knowledge and expertise of the entire business advisory network, which has the potential to open up opportunities they may never have considered.
As a result of this program, Queensland-based manufacturer Pacific Hose Flex (PHF) had the opportunity to participate in a major international defence contract.
This work depended on PHF quickly becoming familiar with a broad range of industry standards and specifications which applied to the defence sector. The Technology and Knowledge Connect service was able to provide this information and PHF won the contract.
Technology Partnerships
Technology Partnerships is a new service that has been established to link firms owning highly specialised but underutilised technology or equipment with other businesses that may be able to use it, thereby increasing productivity and revenue in a mutually beneficial arrangement.
Firms with specialised equipment receive $3,000 as a sign-on fee to be listed and $2,000 is available to subsidise the first use of the equipment. Fifteen businesses have registered 28 pieces of equipment under Technology Partnerships to date.
Workshops, Industry Intelligence and Networking (WIIN)
More than $300,000 was made available for eleven projects under the first round of the WIIN program this year to help organisations conduct seminars and other forums which raise awareness among SMEs of innovations, technologies, expertise and best practice relevant to their business.
Supported workshops and seminars covered issues such as strategic planning, best practice family business, networking and sustainability.
The second round of WIIN is expected to be announced early in the New Year.
For more information on the opportunities available, call the Enterprise Connect hotline on 131 791 or visit www.enterpriseconnect.gov.au
Media contacts: Patrick Pantano, Minister's Office, 0417 181 936
John Dean, Enterprise Connect, 0419 031 331