Media Statements - New marketing program to benefit small business

26/10/00

An innovative new marketing program targeting the State’s small business sector has been launched in Narrogin.

Minister for Small Business Hendy Cowan said marketing was increasingly being recognised as the cornerstone of a business’s success.

“With the increasing globalisation of markets and advances in E-commerce, it is now more important than ever that small businesses identify and understand their customers,” Mr Cowan said.

“Through this program, the State Government is encouraging the small business sector to develop a more competitive edge.”

Thirty-three per cent of respondents to the May 2000 Small Business Opinion Survey said they had a marketing plan.

“However, with only 28 per cent of these referring to their marketing plan often and 35 per cent referring to it sometimes, there is scope to increase the awareness of the benefits of strategic marketing,” Mr Cowan said.

The

Marketing Today

program has been custom-designed for small business.

By applying practical examples and encouraging self-analysis of their business, participants will learn best practice marketing techniques and strategies.

“It is significant that this program is being launched in regional Western Australia because it has been designed to be delivered by the Business Enterprise Centre (BEC) network,” Mr Cowan said.

The Narrogin Business Enterprise Centre is one of the first BECs to hold a

Marketing Today

workshop.

“Because the BEC network is represented in 37 locations, businesses right across the State will have the opportunity to attend one of these workshops,” the Minister said.

Phone 1800-093-340 for the location of your nearest BEC.

Media contacts:

Peter Jackson (Minister’s office) 9222-9595

Michelle Downie (SBDC) 9220-0222