Build efficiency with Digital Boost

A Digital Boost app is now available to make digital skills training more accessible for their 40,000 users. One of these users is Brent Chatterton, Managing Director of Chatterton Builders – a building business based in Rangiora that specialises in energy efficient homes.

Chatterton (pictured above) discovered Digital Boost at the start of 2021 through New Zealand Certified Builders. He says the initiative allows him to research and understand what particular digital tool is best for any given task. “There’s so many [digital tools] out there, and it can be hard to know what’s going to work.” “It’s not the expense of the tool, it’s the implementation that’s absolutely key. If you don’t get the right thing it can be expensive. So that’s been really helpful.”

Chatterton uses digital tools such as Xero for accounting, VisTab and BWARE for health and safety, and CoConstruct for project management. He says that the tools give the team more control when it comes to finances and workflow.

“They’ve been especially important with COVID. We’ve had to have our finger on the pulse so much more.” The Mind Lab built the free Digital Boost Live app in partnership with The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) as an extension of digitalboost.co.nz. The Mind Lab CEO Frances Valintine says her team is acutely aware of the pressures small business operators are currently facing with COVID-19 alert level fluctuations. In response, access to support via mental health support services, such as Clearhead, are now available to all Digital Boost users. Valintine says exclusive content, such as the Clearhead podcast, provide a simple, hands-free way for business owners to absorb key information from experts. “Push notifications allow users to keep up-to-date with events, while the single sign-on saves time,” she says. “Digital Boost users now have the flexibility to switch between the Digital Boost website and the app depending on their unique and evolving needs.” Chatterton says he would highly recommend Digital Boost to other business owners, especially those also in the construction industry.

“Builders are very good at building, but a lot of them struggle with technology and paperwork. But customer expectations have changed a lot, so that external support and help with digital tools has become very important.” “I would definitely encourage the guys to give it [Digital Boost] a go.”

Digital Boost is free for any registered business to sign up at www.digitalboost.co.nz. It is a self-paced learning journey, with no assessments, Q&A sessions, regular fireside chats and access to support people.

The Digital Boost Live app continues to provide access to:

• Over 500 short three-to-five minute learning videos, including how to use digital marketing to increase sales, real world case studies and Q&A sessions with experts. • Podcasts with business owners.

• Hundreds of downloadable learning summaries. • Case studies featuring Kiwi small business owners. • Live Q&A sessions with experts and past recordings.

Digital Boost Live is available for free now on the App Store and Google Play.

Digital Boost is an initiative launched by MBIE in partnership with digital innovators in the private sector to help small businesses upskill their digital capability. Any registered business or sole trader can sign up for free at www.digitalboost.co.nz or the Digital Boost Live app.