BEAMing in at the Blue Sky Economic Growth Corporation

Blue Sky Economic Growth Corporation
News Release

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To support regional small businesses in their efforts to embrace e-business technologies and develop digital skills, Blue Sky Net, the technology division of Blue Sky Economic Growth Corporation is set to implement BEAM, the Broadband for E-business and Marketing program.

BEAM is designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises develop, enhance or expand their websites by implementing e-business applications.

E-business goes far beyond simply having a website and access to broadband. It also means using all the tools available over the Internet to help facilitate business. Not all e-business activities have to be complex or costly to achieve benefits.

The program will help alleviate the associated costs of upgrading E-business applications. BEAM provides a framework to help small business define their business objectives and ensure that the right technology is implemented to achieve the desired outcomes. BEAM is the bridge between a non-technical business owner and their chosen vendor. Blue Sky Net will work with the businesses to help them define their objectives and ensure the appropriate E-business tools are chosen and leave the technical aspects of E-business development to their chosen vendor.

E-Business can help cost-effectively market businesses in the region, enhance visibility and accessibility for customers and suppliers, lower the costs associated with business transactions and strengthen our competitive advantage. Online E-Business tools might be any combination of the following: Website Design, E-commerce, E-Marketing, Search Engine Optimization, Social Media Optimization, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Product fulfillment, Business to Business (B2B) Transactions, and Analytics.

The program provides a rebate for up to 75% of eligible costs, to a maximum of $5,000. In conjunction with the program BSN will encourage applicants to participate in a consultation process and training opportunities to ensure they are adequately equipped to utilize the E-business applications.

According to Susan Church, Executive Director, “key to the program is that recipients must work with vendors from Northern Ontario, so it is a win-win for all businesses, in that it helps with the costs for the business in need of e-business technologies and brings new clients to e-business development companies in our area.”
Interested individuals can access applications and criteria on the Blue Sky website:
www.blueskynet.ca/beam

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