01Next
Community validation
Validate needs, cohort criteria and delivery assumptions with entrepreneurs.
Seeking funding
Programme 01
Small Business Digital Foundations
A proposed supported-practice programme helping small businesses establish useful digital systems, strengthen daily operations and build the confidence to maintain them.
The challenge
Many small businesses use disconnected tools, informal processes and personal accounts to manage customers, records and communication. The problem is rarely a lack of technology alone; it is the lack of time, trusted guidance and systems that fit the business.
The programme combines a practical business technology assessment, co-designed setup, guided implementation and capability transfer. Each participant leaves with a documented digital foundation they understand and can sustain.
Evidence statusThis programme has not begun delivery. The model, figures and outcomes on this page are proposed and remain subject to validation, funding and governance approval.
Proposed delivery
What the programme would do.
01
Digital operations and readiness assessment
02
Customer journey and workflow mapping
03
Digital presence and discoverability setup
04
Customer, sales and record-management foundations
05
Cybersecurity and data-protection essentials
06
Applied group learning and one-to-one implementation clinics
07
Reusable templates, checklists and handover documentation
08
Three- and six-month adoption follow-up
Intended outcomes
Progress we would expect to see.
Targets become publishable results only after evidence review and verification.
30businesses in the proposed cohortProposed target
80%target completing a digital action planProposed target
70%target adopting two or more core practicesProposed target
6 moplanned adoption follow-up periodProposed target
More consistent customer communication and follow-up Reduced dependence on manual or duplicated administration Improved visibility of sales, customers and operating activity Safer handling of business and customer information Greater owner confidence in selecting and maintaining digital tools
Delivery gates
What must be true before work advances.
02Open
Funding approval
Secure sufficient restricted funding for the full pilot and evaluation.
03Planned
Pilot readiness
Approve curriculum, safeguarding, data practices and implementation partners.
04Not started
Delivery
Begin only after the preceding gates and baseline assessment are complete.
Funding requirement
Seeking aligned pilot funding
Funding is required for discovery, participant recruitment, facilitation, implementation support, accessibility, evaluation and the production of reusable resources.
Discuss programme fundingPartners we need around the table
Local enterprise and business-network access Software and cloud credits Business systems and cybersecurity specialists Learning design and facilitation Monitoring, evaluation and learning supportKnown delivery risks
Risks made visible early.
Tools may be too costly or complex after the pilot.
Planned responsePrioritise affordable, interoperable tools and document exit options.
Participants may have limited time for implementation.
Planned responseUse short applied sessions, flexible clinics and staged action plans.
Connectivity may constrain participation.
Planned responseProvide low-bandwidth materials and offline-friendly alternatives.