A better use of tech
Reflecting on his move into the new studio space, Mark believes the value of a business-grade nbn™ network connection and the technology it can help enable has led to a range of productivity gains for his business.Δ “The unexpected thing from my point of view is how great technology and fast connection speeds can actually be an incentive for staff to come back into the office post-lockdown,” he explains. “For me, that means greater collaboration and innovation, which at the end of the day makes the business more successful.”
I asked Mark for his advice to businesses that are still hesitant about making better use of technology, and in true Bouris style, he got right to the point. “You can’t afford to fall behind in anything these days, so why fall behind in something that can have massive productivity improvements for your business? The world runs at such a fast pace,” he adds. “It’s all there to make your business run better, and make your life easier, so why the hell aren’t you taking advantage of it?”Δ
A big change
In what feels like a digital transformational period for so many, it seems business owners have found that technology has been essential in allowing them to grow while staying true to their small business roots. “At the simple end of the scale, I know cafes that are using their social media to ask their customers what they’d like to see on the menu,” Mark adds. “In a basic sense, just being able to source feedback more widely is a huge asset.”
“Even the smallest local retail store can now tap into huge markets, and more importantly, their brands can live beyond their local community”
-
Mark Bouris
Chairman, Yellow Brick Road
For Mark, these types of opportunities for growth are endless. “Even the smallest local retail store can now tap into huge markets, and more importantly, their brands can live beyond their local community,” he explains. “Paradoxically, they can do this by making sure they represent and reflect their local area better than ever. For me, that’s the key: you’ve got to own where you come from.”
Mark places a premium on efficiency and productivity and says the kinds of capabilities business nbn™ Enterprise Ethernet provides for small businesses, have been genuine game-changers.
“In every sector, the breadth of tools available to SMEs to simplify their operations is simply astounding. From freight, to packaging, to payments, the tools and services are out there to enable entrepreneurs of any size and technical savviness to grow their businesses has never been seen before,” he explains. “As a result, we’re seeing a real boom in investment by SMEs into these products.”
What Mark is describing is the type of business enablement made possible via our premium wholesale business product; business nbn™ Enterprise Ethernet, available to an estimated 1.5M Australian business locations. We’re also working towards making business-grade fibre more accessible through the business nbn™ fibre initiative, and the creation of business nbn™ fibre zones across Australia, including a presence in over 110 regional centres. Eligible businesses within these zones have access to a number of wholesale offers via their preferred service provider, aimed to make it even easier for these companies to enjoy the benefits of Enterprise Ethernet.
It’s through endeavours like these that the nbn™ network is helping to lift the digital capability of businesses right around Australia.