Helping tradies be better at business

Mobile workforce software company GeoOp has partnered with online business- and consumer-based marketplace Tradebusters to help Australian tradies develop their business skills.

The Tradebusters Academy offers advice, tips and forums on a range of topics from technology, marketing to business skills. GeoOp and Tradebusters will hold a series of webinars and local events across the country, with a focus on helping small operators deal with the demands of everyday business life.

The goal of the Tradebusters Academy is to be a ‘one-stop’ resource that helps tradies streamline their work processes and grow their businesses. As well as being suitable for sole traders and businesses with more than 50 employees, the content is aimed at those people close to tradies — often partners or family members — who are brought in to help keep businesses running effectively.

Tradebusters CEO Laorence Nohra said the academy plays an important role in helping tradies learn essential business skills.

“Most tradies are great on the tools but struggle with the complexities of being a business owner and simply don’t know where to start,” Nohra said.

“The academy provides everything they need, from information on starting and growing their businesses, to online marketing help, automated solutions to help streamline their operations and how to connect with niche service providers that have a true passion in helping them grow their business.

“What is interesting are the number of women — usually partners of tradies — who have become key service users of the academy. They are usually the ones behind the scenes dealing with compliance aspects, business administration, social media and online marketing.”

GeoOp Chief Executive Anna Cicognani is excited about being involved with a resource that helps small businesses achieve better productivity.

“GeoOp’s suite of features are all about making businesses more efficient,” Dr Cicognani said. “We’re proud that GeoOp is easy to use, allows jobs to be tracked in real time, that customer details are available instantly and that we have integrations with fabulous navigation and accountancy software. We recently introduced GeoPay, which allows our clients’ customers to pay them from anywhere on any device, securely and safely.

“We know that we have a role in helping business managers and owners become better at what they do, so they can work better for their customers.”

Nohra said Tradebusters and GeoOp share a mission to help great tradies succeed and build their brands as trusted and reputable business operators.

“This partnership with GeoOp allows us to get even closer to tradies and help them with the entire automation aspects of their business, which is becoming more important in this digital age,” Nohra said.