Small businesses in Australia failing to take advantage of technology

It has been reported by communications and broadband giant Telstra that many small businesses in Australia are failing to take advantage of technology such as mobile phones and computers.

In this day and age most people would automatically assume that any small business that was trying to get off the ground or expand would have access to technology such as mobile phones, computers, and broadband, at the very least, with those that are determined to make a success of the business ensuring that they had a good website to advertise their goods and services.

However, a recent report has been released by communications giant Telstra showing that there are actually many small businesses in Australia who are failing to take advantage of even basic technology such as mobile phones and computers, which is something that many people would consider remarkable in this day and age.

The survey showed that more than ten percent of small businesses operated without desktop computers, almost twenty five percent did not use mobile phones, around forty five percent did not use smart phones, and around fifty percent had no website or facility to use online transactions.

One Telstra official said: “To put it simply, many are driving around old utes when they could be driving around in a flash new truck. There’s a core of small business operators who are very interested and quite ambitious when it comes to using technology as a business tool, but almost half describe themselves as being cautious or not interested. The research shows as providers of new technology, Telstra has more to do in educating small business on the potential productivity gains to be made and how to make better use of updated communications tools. It’s important for our economy as we prepare for new higher bandwidth networks.  The small businesses sector really is the backbone of the Australian economy and we can’t afford to see it left behind.”

Do you think small businesses need to embrace technology more?

Source – Telstra