IoD Scotland Autumn

Scotland

Autumn 2016

Published for members of the Institute of Directors in Scotland

Former governor laments lack of economic vision Unlocking future opportunities in Brexit Scotland

Conference 2016

Peter Schwartz, Salesforce global futurist, to deliver keynote speech at Gleneagles

Technology or personality: which holds the key?

EVENTS

Edinburgh’s Festivals – an exemplar of vision, leadership, creativity and collaboration Just a bit of culture and comedy?

Oh no, the Edinburgh Festivals are so much more than that, and offer directors some great lessons for their business, says Susan Deacon, chair, IoD Scotland.

The nights are drawing in and as I wrote this, in Edinburgh, the Summer Festivals are drawing to a close. Each year in August this small capital city in a small country doubles in size. It is a magnet to visitors from across the globe, and turns into the biggest arts destination in the world.

By any measure, Edinburgh’s Festivals are a jewel in Scotland’s crown. But this didn’t happen by accident. Back in 1947 a few visionaries had the ambition to create an international arts festival and made Edinburgh its home. Since then, a huge number of people have played a part in making the Festivals what they are, with attendances growing almost exponentially.

They have become the embodiment of what can be achieved through strong leadership, collaborative effort and oodles and oodles of creativity, innovation and hard work. All things close to the IoD’s heart!

This year, IoD Scotland was proud to partner with one of our new neighbours in Charlotte Square – the Edinburgh International Book Festival. We were delighted to sponsor a sell-out event with former Bank of England Governor, Lord Mervyn King. His

searching critique of what had gone wrong in the global economy, and how to avoid future crises, was compelling. And later, back at IoD Scotland’s offices, our guests were able to discuss these issues with him before heading off to their next Festival outing – be that the Tattoo, a stand-up comedy, an orchestra or play.

But gone are the days when Edinburgh’s Festivals are confined to a few weeks in the summer.

There are 12 independently organised major Festivals which run in the city from Easter to January. You can take your pick from the International Science Festival, Imaginate Festival, International Film

Festival, Jazz and Blues Festival, Art Festival, Festival Fringe, Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, International Festival, International Book Festival, Mela, the Scottish International Storytelling Festival and, of course, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay.

Arts and culture are at the heart of who and what we are, and they enrich and connect us at so many different levels. This year’s giant yellow hoardings that adorned the city proclaiming ‘Welcome, world!’ spoke volumes in just two words.

And if you prefer hard statistics – they’re there in spades. The latest economic impact report found that last year the Festivals attracted attendances exceeding 4.5 million – on a par with the World Cup and second only to the Olympics. They support some 6,000 jobs and generate £313m to the Scottish economy.

Continued on page 5

Contacts & details Executive Director: David Watt For email enquiries, iod.scotland@iod.com Web: www.iod.com/events-community/regions/scotland Address: 10 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh EH2 4DR Tel: 0131 557 5488 Email: iod.scotland@iod.com IoD Scotland is the official membership magazine of the Institute of Directors and is published on its behalf by: Chamber Media Services, 4 Hilton Road, Bramhall, Stockport, Cheshire SK7 3AG Advertising sales: Colin Regan t: 01925 292002 / 07871 444922 e: colinregan001@yahoo.co.uk Production: Rob Beswick t: 0161 426 7957 / 07964 375216 e: rob@chambermediaservices.co.uk

Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of material contained within this magazine, neither IoD Scotland nor Chamber Media Services can accept any responsibility for omissions or inaccuracies in its editorial or advertising content.

The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the IoD. The carriage of advertisements or editorials in this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services advertised.

Cover: Peter Schwartz, Salesforce’s global futures strategist, will deliver the IoD Conference 2016 keynote speech. See p12

AUTUMN 2016 | 03

COMMENT

Leadership will unlock the future for Scottish businesses David C. Watt

Executive Director, IoD Scotland Following the shock, we are all still trying to work out what happens next and what opportunities and challenges will arise from Brexit.

The most pressing concerns are to respond to short-term consequences stemming from the immediate economic reaction to the outcome, prepare for the longer-term ramifications of being outside the EU and make commitments to maximise the opportunities that a post-Brexit landscape has to offer.

Encouragingly, most business leaders I have spoken to about the result have packed away their ‘Leave’ or ‘Remain’ positions, and are getting on with the business in hand, which entails preserving jobs, attracting investment and driving economic growth for Scotland.

It seems that, while the politicians fight it out on a number of different levels, businesses have instinctively decided to keep their heads for a bit longer, and get on with things – a sure sign of strong leadership in action.

However, businesses do need support from policy makers, both north and south

of the border. What business leaders need is calm and clarity, and ultimately, a smooth transition. The economy needs to be stabilised, new trade agreements need to be secured both within the European Union, and also with high growth non-EU markets.

Thankfully, some things have not changed. Scottish businesses are robust.

We are innovative and adaptable.

Moreover, we are good at establishing new relationships outside our closest circle. We

staff, in whom they’ve invested, stay and become part of the next chapter in the story of our organisations.

While businesses focus on these issues, there are plenty of pieces of the puzzle that need to fall into place. The economy needs to be stabilised, new trade agreements need to be secured both within the European Union, and also with high growth non-EU markets.

We are confident about the opportunities that globalisation brings.

“Most business leaders have packed away their ‘Leave’ or ‘Remain’ positions and are getting on with the business in hand... preserving jobs, attracting investment and driving economic growth” have weathered uncertainty and change before, and we will do it again.

There could be some improvements, particularly in the area of employment regulation. Even if the parameters are not known, it is quite possible that some access to the single market will be retained, and it is vital that business leaders start their Brexit response now, to lessen the impact in the longer term.

Equally important is opening dialogue with EU nationals working within UK businesses. The sooner our political leaders clarify their position, the better. But at least talking is better than ignoring the issue.

Businesses want to make sure that good

Much as many business leaders didn’t want it, we now have an opportunity to ‘reboot’ the UK’s place in the world, and it’s an opportunity we should seize with both hands to overcome short term challenges, and long-term, play a key role in driving the global economy.

Strong leadership will be needed, and the business community will be called upon to be a part of shaping that future.

By working with politicians to secure the best deal for business, we can all play our part in determining our future trading relationships across the world, and securing the UK, and Scotland’s, future as an attractive destination to start, build and grow a business.

Edinburgh’s Festivals – an exemplar of vision Continued from page 3 The Festivals also serve as tourism gateways to the rest of the country, with increasing numbers of visitors also spending time elsewhere in Scotland.

Growing up in these parts, I was familiar with the historic gripe that the Festivals were only for the visitors, not the locals. These days, the social impact of the Festivals is every bit as significant as the economic impact. Community-based activities abound, with thousands of school children engaged in activities from drama, to science, to literature. Recent surveys show that attending a Festival event is the number one cultural activity of Edinburgh residents. And when it comes to civic pride – a hard thing to manufacture but a great thing to have – 89 per cent of locals say that the Festivals increase their pride in the city.

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Now I must declare an interest. Earlier this year it was my privilege to succeed Lady Susan Rice as Chair of the Edinburgh Festivals Forum. This brings together the major national and local stakeholders with the aim of keeping the capital as the world’s leading festival city. Along with Festivals Edinburgh, the umbrella body for the 12 Festivals, this strategic collaborative infrastructure is a prime example of teamwork at scale.

It reminds us also that we must never be complacent, that we must invest in success and must strive constantly to stay ahead of the game in a fast-moving and competitive world.

Next year is the Edinburgh Festivals’ 70th Anniversary year and, even before this year’s curtains are down, planning is well underway to mark the occasion.

I, for one, can hardly wait.

NEWS

Former Governor laments lack of global economic vision at IoD event In a new departure, IoD Scotland has this year partnered with its new ‘neighbours’, the Edinburgh International Book Festival. At a sell-out event sponsored by IoD Scotland, former Governor of the Bank of England Mervyn King spoke to a packed house of almost 600 people about his recent book, The End of Alchemy: Money, Banking and the Future of the Global Economy.

In a lively discussion chaired by BBC Scotland Business Editor Douglas Fraser, Lord King delivered a deep and detailed analysis of the state of the British and global economy, and called for stronger international leadership and global co-operation to rebalance the world economy.

He also offered a hard-hitting critique of economists, bankers and politicians and said that responses to both the financial crisis of 2008 and current economic problems displayed a chronic “failure of ideas”.

Discussing his own time at the head of Britain’s central bank, he said, “No one really believed the days of ‘boom and bust’ were over”, a point he said he was trying to make when he described the 1990s as the NICE decade in his maiden speech as Governor, in contrast to what he saw as the potential nasty decade to follow it.

He lamented that global co-operation in response to the banking crisis of 2007-8 had

Mervyn King with IoD Chair Susan Deacon

collapsed so quickly: “What we desperately need is international leadership”, adding that he saw the need for global economic rebalancing, led perhaps by a less political IMF. He also had harsh words to say about the world’s central banks, whose policy of cutting interest rates was not working, In his book, The End of Alchemy..., the former Governor outlines what he acknowledged as a recipe of short-term pessimism and potential pain, but one which could provide some much-needed longterm optimism by charging banks an ‘insurance premium’ in stable years and end the market-moving fear of a run on banks.

