Business Comment 43

Economy and Innovation

BUSINESS PRODUCTIVITY IS BOOSTED THROUGH EFFICIENT USE OF DATA BY 5-10%

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Sustaining and Building Economic Success the Key

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Cyber proof today to protect tomorrow

Getting financial planning and advice even more important than ever

Economy and innovation Welcome to Business Comment, the magazine of Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce.

In this issue, we look at the economy and innovation – the two inextricably linked, and in particular in this post-Brexit vote era.

The vote may well present opportunities for our business communities, and will certainly present challenges, but Edinburgh has proven many times that its economy is dynamic, robust and there is a real ability to work together and harness partnerships to create innovative solutions to any issues we face.

That will is evident again, and is illustrated throughout the magazine. Councillor Gavin Barrie, the Convener of City of Edinburgh Economy Committee, sheds light upon the myriad strengths of our economy, its outstanding successes, and illustrates again that our talented and educated workforce remains a vital driver as we move deeper into the 21st century.

Your Chamber is at the heart of discussions on two major fronts: The bid for a City Deal that would deliver a colossal boost to the economy of the Edinburgh city region; and the conversations that are taking place around the creation of a City Vision to plot our way

forward. Councillor Barrie talks on both of these, as does Professor Petra Wend, Principal of Queen Margaret University, who discusses the university’s exciting plan for an £80 million Edinburgh Innovation Park at their campus which would play to that institution’s great strengths in food and drink innovation and build on work already being done there.

The food and drink sector is also a key driver of the economy, according to Bank of Scotland, who inform us that the sector employs 34,000 people and generates £14 billion annually for the UK. In particular, research conducted by the Bank shows a sector confident and buoyant, with turnover expected to increase by 24% over the next few years, and product innovation given as a key driver of growth for 45% of the businesses.

Douglas Shand of PWC also looks at Brexit, and its potential impacts and opportunities.

His view is that the many important benefits Scotland has gained from cross-border research within the EU must be protected as we move into this new, and largely unknown era. He also encourages businesses to look to talent retention and recruitment as vital for ensuring they remain innovative and robust, and illustrates how some businesses are already responding to that challenge.

Introduction / Contents 03 Innovation and economy in Scotland 04 Research and Development Tax Credits 05 Cyber proof today to protect tomorrow 07 Food and drink: driving growth through innovation 08 Member Benefits: Don’t let Brexit checkmate your business!

09 ‘Marketplace’ digitally connecting business with young people 10 Unicorns driving economy growth 18 Eco packaging firm Vegware supports sustainability 20 Get Going 21 Special Report: Sustaining and Building Economic Success the Key 26|27 Special Report: Getting financial planning 28|29 Cementation Skanska delivers prestigious projects in Scotland 34 Feature: Digital Focus/Cyber Security 14|17 Feature: Charity/CSR 24|25 Feature: Learning/Development 32|33 Feature: Finance/Legal 42|43 Secret of Success/New Members 40 Ask The Expert 41 60 Seconds 44 Partners In Enterprise 45 Be The Best/Get With It 46 Europe Direct Edinburgh 47 Feature: Green Vision 48|49 Chamber Training 50 In The Spotlight 51 Inspiring Connections & Events 52|53 Movers & Shakers 54

Join Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce Our membership base is truly multisector, multi-scale and multi- national.

As we develop our geographic reach, we continue to welcome new members who can enjoy exclusive benefits of being part of Scotland’s capital city Chamber of Commerce. We would be delighted to share with you the benefits of joining.

Liz McAreavey

Contact our dedicated membership team on 0131 221 2999 or e-mail leads@edinburghchamber.co.uk

www.edinburghchamber.co.uk

www.edinburghchamber.co.uk

Chief Executive, Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce liz.mcareavey@edinburghchamber.co.uk

Cover image Credit: Ewan Barry/Tête-à-Tête Foto

Image of Liz McAreavey: Credit: Tuskite Photography

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CHAMBER NEWS

Innovation and economy in Scotland

The future in a post-Brexit Scotland is of course uncertain but as a country I think we can already be proud about the way we have handled two potentially divisive referenda in two years, and still come out unified and confident, albeit with many people feeling an understandable sense of frustration.

Not many countries could cope as admirably with such difficult and socially challenging results, but far from drive people apart, the EU referendum in particular has the power to galvanise Scottish business and entrepreneurs to ensure the economy evolves and thrives.

There is an opportunity to ensure that Scotland emerges better off through a longterm and flexible approach to investment; seeking out opportunities to cement deals and increase productivity where possible.

Everybody wants a stronger, fairer and more productive economy, and both the Scottish parliament and the Bank of England have already started the process of adapting the monetary and fiscal stimulus so that we are in the best possible position to push forwards despite the short-term uncertainty.

While the rate cut by the Bank of England may not do very much to stimulate more borrowing with interest rates already so low, it has devalued the pound considerably. At a time when central bankers around the world have been trying and failing to devalue their currencies through negative interest rates, quantitative easing and even the notion of helicopter money, in one night the UK people took 10% of the value of Sterling.

This will be quite a welcome outcome for the UK and particularly Scotland, given the strength of our export market. Tourism is likely to be an immediate beneficiary; the rise

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of the “staycation� as foreign holidays shoot up in price will surely be a boon. As one of the recognised global destination cities, Edinburgh should find itself in a particularly strong position.

The exporting sector will most likely feel the benefits somewhat later, as it takes time for an adjustment in the exchange rate to filter through, but when the cost benefits come they will add to profit margins and enable more investment and productivity.

Nicola Sturgeon has also announced a ÂŁ100m package to fund projects this financial year, taken from unspent funds left over from last year. Hospitals and infrastructure projects are all in the pipeline. Such immediate spending has an instant impact on employment and subsequently household income, all of which should be viewed positively across Scotland.

But there is only so much that Scotland can do on its own and we can expect some further stimulus from Chancellor Philip Hammond to compliment the monetary stimulus that has already been put in place.

Given that sentiment is such a key driver of the economy, it surely makes most sense to push forwards with the greatest determination to make the Scottish economy a success. Business investment across the UK is forecast to drag the entire economy down but where possible, business owners should be seeking opportunities with trading

partners keen to exploit the favourable exchange rate. For existing deals this could also mean checking that their trading contracts are the most beneficial in terms of currency arrangements if they trade with overseas firms. The devaluation of sterling has been the biggest economic impact so far, and it makes sense to make sure you have the best possible arrangements if you are affected by the weaker pound.

We may not know the future, but the past is getting clearer every day. Scotland and Edinburgh have an innovative and dynamic economy, clear political direction and supportive fiscal policy. Brexit may have been unexpected, and in some camps unwelcome, but if ever there was a city able to deal with the threats, and rise to the opportunity, then the Edinburgh is it.

For more information please contact Johnny McGlynn. Email: johnny.mcglynn@ brewin.co.uk, 0131 300 2810.

The information contained in this document is believed to be reliable and accurate, but without further investigation cannot be warranted as to accuracy or completeness.

The opinions expressed in this document are not necessarily the views held throughout Brewin Dolphin Ltd.

CHAMBER NEWS

Research and Development Tax Credits and research contributions. Successful claims range from software companies to construction, manufacturing, engineering and catering – in fact R&D takes place in every business sector.

R&D Schemes are constantly evolving and you can currently obtain corporation tax relief via a tax credit of 14.5% of the enhanced expenditure even when no corporation tax has been paid.

By way of an example, a SME Ltd in the year to 31 March 2016 could have had the following results: James Stewart Profitable SME

History The Research & Development (“R&D”) Tax Credit scheme was introduced in 2000. To put this into context this is 7 years before the first iPhone was released. The original scheme was for small companies with the large company scheme following in 2002 and if Apple had been a UK company they could have benefited. In the intervening 16 years there have been numerous changes but the underlying move has been to a more generous regime.

Small companies originally received 150% of expenditure as a “super deduction” and today this has increased to 230% of eligible costs as a tax deduction. The core principles for eligible R&D are: n Seeking to achieve an advance in science or technology n Subject to scientific or technological uncertainties n Conducted in a systematic and thorough fashion Eligible costs can include staffing costs, consumable items, software, subcontractors

46% Example: £100,000 of qualifying R&D x 130% enhancement = £230,000 £230,000 at 20% (CT Rate) gives tax relief of £46,000 £46,000/£100,000 = 46%

Loss making SME

33.35% Example: £100,000 of qualifying R&D x 130% enhancement = £230,000 £230,000 x 14.5% gives £33,350 (payable R&D Credit) £33,350/£100,000 = 33.35%

For established companies the corporation tax relief over the normal 20% corporation tax rate is valuable and for the early stage growth companies where no corporation tax has been paid it can provide a useful cash flow supplement.

Advanced Assurance Since November 2015 companies have been able to apply to HM Revenue & Customs for R&D Advance Assurance. Once this is granted HMRC will allow the claim in the first three Accounting Periods without further enquiry.

This can be very useful if you are seeking external investors or funding.

Brexit Impact There has been speculation that Brexit may alter the future of R&D Tax Credits. General opinion is that there will be no immediate effect and with full Brexit being a few years away advantage should be taken of the scheme in the current format. The small companies R&D scheme is seen as generous by the European State Aid rules and as such is classified as Notified State Aid. Under Brexit, the UK government should be free to set the rules. However, this will depend on the UK’s future relationship with Europe.

Condies have considerable experience of assisting companies to maximise their R&D tax credits claims.

Disclaimer This document is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, accounting or legal advice. It is recommended that specific professional advice is sought before acting on any of the information given.

Contact information: James Stewart, ATT Corporate Tax Manager, Condies Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers Tel: 01383 721421 Email: james.stewart@condie.co.uk www.condie.co.uk

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Scott House, Mid New Cultins West One Business Park Edinburgh, EH11 4DH T: 0131 458 4255 F: 0131 458 4254 E: edinburgh@srm.com

Quartermile Development

Twenty years ago Colin Linton attended Napier University, where he pursued a research project with regards to the forecasts of the European Union of 2010 with Moral support from Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce who received the findings from European institutions. Seeing the material is coming true he has been able to project forward to 2020.

His three trips to America were part of this long term strategy, together with two years in London and travelling over England, where he was involved with Sales Promotion which took him to Amsterdam.

COLIN LINTON M a n a g e m e n t C o n s u l t a n c y

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Find out more at www.srm.com

Now he has set up Colin Linton Management Consultancy, where he can help commerce in a number of ways from his extensive experience for the long term for example: Change, Politics, Business Start ups, New Opportunities and Growth commercial Intelligence. Colin realises the problems of today’s market and looks forward to long term relationships from all sizes of businesses, presently some of his proposals have been accepted by the British Government.

Flat 2, 135 High Street, Dalkeith EH22 1BE E-mail: colinlinton283@btinternet.com Tel: 0131 660 5019

CHAMBER NEWS

Cyber proof today to protect tomorrow The internet has revolutionised business. Companies of all sizes have taken advantage of computers to improve the speed and efficiency of their operations, and to create a more convenient interface for consumers. Yet with these opportunities there also comes an increased risk of cyber fraud attacks. For this reason, it is vital that businesses look to prevent fraud, rather than hope to cure its consequences.

Comments attributed to Jamie Grant, Head of Business and Corporate Banking at Barclays.

There are three main areas where businesses are currently most frequently attacked: social engineering, malware and network attacks.

It is very easy not to give cyber fraud the focus that it requires when there are so many other issues for business leaders to deal with, especially when the return on investment is difficult to quantify. However, the potential damage – both financial and reputational – is so significant.

Many of the frauds committed online today are extremely sophisticated and complex which means that trying to recover funds after the fraud has taken place can be incredibly difficult. As such, all business leaders owe it to themselves to be serious in addressing the risks. Our Barclays ‘Cyber fraud

– protecting your business’ report contains advice to help companies understand these risks and provides guidance on how to reduce the risk of cyber fraud attacks.

The key advice we always give is to be vigilant. There are many ways to protect your business from each type of cyber fraud.

Start by creating a culture of awareness across all members of your team and encourage employees to report fraud threats, particularly those with responsibility for making payments. The more people in your organisation who are aware of the risks, the less likely an attack on your business is to succeed.

Investing in up-to-date cyber defence software is imperative to protecting your business from the financial and reputational consequences of cyber fraud. Ensure that your internet browsers are updated to the most recent versions and that important files are backed up to a removable hard drive disk or to the cloud. Testing your own controls to ensure they are operating appropriately will also enable you to identify system

weaknesses before fraudsters have the opportunity to exploit them.

Consideration should also be given to how much information you make public on the internet about the individuals in your company. In the era of social media sites it is easy to get carried away, but be aware that this information could make it easier for a fraudster to take advantage.

At Barclays, we are dedicated to helping protect businesses from the risks of cyber fraud attacks. We host hundreds of events a year for customers to help raise awareness of the risks and advise on the best ways to mitigate exposure to an attack. Prevention is always better than cure so we are committed to helping businesses protect themselves from online fraudsters.

