One million small businesses supported – and there's more to do

We've just hit a major milestone. Through the business.connected programme, Vodafone Business and Enterprise Nation have now delivered free digital skills training to one million of the UK's small businesses.

That's a lot of entrepreneurs who've learned how to set up online payments, run digital marketing campaigns, protect themselves from cyber threats and adapt to what customers now expect.

But here's the problem: there's still a huge gap.

The festive season reality check

New research from Vodafone Business shows that 64% of shoppers prefer to buy online rather than visit physical stores in the run-up to Christmas.

And 78% believe small businesses risk losing seasonal sales if they can't handle online transactions properly.

The numbers get more concerning. Over the past year, 34% of consumers tried to buy from a small business but couldn't because the right online payment options weren't available.

They wanted to support local enterprises, especially during the festive period, but the digital infrastructure simply wasn't there.

Why this matters now

Christmas trading can make or break the year for many small businesses.

When website traffic surges, you need systems that can cope. Secure payment options, quick customer support – all the things that bigger retailers take for granted.

Without them, you're leaving money on the table. Customers move on and they buy elsewhere.

What business.connected offers

Since launching in 2021, the programme has provided free access to webinars, workshops, digital bootcamps, mentoring and online courses.

There's also a new video series featuring small business founders and experts covering everything from e-commerce to AI.

Participation has come from right across the economy.

Business and professional services account for 7% of those trained, health and fitness for 5%, creative industries for 4%, and technology sectors for 3%. There's strong appetite from food and drink, education, fashion, jewellery and retail businesses too.

Geographically, London SMEs made up 28% of participants, followed by the South East at 15%, West Midlands at 8% and the North West at 7%. Scotland contributed 5% and Wales 2%.

Jenine Baptiste is the founder of luxury British womenswear brand Baptiste. She says:

"Being part of the business.connected programme has been invaluable for Baptiste. The support, resources and network have helped me strengthen my business foundations while staying true to my creative vision.

"It's given me the confidence and practical tools to grow sustainably, make informed decisions, and continue building a brand rooted in craftsmanship, purpose and community."

The first million, not the only million

Aaron Asadi, CEO of Enterprise Nation, puts it plainly:

"We're proud to have delivered support to so many people through business.connected. But we see it less as 'one million' and more 'the first million'.

"The next million businesses we train must be the most digitally and financially resilient yet.

"This has always been about tangible, meaningful change for small business. Upskilling entrepreneurs – especially those in high-stakes sectors like retail during the crucial Christmas period – is the fastest route to boosting productivity and competitiveness in a tough economy."

Nick Gliddon, business director at VodafoneThree, adds:

"Small businesses are the backbone of the UK economy, and yet many tell us they feel underprepared for a world where customers expect seamless online experiences.

"business.connected was set up precisely to help SMEs navigate these scenarios. The programme has given so many entrepreneurs the confidence and capability they need to compete, stay secure and unlock growth.

"We're proud to support this vital community and will continue investing to help every SME thrive in a digital-first landscape."

Want to boost your digital skills?

Join 800,000+ small businesses already benefiting from free expert-led workshops, resources and tools. Sign up to business.connected for free