On Brexit, King joked that the on-going currency devaluation in the wake of the referendum vote meant that “the British did in a day” what Central Banks had tried for years to achieve.

On the question of a future Scottish independence, he said that any future independent Scotland would be wise to keep the pound: creating a new currency would, he said, make the nation “a hostage to fortune”.

Following the event, Lord King, who stood down as Governor three years ago after a decade in the post, joined IoD members and guests at a reception at IoD Scotland’s new Charlotte Square offices and member hub.

AUTUMN 2016 | 05

NEWS

New chairs set out their priorities as they lead IoD Fife, Tayside branches IoD Scotland has appointed two highprofile business leaders to chair its local branches in Fife and Tayside.

Douglas Millar, business consultancy co-owner, director and trustee, has been appointed chairman of the IoD Fife Branch while Andy Doig, managing director at Arthurstone Management Limited has taken on the new chairmanship for IoD Tayside.

Mr Millar, the co-owner of Accelerating Business, a business consultancy in Dunfermline, succeeds Stephen Westwood from Stephen Westwood Consulting Ltd, and will continue his legacy in developing and nurturing entrepreneurial talent and help businesses in Fife grow and succeed.

Douglas says: “I am thrilled to take over from Stephen; he has done some tremendous work to develop and grow the Fife branch in recent years and I realise that I have big shoes to fill – but I am looking forward to the challenge.

“Fife’s business community represents a diverse region for the IoD in terms of activities and geography, where key business activities include tourism and education as well as the renewable energy sector, life sciences and engineering.”

Douglas is also a non-executive director of Fife’s local radio station, Kingdom FM, a director of College Development Network, an educational charity based in Stirling, and a trustee of a £400m pension fund in Edinburgh.

He adds: “Having a range of roles can be challenging at times but it is surprising how often the knowledge gained in one business can be used effectively and profitably in another, and it is one of the reasons why I am always keen to share best practice and learn from others.”

Douglas is already working with his

Andy Doig, Tayside

Douglas Millar, Fife colleagues on the IoD’s Fife committee to ensure that the IoD plays its part in helping to develop Fife’s young workforce, creating stronger links between schools, colleges and employers, to ensure school leavers are more ‘job ready’.

The Fife committee further aims to provide a platform for high-level discussion and over the coming year plans to organise inspirational and valuable events in the area, to allow directors to share knowledge, ideas and best practice.

Andy Doig, the new IoD chair for Tayside, is the managing director at Arthurstone Management Limited and founder of TheInterpet, an innovative start-up that serves pet owners globally by acting as a consumer-focused hub for pet services.

Andy succeeds John Macmillan, managing partner of MacRoberts,

Solicitors and brings to his role a wealth of business transition, transformation and consulting expertise. He has held various management and consulting positions with global and multinational clients in recent years, including senior management roles at leading global professional services company Accenture.

Commenting on his appointment, Andy says: “This is a great time to be in business in Tayside. We have a mixed economy with some very large enterprises such as Stagecoach; world-renowned universities and a thriving SME sector, and working with my committee we aim to further improve our economy and to create better business by increasing the quality of the directors working here.

“We will lead a strong focus on engaging our membership on topics related to how we operate our businesses and the regional, national and global economic contexts within which we operate.

“We will do so by a mixture of expert-led discussion, workshops and opportunities to influence key political and business leaders.

“Other focus points will be to rebalance our membership to be better represented in, for example, manufacturing, media and emerging technologies and to increase our participation and reach by holding some of our discussions and meetings online.”

David Watt, executive director of IoD Scotland said he was delighted with both appointments: “We welcome both Douglas and Andy as they come on board to grow the IoD network, to connect businesses and business leaders, and to champion best practice in the boardroom as well as drive positive development across Tayside and Fife’s business sectors.”

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

New Emirates Skywards level benefit for members Thank you to the many members who participated in our recent IoD/Emirates travel survey sent to you embedded in your IoD Scotland emailer.

Two Emirates flights to Dubai were won by David Ross of Dram Communications for completing the survey ... and there is even more good news coming for IoD Scotland members who travel to or via Dubai for business or leisure.

Emirates has launched an exclusive offer to IoD members on their Skywards scheme, automatically upgrading their membership scheme by one tier from either Blue to Silver or Silver to Gold.

Additional benefits include dedicated check in areas, additional baggage, Emirates lounge access and priority waitlisting (a seat rescheduling benefit).

Please contact Jill.niven@emirates.com for details on how to take advantage of this offer.

Emirates fly twice daily to Dubai from Glasgow and 16 times daily from a choice of five other UK airports, offering convenient onward connections to over 150 destinations. On board, passengers can enjoy world-class service, regionally inspired gourmet cuisine and over 2,200 channels of award-winning entertainment – plus phone,

SMS and Wi-Fi connectivity from every seat.

On the ground, First Class and Business Class passengers can take advantage of a complimentary Chauffeur-drive service, expedited check-in, dedicated baggage handling and luxurious lounge access in our dedicated First & Business Class lounge at Glasgow Airport – ensuring a seamless journey from start to finish. With flights from Heathrow, London Gatwick, Birmingham and Manchester, travellers can experience the Emirates A380 featuring Private Suites and on board Shower Spas in First Class, an Onboard Lounge and flat-bed seats in Business Class.

Venue benefits in Scotland In addition IoD Scotland has negotiated special discounts and rates for members at hotels in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Inverness Members can obtain a 15 per cent discount off accommodation (best available rate), food and beverages as well as meetings and event bookings at: n The Grand Central Hotel, Glasgow n Blythswood Square, Glasgow n The Roxburghe, Edinburgh n The George, Edinburgh n The Bonham, Edinburgh

Edinburgh hub now open Our new flagship member gathering place at 10 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh puts the IoD at the heart of Scotland’s political and business life and allows us to offer an enhanced lounge facility for members. You can use it for informal meetings, with refreshments and free wi-fi. No need to book: just sign in and use the facilities.

For additional room hire and event venue information just call 0131 557 5488 or email iod.scotland@iod.com

PLUS Special discounts at 200 svs Glasgow IoD hub.

Aberdeen: Preferential accommodation rate at Aberdeen Hilton Garden Inn. IoD Hub photos courtesy of Rachel Carr, who is currently in her second year at Edinburgh College studying for an HND in Photography

Inverness: Preferential accommodation rate Kingsmills Inverness and IoD guests will receive a VIP package, including a late checkout and room refreshments.

EVENTS

Abellio ScotRail is continuing its fantastic offer to IoD Scotland members.

Just present your IoD membership card to the conductor on-train along with a valid ticket type for that journey and receive a free upgrade to First Class*.

The offer is valid on Anytime Single, Anytime Return and Off Peak where First Class accommodation is available+.

Members whose businesses use train travel regularly could also

sign up to ScotRail’s Business Direct service, a solution designed to help support you by managing your business travel programmes, saving you time and money.

So let’s move your business travel off road and on to rail – and do it in style with our special offer, courtesy of ScotRail.

For more information: See www.scotrail.co.uk/businessdirect or call 0141 335 4015 to find out more.

Free access to airport lounges

IoD membership gives you free access to four Airport Lounges in Scotland plus eight other UK destinations Edinburgh Airport – Aspire and No.1 Traveller lounge Glasgow Airport - Upperdeck lounge Aberdeen and Inverness Airport - Swissport Executive Lounge Just sign in with your IoD membership card

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Did you know...

Save up to £240 per annum by claiming Tax Relief on IoD membership, as approved by HMRC. You can claim tax relief on your annual membership subscription fees if: – IoD membership is essential to do your job or it’s helpful for your work – You pay your IoD membership fees yourself (i.e. not paid by your employer)

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Free upgrade to First Class on ScotRail services

Members can book Regus meeting rooms and day offices with 15 per cent off the standard rate through the UK and abroad.

To take advantage of this offer talk to Regus today to activate your membership: Call 0870 880 8484.

There are three Regus Edinburgh city centre offices. All are open from 8.30am until 6pm, Monday – Friday: Conference House, 152 Morrison Street, The Exchange, Edinburgh EH3 8EB 83 Princes Street, Edinburgh EH2 2ER 9019 St Andrews Square, Edinburgh EH2 2AF

Make working Smart a priority Exclusive 10% off for IoD members in Scotland for working Sm@rt Priority Management has spent 30 years researching best practices in the workplace and has trained 2.5 million people in the last 10 years. Most organisations have restructured the structures, restructured the work, restructured the processes but not restructured how people work. We teach ‘A Better Way to Work’.

This programme is the result of a five-year study led by Dr Peter Honey into best practice behaviours and the impact IT has had on the workplace. This research identified that really effective people in today’s ever-changing workplace have highly developed self disciplined habits in the way they approach, respond to and handle work. This programme takes time, people and business management a step further, teaching habit changing

processes with the use of practical tools for implementation. It is aimed at business leaders / senior and junior managers and busy individuals who need to set standards of best management practice within their organisations.

