TSB’s existing business banking customers will receive a year’s free membership of Enterprise Nation from April 2018 and a “digital MOT” to determine what advice and support will best unlock their business’ digital potential.
To kick start their digital transformation, these small businesses will receive a digital voucher bundle worth up to £500 which can be used, for example, to fund advertising search credits, help build a website or buy new technology. Big brands backing the programme to support the small business cause include Google, GoDaddy, Experian and Xero.
TSB’s Commercial Banking Director, Richard Davies, says:
“I’ve always been inspired by the capacity of small businesses to ride the economic waves, create jobs and serve local communities – but we know they are crying out for more support when it comes to embracing the digital revolution.
“Small businesses need banking partners who want to actively to support them, with fresh thinking and new services – to unlock the true potential of small businesses and ultimately address the productivity gap that exists in the UK today.
“SMEs want the best of new technologies and business advisors to help them thrive – not the current status quo which sees banks putting obstacles in their way and looking for ways to extract money from them. Solutions need to be personalised, not ‘one size fits all’, and this needs to happen right across the UK, not just in London. Enterprise Nation is helping us to develop and deliver quality, digital support and I’m delighted we can offer this to the small businesses and entrepreneurs that we serve.”
Emma Jones, Founder of Enterprise Nation, says:
“An initiative like this is desperately needed. Small local firms are missing out dramatically on the benefits that digital know-how can bring, not just to sales but to productivity.
“Offering vouchers that can be exchanged for digital services is inspired, and exactly what we need to see banks doing – recognising there is much more to be done to support businesses, and that their own local branches are far from redundant – in fact they are the perfect venue from which to deliver important help.”
“There are a lot of compelling reasons why firms really must find the time to embrace the digital world once and for all. With more fundamental services like tax moving online only, finding out more about the digital opportunity is no longer a choice.”