Visit our business fraud hub at barclayscorporate.com/fraud to learn more.

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CHAMBER NEWS

Food and drink: driving growth through innovation

Innovation is a great driver in any economy, and in Scotland the food and drink sector has proved just what a forerunner of growth it can be. bullish, predicting growth of 36 per cent, up 11 per cent on last year.

Jane Clark-Hutchison, Regional Director, Mid Markets, Central Scotland, Bank of Scotland

The industry has outperformed the wider Scottish economy for many years now, and firms in other sectors could find much to learn from its ongoing success story.

Food and drink businesses seem to have found a solution to the productivity crisis that is plaguing the UK, increasing productivity by 11 per cent over the last five years, compared to an overall UK productivity increase of just 0.5 per cent1.

They already employ 34,000 people, contributing more than £14 billion to the economy every year, and their growth shows no sign of slowing.

Going for growth Bank of Scotland research conducted in the wake of the EU Referendum result found Scottish food and drink firms expect to increase their turnover by an average of 24 per cent over the next five years.

That’s up five per cent on last year, and larger firms with turnovers topping £750 million are even more

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Part of that is down to firms’ commitment to research and development, and even the vote to leave the EU hasn’t shaken their determination to innovate.

When we asked how firms planned to achieve that growth, the most common answer was entering new markets in the UK (49 per cent), but the next most popular route was new product development, cited by 45 per cent of firms.

Firms plan to invest an average 39 per cent of their current turnover in R&D over the next five years that’s up more than a third year on year.

And hearteningly, when we asked if that had changed since the referendum result, 39 per cent said they had ramped up their innovation intentions since the vote, with only 15 per cent dialling them down.

Inspired to innovate That certainly chimes with the feedback that we are getting from our food and drink customers, who remain committed to growth and innovation, like The Scottish Salmon Company.

With its Head Office in Edinburgh, The Scottish Salmon Company operates 60 sites across the West coast of Scotland and Hebrides, and produces around 20 per cent of all Scotland’s salmon, exporting to 25 countries across the world.

It is piloting Companion Farming where aquaculture crops such as seaweeds and shellfish are grown alongside salmon to create a self-contained ecosystem and maintain a more balanced habitat.

And Scottish food and drink firms are seeing opportunities where others might see challenges.

Some 45 per cent cited the growing awareness around public health as an opportunity for the industry, for example, compared with just 23 per cent who saw a downside.

It’s this kind of confidence, creativity and commitment to innovation which has helped the Scottish food and drink sector write its ongoing success story.

In this new phase for Scotland, Bank of Scotland is committed to supporting all ambitious firms in achieving their full potential.

1. Food and Drink Federation, Statistics at a glance, January 2016, www.fdf.org.uk/statsataglance.aspx

MEMBER BENEFITS

Don’t let Brexit checkmate your business!

Following the Brexit vote, now is a nervous time for a lot of businesses who want to protect their livelihood from non-payment. Since the 23rd June, some sectors including Finance, Automotive, Construction and Retail have recorded substantial losses.

Volatility is expected to remain high given the prolonged period of uncertainty, and the depreciation of Sterling may impact purchasing power, while investment is expected to take a hit.

E f f i c i E n t. . . fA s t. . . r E l i A b l E . . . s A f E

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In addition to the internal measures that you have in place, Chamber Credit Insurance can help protect you against bad debts and late payments that may arise from some of your customers, as well as supporting you when invoices are not paid and minimising your risk when expanding into new markets.

All members of Accredited Chambers of Commerce can benefit from a unique credit insurance offer from Euler Hermes, the world’s largest credit insurer, that includes: n 10 free credit limit indications with a value of £250 so you can immediately see the creditworthiness of your new and existing customers in both domestic and international markets. n Free half an hour review of your Terms and Conditions by prestigious law firm Lester Aldridge. n No charge for the first 3 debt placements with our award winning Collections service. n 10% no claims discount after the first year. n Guaranteed best policy price.

So, are you ready to grow your business confidently?

Visit www.chambercreditinsurance.co.uk to find out more or contact your local consultant Damon Clulow: 07 876 391 744, damon.clulow@eulerhermes.com

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CHAMBER NEWS

‘Marketplace’ digitally connecting business with young people in school and college Marketplace was created to improve engagement between employers and education after the Commission for Developing Scotland's Young Workforce identified the need to help young people have greater awareness of the career options open to them.

A pilot scheme took place in Edinburgh through the Edinburgh Guarantee where the concept proved extremely successful. To build on this success and to create a digital platform that has scale and sustainability, the Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Regional Group of Edinburgh, Midlothian and East Lothian partnered with Skills Development Scotland to create the new online version of Marketplace.

Marketplace makes it easy for businesses to build connections with schools and colleges.

The new digital platform is live in Edinburgh, Midlothian and East Lothian with a plan to roll out wider over time.

Opportunities you can offer Businesses can register and post opportunities, shaping the offer to young people, teachers or parents; offering: • Skills sessions • Inspiration events • Career insights

What are Skills Sessions?

Employers can offer a range of skills sessions, focusing on employability, enterprise, soft skills and industry/technical skills.

What is an Inspiration Event?

Employers can offer events which aim to bring their industry and job to life and inspire young people to consider their career options and raise aspirations. Examples of these include; a site visit of a place of work, practical workshops to give real insight regarding daily duties of a specific job, running competitions or talking about a day in the life in a job or wider industry.

What is Career Insight?

Career Events Employers can register their interest to attend career events within education to inform and inspire young people.

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Teacher Insight Offer sessions to teachers to give industry insight and information with the view of teachers being able to convey this in the classroom during lessons.

Once approved it is posted on an online noticeboard. Schools and colleges logon to their dashboard on SDS’s My World of Work then get in touch with business. It's that simple.

Parent/Carer Session Offering information and insight to parents allows young people’s influencers to become more knowledgeable and aware of the breadth of opportunities available to young people.

You can register and post your offer now at www.ourskillsforce.co.uk/invest-in-youngpeople/marketplace/

Work Placement Providing a real-life experience of the job or industry they are interested in will allow young people to make an informed choice about their future career pathways.

Marketplace is quick to use: All you need to do is register and fill out details to tell us about the opportunity on offer.

Alternatively if you would like support to shape up the offer or to attend one of our short workshops just call 0131 221 2999 option 9 to speak with our Marketplace experts Leanne Hastings or Jimmy O’Connell.

FEATURE: CHRISTMAS

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CHAMBER NEWS

Innovation will provide much more than improved economic performance

By Professor Petra Wend, Principal, Queen Margaret University Negotiations continue around the Edinburgh City Region Deal which could inject up to £2 billion of public money into key infrastructure projects, and innovation is high on the agenda. There is no doubt that Edinburgh is sitting on a real opportunity to shine globally, and maximum potential will be achieved if we can articulate a clear vision of a city region that drives innovation, not just by providing infrastructure but by taking a holistic approach to the benefits it will provide to society as a whole.

Economic return is the most common measurement of innovation success and Scottish Enterprise recently projected a total increase in sales value of some £488m for the Scottish companies it has supported through innovation projects to deliver new products, processes and services. Impressive, yet financial return is just one of the elements underpinning sustainable communities.

Health, wellbeing and happiness are also key contributors.

Queen Margaret University has committed significant resource to ensure a 50 acre plot of land next to our campus at Musselburgh is secured for economic development

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purposes. We now have a detailed business plan for the £80 million Edinburgh Innovation Park that could create up to 13,000 jobs for the local economy. The proposals follow the newest best-practice global trends in that it brings together national and global centres of research and knowledge exchange excellence with commercial and community development.

It plays to our strengths in food and drink innovation, particularly in relation to market ready research in the area of new product development and functional and healthy foods, and the park’s attractiveness nationally and internationally as a location. Just as the businesses attracted to the park will be committed to driving improvements in their products and services, our commitment to improving quality of life is as strong as ever.

We will only achieve this through innovation, not just by creating a place with facilities and support for growing businesses, but by finding new ways to make places better for the people who live and work there.

We have a bold vision of a sustainable community for learning, research, and knowledge exchange and our proposals for Edinburgh Innovation Park are designed to maximise the potential offered by the campus location and to protect the future

vitality of the region. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity that takes advantage of a prime location, providing businesses – especially SME’s– with access to national and international networks and expertise provided through the University and the wider university network.

Edinburgh is already a good place to do business. Last year Financial Times fDi Magazine named Edinburgh as the "Best Mid-Sized European City of the Future" and "Best Foreign Direct Investment Strategy (MidSized City)". A clear view of a future for the wider city region set out in robust, rounded proposals to foster innovation, where health and happiness rank as highly as wealth and prosperity as measurements of success, will be worthy of investment by the tax payer.

You can view a slideshow of the architect’s plans and send feedback online at www.edinburghinnovationpark.co.uk.

Formal consultation will take place as part of any future planning application process.

ADVERTORIAL

Get a Business Boost this Autumn Business owners can access expert advice and support from Business Gateway to give their ventures a boost this autumn.

With a network of local advisers, Business Gateway is ideally positioned to provide support that specifically addresses the issues of those businesses working in Edinburgh and the Lothians.

In addition to a comprehensive online resource and one to one support from a team of experienced advisers, Business Gateway’s free workshop programme covers a range of issues of importance to the business community.

New workshops are being added to the programme all the time so keep an eye on www.bgateway/events to see what is on offer.

Edinburgh Culinary Entrepreneur Whisks Up More Parisian Delights When Rachel Hanretty was looking to launch her business in 2013, the Edinburgh entrepreneur looked to Business Gateway to help her get Mademoiselle Macaron moving.

Now, the business that brought a taste of Paris to the capital has invested £10,500 in a

new manufacturing base that will increase its production of French macarons three-fold to 20k macarons per week.

The manufacturing premises in Stewartfield Industrial Unit will help Mademoiselle Macaron open a further five shops with cafes within the next two years, potentially creating 35 jobs. It will also allow the business to secure further wholesale deals throughout the UK. Rachel admits that it has been challenging getting the business to this point but says that the advice she received from Business Gateway Edinburgh proved invaluable, not just when she was looking to get the business up and running in 2013 but when she expanded into her first shop and café in Grindlay Street the following year.

She said: “My Business Gateway adviser helped me access specialist legal advice regarding copyrighting and trademarking my brand right at the start. He also put me forward to attend a course on outside investment which jumpstarted my thoughts around rapid expansion. His advice, and the

information I gained on Business Gateway workshops, made me think about cash flow and my finances which, ultimately, helped me invest in the new manufacturing unit.

I couldn’t put a price on the help Business Gateway has given me.”

The company, which supplies the likes of Harvey Nichols and The Balmoral with its sweet delicacy, saw its web sales rocket by 300% last year after launching a new e-commerce site, and has appeared on celebrity Chef James’ Martin’s TV series ‘Home Comforts’.

“My aim has always been to open more shops and create a clear presence not just in Scotland but across the UK,” Rachel said.

“I also want to develop my own range of merchandise and write a recipe book. The new manufacturing unit helps me get closer to achieving those goals.”

Find out how Business Gateway Edinburgh can help your business by calling 0131 516 5035 or visiting www.bgateway.com/Edinburgh.

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ADVERTORIAL

FEATURE: DIGITAL FOCUS/CYBER SECURITY

Don't be a victim of cyber criminals Are your cyber security measures sufficient to prevent you or your company becoming the next victim of online criminals?

This is the question Inspector David Happs, from Police Scotland Edinburgh’s Crime Prevention Department wants you to consider.

He warns it’s a case of when, not if, a business is targeted. “Almost every organisation is a potential target, many large and small companies have something stored electronically that may be worth something to others. It really is crucial businesses and their employees are aware of the different forms of cyber attacks and take at least the basic steps to prevent what can result in significant financial and reputational damage”.

According to a recent Breaches Survey Report (1) , 65% of large firms in the UK detected a cyber security breach or attack in the past year. The average cost of the breach to the large business was £36, 500.

Police Scotland has invested heavily in combating cyber crime through the formation of it’s Cybercrime Unit. At the recent opening of a new Cybercrime Hub, Chief Constable Mr Gormley said: “The investigation and prevention of cybercrime, which includes online child exploitation, is one of the highest priorities for Police Scotland. Improving our understanding of cyber threats and internet enabled crime will assist us in developing new ways to protect the public.”

Police Scotland also welcomes the partnership with Scottish Business Resilience Centre (SBRC) in delivering cyber security advice and services to small, medium and larger enterprises across the country. SBRC with contribution and secondments from Police Scotland and other agencies aim to provide members with a wide-ranging onestop shop for business security services and advice.

Inspector Happs adds “Many businesses need to do more to ensure all staff have appropriate cyber crime training to enable each staff member to play their part in

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keeping their business secure. The threat from cyber crime can often be reduced by recognising where the threat may come from and taking some simple security steps – staff training and awareness is key.”

The threat comes from several different areas - cyber criminals interested in making money out of fraud or theft of information, hackers, business competitors or from employees with legitimate access through accidental or deliberate misuse.