To take advantage of this offer call: 0141-404 3787 or email gillym@ prioritymanagement and quote your membership number

EMPLOYMENT LAW UPDATES Law At Work offers free seminar for businesses

Keeping in touch: Helping you to make sense of changes to employment law Oh, the times, they are a-changing. Few people will be able to recall a more unsettled forecast for UK employers than the one facing us in the coming months and years.

Not only has Brexit thrown open the possibility of radical changes in UK employment law, but the prospect of Indyref 2 carries with it the potential for even greater change.

Meanwhile, the Westminster Government is proceeding with its plans to require all employers with 250 or more staff to publish annual statistics on the gender pay gap within their organisations with a view to naming and shaming those employers who fail to take steps to tackle pay inequality. Current Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn has pledged to reduce this threshold to all employers with 50 or more staff.

In addition, the correct method of calculating holiday pay continues to cause more than a few headaches for employers

of all sizes.

As recent events have shown, sometimes even the best crystal balls can be on the cloudy side, but at Law at Work we’re confident we can show you the light.

Put your business in the best position to prepare for the changes ahead by booking a place on one of our free Employment Law Update sessions. We’ll help guide you through the upcoming legislative changes and discuss a number of interesting recent cases on unfair dismissal and discrimination (amongst other things).

Always popular, these free events are held throughout the UK in September and October. Venues include Inverness, Aberdeen, Dundee, Stirling, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Nottingham and London.

Numbers are limited for each event so book your place now through Law At Work’s website www.lawatwork.co.uk/ seminars-events or by calling Christine White on 0141 271 5555.

Law At Work also holds regular public

Raeburn Place Foundation appoints IoD award winners to lead fundraising efforts The Raeburn Place Foundation (RPF) has announced that Bruce Tait Associates (BTA), based in Stirling, has been appointed to help it restore the birthplace of international rugby for community use in a £17 million Capital Campaign.

Bruce Tait, who was named Fife’s Regional Director of the Year at this year’s awards ceremony, and his company are experts in helping charities raise funds through recruitment and consultancy services. Its MD, Abeer Macintyre, will initially lead the fundraising project as interim capital appeal director while also helping RPF to develop its fundraising strategy and activity. BTA will also manage the recruitment of a capital appeal director on a more permanent basis.

Raeburn Place, which is located in the heart of the Stockbridge area of Edinburgh, was the venue of the first rugby international in 1871 and the first Calcutta

10 | AUTUMN 2016

Cup match in 1879. It has also hosted cricket international matches as well as games at the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 1994.

The Foundation has ambitious plans to restore Raeburn Place and open it to the local community. Its vision is to create a facility which will ensure that everyone has the opportunity to come together, play, watch, appreciate and celebrate sport.

Raeburn Place will also be the location for a new Museum of International Rugby.

David Newlands, Chairman of the Raeburn Place Foundation, said: “We’re delighted to have the knowledge and experience of Bruce Tait Associates on board.

“They are recognised leaders in capital fundraising programmes.”

• For more details on the Raeburn Place project, see www.raeburnplace foundation.org.

workshops on a wide variety of employment law topics including our popular employment law basics bootcamp, a comprehensive three-day introduction to employment law covering everything you need to know to keep your organisation running smoothly.

Full details of all our courses are available on our website: see www. lawatwork.co.uk.

Employment Law Updates Free seminars across Scotland, in Inverness, Aberdeen, Dundee, Stirling, Glasgow and Edinburgh Book via www.lawatwork.co.uk/ seminars-events or call Christine White on 0141 271 5555

EVENTS IoD Scotland Conference 2016

The Business of Leadership Examining the evidence: how do we build success?

3rd & 4th November • Gleneagles Hotel In an age of uncertainty, of disruptive businesses and increasing globalisation, Scotland’s business leaders – more than ever – need to demonstrate exceptional ability and outstanding leadership if we are to maintain our position as a major force in the commercial world That’s why the 2016 IoD Scotland is taking as its theme The Business of Leadership: How do we build success?

To be held at the world-class Gleneagles Hotel – the site of our hugely successful conference in 2013 – it pulls together an exciting and eclectic mix of high-profile business leaders, professionals, public officers, young entrepreneurs and representatives from the third sector as we explore what constitutes great leadership, how leaders can impact on business and why Scotland‘s economic future hinges on their performance.

Our speakers will offer illuminating case studies of proven success drawn from their

Question Time, IoD-style A new feature of Conference 2016 is IoD Scotland Question Time – a debate chaired by executive director David Watt, with our panel giving their views to delegates’ questions on the day’s big issues

12 | AUTUMN 2016

own careers, allowing delegates the chance to compare how others have responded to the challenges they themselves may face.

Our speakers include: Peter Schwartz, Senior Vice President for Strategic Planning, Salesforce Josh Littlejohn, Founder, SocialBite Bob Keiller, Chairman, Scottish Enterprise, Dr Lesley Crane, Consultant and author Sandy Begbie, Chief People Officer, Standard Life plc This promises to be a truly inspiring two days of debate, of advice and of co-operation between leaders drawn from across the business world.

In addition, the day will include a number of workshops where the focus will be on more specific business issues. Confirmed are sessions led by Vistage International, on The Power of Peers, and by Diligent.

Salesforce futurist Peter Schwartz The day as a whole will be punctuated by opportunities to connect with colleagues and to compare experiences in an informal and non-judgemental setting.

The conference is a full-day affair although it will open on the Thursday evening with what is now becoming a very popular part of the Conference package, the IoD Leadership Lecture.

It will be delivered by Dr Mike Cantlay, until recently the Chair of VisitScotland, who will ask Leadership: Born or Built?

Is high-quality leadership something that comes naturally to the best – or is it a skill that can be developed, nurtured and learnt? (see page 14).

The lecture will be augmented by three workshops on director development and a panel debate.

The event will be concluded with a black tie dinner on Friday night – a thoroughly enjoyable opportunity to network with friends and colleagues old and new.

Book now for Conference 2016 To reserve your place...download the booking form at iodscotland.com

Any queries? Call First City Events on 01577 865498 / 07711 432745

Two-day special offer, to include:

Leadership Lecture, Workshops and Networking Supper on Thursday, Full Conference, Lunch and Black Tie Dinner on Friday, and two nights B&B at Gleneagles Hotel @ £725 + VAT

EVENTS

Conference speakers Peter Schwartz, Senior Vice President for Strategic Planning, Salesforce Peter will offer a global view like no other on the choices and challenges leaders face as they confront the ‘Uberisation’ of business. A global futurist and strategist, he will offer insights into scenario planning that allow you to make strategic decisions for success in the future.

Peter is ideally suited to this event. An internationally renowned futurist and business strategist, he manages Salesforce’s ongoing strategic conversation and leads its futures lab – a point of collaboration which inspires breakthroughs with both employees and customers. He is the author of several seminal works on scenario planning and strategy, including The Art of the Long View, and has worked on several Hollywood blockbusters as a script consultant, including Sneakers, Deep Impact and The Minority Report.

Josh Littlejohn, Founder, SocialBite Josh will offer delegates an inspiring story, of how he, along with partner Alice Thompson, founded Social Bite, the award-winning chain of sandwich shops which is run as a social business.

His business was built on verve, dynamism and determination: is that enough to clear the hurdles and succeed, or does the modern leader need to access other leadership styles to make the business a success?

Bob Keiller, Chairman, Scottish Enterprise Bob will refer to his own considerable experience to set out how he believes business leaders can facilitate growth and outline what he has learned during his career.

Bob is a former CEO of the Wood Group, an international energy services company with $7 billion sales, over 40,000 employees and operations in more than 50 countries.

Dr Lesley Crane, Consultant and author Dr Crane specialises in learning, innovation and knowledge under the theme of organisational transformation. She was one of the early pioneers of technology-supported learning, and an EdTech entrepreneur running a number of niche technology innovator companies.

Her career has given her powerful insights not just into the psychology of learning experience, but also the experience of learning technologies from the inside out.

She combines scientific discipline and intelligence with diverse experience and expertise in practice to support organisations in realising their potential through embedding a culture of learning, knowledge and innovation.

Lesley will consider how technology can help improve Scotland’s poor productivity and boost its performance and innovation.

Sandy Begbie, Chief People Officer, Standard Life plc Sandy is responsible for the Group’s people function and is lead executive for the Joint Venture Heng An Standard Life in China and the Asia business based in Hong Kong. He joined Standard Life in May 2010 as the group transformation director. He is also a member of KPMG’s P3 Client Advisory Board and Chairman of Career Ready, Scottish Advisory Board (SAB).

Sandy will look at how the company has sets its own standards and maintains them as well as outlining how it plans to develop its workforce of tomorrow to maintain them.

Conference speakers: Top row, from left, Josh Littlejohn, Bob Keiller and Lesley Crane Bottom row, left, Sandy Begbie with Thursday workshop leaders Mike Willis and Emma Little

Conference lecture, workshops and more - see pg 14

Conference supporters

AUTUMN 2016 | 13

EVENTS IoD Scotland Conference 2016

Pre-Conference lecture IoD Scotland has enhanced the conference package with the addition of a pre-conference event.

