In October 2020, Laois Offaly ETB launched a webinar series, ‘Future Proof Your Business’, to showcase how SMEs can increase business performance and productivity through digitalisation.
Each webinar was delivered by subject matter experts, with diverse topics covered including Process Improvement through Technology; Digital Marketing; Cyber Security and Data Analytics. Each webinar featured a local business as a case study, sharing their experience, learning and advice.
SMEs engaged with enthusiasm, with numbers growing from 33 attendees in the first webinar to 106 in the most recent and a total of 425 over the full webinar series. The series has generated employer requests for training in areas such as Digital Marketing, Social Media Skills and Lean Management, to assist their enterprises in digital transformation.
While LOETB organised the webinar series as a support to local enterprise during COVID, the main focus was to create a demand for FET digital programmes and to encourage local SMEs to embrace the digital transition process. Building on the success of this initiative, the series will continue monthly in 2021.