68% of attacks in the past year were virus/ spyware or malware (2).

One of the simplest ways of protecting yourself or company online is to update your systems and devices regularly. When you are prompted to install an update from your service provider this often means that they have identified a security vulnerability and issued an update to fix it.

However, Inspector Happs advises this is just one step to protecting your company online. “If you take ‘ransomware’ as an example (a type of malicious software that will prevent you from accessing your files or whole computer until you pay a ransom, often several hundred pounds) running antimalware software will help prevent some but not all ransomware attacks. Often simple vigilance and scepticism when it comes to unexpected emails can be effective and illustrates the importance of staff training, increased protection and other cyber security measures running at all levels of the business”.

“Don’t wait for it, be proactive and take steps to protect your business online. There is a wide range of training, guidance and support available through SBRC, the Cyber Essentials scheme and other areas”.

The Cyber Essentials scheme is designed to be accessible to businesses of all sizes, enabling businesses to be certified for reaching good-practice basic standards, including a self-assessment approach and providing guidance on protection against common threats.

Tips to protecting your business online: n User Education - set up regular, structured employee education and awareness training and keep up-to-date. n Internet security - install solutions on all systems including mobile devices and keep all operating and application software, mobile apps and web browsers up to date.

n Password Access - set up a policy and enforce for all employees and contractors. n Restrict Browser Access - consider restricting access to inappropriate websites to reduce risk of exposure to malware and create a security update policy. n Adopt Safe mobile working rules including use of unsecured Wi-Fi hotspots, shoulder surfing and protecting devices from theft or loss. n Network Protection - including wireless networks, protect against external attacks through the use of firewalls, proxies, access lists and other measures. n IT inventory - maintain an inventory of all IT equipment and software including redundant systems and identify a secure standard formation for all existing equipment. n Access Restriction – restrict staff and thirdparty access to IT equipment, systems and information to the minimum required.

Keep items physically secure to prevent unauthorised access. n Data encrytption/Secure Networking ensure sensitive data is encrypted when stored or transmitted online for home and mobile working and only accessible by authorised users. n Removable media - e.g. USB drives, restrict issue and introduce usage policy to protect against data loss and malware installation.

To find out more about staying safe online visit: Scottish Business Resilience Centre and Cyber Essentials Scheme Reference: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ attachment_data/file/521465/Cyber_Security_Breaches_ Survey_2016_main_report_FINAL.pdf https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ attachment_data/file/521465/Cyber_Security_Breaches_ Survey_2016_main_report_FINAL.pdf

ADVERTORIAL

FEATURE: DIGITAL FOCUS/CYBER SECURITY

Where does your business need protection from cyber crime?

Who poses the biggest cyber crime threat to your business?

for a lot of businesses and to protect that investment it is crucial that security systems are as up to date as possible and that sensible measures are taken.

Shadowy hackers targeting your software, organised criminals enacting sophisticated attacks on your business, international gangs honing in on your system?

“The risk to your business can be greatly reduced with some simple procedures and good user training, not just lecturing to staff but presenting the information in a way that engages them.”

Well, yes, possibly but, according to Simon McCullagh, from Edinburgh-based Digital Orchard IT, the biggest threat could actually come from much closer to home - your own staff.

That may seem a startling statement but Simon argues that it highlights the need for vigilance because cyber criminals will usually take the easy route and rely on staff making mistakes which expose weaknesses in security systems.

Simon, who has 15 years of industry experience and works across central Scotland, providing, IT support, management, business continuity and information security, said: “Trying to hack into a commercial firewall may not be worth the effort for some criminals. They would much rather prey on human nature to find a way in.

“They look for the people who do not take security seriously to gain access to systems and take a lax approach.

“Technology is the most important element

So how do you ensure safety? Here are some ideas: n Have top tips posters on walls around your office, which present the information in easy-to-understand ways

An ISMS at a basic level should consist of the following policies to which staff should adhere: n Acceptable Use Policy n Backup Policy n Business Continuity Plan n Password Policy n Clear Desk Policy Simon said: “By taking these measures, you can do an awful lot to keep your system safe and eradicate the silly mistakes that let cyber criminals in.

n Run a well-managed backup solution.

“We offer a very cost-effective solution that will cover these services within a comprehensive management console.”

n Stop staff access to ‘dodgy’ websites which can bring about security breaches, run web filtering.

To find out how Digital Orchard IT can help your business stay secure online, contact: Tel: 0131 208 0080 • 07793 739237

n Invest in a good quality anti-virus.

n Stop the junk email; it is unproductive and risky, Scan email for SPAM and viruses. n Centrally managing your security suite will give you the greatest chance of staying on top of any security issues. n Introduce a basic Information Security Management System (ISMS), which will set out a standard that is expected to be followed by staff.

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FEATURE: DIGITAL FOCUS/CYBER SECURITY

ADVERTORIAL

GearedApp are Ready for Take off!

Growing demand for digital app solutions in Scotland has seen GearedApp emerge from a team of wide-eyed student developers building an app for Edinburgh Capitals Ice Hockey team, to a 3-year-old software development company with clients across the UK. With a growing team, GearedApp are now moving to new premises at The Ajenta Hub, Commercial Quay, Leith. This coincides with the launch of version 2 of the Edinburgh Capitals App, with an innovative in-app lottery system.

This has already been an exciting year for GearedApp. They delivered an interactive catalogue for Livingston based AWDis in order to help them reach a younger audience and increase their mobile presence. GearedApp are also working with the NHS to build a groundbreaking clinical assessment tool, which helps patients maintain more anonymity, glean more accurate feedback and reduce paperwork. They helped tourists make the most of Edinburgh with the Edinburgh Photo Guide app through the use of bespoke tours and local knowledge. GearedApp also built a series of professional websites for video communication

company Ajenta, which has led to an ongoing collaborative relationship.

This team of smart, dedicated tech professionals have been building solutions to help clients unlock new opportunities through mobile apps, web apps and mobile responsive websites, to generate real returns on investment.

Lara Findlay, co-founder of GearedApp explains: “A key focus for GearedApp is the personal and collaborative approach to all of our projects. We incorporate very in-depth explorative sessions into all of our projects so we really get to know our clients and the problems they are trying to solve. Our plans to grow the team further and tackle new industries mean this is set to be a big year for us.”

With app developers Kotikan recently acquihired by unicorn Fanduel, the GearedApp team are poised for success within this bustling market.

Visit www.gearedapp.co.uk for an in-depth breakdown of their approach to software development or get in touch on 0131 605 0125 to start your project today.

Twitter: @GearedApp

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a CARBON NEuTRAL company

FEATURE: DIGITAL FOCUS/CYBER SECURITY

ADVERTORIAL

Business needs to take a more strategic view of cyber crime A leading figure in the field of cyber security has called on business to take a more strategic view to the challenges presented by criminals.

Colin Slater, PwC’s Head of cyber security in Scotland, believes that to be successful in the longer term, business needs to be more strategic in their thinking rather than simply reacting to single attacks when they occur.

He said: “Cyber crime continues to develop rapidly and companies need to take a much longer term approach as well as being tactical to today’s problems. Cyber security practitioners and CEOs talk different languages and we have to find a way of them communicating with each other to address the challenges ahead.

“It is not enough to have installed protection now and assume that is all that is needed.

Companies need to be much more strategic and ask themselves - what is coming next?

How could this destroy my business? How can we cope?”

“For example, ‘ransomware’ is a major current disruptive threat, identity theft continues to challenge, and companies need to consider what the next stage will be. What are the big things that will disrupt?”

PwC Scotland is also proud to be headline sponsors of the first Scottish Cyber Awards 2016, organised by Scottish Business Resilience Centre and Scottish Enterprise.

Visit www.pwc.co.uk/Scotland or contact Colin Slater, Head of cyber security Scotland: colin.slater@uk.pwc.com to find out how PwC’s cyber security team can work with you.

PwC’s Scottish cyber security team are part of an international network, advising and supporting businesses large and small across different sectors in the Scottish market. © 2016 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. All rights reserved.

Edinburgh company develops business management system to make life easier for SMEs Ever wanted a Business Management System (BMS) that only does what you need and doesn’t have hundreds of features which you will never use? A system that will simply make business life easier?

If so, you need to talk to Edinburgh-based IT support company SortmyPC, which has launched Worx24, a BMS designed specifically to help SMEs to manage their business operations in a simpler way. The company, which was formed in 2004, has developed Worx24 to manage day-to-day business functions including

client and contact details, stock, orders, invoices and financial records, appointment booking and employees’ time sheets. A powerful and flexible software product which provides real time data and integrates all core business functions.

Worx24 arose from requests from the company’s clients who asked for a tool that is easy to operate and doesn’t get cluttered with unused functionality.

Lead Developer Angus Kerr said: “The beauty of Worx24 is that it is modular and can be tailored to what the client really needs yet integrates into one system. Our clients do not need to buy different systems then try to bolt them all together. Worx24 is based on what they require.”

functions they ask for. It is a bespoke system.”

“A lot of the systems out there are large, overly complex and very expensive - SMEs typically end up using only 20 per cent of the functionality because they do not need the rest. Worx24 is different.”

Worx24 is the latest in a series of success stories for SortmyPC, which operates out of 200-year-old Mackenzie Cottage in Colinton, supplying and supporting business technology and telecoms to small and medium size businesses.

The company can be contacted on 0131 477 2644 and its website is www.sortmypc.co.uk

“It does not have hundreds of features that they do not need and will never use. Worx24 has only the

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CHAMBER NEWS

Unicorns driving economy growth

By Douglas Shand Director and Head of Innovation Incentives Scotland at PricewaterhouseCoopers We live in incredibly fast-moving times, not just in terms of political developments but also with new technologies being created across the globe and new approaches to business and working practice.

But fast-paced does not mean that companies should be afraid or worry about being left behind. By identifying the key areas they should be looking at, they can make sure they are in a strong place for the coming years.

Five things that need to be considered for the future: Ensuring there is a clear plan and policy for government support of cross border (EU) collaborative research.

Cross-border research has been one of the great success stories for the EU with many Scottish institutions benefitting and even if the UK is leaving the EU, that does not mean there cannot be policy for ensuring the success of ongoing projects and also how new projects can be supported and maximised.

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How can Brexit allow the UK to provide unique and competitive innovation incentives to attract and retain international and UK R&D projects?

The EU referendum result brings with it many challenges but these challenges can be flipped round to be opportunities. There is a chance to look at what was provided by the EU and to not only take what was successful for Scottish businesses, but to develop new initiatives and ideas that flex and adapt with what businesses need.

Making sure there is a structured and substantial pool of investment capital available for fast growth and scaling and that we just don't focus on start ups.

For many companies, starting up is not the issue, it’s when they try to grow quickly and to scale their efforts. All too often, firms fold because their short-term spend is growing larger than their longer-term income. More funding available for companies at this critical period could make an incredible difference in many sectors.

How do we ensure that our unicorns helped to drive the growth economy?

Unicorn stories like FanDuel and Skyscanner are great success stories, but there should be a drive to learn from them and see what

can be done to ensure the overall growth of sectors and the economy as a whole.

However, that doesn’t mean putting the onus on the current unicorns, it’s also about looking to see what can be done to support the potential unicorns.

How do we attract and retain good people particularly in those areas where we are short of skills?

A number of companies are now looking at innovative approaches to either retain the right talent or bring new people in – from companies offering a full-time wage but staff only work four days or Amazon’s 30-houra-week limit – there is a lot out there. In addition, training and staff development has moved on considerably with online ensuring staff can pivot in their careers and train as and when suits them. Another issue that bears consideration for attracting staff from across the border is that of the Scottish Rate of Interest Tax, which came into effect in April 2016. It's not just in tax that there are differences - housing has different fees, rules and regulations on each side of the border.

These are issues employers need to take on board when planning their recruitment and retention strategies.

HOW BUSINESS GATEWAY HELPED Rachel bring a taste of Paris to Scotland Mademoiselle Macaron is a specialist producer of French macarons, baking its handmade delicate patisseries to sell in its own café, online, and via high-end stockists including Harvey Nichols.

Launched by Rachel Hanretty in 2013, the business saw online sales rocket by 300% after a new e-commerce site went live last year and recent investment in a manufacturing unit means the business can produce up to 20k macarons per week.

We assisted Rachel with her business plan then continued to help her with specialist legal advice regarding employment law, copyrighting, and trademarking her brand that gave her greater confidence and security.

She also benefitted from advice regarding potential outside investment opportunities which helped jumpstart her growth plans.

Our support has made Rachel think differently about cashflow and pricing, allowing her to plough profits into the manufacturing unit which keeps her on track to open five shops with cafés within the next two years and potentially create 35 jobs.

I couldn’t put a price on the help Business Gateway has given me.

Rachel Hanretty, Mademoiselle Macaron

How we helped: • 1:1 adviser support • Marketing • HR • Legal • Funding Opportunities • Business Planning

Find out how Business Gateway can help you Be Your Own Boss visit www.bgateway.com/ edinburgh or call 0131 516 5035.