First introduced in 2014, the Conference day is preceded on Thursday, 3 November by a half-day session which includes workshops, a Leadership Lecture followed by a panel debate.

We are delighted to welcome Dr Mike Cantlay to address the issue Leadership: Born or Built. Dr Cantlay will look at the essence of good leadership, ask what human qualities are essential and consider whether these can be taught or learned over time – or do some individuals just have them while others never will?

He will also ask one of the key questions of 21st century leadership: which is more important for leaders: emotional intelligence or evidence-based assessments?

Dr Mike Cantlay is Chairman and Managing Director of William Glen Limited which operates tourism, leisure and retail interests in Scotland, Canada and the USA. Until recently he was the Chairman of VisitScotland.

Following his lecture Dr Cantlay will be joined by a representative from the Bank of Scotland, and Angela Vickers, Apex Hotels, to engage with the audience in a panel debate on the questions raised in the lecture.

The Thursday session will be opened by three Director Development workshops which will be delivered by renowned practitioners in this field.

Emma Little will look at what she believes creates success and how to develop ‘Bouncebackability’, as she puts it. She will also outline what she considers to be the

key ingredients for success – for her, drive, stomach, courage and fight to keep going when the world is crashing down around you.

Emma is the founder and CEO of ExecSpace, Scotland’s leading venue-finding company.

Mike Willis, the IoD’s head of board development, will look at what constitutes truly effective boardroom behaviours. Good boards work by creating healthy social dynamics based on constructive behaviours and strong relationships. Having good governance culture in place is a start but it is only that: without the right cultures in which trust, respect and open constructive dialogue exists, no board will perform well.

Mike tutors on a variety of open programmes for directors including the role of the non-executive and the chair and winning boardroom behaviours for the IoD. Nick Kuenssberg OBE will ask “So you want to be a non-executive director and chairman...?”

Based on his experience of a long and wide-ranging career in the private, public and third sectors, this session will ensure that participants understand the realities of the boardroom in what will be an interactive session.

It will explore the most difficult issues that are not always talked about or even faced up to in boardroom discussions, and how to handle the overbearing chairman, conflicts of interest and directors who think only of their own parochial interests rather than taking a company-wide view.

Friday Conference workshops IoD Conference includes a series of workshops on the Friday, delivered by experts on a wide variety of key business issues. Details of these will be released nearer the date but we can confirm that Vistage International will run one of them (right).

Angela Vickers

Nick Kuenssberg

The Power of Peers: led by Vistage International The most accomplished business leaders exchange information and ideas.

They work with like-minded peers to learn and establish best practices, and they seek out leaders outside their companies to accelerate growth.

Simply put, CEOs and business leaders provide value to one another they can’t find anywhere else.

This workshop, presented by Paul Pinson and Laura Gordon (CEO Group Chairs for Vistage International), demonstrates how leveraging the collective wisdom of your fellow leaders can lead to breakthrough thinking.

The workshop will be immensely practical – thus to gain maximum value we recommend delegates bring real-life questions facing themselves and their businesses. This will be a session which values confidentiality and the ability to be open and prepared to share.

Book now for Conference 2016 Full Delegate (24hr): – Full day conference, lunch, dinner incl. wine and B&B (based on single occupancy): £425 + VAT Full delegate rate as above but based on two sharing: £350 + VAT pp Day Delegate & Dinner – Full day conference, lunch, dinner incl. wine: £310 + VAT Day Delegate - Full day conference and lunch: £230 + VAT

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Dr Mike Cantlay

Download the booking form at iodscotland.com Any queries? Call First City Events on 01577 865498 / 07711 432745

Busy times for Glasgow and West of Scotland David Hoey

Chair, IoD Glasgow and West of Scotland I hope you had a good Summer break and managed to find time to relax and recharge the batteries.

I am pleased to say that your West of Scotland Regional Committee has been busy. Our region was very well represented in this year’s Director of the Year awards, with Sara Speirs and Alan Foy picking up awards. This is testament to hard work and success. Well done to everyone who participated! It is important to recognise success and to continue to support each of our members in their business.

Our recent events took our members on a number of journeys. Our New Members’ event proved successful in providing a quick tour of what the IoD can offer and how to get the best from the organisation.

The turnout was excellent and some successful relationships were forged. This event will be repeated, with all members welcome.

We are keen to ensure all members

achieve the best possible outcome from their membership of the IoD. Make sure you check your online profile, for example, and that you have ticked the appropriate boxes and receive the relevant communications (in the correct form) so you get regular online updates and information from the IoD website. It is well worth checking the website regularly.

Nick Kuennsberg spoke at a very well-attended Influencers’ Dinner and provided us with a tour de force covering his illustrious career and successes, particularly in relation to employee ownership. This was an exciting evening with plenty of questions and advice in relation to this interesting approach to business ownership. All business owners need to ensure they understand all options open to them and Nick provided some useful practical pointers.

We were also taken on a journey of a different kind with Linda Cameron and her workshop on NLP for Business Leaders.

This practical and useful session took delegates on a journey of a psychological kind explaining the power of rapport and how leaders’ minds work. It provided a great insight into many of the principles

IoD Scotland tees up new conference deal with Gleneagles IoD Scotland and The Gleneagles Hotel have agreed a deal which will see the IoD Annual Conference be held at the hotel for the next two years. David Watt, executive director of the IoD in Scotland said: “The deal with Gleneagles has delivered a real boost to the Conference programme, while maintaining the high level of value our members look for. Our members like to travel to a central location, and the additional ‘cachet’ that the iconic Gleneagles Hotel brings, along with the world-class speaker programme we are lining up, will be a real draw for Scotland’s business leaders from all sectors.

“Over the past few years, Conference attendance has grown every year, underlining that directors, in good times or bad, benefit from spending time and sharing ideas with their peers. There is no other Conference at this level in Scotland, and participating in high-level sessions with some of the UK’s most accomplished business leaders reaps benefits for corporate Scotland. Add to that such a majestic location, and what business leader could fail to be inspired to succeed?”

Bernard Murphy, Managing Director of The Gleneagles Hotel, said: “We’re delighted to announce this deal with the IoD, and to be working together to facilitate a first-class event for Scotland’s business leaders.

“Gleneagles has a global reputation for hosting successful events – including the G8 Summit of world leaders in 2005 and the 2014 Ryder Cup – so conference participants can expect an exceptional level of service to complement what will be an engaging programme. We look forward to welcoming delegates in November.”

leaders use (consciously or otherwise) on a day-to-day basis. Who would have thought just how much information our eyes provide to the outside world?

At the time of writing the Influencers’ Dinner with Robin MacGeachy is almost upon us and looks like a fascinating evening. We are always keen to deliver sessions from the leaders of our organisations in Scotland and we welcome ideas as to other events. More events are being planned.

Our committee continues to work hard to identify relevant events and opportunities for each of our members and we continue to engage. Keep your eye on the website for forthcoming sessions. I regularly meet members to discuss ways in which we can continue to serve our membership and deliver best value, so please let me know if you want to catch up. As a membership organisation we want to continue to offer the best possible resources and support here in the West of Scotland.

Please do get in touch if there are opportunities you would like to see us offer.

New events are being planned each month so keep your eyes peeled!

EVENTS

IoD workshop for budding NXDs n Diana Murray – Chair Arts & Business Scotland n Linda Urquhart – NXD portfolio including Fair Work Scotland, Edinburgh Airport, Adam & Co The event will include plenty of time for networking, as well as challenging board discussions, discussions on unconscious bias and diversity, addresses by the chairs and Join us for a unique IoD Boardroom NXDs and individual feedback from Development Workshop. Aimed at potential or new NXDs or trustees it is one delegates.

We’ll also use an online game tool from of the IoD Scotland series of ‘Gaining a the InclusIQ Institute as a springboard for Boardroom Appointment’ workshops. discussion around the business case for This is our seventh boardroom experience diversity and what that means for you as a event (incorporating Diversity in the prospective board member. We’ll focus on Boardroom principles). The feedback has why companies with diversity in leadership been very positive so far and we believe the are so much more profitable than those learning will be richer by encouraging those without and discuss how effective board to attend from as diverse a pool as possible. members avoid group-think and develop a As well as directors considering their own strategic talent pipeline all the way to the NXD development we will also be joined by boardroom. a number of current Chairs and Non We will also explore the consequences of Executive Directors (NXDs), who will tell you even well-intended mistakes and how to about their own personal journeys. The make the most of diversity of thought. workshop itself will be delivered by Caroline This section will be lead by Dr Suzanne Donaldson of Kynesis and Suzanne Doyle Doyle-Morris, founder Morris, who will be of the InclusIQ Institute supported by: and author of Beyond n Dame Sue Bruce – Chair the Boys’ Club: Strategies and NXD roles include RSNO, for Achieving Career Young Scot and SSE plc Success as a Woman n Dr Kirsty Darwent – Chair Working in a Male and portfolio including NXD Dominated Field and Scottish Fire & Rescue service Female Breadwinners: n Ian Irvin – Chair and NXD How They Make portfolio Relationships Work and n Jayne Maclennan - NXD Why They are the Future portfolio Prestwick Airport of the Modern and SAMH Workplace. Dr Doylen Fiona Sasan – NXD Skills Morris has advised a Development Scotland Dame Sue Bruce

IoD Scotland Workshop for NXD Development for the Boardroom Date: September 13 Time: 8:45 am - 1:00 pm Venue: 200 St Vincent Street, Glasgow Price: Members, £60 + VAT; Non-members, £80 + VAT

Dr Suzanne DoyleMorris

range of FTSE100 Boards on diversity issues over the last 15 years since her PhD from Cambridge on gender balance in the workplace.

