By Nikki Govan, Deputy Chair of Business SA

Google coined the phrase: “we don’t GO online – we LIVE online”.

Everything about my personal and professional life resonates with that insight!

I’m the co-owner of the Star of Greece restaurant at Port Willunga, Chair of the Southern Adelaide Economic Development Board, Deputy Chair of Business SA, a law student and a wife and mother.

And because I live and run a business regionally, while having to meet many commitments in Adelaide, my laptop and my mobile have, by necessity, become my “office”.

Other digital tools are becoming increasingly important. Our online booking system implemented at the Star a few years ago has reduced no-shows, improved accuracy, maximised yields and enabled a CRM to include customer preferences. 

I simply could not successfully juggle my competing personal and business demands without a range of technology enablers.

And clearly the demands I face are not unique. Women from all walks of life find themselves juggling similar pressures - and some of the busiest women run small businesses.

So, I find it extraordinary that an estimated 50% of businesses in Australia are yet to establish a presence online. We are told that the three biggest barriers for entry into the online for small business owners are: complexity, a perception that it will not create value for the business and, ironically, lack of time.

But the truth is that 82% of us turn to our mobile ‘phone when we searching for a local business. Indeed, online searching is now the number one way people find contact details for a business.

The statistics are compelling. Businesses with the highest levels of digital engagement are twice as likely to be growing revenue, they are likely to earn twice as much revenue per employee and they are four times more likely to be hiring new staff.

Therefore, I’m delighted that Business SA, in collaboration with our peak body, the Australian Chamber of Commerce, is presenting the second annual event of Mobile-ising Women in Business.

This year, speakers who ‘live and breathe’ diverse and demanding careers, like Tara Moss and Catherine Ball, will take this highly successful event to the next level.

There will also be an opportunity to recognise our South Australian women digital pioneers, like Angelique Boileau, also a major sponsor of the event through her company Boileau Business Technology, and to get insights from inspiring local digital entrepreneurs Lucy Cornes and Kelly Noble.

I urge you to find the time to get along to hear how disruptive technology is the ‘new normal’ and can benefit you personally as well as enable growth in your business. 

Register as soon as possible at: www.business-sa.com/mwib2017