TASHIA POTTER
VANCOUVER ISLAND – Who would have guessed, we’re rounding our way into the holiday season alongside the second wave of Covid-19. To say that 2020 has been a game-changer would not be an understatement. While we’ve all felt the effects of what this year has brought, one way or another, our small business community has been seriously impacted.
As restrictions limit exposure to customers, small businesses are being pushed to pivot online and #getdigital in order to have a stake in the ecommerce market that is prevailing during these unprecedented times.
Cue Innovation Island and their DER3 Program! In April, Innovation Island in partnership with Island Economic Coastal Trust (ICET), Innovate BC (IBC) and Western Economic Development Canada (WD), developed the Digital Economy Response Program (DER3) to help businesses #getdigital.
The program is now working with over 500 companies across the island to help reimagine their business, and in many cases, move from surviving to thriving with the guidance of our team of advisors. Collectively, our team has over 120 years of experience in the business and technology sectors that we’ve applied in a variety of scenarios to guide business owners forward.
From setting up an online store, to helping define your target market and digital marketing strategies to helping select a new point of sale system. Our DER3 team provides the personalized business/digital advice, resources, materials tools & best practices and connections to service providers.
Our entire goal is to help guide businesses, in the sometimes daunting journey, of entering or expanding in the digital economy. Any business, any sector, and any level of technology. Think of us as your “digital consultants”.
If there was ever a time to support local businesses for the holidays now is it! That applies to not just shopping but perhaps supporting your own business or referring a friend to our program; putting systems and strategies in place that will support success through the current and future economic landscape.
It’s been said we don’t rise to our efforts in hard times but fall back on our systems. Let’s make sure you have great systems in place.
Contact us to chat more about your needs at: info@innovationisland.ca or visit: www.innovationisland.ca/der3
Happy Holidays, Stay well and #getdigital from all of us on the DER3 team.
Tashia Potter is a Digital Engagement Specialist with Innovation Island