Peter Strong instils hope and positivity in Goulburn Connect audience
Goulburn Connect were delighted to host Peter Strong, CEO of the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia, last Tuesday for their monthly networking event.
Goulburn Connect has recently relaunched after a break due to Covid-19 restrictions. The monthly event is now run with a maximum of 20 attendees and livestreamed to the Goulburn Region Innovation Network Facebook page.
Peter Strong, CEO of the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia presenting at Goulburn Connect.
Organised by Regional Development Australia Southern Inland (RDA Southern Inland), Peter Strong was an engaging and passionate guest speaker. Peter focused on the contribution that small businesses make to local community, particularly to sporting and grass roots organisations, local charities and sponsorship of local events.
Peter focused on some of the positives to come out of the pandemic, lifting the room with his anecdotes and vibrancy. He spoke about a bookshop franchise in the CBD of Melbourne that despite losing $200,000 a month is being supported by the success of the other bookshops in the bush. He also touched upon communities supporting local businesses.
“As a result of the pandemic, the sales in butchers have gone up 30% on average around the country.”
The Council of Small Business Organisations Australia is running a Go Local First Campaign, which encourages communities to support local businesses.
“When you walk down the street and every 4th shop is closed, it actually gets to you as a person…it’s important that we have a vibrant centre just for our health.”
Despite these challenging times, Peter labelled the NSW Government’s busines consultation during the pandemic as “best practice” and emphasised the importance of listening to the communities and those on the ground.
Peter Strong will next visit Jindabyne Connect on the 24th September, to speak to local businesses about business recovery and the initiatives of his organisation. The event will be livestreamed via the Jindabyne Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.
The Goulburn Connect recording can be found here.
Goulburn Connect is an initative of RDA Southern Inland, Goulburn Chamber of Commerce, Goulburn Mulwaree Council, BDCU Alliance Bank and Canberra Region Innovation Network. Goulburn Connect is held on the first Tuesday of every month from 5.30pm at The Collective.
September 8th, 2020
