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Farmers and retailers urged to get ICT savvy

Derbyshire businesses are becoming more ICT-savvy, according to figures released by Derby and Derbyshire Economic Partnership (DDEP) today.

514 businesses have received help from the partnership's ICT campaign - Derbyshire WellConnected - in the year since DDEP started work on its campaign. The majority of businesses helped were either professional services companies or in the tourism sector.
Now the campaign organisers are urging farmers and retailers to get on board and get help to improve their profits by using ICT.

Kevin Edwards, DDEP's Chief Executive said: ''Derbyshire businesses must get up to speed with technology if this county is to come out of the recession well. In hard times it is even more important to explore new markets, reach new customers and ensure that you are as cost effective as possible.

''Sadly, it seems that retailers and those in the agriculture sector are just not getting the help they need and we want to address that. There are some fantastic examples of traditional businesses recognising the need to promote their business and trade online to boost sales.''

One example is The Bakewell Tart Shop, which in the past week has just sent out orders to countries as far flung as Tasmania. Zoë McBurney, who owns the shop, says: ''Fifty per cent of our 'post a tart' business comes through the shop and the rest comes from enquiries online. Even a few years' ago the notion of buying a bakewell tart thousands of miles away was inconceivable. Now we have loyal customers all over the world.''

Even Zoë would like to make improvements to her website. ''We are doing really well but I would like more corporate orders. We can do this with the right expert advice.''

Zoë is now receiving help from Derbyshire - WellConnected to identify how she can improve online sales and prominence on the internet. As a result, she has invested in a laptop and mobile broadband, so that she can process orders quickly in the shop and sort delivery a whole day earlier, a big improvement in customer service.

Kevin Edwards says: ''It's not just online trading and promotion that businesses should consider. In a rural county, installing systems that allow staff to work from home can significantly lower costs and help recruitment. I urge businesses to get on the phone and find out how we can help.''

The advice line is for any business, so even if you're not using any information or communications technology at the moment, no question is too basic. It's there, too, for business people like Zoë, who are comfortable with ICT but want to take it to the next level.

Derbyshire - WellConnected has advisors on hand to answer questions such as:
• What can the web do for my business?
• How can my business profit from broadband?
• How do I get a website?
• How do I improve my website's search engine rankings?
• Is my business ready to trade online?
• Which aspects of my business operations should I computerise?
• Should I invest in remote working?
• How can I get funding to help me introduce new technology?

To find out more about Derbyshire - Well Connected, visit the campaign website: www.derbyshire-wellconnected.co.uk or call the advice-line: 0845 058 6644

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