Learn from each other!

The government has launched an inquiry into the use of IT by small businesses. This is a good thing. There are several studies that show a link between business growth and IT use. In BCG's report Sweden online , for example, we read that 65% of those with advanced web presence had growth in the last 3 years compared to 37% of those with low web presence. This was true for companies with fewer than 10 employees, but similar figures also apply to larger companies.

Companies state that the main obstacles to increased internet use are lack of knowledge; there is no expertise in the company, they do not understand how the internet can develop the business and there is no group where they can discuss the issues.

In recent years, there have been projects - with varying degrees of success - aimed at training individual entrepreneurs. Instead, I believe in a model where businesses support and learn from each other in existing networks. For example, by encouraging municipalities' business developers to start experience groups in collaboration with already existing local entrepreneurial networks. Perhaps a model for smaller municipalities in particular, but that is often where the need is greatest. Such groups could invite various representatives of suppliers or perhaps special IT coaches and above all learn from each other.

There is a very good example in Gävleborg-Dalarna, project FindIT, where municipalities, companies and the education system work together to help the region's small businesses become better at IT and thus increase the region's competitiveness. Read more at sandbackapark.com