[LINK] RFC: Victoria's Digital Economy Strategy

[Stephen Loosley]

Help shape Victoria’s Digital Economy

http://www.digital-economy.vic.gov.au/contribute

Welcome to The Victorian Government’s online community.

We are seeking your input into the development of a strategy to support Victoria’s digital economy and encourage you to submit your ideas and exchange views with others.

This is a place for us to hear from you, and, to let you know what we have done with your contributions.

To be part of the conversation, please register.  
http://digital-economy.vic.gov.au/users/sign_up


Strategy Themes

* Digital Inclusion
As more services are delivered online, digital inclusion is increasingly important to ensuring that Victorians benefit from the digital economy, engage actively in society and achieve their full potential.We're interested to know how you engage digitally and how you see it working better. 

* Productive and competitive SMEs
The development and uptake of digital technologies has been rapidly increasing in recent years. There has been an explosion in the adoption of new digital technologies like smartphones, tablets and mobile internet, and applications like social media and online transactions are now integral activities for most citizens. Do you know how to harness digital technologies to improve your business? If not, we would like to know why.

* Digital infrastructure
We'd like to hear details about how digital communications infrastructure affects you and your business. Digital infrastructure includes mobile phone towers, copper, fibre-optic and pay-tv networks and they enable access to telephone and internet services along with associated digital technologies like online business, social media and cloud computing.

* Digital innovation and entrepreneurship
Digital technologies are disrupting and transforming customer-oriented industries around the world. Local businesses now have access to customers in other countries; Victorians can order goods directly from overseas firms; competition can come from online businesses with no physical presence; and consumer demands and purchasing patterns are changing. Traditional supply chains are also being transformed by technology - let us know how you plan to use digital innovation to start or grow your business?

* A skilled workforce
More than ever before, digital literacy is critical to business success. A workforce skilled in understanding, adapting and using digital technologies is essential to achieving better business outcome. Increasingly, all businesses need to understand how to make the most of technology just to stay competitive. What does this level of digital capability look like

* Telecommuting
The spread and take-up of digital communications across the economy is enabling more and more people to access information and communicate with people no matter where they are. Working from home, on the move or from rented office space closer to home can greatly improve productivity, we would like to know how it would work best for you.

* Leadership in Government
The Victorian Government intends to be a leader in contemporary, digitally enabled practices. We aim to use digital technologies and channels to operate as efficiently as possible, deliver services more effectively, be more productive and reduce duplication and waste. Improving the way government works will also improve the infrastructure, information and services we provide to Victorians, so let us know how we can achieve this.
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Media:  http://www.arnnet.com.au/article/548363/

The Victorian government has called for public input into the state's nascent Digital Economy Strategy.

The call comes with the launch of the Digital Economy Strategy website (www.digital-economy.vic.gov.au) to help gather public sentiment on the best way to build digital capability of Victorian businesses.

The Digital Economy Strategy aims to position Victoria as a strong and innovative digital economy that can capture the substantial benefits and opportunities generated by digital technologies.

Victorian technology minister, Gordon Rich-Phillips, said he wanted to use the Digital Economy Strategy website and co-production approach to induce innovative and effective strategies for boosting Victoria’s digital capability, capacity and skills.

"We are particularly interested in hearing how government can actively help to improve digital capabilities,” he said.

“The website seeks input and feedback on themes such as digital inclusion, competitive SMEs, infrastructure, innovation and entrepreneurship."

He said creating a successful digital economy required a collaborative effort, which capitalised on the experiences, ideas and ingenuity of Victorians, as well as global innovation and experience.

"We expect that these themes will expand and diversify as contributors suggest new ideas and ways of approaching the strategy," he said.

The consultation period will run until 30 July.

Rich-Phillips said governments certainly played an important role in growing the digital economy.

"But we urge individuals and businesses to lead the charge.”
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Cheers,
Stephen