This event’s aims are • To provide experiences that challenge your own skills and knowledge about being a non-executive board member and help you think about your on-going personal and director-level development • To provide board-ready women and men an opportunity to showcase their skills and raise their non-executive profiles • To provide Chairmen/non-executives and senior-level men and women an opportunity to meet in a different setting and to make connections they may not have made otherwise.

• To provide useful feedback to delegates and potentially offer board “shadowing” opportunities Breakfast pastries and a light lunch will be served.

Book for this event through the IoD Scotland office on 0131 557 5488 or via the website at www.iod.com/scotland

IoD Aberdeen

Aberdeen Young Directors event to make new connections Date: 9th November Venue: Hilton Treetops Aberdeen Time: 12:15-2.00pm We are delighted that Gillian Fowler from Backstrong Adventures will be our guests speaker at a Young Directors event in Aberdeen on 9th November.

16 | AUTUMN 2016

Entitled Back to Basics - Connecting on all Levels, the event will be a unique opportunity to hear Gillian’s story, discuss the challenges that she has encountered during her professional career and compare situations with other up and coming directors in a relaxed, informal and non-judgemental setting.

This event is one of a series of lunchtime events we hope to host at the Hilton Treetops, with other events planned for 14th February, 21st March, 11th April 2017 and 16th May 2017 Full details and booking available online shortly at www.iod.com/ events-community/regions/scotland

EVENTS

The psychology of selling: How to buy for less and sell for more Date: September 13 Time: 6pm-8pm Venue: Apex City Quay Hotel & Spa, 1 West Victoria Dock Road, Dundee DD3 3JP Price: Free of charge Consumers have never been so pricesensitive, and this makes pricing tricky for business owners and consumers to understand. How can we cut through the jungle of hidden prices, BOGOFs and “special offers”?

John Williamson will show business owners that it is possible to increase prices

while also increasing sales, as well as showing you some common sales tricks that we should all be looking out for in our daily lives.

John Williamson is The Pricing Guru. He has owned and operated several small businesses and in each one has charged between 20 per cent and 200 per cent more than the competitors while completely dominating the market. He has also consulted on ‘higher price marketing techniques’ with hundreds of small businesses in dozens of industries over the last 27 years.

His energetic presentation will give you

simple tools you can use to start winning new customers at higher prices straight away… and the motivation so that you can’t wait to give it a go.

John also runs the Monday Morning Success Club for entrepreneurs .

Book for this event through the IoD Scotland office on 0131 557 5488 or see www.iod.com/events-community/ regions/scotland

Renowned economist to deliver his view on the post-Brexit landscape Guest Economics Lecture by Professor Danny Blanchflower Date: December 8 Time: 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Venue: University Court Room, Cottrell Building, University of Stirling FK9 4LA Price: Free of charge In partnership with the University of Stirling Management School, IoD members are invited to attend the annual lecture to be given by the University Management School’s eminent economist, Professor Danny Blanchflower.

In this rapidly moving post-Brexit environment, the theme and title for lecture has not been finalised, but anyone who has seen Professor Blanchflower in action will know that it will be lively, relevant and highly thought-provoking.

Professor Blanchflower is a research associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research, a visiting scholar at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and was a former member of the Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee. He is also a regular economic columnist for the New Statesman magazine and a contributing editor of Bloomberg Television. In short, a highly

credible and high profile speaker.

Non members who attend the lecture will receive a preferential rate to join the IoD. To book on this event contact Emily Duncan on 0131 557 5488 or see www.iod.com/events-community/ regions/scotland

“Anyone who has seen Professor Blanchflower in action will know that it will be lively, relevant and highly thought-provoking...”

Save the date

IoD Scotland Director of the Year Awards evening, Thursday, March 23, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Glasgow

AUTUMN 2016 | 17

CRAFT SCOTLAND

Lara Scobie’s individual hand-built vessels and bowls in porcelain and bone china clay Photo courtesy of Shannon Tofts

Celebrating the crafts of Scotland The IoD’s Edinburgh head office is currently displaying a stunning collection of work by some of the country’s most exciting and innovative artists and craftsmen/women Craft Scotland, the national development agency for craft in Scotland, is delighted to have been invited to showcase a selection of contemporary work by designer/makers based in Scotland at the new IoD Scotland Hub at 10 Charlotte Square in Edinburgh The works currently on display are all for sale, and the displays will be changed regularly so you’ll see different collections every time you visit the head office.

To start this exciting new initiative, work is presented by two textile artists, a ceramicist and a glass maker.

Fiona Hutchison studied at Edinburgh College of Art. She works and runs workshops in the city and has exhibited widely internationally, winning many awards for her tapestries.

Her work is inspired by the surface of the sea and the quality of light on water. Into this

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picture come people, building harbours, piers and oil rigs.

Jane Keith lives and works in Balmerino on the north Fife coast of Scotland. She graduated from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, Dundee, and has worked there as a lecturer for the past nine years as well as running her own business since 1997.

Each hanging is hand painted and printed onto the highest quality silks, and are gradually built up using a complex layering process of different dyes, pigments and processes, combining cutting-edge technology with traditional applications.

The two hangings on display in the IoD office were inspired by a visit to Essaqouira, Morocco Ceramicist Lara Scobie trained at Edinburgh College of Art. She worked as a lecturer at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art in Dundee for 20 years before focusing on her own business a couple of years ago.

Lara makes individual hand-built vessels and bowls in porcelain and bone china clay.

The work is predominantly concerned with the dynamic interplay between form and pattern and this is explored through the cohesive integration of drawing, surface mark making and volume.

Juli Bolaños-Durman is originally from Latin America. She came to study on the Master’s Glass Course at Edinburgh College of Art and now has made her home here while exhibiting internationally.

The primary theme in her creative process is the exploration of preciousness and how intuitive play jumpstarts the creation of new ideas within the studio practice.

She is mesmerised by the extraordinary rhythmic patterns found in nature and architectural cityscapes, finding that simplicity and elegance flow naturally into her practice to transform, embellish and add value to ordinary objects through play.

Craft Scotland is the national agency for craft. It works to unite, inspire and champion craft through creating opportunities for makers in Scotland to practice, exhibit, sell and promote their craft and for audiences to see, purchase and learn about craft. It also

IoD Scotland Director of the Year Awards

Celebrating Business Leadership

Date: Thursday, 23 March 2017 • Venue: Crowne Plaza Glasgow It’s time to get your entries in for Scotland’s premier business awards – the IoD Director of the Year Awards.

IoD Scotland exists to support businesses and the people who run them, and these awards celebrate those directors whose purpose, passion and perseverance have led them to leadership excellence.

They seek to turn the spotlight on Scotland’s most successful business leaders in 2016 – wherever they work. So, whether you are involved in media or manufacturing, e-business or the public or third sector, whether you are an entrepreneurial director of a start-up company or an NXD of a large corporation, IoD Scotland wants to hear about your successes.

Nominations are open to all, whether your organisation is large or small, whether or not you are a member of the IoD. Why enter?

Being a winner of a coveted IoD Scotland Award raises the profile of the individual and the organisation, which is good for clients, good for staff and good for business. As a recent award winner said: “Awards are a great recognition of the work the organisation has done. It is a privilege to be part of that. Inspiration comes with recognition and it encourages you to go out and inspire others.”

Lara Scobie at work Photo courtesy of Craft Scotland

lobbies for craft as an essential and integral part of our cultural, economic and social life and work in partnership with other like-minded agencies.

The organisation is also a central point for information about craft in Scotland and identifies and creates new activities to build awareness and understanding of craft.

All works on display at IoD Scotland’s head office are for sale; please enquire through Fiona Logue at fiona@craftscotland.org or www.craftscotland.org. The displays will be regularly refreshed so look out for new art every time you visit the IoD office.

No-nonsense nomination process • The Awards are free to enter and the process is streamlined.

• You can enter as many categories as you wish with just one nomination form.

• We will provide examples of completed forms, so you can see the kind of thing we’re after.

• All short-listed finalists receive feedback from the judging panel.

The Awards judging process is rigorous but the nomination procedure is streamlined. It is free to enter and you can enter as many categories as you wish with just one nomination form.

