David Koch is searching for six bricks and mortar retailers to transform into global ecommerce powerhouses through Bricks and Clicks, an education program designed to close the digital knowledge gap.
The progress of the businesses will be showcased in the Bricks and Clicks television documentary series, to air on Channel 7.
According to Koch, whose TV show Kochie’s Business Builders is now in its 12th season, one of the biggest challenges facing the Australian economy and business community is getting traditional bricks and mortar businesses online.
“The biggest barrier to Australian businesses getting online is fear: fear of the complexity, fear of finding someone to trust to help, fear of the high expenses. Our aim is to prove these fears are myths,” he said.
The education program, launched by Koch’s business Pinstripe Media, will see the businesses receive hands-on mentoring from digital and retail experts at two intensive Sprint Weekend workshops held at International Towers Barangaroo.
“Their digital journey will provide the inspiration for other business owners to follow suit. Their experience will show others it’s not that hard, it’s not as expensive as you think and it will future proof and supercharge your business,” Koch said.
The Bricks and Clicks education program will also be available as 10-week online course to help traditional retailers around Australia transition to ecommerce, and will be supported by an event roadshow.
The launch of the program, supported by Xero, Netregistry, and International Towers in Sydney, comes as global retail e-commerce sales are expected to reach over US$4.5 billion by 2021 – in fact, it’s predicted that one in 10 items will be bought online by 2020.
Despite the clear growth of ecommerce over the last few years, too many Australian businesses are still unprepared: a survey of small business owners found 56 percent did not value digital tools, despite the time saving and revenue benefits.
In turn, businesses are not only missing out on opportunities to reach new customers in new markets, but they’re also at risk of closure over the next decade if they don’t implement online sales and marketing channels.
Bricks and Clicks aims to demystify digital and help businesses make the transition.
“There are lots of programs to help tech startups innovate and go global, so we’re very excited to help transform the thousands of traditional bricks and mortar retailers across Australia who are yet to harness the power of digital,” Koch said.
“They’ve worked hard to build successful brick and mortar businesses, but in changing times many business owners need a hand with selling and marketing online.”
Think your business could benefit from taking part in Bricks and Clicks? Nominate yourself – or another business – here.
Note: Startup Daily is owned by Pinstripe Media.
Featured Image | City of Melbourne/ That Startup Show / Photographer Wren Steiner
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