SAWIA launch leadership workshop series for small wine businesses

The South Australian Wine Industry Association (SAWIA) has launched the Wine Industry Small Business Growth and Resilience Program to develop leadership skills in small businesses across South Australia’s wine regions.

As part of the South Australian Government’s Small Business Fundamentals Program, SAWIA will offer workshops covering topics that most concern the industry, as highlighted in the 2022 South Australian Wine Industry Snapshot.

These include strategic planning, branding, marketing and engagement, communication and negotiation skills for business leaders and resilience in a challenging environment.

Kicking off on October 4 in the Barossa Valley, the first workshop will focus on strategic planning to future-proof small businesses. It will be presented in partnership with consulting group Strategy Road.

Inca Lee, Chief Executive of SAWIA, said the workshops are ideal for owners and managers of small and family wine businesses from all regions of South Australia, including emerging leaders.

“The South Australian wine industry represents about 52 per cent of Australia’s vineyard plantings, crushes 55 per cent of the total tonnes of wine grapes and represents 70 per cent of Australian wine exports based on value.

“The Wine Industry Small Business Growth and Resilience Program will help to build the critical skills that businesses in South Australia need now and, in the future, to ensure that the industry remains vibrant and successful,” she said.

Andrea Michaels MP, Minister for Small and Family Business, said SAWIA was one of 10 organisations selected to deliver the Small Business Fundamentals Program across South Australia.

“During our engagement process last year, the small business community told us their biggest challenges are a lack of time and resources to focus on strategy or growth as well as cash flow and lack of access to capital, attracting and retaining staff, digital literacy and other foundational skills.

“The Small Business Fundamentals Program responds directly to these challenges, providing the tools and tailored support for small and family businesses to build their business know-how and capability in areas critical to long-term sustainability and growth,” she said.

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