A SERIES of free business seminars looking at the challenges faced by Tasmanian businesses because of the global financial crisis has been introduced throughout the state over the past few weeks and will continue till the end of this month.

Partnered by the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI) and the Tasmanian Small Business Council (TSBC), the seminars are being funded by the Tasmanian Government through Economic Development.  They were recently launched by the Minister for Economic Development Michael Aird.

The chair of the TCCI’s Small Business Committee Darren Alexander said the free seminars provided an ideal opportunity for businesses to have a good look at reducing the impact  of the downturn on their businesses.

“These are not ‘doom and gloom’ seminars.  They are a positive response for businesses to the challenges that they are now facing and to show them how to maximise the opportunities that the current situation presents for their business,” Mr Alexander said.

“We have some excellent speakers who are specialist small business experts and who will provide some practical advice to the small business sector about keeping their business on track and really evaluating their business’s best assets particularly focusing on those core strengths,” he said.

“Importantly, the seminars are free and they are only three hours in duration which means that business owners and managers don’t have to be away from their businesses for any length of time.”

TSBC’s executive officer Robert Mallett said the seminars will ensure businesses are ready when the market turns around.

“The most important thing for business is to ensure that it is prepared for the upturn and that it is business-ready,” Mr Mallett said.

“The seminars are being taken into the regions to ensure that we get to as many small business owners and operators as possible.

“It is too good an opportunity to miss and we urge businesses to make the most of the opportunity and register now for the sessions in their area.”