The first cohort of PTI Australia’s Social Media for e-Business scholars have concluded their six-week practical professional development program, designed specifically for businesses across the Pacific region.
As the region navigates a new ‘COVID normal’ world, PTI Australia identified a digital capability gap within Pacific businesses and designed a virtual professional development program to deepen knowledge and extend practical skills of participants to effectively use social media to grow their businesses.
Building on the successful one-day PTI Australia Social Media Masterclass Cath Cooksley-Little, General Manager – Marketing, Communications & Tourism, PTI Australia said the unique program tailored to Pacific businesses covers social media marketing foundations, free social media growth strategies and blueprints for profitable social media advertising.
“More than 53% of the world’s population use social media – it’s become a cost effective and vital communications channel for businesses globally. Through our discussions and research, we discovered that there wasn’t an avenue for business professionals in the pacific to learn how to use social media as a marketing tool. We partnered with an expert who is one of only eight Facebook trainers in Australasia and the Pacific and in consultation with the Pacific private sector developed what is arguably a Pacific first – A bespoke digital professional development program for businesses in the Pacific. The feedback has been phenomenal, and through the course we’ve seen businesses directly applying what they have learnt to grow their engagement and we can’t wait to see the results they achieve as they continue to implement what they have learnt.”
The inaugural cohort comprised of 32 business professionals selected from the Smaller Islands states. Businesses participating hailed from a range of sectors including media, tourism and telecommunications. The cohort completed the bespoke Pacific-focused e-learning course in three learning streams through a mix of online workshops, pre-recorded video modules and a group discussion space.
Leilani N Reklai, Publisher and Editor of Island Times Newspaper in Palau, said the development program is benefiting her business tremendously.
“In the month since I started following the recommendations and posting ads linking my Facebook page with my Instagram, traffic to my website grew about 70%. There are still few challenges that once I resolve, will further increase traffic to my business. I own a newspaper company which is also online. With world moving more toward online news, our days as print media are numbered. It is critical that we transition to online media and learn how to maximize the tools available in order to do that. This training is what I have been looking for and it has exceeded my expectations. Thank you so much PTI Australia for giving me the opportunity through this scholarship! It's a lifesaver!”
PTI Australia has opened applications for our second cohort of Social Media for e-Business professional development scholarships, tailored for businesses in the Cook Islands, Niue and Solomon Islands. Participation in the program is free, each place is valued at A$5,500.
Applications closed on Sunday 25 April 2021.
