mmg.com.au

Benalla businesses are poised to get a shot in the arm once the Business Expansion and Retention (BEAR) program has taken place.

Last week a team of community volunteers underwent training and will soon be out and about, interviewing business owners and managers.

The idea is to seek input via a detailed survey, with the data to be placed in a report to be presented to the community in March.

Perth-based business Bank of Ideas’s director Peter Kenyon conducted the training of volunteers for the program, which will be co-ordinated by Benalla Rural City’s Catherine McMillan.

Mr Kenyon said the program was based on a model he saw operating successfully in the United States about 20 years ago which he adapted to suit the Australian business climate. He has conducted more than 1500 community training sessions throughout Australia, New Zealand, the US, Canada and South Africa.

‘‘It creates healthy, more vibrant communities and healthier economies,’’ Mr Kenyon said.

‘‘And it’s focused on getting the community engaged with the business community.

‘‘The team is made up of community members — the wisdom of the community always exceeds the knowledge of experts,’’ he said.

Mr Kenyon said he was passionate about the program as it was ‘‘all about conversation’’.

‘‘Good communication always starts with conversation.’’

He said about 70 volunteers would visit about 100 local businesses in pairs and listen and record what the business community wanted — what helped, and what hindered.

‘‘We’ve got to get good ideas to get the tills ringing,’’ Mr Kenyon said.

A taskforce of about eight locals will analyse the results and do the report which will be presented to the community on March 26, in what Mr Kenyon says will be a ‘‘celebratory event’’.

‘‘The information is important — but action is infinitely more important.’’

Mr Kenyon emphasised that any information gained would remain confidential, with no financial questions asked.

‘‘It’s all about asking what are the advantages of running a business in Benalla, and what are the disadvantages,’’ he said.

‘‘It focuses very much on good ideas.’’