QUEENSLAND SMALL BUSINESSES ENCOURAGED TO EMBRACE ICT
Published Wednesday, 18 July, 2007 at 07:00 AM
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
Small business operators from the community services, construction, legal practices and tourism accommodation sectors will today receive a crash course in how information and communication technology (ICT) can radically transform their workplaces.
They are attending the 2007 ICT Factor Conference at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre which will be opened this morning by Gary Fenlon, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for State Development John Mickel.
“Australian Bureau of Statistics research shows that 90 per cent of Queensland businesses now use a computer,” Mr Fenlon said.
“However, owning a computer and using it to the best possible advantage for your business are two very different things.
“ICT can be tailored to address the needs of a particular business and provide solutions that help in countless ways to increase competitiveness and profitability.
“ICT solutions can be adopted to improve the work/life balance for the business operator, increase security of business systems and enhance communication with customers, suppliers and employees. ICT has revolutionised the way business is done worldwide.”
Mr Fenlon said the conference, which was first held last year, gave small businesspeople the chance to hear first-hand about the latest information on how technology can assist them day-to-day.
“The aim of this conference is to equip business operators with the information they need to make the right choices for their business,” Mr Fenlon said.
The morning will feature guest speakers including Peter Blasina, the ‘Gadget Guy’ from Channel 7’s Sunrise program who will talk about ‘what’s hot – trends and technologies to cut operating costs and improve business efficiency’.
Also on the bill is Wayne Bucklar, 612 ABC technology commentator and Director of Truecom Pty Ltd and E-Business Strategies Pty Ltd. His subject is the impact of ICT on the real estate boom.
The afternoon schedule includes a general session for small to medium enterprise owners and managers as well as industry-specific sessions focussed the community services, construction, legal practices and tourism accommodation sectors. These are being staged in partnership with Master Builders Queensland, the Queensland Law Society, Queensland Council of Social Services and the Hotel Motel Accommodation Association.
“Participants should walk away with some firm ideas on how they can utilise ICT to give them a greater business edge. And in doing so, ideally they will choose Queensland-sourced ICT solutions, many of which will be on display today,” Mr Fenlon said.
“Our ICT industry is going from strength to strength. It currently employs more than 77,000 Queenslanders and in the last financial year generated more than $23 billion in sales.”
ICT Factor 2007 is on at the Brisbane Convention Centre from 8.30am to 5.00pm today, it will be opened at 9.00am by Gary Fenlon, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for State Development
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784.
July 18, 2007
They are attending the 2007 ICT Factor Conference at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre which will be opened this morning by Gary Fenlon, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for State Development John Mickel.
“Australian Bureau of Statistics research shows that 90 per cent of Queensland businesses now use a computer,” Mr Fenlon said.
“However, owning a computer and using it to the best possible advantage for your business are two very different things.
“ICT can be tailored to address the needs of a particular business and provide solutions that help in countless ways to increase competitiveness and profitability.
“ICT solutions can be adopted to improve the work/life balance for the business operator, increase security of business systems and enhance communication with customers, suppliers and employees. ICT has revolutionised the way business is done worldwide.”
Mr Fenlon said the conference, which was first held last year, gave small businesspeople the chance to hear first-hand about the latest information on how technology can assist them day-to-day.
“The aim of this conference is to equip business operators with the information they need to make the right choices for their business,” Mr Fenlon said.
The morning will feature guest speakers including Peter Blasina, the ‘Gadget Guy’ from Channel 7’s Sunrise program who will talk about ‘what’s hot – trends and technologies to cut operating costs and improve business efficiency’.
Also on the bill is Wayne Bucklar, 612 ABC technology commentator and Director of Truecom Pty Ltd and E-Business Strategies Pty Ltd. His subject is the impact of ICT on the real estate boom.
The afternoon schedule includes a general session for small to medium enterprise owners and managers as well as industry-specific sessions focussed the community services, construction, legal practices and tourism accommodation sectors. These are being staged in partnership with Master Builders Queensland, the Queensland Law Society, Queensland Council of Social Services and the Hotel Motel Accommodation Association.
“Participants should walk away with some firm ideas on how they can utilise ICT to give them a greater business edge. And in doing so, ideally they will choose Queensland-sourced ICT solutions, many of which will be on display today,” Mr Fenlon said.
“Our ICT industry is going from strength to strength. It currently employs more than 77,000 Queenslanders and in the last financial year generated more than $23 billion in sales.”
ICT Factor 2007 is on at the Brisbane Convention Centre from 8.30am to 5.00pm today, it will be opened at 9.00am by Gary Fenlon, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for State Development
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784.
July 18, 2007