Verizon's Digital Ready Program for Small Businesses with Oliver Chan

The topics discussed in this Module is actually relevant for organizations of ALL sizes and I think this complements very well with Mike Reynolds' new #SlackSchool session on Getting Started with a new Workspace: https://lnkd.in/gMzyP8Cb. To check out more Slack School content, check out their playlist on the main Slack channel on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gAiW-t5Y For more learning and resources on Slack, check out my earlier post: https://lnkd.in/g4wGEdP6 🩷 💚 🩵 💛 #SlackThePlanet #AlwaysBeLearning

🚀 Small Business Britain launches the ‘Small and Mighty Enterprise Programme’ Small Business Britain is rolling out a six-week online course designed to help sole traders and micro businesses unlock growth opportunities. The programme combines expert guidance, mentoring, practical resources and a personalised 12-month action plan to support sustainable business growth. Delivered fully online, it’s designed to fit around busy schedules. Running from 2 February to 9 March 2026 (Mondays at 10am), it offers live sessions, mentoring, worksheets and access to an exclusive community. If you’re looking to develop your skills, expand your network and plan for growth in 2026, this could be worth exploring. Learn more here:

Access to capital continues to be one of the biggest barriers for small businesses trying to grow. 🪧 A current opportunity worth sharing is the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Grant Program, delivered in partnership with Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC). The initiative was designed to equip one million small businesses with the tools, training, and resources they need to compete in today’s digital economy. Through the Digital Ready platform, small business owners can access free courses, expert coaching events, networking opportunities, and curated resources focused on real operational needs. To help address the capital gap, Verizon and LISC are also offering grant funding to eligible small businesses. - Funding: $5,000 grant -Awards: 25 small businesses per state -Eligible locations: New York, California, and West Virginia -Purpose: Support growth, digital adoption, and business capacity -Since 2021, LISC has awarded more than $14.5 million in grants through this partnership to small businesses across the United States. Due: March 31 While the funding is important, what makes this program particularly valuable is the combination of capital plus capacity building. Access to training, mentorship, and networks can often be just as important as the funding itself. #SmallBusinessGrants #BusinessFunding #EntrepreneurSupport #SmallBusinessGrowth #FundingOpportunities

This week, 28 small business owners in the City of Westminster, CA, completed the Digital Tech for Transformation Grant and Training Program in partnership with the Orange County/Inland Empire SBDC Network. Participating small businesses completed a series of trainings and one-on-one consulting focused on strengthening their digital capabilities, positioning them for long-term growth and operational efficiency. Upon completion, each business received a $2,500 grant to invest in technology and digital tools that will help them scale and compete in today’s evolving marketplace. Applications for the second cohort are still open, but the deadline is this fast approaching (Sunday, March 29 at 11:59 p.m.). Apply today: https://lnkd.in/gSEpy4bx

Verizon Small Business Digital Ready is awarding $5,000 grants to 25 small businesses based in New York to help them sustain and grow their businesses. See details: https://lnkd.in/eQ2eN255? The application deadline is March 31.

Your website plays a bigger role in growth than many small businesses realize 💡 Avoiding common mistakes can improve performance, engagement, and conversions over time. Small changes often lead to meaningful results. #CSBTech #SmallBusinessWebsites #DigitalGrowth

Ever thought about how software handles time when clocks shift? This morning, Google Calendar let me create an event starting at 3:30 and ending at 3:00. No warning. No error. Perfectly valid meeting that ends before it starts. Honestly, most of my meetings feel that way anyway. But jokes aside - this is one of the most underestimated problems in software. Timezone handling sounds trivial until it isn't. And it stops being trivial exactly once a year, at 2:00, when nobody is watching.

Your phone system shouldn't feel like a workaround. Yet so many small business owners I talk to are stuck with tools that were designed for meetings first and actual business calls second. I get it. You're already paying for Zoom. Adding voice to it seems like the logical next step. But logical doesn't always mean practical. When you're trying to route calls properly, set up voicemail that actually works, or give your team the features they need to sound professional, those gaps become pretty obvious pretty fast. The thing is, there are better options out there now. Tools built specifically for how small businesses actually operate. Clean interfaces. Real support when something goes wrong. Pricing that doesn't surprise you. And most importantly, features that work the way you'd expect them to. If you've been frustrated with your current setup, you're not alone. And you don't have to stick with something that's just okay. What's been holding you back from making a switch? Is it the setup process, cost, or something else? Let's talk about what you actually need.

Day 1 of Digital Witch Training: February/March Edition! We kicked off the class diving deep into IT Services - tech functions offered with support and management, allowing customers to leverage IT capabilities without the hassle of complexities like maintenance, security, scalability, and resilience. Here's what we covered: IT Services Breakdown - Definition: Tech functions with support and management, provided by internal teams or external partners. - Key aspects: - Scalability: Adapting resources to meet demand (e.g., scaling data storage up or down). - Resilience: Withstanding pressure with minimal disruption. - Security: Shared responsibility between providers and users (e.g., banking apps needing user updates). - SLA (Service Level Agreement): Formal agreement outlining service quality, support, and performance metrics. Tools and Platforms - Knowledge Management: Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox - control and share knowledge efficiently. Google Drive and Dropbox are collaboration powerhouses: document sharing, real-time edits, and seamless team access. Perfect for managing policies, projects, or team docs. - Media Tools: YouTube, Google Vids - create and publish media content. - Communication Platforms: Slack, Zoom, Freshdesk, Intercom - facilitate seamless communication. That's a wrap for Day 1! Looking forward to Day 2. #DigitalWitchTraining #ITServices #LearningJourney

3 small habits that keep a digital workspace organized 📂 A lot of professionals use tools like Google Drive every day, but the real difference is how those tools are organized. Here are 3 simple habits that make digital workspaces easier to manage: ➢ Name files clearly Avoid names like “Document 1” or “Final Version.” Clear names make files easier to find later. ➢ Create folders by category For example: Finance, Contracts, Projects, Meeting Notes. Structure makes information easier to locate. ➢ Review and clean up regularly A quick monthly check helps remove duplicates and keep things tidy. A well-organized digital workspace doesn’t just look good — it saves time and reduces stress. As a Digital Specialist trained at VSavvy Academy, I’m learning how small systems like this can make a big difference in business operations. How do you keep your digital files organized? 👇 VSavvy Academy #VirtualAssistant #DigitalSpecialist #GoogleWorkspace #Productivity #BusinessSystems #ExecutiveSupport