CHAMBER NEWS

Eco packaging firm Vegware supports sustainability It all started with a spoon. Vegware Founder and Managing Director Joe Frankel was working in California when his wife brought home a spoon made from plant starch that she’d used for sampling at a local farmer’s market.

“I admired it, and she told me it was made of corn and potato starch,’ Joe explains. ‘I thought that was the most wonderful thing I had ever heard. It sparked a whole train of ideas within me, and the Vegware concept was born.”

Joe was so taken with the idea that once they had returned to Edinburgh, he invested his family’s savings in bioplastic resin, and Vegware became a limited company in 2008.

Fast forward eight years and Vegware is Scotland’s fifth fastest growing company, in the UK’s top 100 and operating in the UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand, UAE and Hong Kong. The company has received over 60 awards and accolades, including winning the Queen’s Award twice.

Sustainability is at the core of Vegware’s work.

Vegware’s environmental solution takes the whole of a product lifespan into account.

First, all of the products are made from low carbon renewable materials and free from oil-based plastic, completely avoiding using finite materials.

Secondly, all of the products are completely compostable, and designed to be recycled with food waste. A lot of conventional food packaging is very difficult to recycle, due to it being made of a mix of materials like card, plastic or film, and then contaminated with foodwaste. Vegware’s compostable packaging offers a solution in that it can be recycled alongside foodwaste, meaning that all cleaning or sorting of the packaging gets taken out of the equation.

Using and composting Vegware helps even very large sites go zero waste. The University of Cambridge composts 1.5 tonnes of used Vegware every month, while a high profile client in Canary Wharf diverted 27.3 tonnes of packaging from landfill in 2015.

Vegware have found Edinburgh to be the perfect place to start and grow a successful SME. Communications Director Lucy Frankel explains why it hasn’t been hard to build the company up to the 51 members of staff it

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currently employs: “Edinburgh is definitely a part of our success. We’re a UK company and we’re international, but in terms of the brain and the heart, it’s here. It’s the people really. I don’t think we’d have the crazy growth figures if it wasn’t for the team.”

Vegware has also enjoyed a lot of support as a Scottish business – receiving help from Scottish Development International in breaking into the EU market, and two Scottish Parliamentary Motions to boot.

Vegware’s focus on sustainability also goes beyond its packaging. In 2009, Vegware created the Vegware Community Fund to offer support to worthy causes, by offering monthly grants or a regular donation of Vegware’s eco packaging to not-for-profit organisations across the world.

The Fund was relaunched in 2015, welcoming an increase in the number of recipients it could support, as well as a new blog (www. vegwarecommunityfund.org). The fund now supports over 20 recipients with monthly donations, as well as donating packaging to hundreds of good causes every year.

Vegware also work with schools to engage students with sustainability. In 2015, Vegware launched the Bin Detective, a cartoon character with an educational resource kit helping schools teach about recycling.

The kit includes an interactive classroom presentation, a poster, and teachers’ notes describing a range of activities.

Eilidh Brunton, Vegware’s Group Recycling Consultant explains “We see Bin Detective as a fun way to bring sustainability into the curriculum, and also to empower pupils to boost recycling rates at their schools.

Teachers can run the activities, Catering Managers can display the poster, and pupils can engage with those all-important choices at the dining room recycling bin.”

Created by Vegware’s environmental team, these resources are available for free at Vegware.com/downloads.

As Vegware continues to grow, it is committed to sustainability, responsible business and supporting the wider community. Find out more at www.vegware.com.

GET GOING

Name: Nancy Herdman Business name: StepChange Improve Start up date: Sept 2014 Website: www.stepchangeimprove.co.uk Q Tell us a bit about your business?

A At StepChange Improve, we strive to make Continuous Improvement a daily part of everyday life for your staff and management teams. By working closely with the client, we actively transfer skills, developing the capability of the organisation and enabling the delivery of long term sustainable change.

Q How long have you been trading?

A Just coming up to the 2-year mark.

Q What makes your company unique?

A Training is not enough and many Continuous Improvement initiatives fail because they follow the latest fad in training. We help with programme design, interactive training and coaching to ensure successful projects and cultural adoption.

Q What has been your greatest business success to date?

A Developing a 3-day Lean course that’s based on a role-play simulation. The feedback from participants has been fantastic and the format and content motivated individuals to deliver a successful improvement project.

Q What motivated you to set up in business?

A Having worked for many years with a number of global organisations I wanted to help local businesses develop and implement Continuous Improvement and Quality Management programmes but with a pragmatic, sustainable approach.

Q What has been the hardest part of setting up your own business?

A Having worked for almost 30 years in large corporations, the initial transition was difficult, being prepared for the quiet times as well as the busy times.

Q What do you like most running your own company?

A Seeing those ‘light bulb’ moments when people start to really understand the tools and concepts and believe they can make a difference.

Q In terms of business achievements, where do you want to be within the next 5 years?

A Being the first point of contact for local organisations when they need support or advice with Continuous Improvement, whether it’s developing staff, coaching projects or helping to solve quality or process problems.

Q What advice would you give to someone thinking of starting up their own company?

A Don’t be afraid to use your network and make time to get out and develop new contacts and networks.

Workspace elements that attract today’s millennial workforce The Haymarket survey highlights key productivity factors Having the right office workspace to attract today’s millennial workforce is now a vital ingredient in the employment proposition if employers want a happy and productive team.

An independent survey commissioned by tHe Haymarket Edinburgh, a significant £200m office, retail and leisure development, has found that 60% of employees aged 26-34 consider open plan workspace as much more appealing space to work in compared to only 31% of 45-54 years olds.

The survey, conducted by Yolo Comms, questioned senior executives of over 200 of Scotland’s Top 500 businesses on key issues affecting their decision-making when it comes to attracting top talent into their workforce.

Aside from having the ‘right address’ and proximity to public transport, the survey found that office attributes such as open plan layouts and breakout

space, were considered as strong motivators when considering a new position of employment.

In their quest to attract and retain today’s millennial workforce many companies are rethinking their physical space to fit such employees’ preferences.

Graham Haydon-White, Development Director, Tiger Developments joint venture partner on tHe Haymarket Edinburgh £200m scheme with Interserve PLC, said: “Today’s professionals want the freedom and choice to work where and how they want, which means they no longer want to be tethered to a single workstation for eight hours a day.

They want spaces that inspire them and allow them to collaborate with others and work to their full potential.

“It’s all about driving up productivity and tHe Haymarket, due for office element phase one

completion end 2018, could not be better placed with its highly connected city centre location.”

For workspace to inspire and appeal to this new generation of tech-savvy and ambitious workforce, commercial developers must encompass these elements to meet millennial expectations. www.thehaymarketedinburgh.com

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ADVERTORIAL

Break-out Our Mission: to make a positive difference in young people through their participation in creative arts activities.

Show which allows young people to shine Edinburgh Gang Show is the biggest annual theatrical show starring young people in the UK. With a cast of 300 young people aged between 8 and 25 years old the long established show follows a well-recognised format of variety theatre set within a modern context.

Performed annually since 1960, the Edinburgh Gang Show has become one of the most popular events at the King’s Theatre with members of Girlguiding and Scouting showcasing their creative talents to audiences of more than 6,000 people every November.

Our young people can become involved in a range of activities including auditioning, rehearsing and performing in both acting and musical roles, or in helping pre-show as active members of our talented company wardrobe team, or in assisting with building scenery but, most importantly, in supporting each other.

These activities also play a critical part in preparing young people for working life and their role in society in later years. Our young people gain skills and abilities such as problem solving, effective team working, creativity, self-confidence, practical skills in theatre art and in presenting themselves to the public on the professional stage.

The cost of annually staging Edinburgh Gang Show is now in excess of £75,000 and as a company and registered Scottish charity we are continually looking at ways to work in partnership with other national and local organisations and businesses to find creative ways to raise funds alongside supporting these organisations with their own social responsibility objectives to bring their values and aspirations alive in an innovative way.

If you are interested in working with us to support these young people in their journey you can do this in a number of ways: Sponsor a number of seats at £20 per seat.

These can either be for staff of your company or allocated to a local charity of your choice.

Providing advice or support to our volunteer Management and Business Committees or

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to the Board of Trustees of Edinburgh Gang Show Productions Limited.

Sponsor a costume. We can let you know what the themes are for our next production and the number of young people involved along with the likely cost. We make most of the costumes ourselves and purchase others as needed. You could sponsor all or some of the costumes for a particular theme or for the entire show.

Join the Edinburgh Gang Show community by becoming an Individual or Corporate Member of EGSPL – this costs annually £20 per person and for this you will receive: A ticket to the Thursday night show in an area reserved for members

An invitation to the after-show members’ reception following the Thursday evening performance where you will have the opportunity to meet with production team, the senior cast members and the crew.

Updates on what is happening An invitation to the Company Annual Review together with voting rights on decisions that will affect the ongoing development and future of the company and Edinburgh Gang Show.

Advertise and promote your company in our show programme or via links on our social networking sites.

ADVERTORIAL

Gathering support for the Edinburgh Gang Show The long-established show follows a fully balanced and recognised format of variety theatre set within a modern context with youngsters from both Scouting and Girlguiding movements showcasing their creative talents by performing to audiences of more than 6,000 people annually at the city’s King’s Theatre.

Involvement in the Show provides our young people with the new skills and experience of working as a team and being part of a significant project with all the usual demands of milestones, targets and achievement as well as building confidence and self-esteem.

The increasing costs associated with theatrical production and the storage of scenery and costumes were seen as impacting on the funding available to local Scouting and Girlguiding and, therefore, it was agreed that to ensure the continuation of Gang Show in the city that an independent company would be more able to source funding and sponsorship without affecting the support already being given by local business to the youth and community organisations.

Edinburgh Gang Show Productions Limited was registered as a company limited by guarantee at Companies House and as a Registered Scottish Charity in November 2002.

All those who sponsor or support the show will have their name mentioned in our annual souvenir programme.

We cannot put a price on the personal reward you will get through being involved or simply watching the show.

Edinburgh Gang Show Productions Limited 23 Montrose Way Dunblane, FK15 9JL e-mail: egspl.finance@btinternet.com

The 2016 Edinburgh Gang Show will be performed at the King’s Theatre from Tuesday 15 – Saturday 19 November with evening performances commencing at 7:00pm with a Saturday Matinee at 2:15pm.

Tickets are available from the King’s or Festival Theatre Box Offices (0131 529 6000) If you are interested in finding out more please make contact with our Business Support team:

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ADVERTORIAL

FEATURE: CHARITY/CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Providing support for vulnerable people Rowan Alba is transforming lives as it works across Scotland to support vulnerable people on their journey to a home of their own.

The charity gets its name from the Rowan tree, which was in Celtic mythology known as the Travellers’ Tree, because it prevented people getting lost.

Today, Rowan Alba works with men, women and children whose lives are chaotic, often due to domestic abuse, drug or alcohol dependency or mental health issues, which can lead to homelessness.

Rowan Alba services in Edinburgh, Perth and Kinross and Angus reduce the chances of that happening through services based on: Accepting people as they are.

Supporting those ready to move to a more independent life, offering a balance between independent, supported and communal living.

Including people in society with ongoing care for those who are not ready, or whose life experiences have left them unable to live independent of support.

This year Rowan Alba celebrates its 10 year anniversary and is hosting a wide range of events. To find out more information please visit our website or social media.

0131 229 7554 info@rowanalba.org www.rowanalba.org /RowanalbaLtd

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We want to get to know you better!

When you have been through the experience of losing someone you love, you can understand the importance of working to ensure that people are cared for in the best possible way in their last months, weeks and days. St Columba’s Hospice cares - and we know you care too.

St Columba’s Hospice is in Trinity, Edinburgh and since the day we first opened in 1977 we have been at the heart of our community, providing care and support to people when they need it most.

We rely on fundraising to keep our doors open and our partnerships with corporate organisations are an important and valued part of our fundraising.

How you can help: n Participate in our events n Make us your Charity of the Year n Corporate sponsorship n Matched giving n Payroll Giving n Organise your own event n Gifts in kind n Volunteering.

We can help you by: n Demonstrating your social responsibility n Engaging your staff and boosting morale n Raising your brand awareness n Providing potential PR opportunities.

To find out more please call Barbara Brockie on 0131 551 1381 or email bbrockie@stcolumbashospice.org.uk.

Erskine Caring for Veterans As Scotland’s foremost provider of care for veterans and their spouses, Erskine offer unrivalled nursing, residential, respite and dementia care in their four homes across Scotland, with its East Coast home based in Gilmerton, Edinburgh.

Erskine’s strength lies in the special blend of dedicated care, compassion and understanding offered to residents and their families. Erskine’s person-centred care is tailored to the needs of each individual veteran.

Our service personnel display the highest levels of bravery and courage throughout the world, and it’s only right that Erskine is there for them should they need care in the future. Erskine depends heavily on support not only from individuals, but from corporates too. Company of the Year Partnerships are crucial to Erskine and the support it provides to its veterans.

