Small businesses in particular must be encouraged to take the plunge. We think this is an excellent initiative. We recommend that consideration also be given to a new type of Queens Award for Industry, for excellence in electronic business implementation. Some of the benefits of electronic commerce are difficult to grasp unless people can see it for themselves. Interforum is ready to help with establishing this, and with endorsing and publicising it.
Financial incentives are the most potent of all in bringing about a behavioural change in business.
We recommend that the government introduce tax incentives to encourage businesses to introduce electronic commerce. The clearest leadership that the government can give is to adopt electronic business practices itself. This is particularly important for those departments that interface directly with the business community. It has the further advantage that it will give direct cost savings for both government and business. We are very supportive of the Better Government initiative, and we look forward to these aspects being given high priority within it.