Embrace innovation.
Commonwealth Bank will partner with Amazon, Google, Salesforce, Mastercard, Phoria, and UsTwo to assist small businesses in Victoria realise the benefits of embracing innovation and digital technologies, at the launch of the 2018 Small Business Festival Victoria.
Throughout the month-long festival, CBA’s Innovation Lab will run a series of workshops and events, equipping small business owners with world-leading tools of innovation to develop new ideas for their business alongside the world’s best technology experts.
As part of the program, Amazon, Google, Salesforce, Mastercard, Phoria, UsTwo and CBA will deliver a ‘collective impact’ approach. Small business owners will have access to these industry leaders who will discuss topics such as search experience, user experience, payment experience, cloud experience, customer experience, and developing an entrepreneurial mindset.
CBA Innovation Lab executive manager, Heath Brown said delivering clarity around business challenges and opportunities is the first step towards innovation and success for small businesses.
“We interviewed hundreds of small business owners and many said they feel invisible in the Australian innovation eco-system, meaning they get no resource or cash investment in comparison to start-ups.
“Many small businesses don’t have a CTO, CIO, CMO or an innovation team – business owners wear all of those hats – which means they need tools, tactics and approaches to compete, stay relevant and respond to disruption.
“This is why we are thrilled to be working with global tech giants, government and leading academic institutions to help small business owners get the know-how to remain competitive in the future economy.”
Victorian Minister for Industry and Employment, The Hon. Ben Carroll MP added, “Through initiatives like the Small Business Festival, the Victorian Government is supporting small businesses to come up with new and innovative ideas – strengthening the economy and creating jobs.”