Erskine has to raise £8.8m every year to support veterans in their care. That’s £170k a week. Can you help?

Find out more about the work that Erskine do by contacting Nikki Neesam, Erskine fundraiser for the East on 0131 666 9961, or email nikki.neesam@ erskine.org.uk. www.erskine.org.uk

ADVERTORIAL

FEATURE: CHARITY/CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

TEAM Together Everyone Achieves More!

Reduce your impact Your opportunity on the environment to help out at the Gang Show

Changeworks identifies opportunities for your organisation to improve its energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and waste.

We deliver practical sustainability solutions based on over 25 years’ experience and the latest in good practice.

Our services To support you with the efficient management of your resources and staff behaviour change, we provide consultancy advice, programme and project management and training in all aspects of: n Energy efficiency and fuel poverty n Recycling for businesses (by Changeworks Recycling) and waste n Carbon reduction.

How we help n Specialist advice: Our expert team will advise your organisation on energy efficiency, renewables, transport, business waste, carbon reduction and behaviour change. To support your goals and decision making, we can also carry out social research and analysis, energy modelling and fuel poverty analysis

Edinburgh Gang Show is the biggest annual theatrical show starring young people in the UK. With a cast of 300 young people aged between 8 and 25-years-old the show follows a well-recognised format of variety theatre set within a modern context.

Performing annually since 1960 the Edinburgh Gang Show has become one of the most popular events at the city’s King’s Theatre with members of Scouting and Girlguiding showcasing their creative talents to more than 6,000 people every November.

The cost of staging Edinburgh Gang Show is now approaching £75,000 annually and as a company and registered Scottish charity the organisation is continually looking at ways to work in partnership with other national and local organisations and businesses to raise funds.

n Programme and project management: We can manage your energy and waste reduction projects, working in partnership with others, locally or internationally.

If you are interested in helping, you can do this in a number of ways, including sponsorship, offering advice, becoming a member or advertising.

n Training: To empower your staff, our experts will design and deliver training such as behaviour change theory, energy and fuel poverty awareness.

If you are interested please contact our Business Support team:

Contact us now: Call 0131 555 4010 Email workwithus@changeworks.org.uk

Edinburgh Gang Show Productions Limited 23 Montrose Way, Dunblane, FK15 9JL e-mail: egspl.finance@btinternet.com

Great Scottish Events is a social enterprise providing recreational activities for the benefit of the community. Our activities can offer various opportunities to the charity and corporate market: Charities or “Not for Profit” Groups sector: • Economical way to raise funds • 100% of all money raised is paid directly to your charity • Our events reduce costs, stress and saves time • Set your own charity pledge amount • Entry on our website with a link to your own site • Activities have full risk assessments, liability insurance and secure entry systems • Inclusive and accessible to all abilities and age groups Business Sector: ENTER: • On behalf of your charity • To improve staff wellbeing • To support your CSR • To encourage teamwork • Gain a sense of achievement VOLUNTEER: • Staff development • Learn new skills • Help develop a strong team • Positive influence on your company • Increased team working SPONSOR: • Enhance brand reputation • Engage directly with your target audience • Immerse your brand in local community • Unusual and unique outdoor event • Unique publicity and media coverage To find out how we can support your business or charity, please contact Andy Waugh Tel: (0131 - 620 0190 / 07753 385329) Email: info@greatscottishevents.org.uk www.greatscottishevents.org.uk

Visit www.changeworks.org.uk

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SPECIAL REPORT

Sustaining and Building Economic Success the Key “The numbers” says Councillor Gavin Barrie, “are good when it comes to Edinburgh’s economy. Pretty much all good. The trick is to make sure they stay that way…”

Gavin Barrie

Economy Convener

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And making sure they stay that way is very much to the fore in the thoughts of the capital’s Economy Convener. Innovation, lateral thinking and co-operative approaches and partnerships are all firmly on his agenda.

“By almost any measure, Edinburgh’s economy is a real success story. Be that

looking at employment figures, earnings, or inward investment, you can be sure Edinburgh is either top of any list or pretty close to it.

“But we can’t be complacent. It is in all our interests to ensure the city stays there, and to that end we are deeply engaged in the creation of a City Vision – in itself an innovation as we haven’t had a vision in the past. We want to speak with the widest cross-section of our city, across the spectrum, and look together at how we see our city in a decade, two decades, further into the future.

“We want to create a kind of forward plan on a super scale, one that as many people as possible buy in to and support, that will make it easier for us to develop the strategies

SPECIAL REPORT and policies to take us there with as few contentious issues as possible. Not easy, but a really interesting and exciting possibility.”

And there is good reason for his desire to ensure continuity of success – the numbers are very good: Edinburgh has one of the UK’s highest percentages of its employment age population in work – at more than 72% Median annual earnings, at £24,200, are the best outside London – and more than £1500 ahead of second placed Bristol Edinburgh’s Gross Value Added is, per capita, the best outside London at £34,500 Gross disposable income also tops the UK league (outside London) at £19,500 per resident These are just some of the thermometers used to test the temperature of local economies – and they indicate an Edinburgh in excellent health.

Cllr Barrie said: “Some key factors help underpin the success – perhaps none more than the highly educated, motivated workforce. At 55%, no other city in the UK

has a higher proportion of its workforce qualified to degree level or above. That level of educational attainment encourages employers operating in high value sectors such as finance, technology, science and research.

“The city’s creativity is another positive factor, illustrated most strongly by the contribution made by the Capital’s reputation as the world’s leading festival city. Edinburgh’s 12 festivals are estimated to contribute some £280 million of economic impact each year.

“That was brilliantly put into context recently.

The Festivals sell some 4.5 million tickets between them each year – about the same as the FIFA World Cup, which is regarded as one of the biggest shows on earth. Nations bid and spend billions attracting the World Cup. Yet every year, our festivals sell as many tickets.”

Our ability to innovate, he added, is also ably illustrated at Codebase, based in Castle Terrace, which is the UK’s largest technology incubator and run by a team with a proven track record in helping exciting, groundbreaking companies develop and succeed.

“There’s nothing quite like it anywhere else, and I am sure we will see more successful businesses grow out of it.”

While determined to ensure the economic success story continues, Councillor Barrie is also mindful that not all of the Capital’s population currently share in that success.

“We do have areas of significant poverty, we do have people out of work. We should never lose sight of that, and part of our strategy to take the city forward needs to be about ensuring that all of the population can play a positive part in future.”

A first major step on the journey should be on the horizon. A City Region Deal is being pulled together by a wide partnership working in Edinburgh and five other local authority areas, with the aim of delivering £1 billion in funding from the UK and Scottish Governments.

Councillor Barrie said: “We have been working with our partner local authorities, and with colleagues from the region’s Higher Education and Further Education sectors, to further develop an exciting and gamechanging deal. We are currently negotiating with the UK and Scottish governments on the City Region Deal.”

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SPECIAL REPORT

Getting financial planning and advice even more important than ever 1825 was launched by Standard Life in February 2015 in response to a clear need for a full financial planning and personal tax service. Unprecedented changes in regulation and market conditions means it has never been more complex for people to plan for their financial futures, but getting access to quality advice has become more difficult, and sometimes confusing. At 1825 we want to offer a full financial planning and tax advice service focused on client goals.

While 1825 is an Edinburgh-based business, our aim is to become a national financial planning service through the acquisition of existing advisory firms which represent a good strategic fit.

As a consequence 1825 now has offices in Edinburgh, London, Leeds, Sheffield, Bishop Auckland, Reading and the West of Scotland.

On completion of our latest acquisition we will have 63 financial planners and a new office in Crewe.

We have a strong advantage in that Standard Life has a strong reputation in the advisor market and this has played an important part in our growth strategy as the brand gives business owners: n comfort that they’re partnering with a reputable and established supporter of the advice industry n confidence that clients will be treated fairly n protection from the increasing complex regulatory burdens the advice market faces While acquisitions are a key element of our strategy, we also want to grow organically.

To help achieve this we established our 1825 Academy which will help us in recruiting, and providing training to the highest standards.

In addition, the Academy runs two ‘traineeships’, one for financial planners

and one for paraplanners and is one of only a handful of initiatives within the market. This will foster growth from within 1825 and develop the next generation of financial advice professionals. We are also seeing increasing opportunities through professional partnerships including employers and trustees looking to support employees through increased complexity.

An increasingly complex regulatory landscape means getting financial planning and advice even more important than ever before. Financial planning is often associated with older people, or those who have accrued considerable wealth. However research (and logic) indicates that the earlier you start on a financial planning journey, the more beneficial it will be.

In my view financial planning is becoming far more mainstream. While the complexity of an individual’s financial circumstances will determine what sort of service they need, there is no question that most people would benefit from some kind of advice.

There is a misconception that financial planning can be most valuable in times of difficulty. But even if nothing ever goes wrong, a financial planner can still help to boost your finances. The Value of Advice Report 2015 found that on average, people who have a financial plan expect to need to fund an extra 15 years of retirement compared to those who didn’t seek advice.

One of the advantages that come with being part of the Standard Life group is the resource that can be invested in research and development. Like other business sectors, innovation definitely has a part to play in financial planning, whether it’s through: n using digital techniques to enable more accurate and faster collection of information from clients; n investing in new technological capability such as advanced cash flow modelling tools’ and n using technology to improve the end to end client experience e.g. through client portals, personalised communications, etc.

We now have three quality businesses as part of the 1825 family and have also been putting lots of effort into developing our client propositions. We continue to believe there are huge opportunities. In the workplace many employers and trustees are looking to provide support for their employees as they reach retirement which we feel we are strongly placed for.

Alongside regular changes in tax and legislation, the overall financial landscape in the UK has undergone and continues to experience a huge amount of change – with no sign of slowing, I hope we can play an important role in highlighting the need for advice and helping as many people as possible on their financial journey.

"While 1825 is an Edinburgh-based business, our aim is to become a national financial planning service through the acquisition of existing advisory firms which represent a good strategic fit."

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SPECIAL REPORT

Steve Murray CEO, 1825

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Scotland’s future is prepared for work

SQA helps individuals realise their potential and achieve their ambitions by providing a wide range of high quality, internationally recognised qualifications and associated services.

Our qualifications are designed and structured to support people on their individual learning journeys, and give Scottish businesses a competitive advantage by enhancing the quality of the workforce.

We are ambitious for Scotland’s businesses, and a smart, well-trained and qualified workforce is essential for the future.

Understanding Qualifications

Local expert advice

At first sight, the Scottish qualification system might seem complex, but it is really very straightforward to understand. The fundamental aim is to provide a ‘learning ladder’ (or perhaps climbing frame would be more accurate, since you can go horizontally as well as up) that provides opportunities for everyone to achieve their full and true potential.

Every company working with SQA benefits from their own dedicated Regional Manager, an expert advisor they can trust. It’s a simple idea, but one that works perfectly — provide one main point of contact who takes time to get to know our customers and their business. The more customers know about what SQA will bring to their business, the more they will benefit.

The wide variety of qualifications offered by SQA, at various levels, allows the individual to plan their future path by offering a relevant qualification at the appropriate level so they can move sideways, or upwards, but always towards new skills. By developing their own abilities, they add to the growing pool of skills available to benefit Scotland’s economy.

Backed by a support team, and with access to sector specialists, your Regional Manager can advise on SQA’s very broad range of high quality, inclusive awards, and also the extensive customer services including accrediting and endorsing inhouse training.

Recognised by industry SQA qualifications are developed in partnership with industry experts across hundreds of sectors.

They cover a range of levels offering something for everyone, from new starts to senior management.

We quality-assure every qualification and make sure they keep pace with industry advances and changing regulations.

Our qualifications are credit rated on The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF), so they are easy to understand and universally transferrable. School, college, university, and many work-based qualifications are compared using two measures: level and credit. The level of a qualification shows how difficult the learning is, and the amount of credit shows the size of the qualification.

Find out more Successful relationships are formed by listening to your requirements and developing an understanding of your business. To find out more, please go to www.sqa.org.uk/businessdevelopment “SQA is proud to be at the heart of the education and skills system in Scotland and is committed to helping young people realise their potential and to achieve their ambitions.

SQA qualifications, highly regarded across the world for their consistent standards, are a valuable asset to those who achieve them.

They prepare people for life in general as well as for progression into further study, training or employment.”

Dr Janet Brown, SQA Chief Executive

Further information all about where SQA Qualifications sit on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework can be found at www.sqa.org.uk/scqf

Business Development T: 0303 333 0330 E: mycentre@sqa.org.uk W: www.sqa.org.uk/journeys

ADVERTORIAL

FEATURE: LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT

Employing the right people for a changing age If you have a vacancy for a young person, making the right choice is absolutely crucial because taking someone on is a big investment, particularly for a small business.

