Encouraging entrepreneurial thinking in rural communities

Farm consolidation, globalisation of new technologies and different ways of doing business are all having an impact on Australia’s rural communities. For those with an entrepreneurial mindset, the changes signal opportunity rather than the threat of decline.

“In the rural sector, the ability to identify, create and develop new opportunities is fundamental to building sustainable businesses and making the most of emerging markets,” says Dr Yasmin Chalmers, Director of the Centre for the Study of Rural Australia at Marcus Oldham College. “We designed the EntruBIZ program to encourage farmers and other business owners to think in a more entrepreneurial way.”

The EntruBIZ program is aimed at the rejuvenation of rural regions through a focus on entrepreneurship. The program gives individuals the opportunity to develop their entrepreneurial skills and business ideas with professional guidance and direction.

The program’s key focuses include:

• Inspiring new entrepreneurs 
• Developing participants’ business skills 
• Fostering the development of collaborative peer networks 
• Collecting research and disseminating information

In rural areas, entrepreneurial thinking can extend through the whole community. “There may be a number of people doing similar things who could take their businesses further if they worked together,” says Dr Chalmers. “Encouraging the entire community and empowering people to work together will often make economic sense.”

Find out more about EntruBIZ