Case Study: Research, Evaluation & Design
West Sussex County Council Digital Adoption Toolkit
Context
West Sussex County Council (WSCC) have been developing their support for businesses of all sizes to consider and grow through digital technologies.
As part of this they sought support to provide a programme of training and supporting resources, to equip local authority economic development officers and countywide economy partners to ably support the adoption of digital solutions (technologies and skills) by the county’s start-up, micro and small to medium-sized enterprises.
Challenge
The challenge faced by WSCC, it’s staff and partners, was what information was still appropriate, what questions could be asked, and where was some authoritative information about the technologies available.
This was all compounded by both the growing trends in new technologies, and the diverse needs of businesses across the region – what a multi-national professional services company needs would be different to a single person operated agricultural producer, for example.
Intervention
- Consultation
- Workshops
- Webinars
- Training videos
- Case study interviews
- Development of a resource
Outcome
- An extensive handbook covering 15 areas of digital development ✓
- New knowledge imparted ✓
- High engagement from economic development teams ✓
- Range of expert speakers ✓
- Editable resource for the long-term ✓
- Involvement of 10 local authorities and partnerships ✓