In the search for loyal, hard-working creative employees, companies need all the help they can get. That is why it makes such good sense to bring in Edinburgh-based Limelight Careers Limited, which specialises in finding talented Modern Apprentices aged 16-24 for administrative, business support and customer service roles.

Limelight’s role has become particularly valued at a time when there are so many young jobseekers on the market.

Through its links with schools and colleges, Limelight can offer a range of good young candidates when approached by a business seeking to fill a vacancy.

Limelight can also help businesses conduct the interview process, advising them on what to look for and how to select the best candidate as well as identifying key questions to ask.

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Director Monica Black said: “Using us makes a lot of sense for an employer as it takes the worry out of the process. We handle everything from the advertising of posts to the analysis of applications and the recruitment process itself.

“I think attitudes to apprenticeships are changing. More and more young people see a Modern Apprenticeship as a credible alternative to college or university in order to begin their careers.

“Also, more and more employers are seeing the value of taking on an apprentice and we interview all our candidates to make sure that when an employer approaches us with a vacancy, we offer them the best people for the job.

“Our motto is Work, Earn, Learn and that is because we emphasise to young people that an apprenticeship is not just a temporary job.

“An apprenticeship is a permanent job with a good salary, the capacity to be trained in further qualifications and the opportunity for career advancement. ”An apprenticeship has benefits for the employer as well because, by using our services, they have access to a bank of talented young people who are well suited to the role they wish to fill.

“We are really busy at the moment, providing apprentices for everything from small PR and legal companies to large businesses.”

Limelight’s involvement does not stop when the apprentices is taken on, either. At a time when business people must be 100 per cent focused on their companies, having someone like Limelight to deal with all the ongoing administration of the Apprenticeship programme is a real benefit.

To that end, the company’s expert team will keep an eye on the young person throughout the apprenticeship.

With so many young people on the market, Limelight’s ability to select the right candidate for your business is a key reason why bringing them in makes so much sense.

If you wish to take advantage of that expertise, you can contact Veronica McNeill at the Limelight office on 0131 516 9111 or veronica@limelightcareers.co.uk

ADVERTORIAL

FEATURE: LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT

Choosing an independent education

As a parent, it’s natural to want to give your child every opportunity to discover what they’re good at and what they love doing in a safe and supportive environment. Which is why, in Scotland we are very fortunate. We have a wide range of first-rate independent schools to choose from. So whether you have a tech-loving future internet entrepreneur on your hands, or a child who craves hours of fresh air and exercise every day, Scotland’s independent schools can offer you the freedom to find the right educational environment for your son or daughter.

You have a choice of: n Single sex or co-educational schools n Large and small schools in both urban and countryside settings n Day schools, boarding schools and those who offer both n Schools equipped to deal with Complex Additional Support Needs

A healthy and diverse mix of backgrounds Scotland has always placed great value on education, and today more than 30,000 children and young people attend an independent school. Over 25% of pupils received financial assistance with fees in 2015-16, while nearly a third of boarders came from overseas.

The healthy mix of abilities and backgrounds that abound are as varied as the personalities of the children themselves. Altogether making

for a vibrant and modern community that mirrors the real world and will serve your child well for the future.

The independent school advantage When children are young we often wonder what the future will hold. Will they be musical? Will they be academic? Who will they choose as their friends? Scotland’s independent schools are set up to give your child every opportunity both inside and outside the classroom.

The schools’ reputation for academic excellence is an obvious attraction for many parents. Smaller pupil/teacher ratios and significant investment in modern, stimulating teaching facilities attracts the highest calibre of teaching staff capable of igniting a passion for the subjects they teach.

Born digital natives, most children and young people today want to feel stretched, challenged and inspired by new technology.

While the imposing architecture of some school buildings might give off an air of Hogwarts, once inside it’s definitely more ipad Air and the magic of cloud computing.

and friendliest places in the world to study. The schools have an enviable record for success.

Combine this with an adventure-packed landscape to both explore and study, and it’s easy to see why Scotland remains such a popular choice. For more information about boarding in Scotland visit www. scotlandsboardingschools.org.uk.

See for yourself All schools welcome visits from prospective families throughout the year. Look out for details of Open Days on the school’s website, or alternatively ask for an appointment where staff will be delighted to show you round, give you a feel for life at the school and answer any questions you may have.

For more information, advice and guidance on choosing an independent school in Scotland visit the Scottish Council of Independent Schools (SCIS) website at:

www.scis.org.uk 0131 556 2316 info@scis.org.uk

Boarding Scotland’s boarding schools offer something unique; a breadth and depth of education that is as rich as the landscape and culture it’s set in. Scotland is also one of the safest

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CHAMBER NEWS

Cementation Skanska delivers prestigious projects in Scotland

Chris Grodzicki

Jamie Dunbar

Cementation Skanska is a locally-based piling and ground engineering business with a long history of working in Scotland.

Jamie Dunbar, Director at Cementation Skanska, explained: “We have a wide range of specialist piling and ground engineering expertise, covering everything from CFA, rotary bored and mini-piles and grouting and we’ve used every technique in Scotland. That knowledge is backed up by an in-house team of design and technical experts. We’re always on hand to provide help

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and advice and have a track record in solving complex problems for our customers.”

loading restrictions on the tunnels and onerous vibration limits were not to be exceeded.

Commenting on the work undertaken in Scotland, Chris Grodzicki, Director, says: “We deliver an amazing breadth of projects in Scotland, including buildings and complex infrastructure. Our strength is that we are locally based, but have the backing of Skanska – one of the world’s leading construction and development companies – which brings a huge range of benefits for our customers. When you link this with our history of quality and innovation, it’s not surprising that we work on so many of Scotland’s largest construction projects.”

Grodzicki says: “Cementation Skanska’s large and diverse fleet of 48 rigs gives it an edge.

Working closely with customer, Interserve, Cementation Skanska safely completed the first phase of piling on the prestigious tHe Haymarket Development site in Edinburgh.

We have pioneered the use of our innovative Energy Piles® which use geothermal energy and can help heat or cool the building they support. We were a partner in the European Union’s RuFuS project – developing guidelines to allow foundations be reused more often.

With two operational railway tunnels running beneath the site, the piles needed to be installed in such a way that they sit between the tunnels and at least three metres from the tunnel lining.

The piling technique and procedures selected ensured that Network Rail’s requirements for the tunnels were met. For example, construction plant

“We have everything from small rigs, which weigh just two tonnes, to large 180 tonne rigs.

Our extensive fleet of multipurpose rigs really helps when we are working with the highly variable soil profile you encounter in Scotland.”

We are committed to being green, sustainable and protecting the environment. Skanska has been named greenest company in the UK by the Sunday Times.

Cementation Skanska has built a respected reputation over a number of years in Scotland and is based at the Eurocentral Offices in Motherwell. To find out more email us at: cementation@skanska.co.uk or call: 01698 735899.

ADVERTORIAL

Alternative Providers: The Right Solution for your Business?

Let me start by saying that I don’t think there is anything wrong with going for the mainstream, big name products. (I’m an Apple devotee afterall.)

Saying that, I’m also a big believer in seeking out alternative suppliers and most of the software on my Apple kit has been developed by one, two, or ten man bands.

The most important thing is that you have the right tool for the job. And that doesn’t always mean having a recognisable logo on the side of it.

Finding the right piece of software (or other equipment) isn’t always easy. Sometimes you’ll be tempted to go with the big names because you think that, by paying that premium, you’ll be getting the best product on the market. But that’s not always true.

In my experience, going with an alternative provider can get you a system that is better for you and your business, offers you more for your money, and comes with a more personal service than you’d get with the big guys.

But how do you find these alternatives?

1. Educate yourself The very first thing you need to do when shopping around is ‘know what you need’ and then read up and learn about the various products. This helps you cut through the jargon that will come from the sales people you’ll eventually speak to and also firms up your idea of exactly which features you need (as well as those that you really don’t).

leader along with the word “alternative.” I’ve personally found that little addition brings up a whole range of smaller, but still high quality companies.

As you find these potential providers, you’ll naturally start to make some mental notes.

But why keep it all in your head?

3. Make a List

You might start off this education process on the market leader’s website, although I would encourage you to read up on blogs and industry publications to get a good idea of what kinds of options are out there.

I’m not normally a big list builder and I’m not suggesting you necessarily have to go through a big Pro/Con process, but writing up a list of all the providers you think have the right solution for you.

Once you feel like you have a reasonable understanding of the market, the next logical thing is to head over to your favourite search engine.

Why not rank them and make some notes about what each brings to the table.

2. Remember Google has more than one page When you first type in your search, you’ll find the big names in the industry, without any trouble. But as I said before, just because they’re the market leaders doesn’t mean that they are the right provider for you.

Try looking at the second (or even third!) page of Google. Maybe type in the market

You may even be able to negotiate a better deal.

After you’ve had the chance to talk to someone, maybe had a demo of the system, you’ll be able to go back to your list with a better idea of which product is right for you.

All of this information might actually end up making your decision harder, but you’ll have far more confidence that whatever decision you make will be the right one.

It might be the market leader. It might not.

But either way, you’ve now located the tool that is the perfect fit for your business.

It’s a process that takes an investment of time, but in my experience, this extra time is never wasted.

Now that you’ve got your list together, I’m going to suggest something rather radical: give them a call.

4. Talk to Someone No really, I want you to pick up the phone and speak to their sales people.

Yes they want to sell you something, but by talking to them you’ll get a better idea of the full potential of the system and it will give you a feel for their company culture—possibly the fastest way to gauge how they handle customer service.

Graham Anderson, is the CEO and founder of OpenCRM, one of the UK’s leading customer relationship management systems.

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ADVERTORIAL

PremiAir loves Loyalty A loyalty card scheme has been launched to reward regular users of a car parking service at Edinburgh Airport.

The car park operated by PremiAir Parking Edinburgh Ltd, which recently celebrated its first anniversary, is proving popular with business people flying out from Edinburgh Airport to take part in meetings abroad and the company wanted to reward its loyal customers.

Numbers of people using the service have been growing steadily because PremiAir’s safe and secure car park is conveniently located just three minutes from the airport.

The car park offers a wide variety of short, medium and long stay parking services for business and leisure travellers wishing to leave their vehicles.

It is an important service because more than 40 airlines serving 100 worldwide destinations use the Capital’s airport with

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an average of 25,100 passengers streaming through on a daily basis with many of them arriving by car. PremiAir believes that with so much to think about, car parking should be as hassle-free as possible.

Now the company has launched a loyalty scheme. Customers are offered a loyalty card which is stamped on their return journey by the bus driver. When they accrue six stamps, the drivers earn up to two free stays at the car park.

PremiAir Head of Operations Carole Harper said: “We have always valued loyalty from our customers and the loyalty card scheme is an excellent way to reward them for continuing to use us.

“Our customers appreciate the way we seek to meet the needs of every traveller using Edinburgh Airport. Whether people are flying for business or pleasure, we’re open 24/7, 365 days of the year and our car park is safe and secure so they can have complete peace of mind when they leave their vehicle.

“There is a lot to think about when you are

flying and we go out of our way to make sure that parking the car is worry-free.”

PremiAir’s secure parking at Edinburgh Airport offers comprehensive CCTV coverage to make sure that the vehicles are watched at all times and their ANPR automatic number plate recognition system allows customers to come and go with ease.

Additionally, they are a proud holder of the Park Mark Award and a member of the British Parking Association, which means you can be confident that you will be leaving your vehicle in capable hands.

PremiAir also runs a courtesy coach transfer to the terminal as part of the package. The bus drops off and picks up at stand 6 at the coach park.

For more information about PremiAir’s loyalty scheme or parking at Edinburgh Airport, please get in touch with a member of the team at charper@premiairparking.co.uk or call 0131 297 0777.

Drive, park, fly

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£14.50 for 24 h rs!

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e you We valu

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Did we mention we loved our customers? At PremiAir we really do, and to show our appreciation we have our very own loyalty programme, which like our parking is simple. Collet 6 stamps from the driver and get your 6th stay free (up to 2 days).

Quote "Chamber15" to receive 15% off* gate price!

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ADVERTORIAL

City Cabs Free Wifi Sticker(border).pdf 1 05/05/2016 09:01:12

City Cabs – moving with the times C

M

Y

The modern taxi passenger needs constant access to information while on the move and City Cabs has set out to make that a possibility by providing complimentary WiFi within each vehicle.

City Cabs can also offer customers an online booking service where they can book, track, cancel and even check previous jobs giving them full control over their account.

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

They have an iPhone and Android App which allows customers to book a job, track their taxi, cancel bookings and even pay by card.

The app saves the customer’s details and job history, giving them an efficient alternative to calling in.

City Cabs, which recently celebrated its 90th anniversary in Edinburgh, was created when 25 taxi drivers got together in September 1925 and decided to form an Association to benefit the Edinburgh taxi trade and its drivers.

The City Cabs fleet has also been fitted with Chip & Pin machines that accept Apple Pay and Contactless Payments.

Since then it has always aimed to be the leader in its field through the provision of a high customer service level and a continued willingness to innovate.

