Former Illawarra Business Chamber executive director Chris Lamont made his first trip back to Wollongong on Friday in his news role as NSW Small Business Commissioner and spoke to local businesses about how they are coping through COVID-19.
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When Mr Lamont was named as the new commissioner in June his successor at the chamber, Adam Zarth , said it was great to someone championing small business who understood businesses in regional areas.
Mr Zarth arranged for 10 local business people to meet with him at the chamber's Regent Street office on Friday.
Mr Lamont said it was an important opportunity to hear what they have to say as he visits all regions in NSW.
"Coming back to Wollongong is like coming home to me. I have met so many businesses in my time here and I talk to them regularly. But this was a good time to come out and actually say we hope you are in a recovery phase. And to ask them what they are experiencing."
Mr Lamont said there were businesses in different industry sectors he had not met before and that was good because it was giving him a good picture of how the region was doing.
He said what he is observing so far as he moves around the state is the experience in each region is different.
"You can't say a hospitality business in Wollongong is having the same experience as a hospitality business in Byron or Albury. There are many different factors," he said.
"For example in Wollongong the impact of international students not coming back to Australia is going to have an impact on the economy."
In Wollongong the impact of international students not coming back to Australia is going to have an impact on the economy
- Chris Lamont
Mr Lamont said one of the good things about the COVID-19 pandemic was the adoption of new technology. Which has opened up new markets for some businesses.
He said it was important to celebrate such good news. Which was why the IMB Bank Illawarra Business Awards in two weeks is so important.
Mr Lamont said it was so good to hear about enterprises who have successfully adjusted their business models, become more flexible and done more online to make the most of a bad situation. And said it was great the Illawarra Business Chamber was celebrating resilience this year.
Mr Lamont told all businesses present on Friday to take advantage of Small Business Month in October and participate in the many informative webinars being run this month.
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Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