To make a nomination, go to www.iodscotland.com Timeline for entries • Submission deadline: Monday, 12 December 2016 • Shortlist announced: Monday, 20 February 2017 • Awards Ceremony & Gala Dinner: Thursday, 23 March 2017 DIRECTOR CATEGORIES REGIONAL DIRECTOR CATEGORIES IoD Scotland Director of the Year Aberdeen & Grampian Non-Executive Director Edinburgh, Lothians & the Borders Emerging Director Fife & Central Female Director Glasgow & West of Scotland Public Sector Director Highlands & Islands Third Sector Director Tayside Director Award for Workplace Innovation - a new category for this year Awards and criteria The awards are open to all directors or equivalent level, executive and nonexecutive, whether or not IoD members. Nominations can be for any of the awards in the relevant director and/or regional categories.

Nominate or enter now! Go to www.iodscotland.com for full details on categories, an entry form and all the information you need to know

quality counts

www.iodscotland.com

Business awards: do they really matter anymore?

Claire Ford, CEO Quality Scotland, wonders whether organisations really appreciate the benefits that entering, and winning, awards can bring to your bottom line It is an interesting phenomenon, the Business Award. Having just celebrated our 25th Anniversary Scottish Awards for Business Excellence with a room of over 300 people, I am still buzzing from the energy that surrounded all our winners.

As an organisation which works with all sectors across Scotland to facilitate their journey towards excellence, we see many different styles and thought processes around awards and indeed, on our stage, we presented awards to a true breadth of organisations.

Why do organisations put themselves forward for awards? For many it isn’t so much about the award itself, but rather the process they go through to achieve the award, at whatever level. Others like to use the award as an external verification of their efforts to make themselves a better organisation. Still others view the award as an accolade which gives them an advantage during any bidding process over businesses who do not have such an

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accredited and widely sought-after award.

All three types of motivation are perfectly commendable and all three imply an organisation that is concerned about how it performs, and how people outside the organisation think it performs.

Many organisations, particularly those in the private sector, question the monetary value of any awards or accreditation process, and this is understandable. In an era when most organisations continue to feel the pinch of recession it is right that every penny is spent wisely.

So what value does an award bring to an organisation, and in particular, a European recognition such as ours? Independent research from over 120 European award-winning organisations shows that they demonstrated improvements in financial performance just one year after winning the award*.

Awards bring discipline and awareness, with many of our members valuing the process of entering for the award more

than the actual award itself, although being able to state that you have achieved a level of recognition recognised across Europe and beyond is no mean feat.

Quality Scotland’s awards process is necessarily an evidence-based journey, giving you a robust and relevant final report that we can support you to implement to make further improvements.

Asking detailed questions of your organisation around what you do, why you do it and how you could do it better is never going to be easy – but you will get out what you put in. What is the value of an award which is easy to enter and easy to win?

Awards tell others that you care; one of the most telling accolades an organisation can have is an award for something that it has done well and can be extremely proud

FEATURE Award winners from West Lothian Council celebrate their recognition for Business Excellence at the Quality Scotland awards

of. There is a real danger that we become too inward looking, think we have all the answers on our own or perhaps don’t know where to go to truly benchmark ourselves against the best. An holistic business award gives a true picture of how an organisation deals with customers, suppliers and other organisations and also how it values its people.

It is clear that awards give you an edge: in our increasingly competitive global market, the world has become a very small and easily accessible place. We can source what we need from multiple suppliers, countries and continents. We can deal with people who don’t speak the same language, don’t use the same currency and don’t have the same political frameworks or affiliations as we do. So it is increasingly important to be able to give yourself an edge when it comes to persuading people to deal with you rather than someone else

who, on paper offers, the same product or service as you. Awards can give you an edge and render price less important.

Awards have the ability to bring with them a true strategic advantage. A research study by Hendricks & Singhal of the University of Western Ontario and Georgia Institute of Technology, revealed more than 600 quality corporate award winners had 37 per cent more sales growth and 44 per cent higher stock price return than their peers.

So what about the small organisations?

Surely these kind of corporate awards are

just for large businesses? Absolutely not: with it being more difficult than ever for small organisations to gain credibility in the marketplace and set themselves apart from the rest, a European accreditation can act to do just that, as well as provide you with the added value of perhaps involving all of your staff in the process and enabling you to develop a true understanding of your organisation within your people.

Research shows that smaller award winning companies experienced a 63 per cent increase in operating income and a 39 per cent growth in sales when compared to non-winners**.

We are very proud to recognise a diverse range of organisations as part of our annual awards ceremony from all sectors, which demonstrates the clear applicability of the model to the Third and Public sectors along with Private sector.

Some of our winners will be sharing their stories over the coming months on the benefits of going through the awards process and the difference it has truly made to their organisation.

There are no better people to showcase the true value of an evidence-based award than those that have lived and breathed it.

• For more information on how to join us visit www.qualityscotland.co.uk * University of Leicester research for the British Quality Foundation and the European Foundation for Quality Management. **British Quality Foundation research based on experience in the USA.

AUTUMN 2016 | 21

TRAINING

Workplace learning: Why it needs to change Utilising digital tech to boost your workforce’s skills and training is vital in any modern business, says IoD member Wendy Edie The skills required for today’s workplace change with increasing rapidity, and businesses need agile learning solutions to develop the right talent and skills to stay competitive.

At the same time, employee’s requirements for workplace learning are changing, too. They expect creative multimedia resources and more flexibility in how and when they learn.

So how can organisations become more agile in skills development? eLearning delivered through online learning platforms has long been used to upskill employees. However, traditional eLearning modules can take months to create, as well as a significant investment of time from employees to complete.

Micro learning can provide a more nimble approach, with short, bite-sized learning targeting a specific learning need.

Employees are more likely to complete short manageable activities and by delivering training at the right time they can put it into practice straight away.

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How must workplace learning adapt to staff expectations? eLearning shouldn’t be judged on the dull compliance training of the past. With creative multi-media design and immersive learning techniques there is the potential for highly engaging online learning.

With so many of life’s tasks now possible on mobile devices, employees expect their learning content to be equally accessible.

When using responsive design, content is automatically repositioned to ensure the optimal learning experience on whichever device is being used. New eLearning content creation tools make it possible to create high-quality and responsive eLearning without any technical knowledge.

Social interaction is a key way that we learn, and technology can do much to enable social and collaborative learning.

Learning platforms with forums and communities of practise facilitate the sharing of ideas and knowledge, and can provide a controlled environment for coaching and mentoring.

How do you create a digital learning environment?

Developing a digital learning environment takes time and for many organisations is best achieved in incremental stages. Applying a standards based approach to development allows the building of an ecosystem which makes the most of what is already there.

Connectivity across systems is the goal, with all knowledge and skills captured whether the learning is through formal or informal routes. To maximise learning in the digital age it is key that systems support and recognise learning when and where it happens.

How can organisation help employees to engage with learning?

Applying a recognition system helps to raise the perceived value of

Wendy Edie is the Managing Director, eCom Scotland, and is focused on the delivery, tracking and reporting of workforce learning and development, through innovative technologies.

See www.ecomscotland.com

learning and motivate employees to get more involved.

Open Badges are increasingly being used as a way of recognising workplace achievement. Learners collect badges in a ‘backpack’ to create a comprehensive digital record of their learning experiences, which can be used in e-portfolios, CVs, and social media.

Preparing Scotland’s young people for a brighter future You may already be familiar with SQA’s National Qualifications, including National 1 to National 5, which were introduced to schools and colleges between 2013 and 2015.

National Qualifications are one of the most important types of qualification in Scotland and almost every young person who leaves school or college has one or more National Qualification.

These qualifications provide young people with opportunities to develop their knowledge, their skills and their confidence in preparation for further learning or employment. Through their learning, young people will develop skills that they can use beyond the classroom both in everyday life and in the workplace – which will benefit them in the years to come.

Progression routes National Qualifications provide a variety of progression routes and there are lots of different options for young people to choose from, whatever their long-term career goals.

The table below is an example of just some of the options available to a young person who achieves National 4 (SCQF level 4):

Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce SQA is also one of the main strategic partners in the Scottish Government’s Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce (DYW) initiative, which aims to create a world-class vocational education system in Scotland, improve the options on offer for young people and reduce youth unemployment.

SQA has a wide range of qualifications that develops all types of skills for all types of careers, across a variety of levels, and works closely with employers to ensure that the qualifications are up-to-date with

National Qualifications

They could progress to National 5 (SCQF level 5). This could then lead to Higher (SCQF level 6) or to other qualifications at SCQF level 6, as well as to other employment or training opportunities.

Vocational-based qualifications

They could progress to vocational-based qualifications, such as a National Certificate (NC) at SCQF level 5 in the vocational area of their choice. This could then lead to an NC at SCQF level 6 before progressing to further study at HNC / HND level or to other employment or training opportunities.

Modern Apprenticeship

They could enter a Modern Apprenticeship in the vocational area of their choice, and combine studying for a qualification with on-the-job experience.

current practice and continue to meet industry needs.

This range of qualifications includes SQA’s employability awards, which provide young people with an introduction to the world of work. They are also suitable for adult learners.

