Small businesses play a pivotal role in Queensland's economy. That's why the Department places the highest priority on developing and delivering specialised services to help you manage and grow your business:

• Contact your local regional centre on 13 26 50 to find out about workshops and seminars to help improve your business skills. There are also free CDs available - Getting ready for business and Essentials for business success. CDs are available via the Business Hotline on 1300 363 711 (interstate and international callers +61 7 3001 6359) or by email.
  
  
• Smart Skills allows business owners to complete a number of the Department's business and management skills programs in an interactive, online format. The modules are free, and cover a range of topics including:

o        getting ready for business 
o        business planning 
o        marketing and promotions
o        selling and sales planning 
o        negotiation and networking 
o        running your business   
o        finance and cash

For business owners particularly interested in management skills the following resources are available:

• Complete a short quiz to help assess your current level of knowledge on a range of issues such as business innovation, climate change, dispute resolution, business exit planning, privacy and information management, environmental management, workplace health and safety, and managing staff.
  
  
• Easy Plan CD - a guide to business planning. This guide is an interactive business planning template that is ideal for people starting a business and takes you step-by-step through all the key issues and practical elements of running a business. 
  
  
• Think. Plan. Grow. CD - a comprehensive business planning tool. An interactive business planning CD for the business owner designed to help you plan, keep track of and improve your business.
  
  
• The Department publishes online fact sheets that address a range of business and management topics.
  
  
• The Business Resource Centre has reviewed a range of business books that may be useful for new and existing businesses to enhance your management knowledge and skills. 
  
  
• The Mentoring for growth program offers mentoring services to clients who wish to discuss challenges or opportunities associated with business growth processes. The program puts start-up businesses, inventors, growing businesses and exporters in touch with successful entrepreneurs and exporters (mentors) who can help them achieve their full business potential.
  
  
• The Small business solutions program provides government subsidised Business Skills Mentors to small business owners, who will receive personalised, one-on-one mentoring on-site from experienced and accredited business professionals. The program is also designed to provide opportunities for small business owners to gain and retain skills through workshops and flexible training to suit the needs of participants.
  
  
• Business owners interested in formal training (e.g. business degrees, diploma in specialised areas such as human resources) can attend one of the State's tertiary or further education institutions:
  
• TAFE institutes 
• Queensland universities
  
  
• Business people can often benefit from the information and training services offered by the many business and industry associations. Significant benefits can be obtained from networking with like businesses.
  
  
• Access to departmental services is made easier through a network of regional centres situated throughout Queensland.