Transforming Business Services: Strategic Review for Alexandrina Council

My recent review tackled a comprehensive Community Strategic Services Review, focusing on optimising Business Services within the Alexandrina Council region. This project presented a valuable opportunity to align key service offerings with the evolving needs of local businesses, and broader economic development initiatives.

Business Services: Empowering Entrepreneurs and Driving Growth

The review also evaluated Business Alexandrina and the Business Hub Goolwa, a co-working space designed to support entrepreneurs and foster business growth in the region. I assessed alternative operating models, resourcing strategies, and partnerships integral to achieving collective outcomes.

The review highlighted the importance of Business Services in providing accessible, professional working and meeting facilities for regional start-ups and established enterprises. Some of my observations and recommendations included:

• Streamlining operations: Enhance efficiencies and consolidate communications to better connect with local businesses.

• Leveraging partnerships: Strengthen ties with key partners and exploring new ones to expand offerings and increase engagement.

• Growing patronage: Develop targeted strategies to enhance membership and utilisation of The Hub.

Based on these findings, I recommended continued investment in Business Services as a core Local Government function, coupled with exploring three operating models for The Hub to drive future growth and sustainability.

“Alex Brown has been an enormous support to Alexandrina Council’s Economic Development Strategy to drive our tourism activities and business services. Recently, Alex has been helping us transform the way we do Visitor Services and Local Business Support.  Her approach to analysis, stakeholder engagement and project management delivered comprehensive reports and insights.  Alex’s time and passion was extremely valuable to this process and has allowed us to reset out strategies and operations”. 

Lisa O’Donoghue, Manager Economic Development, Alexandrina Council

Let’s collaborate to drive growth and innovation in your community. Enquire now to explore how I may be able to assist with tailored solutions for your next regional transformation project, strategic plan or stakeholder engagement.

SA Economic Recovery Fund now open

An exciting boost for regional tourism operators has just been announced by the Department for Treasury and Finance with it’s new $20 million Economic Recovery Fund to support Regional Tourism Infrastructure Development and Manufacturing Innovation.

The program supports quality new accommodation or expansions, visitor attractions and experiences plus visitor infrastructure to enhance visitor engagement or develop new tour offerings.

The tourism industry can apply for grants from $150,000 up to $1 million or loans from $1 million to $5 million. Both grants and loans are limited to up to 30 per cent of the overall project cost.
 
Applications are open until 15 December 2023.

Make contact with Alex Brown today for grant writing services or for a business consultation to discuss project positioning to capture funds.

Businesses and residents within the City of Onkaparinga and District Council of Yankalilla can also access a free tourism mentoring session with Alex Brown via the Southern Business Mentoring Program.

Alex Brown, tourism development consultant has 14 years tourism industry experience and prides herself on delivering quality work with a strong attention to detail to deliver the best outcome for the client and the consumer. Alex has held various business advisory and project management positions to support growth in the tourism, entertainment, leisure and retail sectors to assist with experience and product development, precinct planning, investment attraction, acquisition of grant funding, marketing advice and planning and becoming export ready.

Image credits SA Media Gallery left to right: One Kangaroo Island, Elliot Grafton, The Villas at The Waikerie Golf and Country Club, David Sievers, Dudley Wines, Adam Bruzzone, Kuti Shack, Duy Dash.