Boot camp to test business owners

Pilbara businesses are set to be put through their paces at the Karratha and Districts Chamber of Commerce and Industry business boot camp on July 23.

The full-day event is aimed at small and medium enterprises and their ability to operate and thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Keynote speaker Gus Balbontin was one of those responsible for the major overhaul of Lonely Planet, which at the time was struggling to keep up with new technology.

"Facing the unknown is scary - you always have the option to be paralysed and scared or grab it by the horns and run with it," he said.

"Innovation is frustrating but it is expected. Humans appreciate change when we're in control of it but we don't like being changed because you're sitting there out of control.

"You need to become used to a more chaotic world, rather than the stable world we had 50 years ago."

Mr Balbontin said he was looking forward to sharing the lessons he had learnt about what had and had not worked for him at the event.

KDCCI chief executive John Lally said no matter how good owners thought their businesses were, they should always be looking for ways to improve.

"We do expect some will be put out of their comfort zone but we are going to ask them to have a reality check," he said.

"Businesses can expect a frank discussion about how to handle the paradigm of a changing economy and how they can operate smarter and more tech-savvy."

Mr Lally said attendants would be put to the test on their ability to sell their business, market and network effectively and tap into online consumers.