City Cabs, which currently has more than 440 members in the Association and more than 1,100 registered drivers, has always moved with the technological times through regular redesigns of its equipment.

Technology is central to everything that it does. For instance, its despatch system allows the company to track, and communicate with, every driver in an instant.

Kia Soul EV

All electric, zero emissions

Now Available For Only £24,195 (including the Government £4,500 grant)

Belmont Sighthill Bankhead Drive Sighthill, Edinburgh, EH11 4DJ 0131 665 3691

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DISCOVERY SPORT TD4 SE ADVENTURE. FROM £327 A MONTH +VAT IT’S IN OUR DNA. JAGUAR XE ALL WHEEL DRIVE DISCOVERY SPORT

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INACCESSIBLE JUST BECAME ACCESSIBLE With standard equipment and competitive running costs, Discovery Sport gives you all the capability and space you need for both business trips and weekend adventures.

Business Contract Hire. Initial rental in advance of £1,962 +VAT. 36 month term. 10,000 miles per annum. VAT payable at 20%. Model pictured (including optional metallic) from £339 a month +VAT, plus initial rental in advance of £2,034 +VAT.

DISCOVERY SPORT From 129 g/km CO2 Up to 57.7mpg From Group 24E Insurance rating

Pentland Land Rover Newbridge, Edinburgh, EH28 8TH Tel: 0131 341 5830 pentland.edinburgh.landrover.co.uk Dunkeld Road, Perth, PH1 3GD Tel: 01738 480 140 pentland.perth.landrover.co.uk

Official Fuel Consumption Figures for the Discovery Sport TD4 150HP Manual 5 Door in mpg (l/100km): Urban 50.4 (5.6), Extra Urban 62.8 (4.5), Combined 57.7 (4.9). CO2 emissions 129 g/km. Official EU Test Figures. For comparison purposes only. Real world figures may differ. *Important Information - Business users only. Based on a Discovery Sport 2.0L TD4 150HP Manual 4WD SE with standard specification, non-maintained. Excess mileage charges (at 9.3p per mile).

Must be returned in good condition to avoid further charges. Contract Hire subject to status. This promotion cannot be used together with other manufacturer’s promotions and is subject to availability at participating Retailers only for new vehicles ordered by 30th September 2016. Contract Hire is provided by Land Rover Contract Hire, a trading style of Lex Autolease Limited, Heathside Park, Heathside Park Road, Stockport SK3 0RB. Model shown is a Discovery Sport TD4 Manual 4WD SE 5DR with optional metallic paint.

SECRET OF SUCCESS

Name: Carrie Campbell Business name: Thomson Cooper Website: www.thomsoncooper.com Q1. How did you get into your role?

I developed a late interest in accounting at high school going straight from sixth year to an office junior role with a national accounting firm. I moved to Bill Hay & Co in 1999, qualified as an ACCA in 2006 and became a director in 2009. Bill Hay & Co was acquired by Thomson Cooper in 2014 and I was appointed as Partner.

Q2. What is your proudest achievement?

I would love to say that’s work related but becoming a mum and bringing a little life into the world, nurturing and steering them in life can never be beaten.

Q3. Where would you like to be in 5 years time?

The accountancy profession is going through significant change and the needs of clients are evolving. Gone are the times where taking care of the compliance was enough. With that in mind, still being a partner at Thomson Cooper but looking after more clients and being seen as a trusted advisor to family businesses.

Q4. What is your biggest passion (in and out of work)?

Out of work my family and friends who I love spending time with and making memories. In work, well that follows a similar theme whether it be clients or staff, working with people and helping them is my biggest passion.

Q5. How do you wind down after a busy day at work?

Q7. What is the best piece of advice you have been given?

Reading or chatting with my daughter, watching football and the soaps. I also have recently joined a clubbercise class which is great fun.

That when the pressure is on, you need to take time to assess on a scale of 1 to 10 how life threatening the problems are and devise a plan accordingly. Don’t let issues overcome you.

Q6. Who has been the biggest influence in your career?

Q8. Describe your approach to work in 3 words?

My parents.

Dedicated, collaborative, professional.

NEW MEMBERS

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Anglian Water Business

Courtyard Marriott Edinburgh

Infinite Content Ltd

Apex Hotels Ltd

David Narro Associates Ltd

Interwoven PR

AR Payroll & Consultancy

Dirty Work Clearances

Party at the Palace

Avenue North Ltd

DJ Alexander & DJ Alexander Legal

SP Energy Networks

Business Fives

Dulas Ltd

Tarrymore Music

Business in the Community Scotland

eCom Scotland Ltd

The Persian Trader

Chrysallis Counselling

Edinburgh Management Consulting Ltd

VOCAL - Voice of Carers Across Lothian

Claremont Office Interiors (Scotland) Ltd

EPA Internships in Europe-Edinburgh

Connect Telecom

Euler Hermes

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ASK THE EXPERT

We should focus more on the present and the future and stop looking back The last couple of months just go to show what a mad, unpredictable world we live in.

If back in May I had said to you that both the Prime Minster and the Chancellor would resign, that Boris Johnson would be Foreign Secretary, Jeremy Corbyn would still be the leader of the Labour party, that we were going to be leaving the EU and something called Pokeman Go would be more effective at fighting obesity than every exercise DVD on the planet, you would have said I had ‘lost it’.

Only a month ago most economists were forecasting an interest rate rise, Turkey would be joining the EU; I now wonder how many people are still 100% sure that Donald Trump will never be president. And by the way Andy Murray won Wimbledon and Olympic gold for the second time.

Whilst I don’t think anyone could have predicted all the events that we have experienced in the last couple of months, I was taken back by many people’s Victor Meldrew ‘I don’t believe it’ attitude and the lack of a plan B. In this world of governance and risk management it seemed surprising that people and businesses hadn’t thought through these possibilities. As usual many people started the blame game, got quite angry about the situation and spent a lot of wasted time venting about the situations.

From my experience the best approach is to quickly come to terms with the result, as they say the result is the result (or as a good friend of mine would say, ‘dry your eyes and get on with it’). What truly makes the difference is to consciously choose your response to the

situation and by doing so you naturally focus on what you control, which in any of these situations is just yourself. As a result you can grow your circle of influence wider and start to have a greater influence on what is going on around you, within your networks and with your colleagues, customers and clients.

We can all spend time thinking and discussing the past, the present or the future. From my perspective the past is best left for the history books, for Friday night stories in the pub, for learning from and for the golden memories of past family and friends. We should focus more on the present and the future and stop looking back. Looking back all the time holds you back, becoming an anchor to you moving forward, eventually draining you of energy and impacting on your beliefs and approach to work and life. Focusing on the present and the future increases your self awareness, generates a desire for action and to create a better place.

People who focus on the future, naturally are more optimistic, believe things can be improved and get up every morning with a desire to build a better future for themselves, their family and friends. If you focus on the future, you will typically take more accountability for your own destiny, believe that you can change your future and have greater ownership and commitment. How much of your time each day is spent looking back rather than forwards?

When we look forwards we can either look from the ‘present forward’ or from the ‘future

back’. If we look from the present forward we tend to limit ourselves with regard to what is possible, we start thinking in small steps and that everything has to be sequential.

However, if we look ‘future back’ the possibilities are much greater, the aspirations bigger and the thinking doesn’t have the same boundaries. JFK didn’t go to NASA and ask them what needs to be true to put a man on the moon. He made the bold statement that an American would stand on the moon by the end of the decade. This changed peoples mindsets, barriers became hurdles, problems became challenges and as they say the rest is history.

Rather than learning from the past you can learn from the present and see real inspirational ‘future back’ thinking in action by watching both the Olympics and Paralympics in Rio. The Paralympics in particular showcase inspirational ‘future back’ thinking in action. These athletes have chosen not to be limited by their past, their future back approach (and a lot of hard work) has made their dreams become a reality and allowed them to achieve performances that will leave many of us amazed. So what dream will you make a reality?

Mark Douglas hosts the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce’s “Business Planning & Strategy Development” course, next taking place on Oct 28th 2016. To book email training@ edinburghchamber.co.uk.

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FEATURE: FINANCE/LEGAL

ADVERTORIAL

Working from home safely? How would an employer know?

Are you legally compliant?

A Homeworker is defined as a person who works in his or her own home as opposed to the workplace of the employer, for remuneration, which results in a product or service as specified by the employer, irrespective of who provides the equipment, materials or other inputs used.

So, perhaps knowing that persons’ occasionally performing work from home, are not homeworkers, is good start?

For “legal beavers” consider the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992, requiring the control of hazards and don’t forget fire prevention (there were 39,600 home fires in 2013-14).

The homeworker carries some responsibility such as the safety of flooring, electricity, gas, heating, lighting and general housekeeping. After all it is their home, so that is to be expected.

Display Screen Equipment (DSE) risks are easily overlooked when working at home.

Many homeworkers do not have the luxury of dedicated space and therefore make-do by setting up a workspace at their dining table or kitchen worktop, not acceptable.

Risk assessments must be completed by the homeworker and reviewed by the line manager.

The homeworker involved must be given training in the assessment process, in the first place.

The risk assessment should take into account the individual’s health, maturity, trustworthiness, self-sufficiency, selfdiscipline and good time management.

Health issues may affect someone working alone due to loneliness, lack of general interaction and not feeling part of a team. It is essential that homeworkers’ stay in regular contact with colleagues to ensure a positive home/work life balance and perhaps the occasion visit from the line manager would be considered a nice welfare touch?

The actual work may involve additional risks such as ergonomics, the employer must consider the provision of suitable desk, chair, working furniture and IT equipment, (if the homeworker does not have).

So the training of our homeworkers on safety assessments and clear checklist questions, home visit seems a good process to follow.

Douglas Cameron Head of Health and Safety Services Law At Work Mobile 07810851458 Douglas.cameron@lawatwork.co.uk

Gobbledygook.

Your business needs pragmatic Health & Safety advice, not meaningless mumbo-jumbo. At an annual capped cost, we can provide up-to-date specialist knowledge that’s commercially focused and joyously jargon free. But if you are partial to a bit of waffle, we could always arrange a breakfast meeting. lawatwork.co.uk To find out how we are disrupting the market with expert, value for money advice, email info@lawatwork.co.uk or call 0141 271 5555 to arrange an appointment.

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Artwork

October/November 2016 Client: LAW Doc: 1-00101814.005 LAW Gobble Business Comment (110x180) AW Project: Brand Campaign

Size: (110)mm x (180)mm

A/C: Julie

AW: RB

FEATURE: FINANCE/LEGAL

ADVERTORIAL

HMRC & Making Tax Digital (MTD) How and when your tax affairs are moving online By 2020, HMRC wants all taxpayers to digitally submit all paperwork, completely scrapping the use of physical paper copies of everything from self-assessment to annual accounts.

In a world where everything is slowly ‘going digital’, the HMRC and the Government hopes that this move to digital tax accounts will be a positive one, giving taxpayers a complete picture of their tax position at any given time.

In return for more real-time information on their tax position, the government has made it clear that individuals and small businesses must supply information more than once a year.

From 2018, companies and taxpayers who earn more than £10,000 a year from self-employment or letting a property, including pensioners, will have to update HMRC “at least quarterly”. But how and when will your tax affairs move online? We have laid out a brief timeline to put you in the picture: June 2016 - you can open your digital tax account.

December 2016 - bank interest above the

personal savings allowance will be included in your tax code June 2017 - you will be able to report any taxable income online and pay off your debts like a credit card December 2017 - your tax code will be automatically adjusted every month to avoid you over - or underpaying tax via PAYE June 2018 - your bank interest will be shown in your digital tax account

transition. To help people navigate their digital tax accounts, advice and support will be offered through a live web chat tool that connects taxpayers to advisers, and through secure messaging, which will be saved as a record.

Virtual assistant, “Ruth” will also be available to answer frequently asked questions around the clock.

For the 11m taxpayers whom HMRC estimates need digital help, it is also promoting the concept of “trusted helpers” — a more digitally savvy friend or relative registered to assist complete their tax Don’t leave it too late! affairs online.

The implementation of a compliant scheme

Are you ready for Auto Enrolment?

December 2018 - landlords and the selfemployed will start updating HMRC online at New legislation states that employers are legally least four timesrequired a yearto automatically enrol their staff into a pension scheme and make contributions.

can take time.

ensuring that you are prepared.

advice, email our in-house expert Lisa Bruce at lisa.bruce@acumen.info or visit www.acumen. info

To remove all uncertainty and doubt about the 2019 - you will have to pay capital gains tax within All employers have been given a staging date; this Acumen can assist with all elements of correct way to file tax digitally and 30 days of sellingisathe second rental property deadlinehome by whichor you will need to have a Auto Enrolment, relieving the accounts additional scheme in place and be ready to enrol workers. burden and peace foradministrative advice on how toproviding prepare forof these change mind for the employer.