The Employability Award (available at SCQF levels 3 and 4) is aimed at those who are unsure about how to gain and sustain employment. It focuses on developing the skills and attitudes needed when entering the workplace, to enable a successful move into the job market.

The National Progression Award (NPA) in Enterprise and Employability is available at SCQF levels 4 and 5, and equips candidates with relevant and transferable skills which can be used in any employment setting.

Want to know more?

For more information on SQA’s range of qualifications in Scotland, including National Qualifications and employability awards, download SQA’s guide to Scottish qualifications at www.sqa.org.uk/qualsguide

AUTUMN 2016 | 23

NEWS

Age, gender still barriers as TCMO survey unearths truth on workplace discrimination New research conducted by TCMO has revealed the levels of discrimination in the workplace.

A survey of executives and business leaders, drawn from public, private and third sector backgrounds, found that over half had experienced some degree of discrimination of some kind, and only one-third had not left a job interview at some point feeling that their questionners had been against from the start.

The biggest barrier to equal opportunities appears to be age – at both ends of the life scale – followed by gender.

Nearly half of respondents felt that their age had played a part against them at some point in their career, while just over a fifth said their gender had.

Race was the third biggest barrier, though only to 13 per cent of respondents for whom it would be a factor. Disability and sexuality had caused a problem for six per cent of applicants.

It was apparent that the discrimination didn’t always follow the same path. While disability was a factor for some applicants, others said their physical appearance played against them, particularly if they were overweight.

Equally, while 13 per cent of minorities said that their race was a factor in not

getting a job or promotion, nationality, rather than race per se, was mentioned by others.

Once people had joined the workforce there was still a strong chance that promotion was not on a level playing field.

Just under half (49 per cent) said that they felt discrimination of some kind had played a part in them not receiving a promotion: when looking to reach senior / executive grades, this was a particular problem, with 30 per cent saying their age had worked against them (both too young and too old), 16 per cent their gender and 12 per cent race.

What was also clear was that over half of applicants knew that discrimination played a part in their workplace: 60 per cent felt that their boss or other senior managers exhibited discriminatory tendencies in one way or another. Most of this discrimination was infrequent, however.

The survey also looked for examples of discrimination between east and west Scotland, and between those educated in the state sector as against the private. One respondent suggested this had happened to them – perhaps ironically, considering the oft-quoted belief that a public school Old Boys network dominates business – because they were East Scotland private

educated, rather than West Scotland state schooled.

The impact of employment law has clearly helped reduce the number of people being directly and overtly discriminated against: certainly race and disability featured far lower down the scale than age and gender, perhaps because it is so heavily legislated against and so high-profile.

However, while gender played a lesser role than it would have in the past, it remains that 21 per cent of respondents had found their gender work against them in a job interview, 16 per cent felt it had been a barrier to promotion and 33 per cent thought their boss was discriminatory around gender.

That these attitudes still prevail in 2016 business is shocking: not only is it illegal it also denies any organisation the brightest and most talented people to draw on. That businesses deny positions on the grounds of age also cuts them off from those candidates with considerable experience that should be valued; and chokes off the ambitious and creative younger employers looking to make their mark.

See the full survey at http://www.tcmo. co.uk/discriminating-executives/

“

49 per cent said that they felt discrimination of some kind had played a part in them not receiving a promotion: when looking to reach senior /executive grades, this was a particular problem, with 30 per cent saying their age had worked against them...

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MEET THE MEMBERS IoD in conversation with... Jane Clark-Hutchison

Don’t posture during meetings... and build bridges, don’t burn them Jane Clark-Hutchison, Area Director Mid Markets Central Scotland, Commercial Banking, Bank of Scotland, in conversation with Seonag Mackinnon, IoD Edinburgh about the choices that impacted on her career... and the decisions that shaped it on the way What did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a teacher. I like being able to give something back to a younger generation although at some stage I realised I didn’t have the patience for teaching! Until I left school I didn’t really know what I wanted to do but was fortunate to secure a place on a business degree course at Strathclyde.

What was your first paid job?

When I was very young I was taught the value of graft. My father left school at 14 with no qualifications and started an apprenticeship at the Singer sewing machine factory in Clydebank, where he worked for 30 years. When I was eight however, due to my Dad’s ill health, I remember my mother having to go back to work as a secretary.

So, at the age of 12, I had a newspaper round, which I built up from scratch. It earned me £10 a week, which was a lot of money in the early Eighties. Because the Sunday papers were so big I eventually had to transport them in a tartan shopping trolley which I pulled along in all weathers.

There was little work or money around as the shipyards had closed down too.

Clydebank had to regenerate and I remember the Queen opening a business park. It was a big deal and led to a town that was effectively reborn.

“

What was your first real break?

When I graduated from Strathclyde in 1992 I got offers from two banks and accepted Bank of Scotland. I started in Glasgow Chief Office, 110 St Vincent St in the iconic banking hall as a cashier – or “on the cash” as it is called. I was in awe of the sheer scale of the clients we looked after and the heritage of the bank, which dates back to 1695.

Rather bizarrely, 24 years later I have come full circle and now lead a team working in the same building, with clients based across central Scotland with a turnover in excess of £25m.

If I had to step in as a cashier I could probably still balance my till at the end of the day! That experience on the cash taught me the importance of attention to detail and of getting things right first time.

High and low points of your career?

I had returned from maternity leave and was working reduced hours.

Sounds fine but I was trying to do a full-time job in part time hours and felt I was not doing particularly well either at home or at work. I remember saying to my boss at the time that it was unsustainable.

The bank listened and I moved into a job share which was probably one of the best job experiences I have ever had.

We worked together for three years and I had the satisfaction of being in a flexible role where I could achieve a balance

Women bring a different approach, one where I feel we empathise well so we are on the same page as clients.

That leads you to developing deeper relationships...

26 | AUTUMN 2016

between my commitments at home and at work but one where I knew I was also adding value.

Diversity and agility are very current topics right now but I know the Bank is very committed to delivering these aspects to do the right thing for both our people and our clients.

Who is your role model?

I worked in London for a leverage finance team for five years. I was the first woman to join a very male-dominated and macho environment and was hired by a chap who firmly believed I had the skills to do the job and could positively affect the culture of the team – the way they interacted with each other and the clients.

By the time I left six out of 20 in the team were women. We brought a different approach where I feel we empathise well so we are on the same page as clients. That leads you to developing deeper relationships – an important tenet in banking. That deeper insight is invaluable especially when times are tough. Banking is about trust.

What things do you now wish you had known when starting out?

The importance of building long-term sustainable relationships.

“

I started in Glasgow Chief Office, 110 St Vincent St in the iconic banking hall as a cashier – or “on the cash” as it is called. I was in awe of the sheer scale of the clients we looked after and the heritage of the bank...

The imposing grandeur of 110 St Vincent Street

Almost 25 years after graduating I am coming across people I knew around that time and feel that I am succeeding partly because of those relationships. I have also spent time at another bank and through that experience I also learnt to sustain those relationships and never burn bridges.

What makes your heart sing in a boardroom...?

I like healthy debate but I also like coming out of a meeting with a shared consensus. I lead my team on the basis that we deliver collectively what is agreed in that boardroom. We may disagree but ultimately we take a shared view. I feel very strongly that the chair has to enable the board to reach that consensus even if it takes a few attempts. You can’t allow a board to diverge; everyone has to pull together in the same direction. ... and what makes it sink?

Too much posturing really gets my goat.

Some people think it is all about them and don’t listen to others perspectives.

Something people probably don’t know about you?

That I was a Sunday school teacher for a while. I really enjoyed that (as did my two year old). It wasn’t necessarily teaching the children about religion. It was about values such as love, respect and tolerance.

Also, at the grand old age of 45 last month I attended my first music festival, T in the Park. Albeit we were not roughing it and stayed in a local hotel with a hot shower and comfortable bed so uberglamping perhaps. However, on the second evening at the event the heavens opened and there was proper mud, a sea of mud. Awful!

Advice for new directors?

Do your homework and seek a variety of views to inform you. I think a lot of directors think they know what should be done and have strong views. You get better decisions for the sustainable way forward if you seek that wider view.

Inspirational quotes ...

“One of the things I learnt when I was negotiating was that until I changed myself, I could not change others.”

Nelson Mandela

AUTUMN 2016 | 27

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Professional Director Series: Autumn schedule Director Development within IoD takes many forms, including committee organised events, IoD Scotland-managed Professional Director Series workshops and London-managed Chartered Director Programme courses. We regularly add to our schedule so bookmark our IoD Scotland Events calendar and keep an eye out for our regular Director Development emails. All our workshops and events are open to members and non-members and usually bring together delegates from a variety of sectors and locations to share experience and knowledge.

