Celebrate digital success in the South West

Forward thinking businesses across the south west are putting themselves in prime position to capitalise on economic recovery by embracing faster broadband and digital technology, show figures from Superfast Business, the region’s digital business support service. To celebrate digital success in the south west, Superfast Business is launching the Superfast Business Champions campaign, running from October 2014 through to March 2015.

Since September 2013, the Superfast Business service has delivered support to thousands of business across the south west, to enable them to harness all that digital technology has to offer. The service has provided information on digital technology to thousands of businesses across the region to date, through business awareness events, expert-led workshops, diagnostic and action planning sessions, and via the web through the service’s rich and unique online resource, the Knowledge Hub.

Businesses who have participated in the Superfast Business service are optimistic about their new found skills and knowledge with 85% expecting to increase sales, 74% believing their turnover will grow, 64% forecasting improved business performance and 59% expecting to achieve increased efficiency. Sign up to Superfast Broadband has increased as a result of support with 88% of businesses saying they have signed up to superfast services or plan to do so.

To celebrate innovative use of technology and recognise its impact on economic growth across the region, Superfast Business has launched the “Superfast Business Champions” accolade. From now until March 2015, businesses participating in the Superfast Business support service and implementing new technologies as a result, will be recognised for leading the way in evolving their working practices to compete in the digital age.

First in line for recognition will be a number of businesses who have implemented digital technologies that are transforming the way they do business, as a result of the support and guidance they have received from Superfast Business.
Ian Exworthy, Programme Manager for Superfast Business said: “By the year 2020, an entire generation will have grown up in a primarily digital world. Their familiarity with technology, reliance on mobile communications and ease with online networking will transform how we work, how we sell and how we consume. Every type of business is benefiting from digital technology, from the artisan food producer boosting their sales through search engine optimisation and online marketing, to the pool maintenance company fast-tracking efficiency by equipping their field engineers with tablets.

“Digital technology presents a world of opportunity for businesses in the south west, who have previously been at a disadvantage due to our physical remoteness from many of the UK’s major business locations and international transport hubs. The south west of England is a rich source of entrepreneurial talent and, with digital technology on our side, we are capable of delivering high performance business growth like never before. We’re delighted to be launching the Superfast Business Champions, to celebrate the region’s digital success to date and showcase to the rest of the south west’s business community just what is possible with digital technology.”

Business in the south west who are interested in finding out more about the Superfast Business Champions and the fully-funded Superfast Business support service can visit www.superfastbusiness.co.uk/champions.