business.connected: Our digital support programme with Vodafone Business will run for three more years

Want to boost your digital skills? Today, we're hugely excited to be announcing the extension of the business.connected programme, in partnership with Vodafone Business.

Over the next three years, the programme will equip 800,000 small businesses with the digital skills they need to take their operations to the next level.

The free training – hosted on the business.connected hub – consists of workshops, webinars and e-learning modules, giving businesses what they need to kickstart digital change, adopt new technology and stay safe online.

The programme is supported by additional partners Samsung Electronics UK, Sage (UK) and Zym.

What does the training cover?

The workshops, webinars and e-learning courses focus on essentials such as:

• setting up a website

• e-commerce

• how to market and promote your business online

• using online tools such as CRM systems

• how to manage your business finance

• protecting yourself and customers from cyber attacks

Different levels of training will cater to those businesses just starting their online journey, as well as those that are looking to build on their existing experience. All training, however, is centred around the following four core topics:

• Productivity and collaboration: Using communication and planning tools to provide foundations for the future of smart working.

• Building a presence online: Providing the knowhow and skills to put your business in front of new audiences.

• Managing digital security: Raising awareness of the risks that exist online, and how to make sure you and your customers stay safe.

• Optimising connectivity: Helping owners to choose the right connectivity options for the new way you run your business.

Why are Samsung Electronics UK, Sage (UK) and Zym involved in the programme?

• Samsung Electronics UK: Small businesses will now be able to access a range of free Samsung-inspired digital training courses and online webinars. These cover everything from business productivity to protecting digital security.

• Sage (UK): Sage has joined the programme to provide expertise to small business owners in the areas of accounting and finance through online courses and webinars.

• Zym: New partner Zym will educate and upskill small business owners in marketing and sales CRM, allowing them to make their businesses as productive as possible.

What else does the programme offer?

Training aside, all businesses that take part in business.connected are offered a free consultation with a Vodafone Business V-Hub adviser, who can advise on everything from digital marketing strategies to online security.

They'll also have access to exclusive offers for small businesses over the course of the programme.

Visit the business.connected hub

Attend practical workshops and webinars, access bitesize e-learning videos, take advantage of great offers and dive into digital-focused articles and videos. Take me to the hub