Executive+Summary+056

Small Business Online Meetings, Communications and e-Learning project aims to assist small business owners and managers, primarily those in the early stages of business growth. It is expected that small business owners will benefit by increasing their use of on-line conferencing tools for meetings, asynchronous text-based discussion and e-learning tools, as cost effective ways to grow their businesses.

Sydney Community College Inc provides business skills development programs for small business owners, and subsequently has identified a need for these business owners and managers to find ways to continue networking with others who have the same interest. The business owners also expressed interest in tools, which would enable them to communicate more effectively with clients, staff and suppliers who are often in different locations.

The identified three major issues to be addressed are: • a need for cost effective communication and support networks. • an efficient and flexible method of training, developing and retaining staff. • A means of developing relationships with suppliers, clients and associated personnel who work remotely (eg contractor, suppliers, customers or franchisee).

Through a case study, this project seeks to demonstrate techniques that could be used by small business owners for communications within and external to their businesses. The project will use e-learning strategies such as online discussions and presentations, and introduce collaborative e-learning tools.

The participants for this study will be recruited from previous GoYoungBiz programs and all are small business owners and managers. Recently, some of these have attempted to form networks with limited success. This project will address their issues and actively engage them in developing this case study.

It is expected that the main outcome of the Small Business Online Meetings, Communications and e-Learning project run by Sydney Community College will be this case study. At the conclusion of the project, the case study and the associated blog, will be made available for use for other small business owners around Australia.