More information, see www.iodscotland.com/director-and-board-development/courses or email director.scotland@iod.com

Forthcoming dates Date

Workshop name

Time

Location

13/09/16 14/09/16 15/09/16 20/09/16 22/09/16 26/09/16 28/09/16 04/10/16 05/10/16 06/10/16 10/10/16 13/10/16 17/10/16 19/10/16 20/10/16 25/10/16 26/10/16 27/10/16 02/11/16 03/11/16 09/11/16 16/11/16 17/11/16 23/11/16 24/11/16 30/11/16 01/12/16

Boardroom Experience Workshop Building the Business Case for Diversity The Apprentice Director Managing your Professional Career - One The Innovation Nation Finance For Non-Financial Directors (3 days) What Kind of Leader are You? Role of the Trustee/Board Member in the Third Sector Reducing Bias in Graduate Recruitment Role of the Non-Executive Director (EDI) Directors Role in Strategy & Marketing (3 days) Leading from the Front Directors Role in Leading the Organisation (2 days) Confident Leadership Role of the Non-Executive Director (GLA) Director’s Role in Sustainability & Business Resilience Negotiating & Managing Flexible Working Transformational Leadership How to influence others & handle challenging people IoD Scotland Conference Parity in Promotions The Creative Advantage Role of the Non-Executive Director (INV) Managing your Professional Career - Two Strategic Innovation for Directors (EDI) Making an Impact for Business Presentations Role of the Non-Executive Director (EDI)

9-1 10-12 9-5 9-1 9-5 9-5 9-1 9-5 10-12 9-5 9-5 9-1 9-5 9-1 9-5 9-5 10-12 9-5 9-1 2 days 10-12 9-1 9-5 9-1 9-5 9-1 9-5

200 SVS, Glasgow No 10 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh No 10 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh No 10 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh No 10 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh No 10 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh No 10 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh No 10 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh No 10 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh No 10 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh No 10 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh No 10 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh No 10 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh No 10 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh 200 SVS, Glasgow No 10 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh No 10 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh No 10 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh No 10 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh Gleneagles Hotel, Perthshire No 10 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh No 10 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness No 10 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh No 10 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh No 10 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh No 10 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh

To book: Booking forms and further information is available from director.scotland@iod.com or see www.iodscotland.com

Certificate in Company Direction Advance your career and gain professional recognition in 2016 with the Certificate in Company Direction, stage 1 of the prestigious Chartered Director qualification.

Whether you’re newly appointed, aspire to a seat on the board, or want to improve your performance with fresh insight, an IoD qualification can equip you with the knowledge and skills to make you more effective in the key areas of governance, finance, strategy and leadership. Stay one step ahead with best practice insights from expert practitioners who will share the latest 28 | AUTUMN 2016

industry case studies for maximum impact and application in your role.

Each course unit is designed for flexibility and may be taken independently or as part of the qualification with a range of course dates available in Edinburgh throughout the year: Make a note of these courses, which will be held in Edinburgh: n Role of the Director and the Board: n Director’s Role in Strategy and Marketing

n Director’s Role in Leading the Organisation n Finance for Non-Financial Directors To find out more information contact Adam Meek on 020 7766 2628 or visit IoD.com/developing/ chartered-director-qualifications where you’ll get access to exclusive online case study content, videos and insights from the Chartered Director community.

Workshop details Role of the Non-Executive Director

Transformational Leadership

Dates: October 6; October 20;

November 17; December 1 Duration: 9am-5pm The backbone of our Professional Director Series this one-day workshop identifies the various roles of the non-executive director (NXD) in a variety of corporate settings; how their appointment can help balance a board and how they make an effective contribution to a board’s work. It also examines methods for their selection and reviews their motivation, induction and reward.

Date: October 27 Duration: 9am-5pm How do you get the very best out of an organisation? This one-day course challenges assumptions and goes into what directors really need to be doing to make transformational leadership a reality in their organisations. Full of practical insights and systematic approaches grounded in current experience, this workshop is for the director who wants to be both radical and secure in their actions.

Strategic Innovation for Directors Date: November 24 Duration: 9am-5pm In a time where little is predictable, organisations must continuously innovate their business model in order to stay profitable. This workshop will help you gain new skills, tools and a new mindset.

The Director’s Role in Sustainability and Business Resilience Date: October 25 Duration: 9am-5pm This one-day workshop will prepare you as a Director for future challenges and opportunities in light of emerging ‘mega forces’. If you are looking to develop your skill-set in directing the evaluation of material opportunities and threats, impacts and dependencies and manage business resilience, this will provide you with a sustainability tool-set.

Leading from the Front Date: October 13 Duration: 9am-1pm A leader requires a vision for the group to move forward and also a focused way to communicate that vision. How do you make that vision memorable and do-able for the rest of the team, department or organisation? Develop your skills of charismas.

Boardroom Experience Date: September 13 Duration: 9am-1pm This workshop offers the opportunity for aspiring NXDs to meet chairs, share experiences and challenge thinking through games and role play.

Confident Leadership Date: October 19 Duration: 9am-1pm What is confidence and how can you get more of it? Power has acquired a bad name. How can leaders change that perception and use power to make the tough decisions while supporting and caring for staff.

Influential Leadership Date: tbc Duration: 1/2 day Looking at all the aspects that are vital for building and inspiring trust in a leader in an environment where influence gets results. An interactive learning and development event that combines case studies, practical learning, hands-on training and one-to-one coaching.

More details on workshops can be obtained by emailing director.scotland@iod.com

IoD Scotland’s Board Development and Performance Evaluation Service The IoD’s research, consultancy and facilitation service aims to promote best practice within Scottish Boardrooms. Whether you operate in the private, public or third sector we can help directors and trustees clarify their individual roles and responsibilities, and transform their collective performance within the

boardroom.

Our service is independent, research-based and confidential and delivered by a professional team with extensive boardroom experience in the corporate, public and not-for-profit sectors.

It is always tailored to meet your needs, providing a package of

activities that range from a one- day workshop to a programme of continuous development. It covers three major areas – board evaluation, board development and development of individual directors.

For more information contact the IoD via director.scotland@iod.com

AUTUMN 2016 | 29

MEDIATION

Overcoming conflict in a complex world Overcoming conflict and disputes can be debilitating: mediation offers hope of a satisfactory outcome, says Jo MacLennan, IoD 99 member Our world moves at a tremendous pace: constant change and pressures, copious demands on our time, multiple bosses and clients all with different agendas. An endlessly growing to-do list and competing priorities – then we have to somehow fit in a home life. Does this sound familiar, and is there any wonder misunderstanding and conflict arises?

As leaders, we do our best to work and engage with people harmoniously but it’s not always successful. The saying “you can’t please all people all of the time” comes to mind and someone will be unhappy with a decision or outcome. Boards become dysfunctional, suppliers can’t work with their customers, colleagues cannot work alongside each other, clients mistrust their advisors, friends and neighbours fall out – and so the list goes on.

Sometimes a situation can be resolved easily but other times parties become so entrenched in their positions, relationships break down and a businesses’ performance and cultural environment suffers.

Traditional dispute resolution processes can be useful and gain results. However, the flip side is that they are often expensive, stressful and generally a lengthy ordeal for all concerned. More often than not neither party is truly satisfied with the outcome. These methodologies may seem the only way, however, alternative routes are available and one to explore is mediation.

When people read the word ‘mediation’ they can be inclined to think that it is the ‘last resort’ to an issue or conflict, or even a tokenistic gesture. The reality is mediation can be a positive process to support people and organisations to find a better way to resolve a dispute.

The beauty of mediation means it can be applied to many different situations and circumstances. Guided by a skilled mediator the process is genuinely capable of transforming situations and, importantly, how people feel about their situation and the outcome.

Mediation can facilitate resolution 30 | AUTUMN 2016

between parties in conflict with one another. It offers the opportunity to talk with a view to finding a mutually acceptable outcome and way forward. It is a voluntary process and matters discussed during the mediation are confidential and cannot be raised out with the process. If a dispute cannot be resolved through mediation, parties can still turn to other resolution routes without any prejudice to those proceedings.

Mediation is a flexible, efficient and cost-effective process compared to many traditional routes such as grievances, tribunals or litigation. It can also be applied even after other options have been explored. The mediation process enables parties to communicate effectively, often in ways they would never have thought possible and can be used at any stage of a dispute or grievance, including when it seems every avenue has been exhausted.

Using the skills of a trained mediator, a

confidential environment is created, enabling people to come together to address challenging and sometimes long-standing differences. The mediator does not impose a solution, instead they work to support the parties to think through the issues they are experiencing and the possible options to reach a resolution.

By using a mediator, parties are offered the opportunity to reach a solution by consensus. The mediator works with the parties in dispute, usually on both a 1-2-1 basis and where appropriate, by bringing the parties together to have joint conversations.

Depending upon the complexity of the dispute, the number of parties involved and the commitment all parties are willing to give, a settlement can generally be reached within one day.

So next time you are faced with conflict or challenge, why not think of ‘mediation’ as a tool to facilitate a solution?

• MacLennan Norman specialises in professional mediation and business consultancy services. Jo MacLennan is director of MacLennan Norman and uses a range of facilitation and change management techniques to support organisations to reach their potential and sustainable growth.

For an informal discussion with Jo, or to find out more about mediation please contact her via: 0131 478 9639 / 07824 331 473; e: jo@ maclennannorman.com t: or see www.maclennannorman.com and @maclennannorman