By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
GEELONG businesses are significantly underprepared for the NBN and its 100 megabits of speed, according to a Deloitte Access Economics survey.
The NBN Business Readiness Survey found 50 per cent of businesses expected the NBN to change the way they did business but only 29 per cent were ready for the technology.
Cr Rod Macdonald, who holds Geelong council’s knowledge economy portfolio, said the statistics applied to the city even though the local roll-out was due to start in June.
“It is very much the case that many Geelong businesses, particularly small and medium businesses, are not ready to embrace the NBN,” he said.
“We’ve been pushing the NBN case since the early days and trying to focus them on their digital readiness.”
Cr Macdonald said small business in particular had lagged behind even in the existing online environment.
“Many businesses don’t have a computer and are not online. They have to get their thinking and strategies in place now so they can upgrade when the NBN rolls out.
“It’s a competitive market and businesses that get on board now and take advantage of digital will be ahead of the pack.”
Cr Macdonald said the best way for business operators with little or no internet knowledge was to adopt it in their personal lives before extending it to their business.
“Do your online baking, purchase goods online, do information searches and take best from other businesses and apply it to your own.
“Use it as an opportunity to see what works and what doesn’t, and which businesses make it easy for you to do business.”
Drysdale House bed-and-breakfast proprietors Lester and Janice Naylor admitted they were internet novices but declared their determination to understand its potential.
“We’re not that familiar with the internet but we recognise it’s a huge thing and we have to embrace it and be part of it,” Mr Naylor said.
“The NBN is going to huge for business and the fact that it is coming to Geelong prompted us to look into it more deeply.”
Mr Naylor said the NBN presented opportunities such as putting high-quality videos of Drysdale House facilities online.
“We can make it a point of difference for our business because people can virtually walk through the rooms and see the quality of the place.”
Mr Naylor said the NBN should also spur increased cooperation between businesses, especially in a town like Drysdale.
“It can only benefit the town but we all have to get on board. Local tourism groups and businesses have to work together to create a larger market for all of us using the power of the NBN.”
