AIIA’s Local Industry Action Group (LIAG) has recently received a boost, with additional funding directed towards their program to build the local ICT industry in Australia.

In March, AIIA was awarded a $250,000 cash fund by the Board of Software Engineering Australia (S:E:A) to build momentum for the Association's work supporting Australian software SMEs. The funds will be used to undertake a two-year program designed to:

• Identify the key industry development issues confronting the local software industry,
• Address areas identified as critical or highly beneficial to the Australian ICT industry, and
• Facilitate the growth of companies to enable them to compete internationally.

AIIA’s Chief Executive Officer, Rob Durie, will convene a meeting of key stakeholders on 18 May, with a view to engaging with the broader ICT industry in the development and implementation of this local industry program. Regular updates in The Bulletin will keep members advised of the outcomes of these deliberations and LIAG developments.

LIAG, which includes three Directors from AIIA’s Board, is led by David Bohn, CEO, Managing Director and Founder of Foursticks Ltd.

“We believe that the future success of our industry is dependent on creating jobs and opportunities for Australian ICT companies,” Mr Bohn says. “More than 70 percent of AIIA members are locally owned and locally headquartered, so the LIAG program is vitally important. We actively encourage state branch representatives to be involved in LIAG’s activities.

“LIAG is now positioned to develop a great program for AIIA member companies looking to grow and reach their potential. The additional funding from S:E:A will enable us to implement a program which will provide measurable benefits to SMEs as they create world-class technology and products that can be exported around the globe,” Mr Bohn adds.

Other important components of the LIAG program include:

Tax Issues
LIAG is actively reviewing what steps can be taken to address two key issues impacting local companies – early stage investor incentives and R&D Tax Credit criteria.

Capital Raising
Local companies with early stage revenue shortfalls often experience real difficulties in developing connections to the investment community, including Business Angel networks. LIAG is in discussion with a number of stakeholders with a view to developing an awareness-raising program. Of specific interest is the recent partnership AIIA has established the Sydney-based entrepreneur development group, bizNetClub.

Partnering
AIIA provides smaller companies genuine opportunities to network and interact with senior executives from multinational companies – contact that provides the opportunity to develop business relationships, win business, and form ‘clusters’ with peer companies or other stakeholders.

Marketing
AIIA is in the process of developing a SME Marketing Guide with ICT marketing and communications specialists, Porter Novelli. The guide, to be launched in the third quarter 2005, will be an essential resource for small-to-medium ICT operators.

Entrepreneur Development
The first nationwide intake of 30 participants for AIIA’s Developing Business Skills for ICT Entrepreneurs initiative will be accepted in June. The program, part of the Australian Government’s Small Business Enterprise Culture Program delivered through AusIndustry, offers a series of residential workshops and business mentor sessions to equip participants with the knowledge and management skills necessary to lead business growth in both Australian and international markets.

For more information on AIIA’s LIAG program, visit our website

Participation
AIIA is committed to Australia’s local industry and to the continual development of a vibrant, world-class local ICT sector. Anyone with an interest in contributing to the development of the local industry program can contact AIIA's Industry Development Manager, Laurie Ffrench on
(02) 6281 9410.

The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) will shortly be commencing this year’s ICT Skills Shortage survey. DEWR researchers will be contacting employers and recruitment agencies by phone, asking them to identify ICT skill specialisations and the degree of difficulty in filling vacant positions.

Many AIIA member companies will be contacted shortly to participate in the survey, which will be completed by the end of May. DEWR has asked AIIA to encourage member companies to co-operate, as the information gathered is valuable for assessing the status of ICT skills in Australia.