Businesses taking part in a new digital training initiative could generate a £10m boost to the Tees Valley economy.
The initiative - Get Your Head Into Digital - will see weeks of free digital skills workshops held for businesses in Middlesbrough, Stockton, Hartlepool, Darlington and Redcar and Cleveland.
It’s hoped more than 200 companies will adopt digital technologies allowing them to work smarter, increase turnover, reach more customers and grow profits.
If the initiative achieves its aims, the Tees Valley economy could benefit by more than £10m over three years from job creation, higher profits and staff wages according to experts at local enterprise partnership Tees Valley Unlimited (TVU).
More than 100 businesses have registered to attend the workshops and more are registering every day - but organisers say companies should not delay signing up as the workshops will end on April 2.
An estimated 4,300 businesses in the Tees Valley have no effective digital presence and low or basic online skills, based on the Lloyds Bank UK Business Digital Index. It’s believed this figure could be much higher.
Get Your Head Into Digital is part of the Government’s national SME Digital Capability Challenge Programme and is being run by Teesside’s DigitalCity and the Tees Valley Business Compass.
The workshops cover topics including getting your business online, selling online, using social media to reach more customers, business banking online and accessing business files from any device anywhere in the world.
Michael Ryding, Director of DigitalCity, said: “There are a huge number of economic benefits to businesses of all sizes and sectors in using digital.
“The figures speak for themselves. Those businesses which have a digital presence are more profitable than those that don’t.
“Digital technologies are tools which help businesses to operate more effectively – it doesn’t matter whether you’re a sole trader or running a traditional business employing a team of staff, the workshops offer real skills that can help you grow your business and operate more effectively.”
The TVU £10m figure is based on information from the Office for National Statistics and industry and government reports showing the potential profitability of businesses with a digital presence compared to those without.
Nationally around a third of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) don’t have a website. If voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs) are included the figure rises to 50%.
Independent analysts Booz and Co. estimate full digital take up could add £63 billion value to the UK economy.
Find out more and book a place on a workshop at http://bit.ly/1BNngW8.
Stockton-based Evolution Valves has used digital to boost turnover since it launched five years ago.
The company, which produces engineering valves, says use of online marketing techniques, website and Skype for meetings has helped it achieve close to a £3.5m turnover according to bosses.
Director Peter Cone said: “When we started up the company we recognised straight away that we wanted to stand out.
“We wanted to get a good click marketing campaign so we looked at IT to enhance our image and reputation.
“Use of digital allowed us to compete effectively - as a young company we were at a disadvantage, so it was important to establish some credibility to catch-up to the established businesses.”
The company has also opened an office in Houston, Texas and now employs 16 people.
Peter said: “Digital has given us is recognisable credibility, people have a lot more confidence in us and what we do.
He said: “If you’re unsure about how to use digital just experiment with the media that’s out there to see what works for you - and don’t be afraid of it.
“It is important not to be left behind. If you’re not using digital then you are immediately putting yourself at a disadvantage.”
For more information about Get Your Head Into Digital call 01642 384068, email info@headintodigital.com or visit the website http://bit.ly/1BNngW8.
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