New Albany Chamber of Commerce and Industry program set to bring important knowledge to business community

A new program coordinated by the Albany Chamber of Commerce and Industry will help businesses focus their planning through six training sessions this year.

The idea for the Multidimensional Business Program came after ACCI survey results indicated business owners wanted more local training opportunities.

ACCI chief executive Kristen Pyrz-Brown said she had heard some businesses resorted to sending staff interstate, while others were looking at courses internationally.

“(An) overwhelming response of what we could be doing more of to support our members was the introduction of manageable training opportunities that targeted both established business owners and also those looking to upskill their future leaders,” she said

“We heard anecdotally of members spending thousands of dollars on travel and accommodation to source similar programs in Perth and over east.”

The first of the program’s six sessions will take place on February 20, with sessions led by professionals in their field then taking place every second month through to December.

They will focus on six foundational pillars: strategy, finance, change management, leadership development, digital engagement and marketing, and capstone action.

“An MBA has a similar format where it is a little bit of everything so you can make informed decisions or have oversight of all aspects without needing to be the subject matter expert,” Ms Pyrz-Brown said.

“I have spoken to many business owners who say they’re successful in business but it’s all ‘by accident’ because they don’t really know about finance or they’re muddling through on the marketing side or would love to hand off more responsibility to their up-and-comers.”

She said extra knowledge on any topic could be transferred to any industry, business, organisation or company, whether they were starting out or well established.

“We have such a rich patchwork of enterprise in Albany and the surrounds, that we felt bedding down the most important aspects will be the best springboard for growth and development, both for the individual and their organisations,” she said.

Visit the ACCI website for more information and to sign up for the program.