2020 - all tax affairs will be conducted please contact a member of the Acumen team Acumen Accountants & Advisors Payroll Bureau has over 20 years’ experience in dealing with ever Failure to comply can incur considerable fines. through your online account* for further information on changing legislation and compliancies, we can take the pain out of the Auto Enrolment procedures, Please do contact us for more information enquiries@acumen.info or calland0845 270 1688. *HMRC has emphasised that “where customers genuinely cannot get online, it will provide alternatives such as telephone filing.”

Helplines will have an important role to play in supporting taxpayers during this digital

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60 SECONDS

Name: Andrew Morrison Company Name: AM Bid Services Ltd Website: www.ambidservices.co.uk Q In five words or less, what do you do?

A Write compelling bids and proposals Q How long have you been a Chamber member?

A 1 year Q Why did you join?

A To support AM Bid Services entry into the Edinburgh business community and beyond Q What services do you use?

A Attending training and networking events; accessing the member directory and delivering presentations for Chamber members Q What’s the best business/benefit you have won through the Chamber?

A Delivering my ‘How to Bid and Win’

presentation in 60 Really Useful Minutes has been an excellent platform in raising the profile of AM Bid Services Q Are there any additional services or information you’d be particularly interested in?

A With the business experiencing rapid growth, accessing Business Mentoring is next on my ‘to-do’ list Q If you were telling another business person about the Chamber, what’s the first thing you would say?

A I regularly sing the Chamber’s praises – the team is always on hand to help and we particularly appreciate their pro-active approach

Q Where do you read your copy of Business Comment?

A: On the train when I am on business trips for AM Bid Services. It’s always good to keep up to date with the latest developments in the Edinburgh business community

Cullen Freight in the driving seat after 18 years in the export and import business Independent freight forwarding company Cullen Freight, which was founded in 1998 by Spencer Cullen from Birmingham, is firmly positioned in the driving seat with over 18 years of experience in the freight industry and plans to expand its export arm of the business.

The company which currently transports everything from pharmaceuticals and clothing to fruit and vegetables and antiques in over 500 trucks per year, expected to reach 650 by 2017, has enjoyed steady growth in the business with over 30 loyal customers, most of which have been on board since the business first started out.

Spencer said: “The success of our business is based on our customer service which is why people come back time and time again.

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my own boss, which I’ve know from a young age. Working from a business model which is your own and works well is a great feeling and shows you must be doing something right.

“We are professional, reliable, always go the extra mile and offer a realistic fair price.

“Based on the great feedback we get on the way we take clients through every step of transporting process, constantly updating them, we genuinely feel this is the reason why we have secured a strong place in the freight forwarding market.”

The company is now embarking on a major export drive with two new team members who will work with Spencer to grow this side of the business even more.

Spencer continued: “I’ve always wanted to be

“My loyal customer base which I’ve built over the years is by word of mouth and reputation and I feel is based on knowing how to look after your clients, listening to exactly what their needs are and how their business works, being honest and over-delivering at all times, which will continue to be our main focus as the business continues to grow.

Steve Jones of Keen Meadows Food, said: “We have worked with Cullen Freight who handle our Spanish frozen food consignments into the UK for nearly three years because they are different from many others out there in the freight business.

“They listen, they deliver and are always incredibly professional which is what you need when you are putting your trust in someone to deliver goods which people are waiting for at a specific and agreed time, and also importantly, at a fair price. We are looking forward to continuing our strong relationship with them for the foreseeable future.”

PARTNERS IN ENTERPRISE

How can you stand out from the crowd?

I’ll bet many of you reading this could probably name the first person you kissed?

I certainly can.

we need to be conscious of when promoting ourselves or our businesses.

What about the first person who broke up with you? Again, it’s likely you can recall this information easily (and, unlike nowadays it probably wasn’t done by text!)

How many business cards do you have sitting in the drawer beside you, yet you can’t put a face to a name when you sift through them?

Similarly how is it that some people just seem to have the knack of walking into a room and being noticed yet you can so easily forget the face of someone you met that morning?

What if I asked you to name who the 4th person was? Chances are you would struggle to recall this so easily. I’ve posed this question many times and I’ve even seen some people writing a list and then spending the rest of the day trying to fill in the missing blanks!

The point is that we all remember memorable points in our lives: weddings, the births of our children or something that hit us unexpectedly, provoking a deep emotional response: most people can remember exactly where they were when they learned of the events of 9/11 or the tragic death of Princess Diana.

Equally, mentioning certain words or brands, hearing a piece of music or smelling a familiar scent can be the trigger for instant memories or images flooding our consciousness and, for a tiny moment, we’re back there re-living the precise memory.

It’s as if certain things are tattooed on our brains yet only come to the fore if triggered by something that touches us at the core of our being.

That’s how I describe the importance of ‘positioning’, just as memories, brands, people and experiences can be instantly triggered by something that evokes our senses, that’s what

If you sound, look or act just like the rest, then chances are you’ll just merge into the crowd and be forgotten.

Positioning in business and on a personal level is key. However, it is so often forgotten.

Business owners will call to discuss what marketing initiatives they think they need for their businesses but, when I ask them to summarise the one thing they stand for they’ll struggle, and then come out with something bland, uninspiring or clichéd.

In 2013 my business partner and I were invited to help re-position the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh within the market.

The Council had spent over £9m lovingly refurbishing the venue, yet the sales office were still receiving calls from outwith their target market - asking to hire a room cheaply for their Granny’s 80th or asking if they could do their own catering.

Re-positioning the venue in the minds of existing clients and potential clients was critical to ensure better filtering of enquiries so that those who got through the net were unphased by the offering because it met their needs. So we embarked on a positioning project and worked closely with the Council to better package the venue. We identified the word ‘magnificence’ as being at the core of their offering as the venue stands for

just that – and then wrapped everything around it: the experience, customer service, the catering, the way the room was presented, the AV offering etc.

The concept of magnificence ran through everything from the marketing collateral to the sales documentation and the way customers were greeted on arriving at the venue. Of course compromises had to be made along the way but the project allowed for a clear definition of the venue which went on to exceed budget for the year after we implemented the changes and continues to grow from strength to strength.

It’s interesting how the simple concept of positioning something so that it stands out from the crowd can literally shift an entire business overnight.

So if you think you need to get better at marketing your business or yourself, then ask yourself the following questions: what is the one word that I want to be ‘front of mind’ when someone mentions my name or my business?

Then you’ll have a solid starting point or context for everything you do and the decisions you make going forward.

Management Consultant and Business Coach, Gaynor McIntyre is a Strategy Consultant and is key to Condies Strategy offering. Gaynor brings energy, focus and creativity to her clients and clients enjoy her straightforward approach, for further information please email gaynor.mcintyre@ condie.co.uk or call 01383 721421. www.condie.co.uk

We thank our Partners in Enterprise for their continued support of the Chamber.

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BE THE BEST

How to be an innovator

By Mayan Grace, Marketing Manager at the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce

You can learn to innovate: while there is no "innovation process", there are techniques, tools and strategies you can use.

You can integrate these techniques into your existing development process to make you more creative, and to look at problems in a more productive way. Innovation is not an additional task, it is part of what you do. The objective of innovation is to find a better fit between your business and your

processes, systems, products and services.

Innovation means looking at the problem in a different way to find the solutions that evade conventional requirements techniques.

Innovation is not the same as invention. Most innovations reuse existing elements or ideas by recombining them in innovative ways.

Even the prolific Thomas Edison invented very little—most of his innovations, including the light bulb, X-rays and the phonograph, were recombinations of existing ideas and technologies. Similarly, most of the elements you need for your next innovation are available to you. You just have to know where

GET WITH IT STOP PRESS! Capito has alerted me to a dynamic new IT solution for small to medium sized enterprises, irrespective of the sector in which they operate, that is going to bring out the best of an organisation's workforce skillset.

With the general availability of Windows 10, Microsoft is now concentrating on building and delivering Windows as a Service incorporating new features and functionality on an ongoing basis incorporating Office 365.

The software giant promises to improve every aspect of this new program that will

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to find them and how to recombine them.

If you have innovation in mind but could benefit from additional support, please see below: The Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce offers our members a mentoring service, advice and support as well as hosting over 130 networking events each year.

Business Gateway The Business Gateway also offer a growth advisory service, who you can contact on: bglothian@bgateway.com.

By Bill Magee Scottish Business Technology Writer of the Year

enable users to seamlessly move from device to device with a secure interface.

It will lead to mobile working becoming significantly more efficient with all that this means in terms of enhanced productivity and developing new skills.

Capito, as a leading provider of IT services and solutions to commercial and public sector organisations, intends to make full use of this new tech service.

Managing Director Alan Mddleton says: "We deploy tens of thousands of devices across multi-sites partnering to a number of best-inclass vendors and Tier 1 System integrators throughout the UK.

"This Windows as a Service offering will reinforce Capito's strength of that offering to clients existing and new. Whether an organisation is planning a deployment project, support with its IT infrastructure, virtualisation or Cloud strategy."

Meanwhile, Capito has enthusiastically embraced West Lothian's StepsN2Work work placement scheme with the first trio of new starts settling in at its Livingston HQ. Alan: "We've been actively involved in a number of government initiative programmes, it enables us to take on a wide variety of people, at all stages of their education and careers."

EUROPE DIRECT EDINBURGH

Innovation for the Economy European competitiveness is vital to the global economy and innovation is a key element in maintaining Europe’s competitive edge. The European Union develops and implements policies and programmes to increase investment in innovation through research and development.

The EUs Industrial policy aims to develop industrial modernisation to ensure continued success; this must be broad reaching and include commercialisation of product and service innovations, exploitation of innovative manufacturing technologies and innovative business development models. Companies who are effective innovators experience the highest increases in turnover some by as much as 25% according to the Innobarometer 2014 survey.

The EU is particularly targeting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with innovation policy. The smaller the company, the more constraints to innovation it faces especially to the commercialisation of innovations. Some 71% of companies with between 1 and 9 employees encounter difficulties attempting to commercialise their innovations predominately due to a lack of financial resources. Here the EU can step in and assist with a variety of different funding streams through Horizon 2020 or the European investment Bank.

The EU specifically supports innovations in the following key areas:

Social Innovation - Ideas that meet social need, creating social relationships and forming new collaborations. Innovations can be product, service or models addressing unmet needs more effectively. The objective is to encourage market uptake of innovative solutions and stimulate employment.

Design for innovation – Innovations not limited to the way things look, but also the way they work. Creating value and contributing to competitiveness, prosperity, and well-being in Europe. The Commission plans to accelerate the take-up of design in industrial and innovation activities at European, national, and regional level.

Demand-side policies for innovationpolicies supporting and increasing the uptake of innovations in society. Legislating to increase consumer confidence in innovative products, safety regulations, standards, or public procurement is just one of the ways the Commission looks to aid innovative practices.

economic activity in EU countries. An efficient and productive public sector can be a strong driver of private sector growth and there is always strong justification for efficiency gains, better governance, faster delivery, and more citizens' involvement in the public sector.

Workplace innovation - Changes in business structure, Human Resources management, relationships with clients and suppliers, or in the work environment itself. Improving motivation and working conditions for employees, leads to increased labour productivity, innovation capability, market resilience, and overall business competitiveness. All enterprises, no matter their size, can benefit from workplace innovation.

Continued innovation will ensure Europe sustains its power in the global marketplace, safeguarding smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.

Further details on the Innovation Union can be found at http://ec.europa.eu/research/ innovation-union/index_en.cfm

Public sector innovation – A key economic regulator, service provider, and employer, public sector jobs account for more than 25% of total employment and a significant share of

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FEATURE: GREEN VISION

ADVERTORIAL

In addition we have: A mobile app – for environmental check-ups out of the office. Initially for Construction, Agriculture and Forestry we will be adding new sectors in the near future.

A free monthly email update – keeping you informed of new legislation, consultations and events that could be of interest The environmental compliance selfassessment tool – designed to let businesses review their main activities and find out if they have any areas needing attention.

It generates a report that is completely anonymous, and can be used for a programme of improvement. Split into 6 sections: Waste, Air, Materials and equipment, Hazardous substances and Packaging.

Would you like clear guidance on environmental regulations covering topics such as Air, Waste, Water, Transport and Energy?

If so you can go to Netregs for guidance that is: n Written in plain English, avoiding legal jargon n Checked over by specialists in SEPA n Free to use n Up to date n NetRegs provides guidance by Business sector, or you can search the library of topics for a specific subject. n We keep legislation lists which outline the key pieces of legislation that businesses may be required to comply with.

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Video clips to illustrate good practice, including Contrsuction, Agriculture and general business topics, including oil storage, reducing carbon, good practice in offices and transport. e-learning tools to refresh your understanding of key topics – covering Duty of Care, Sinks drains and sewers, WEEE, Generating renewable energy and a general guide to preventing pollution.

All these features are free to use, and available online. They are designed to help businesses comply with environmental law and to reduce their impact on the environment.

NetRegs is a partnership between SEPA and the NIEA. We provide guidance on environmental regulation and good practice advice, aimed at SMEs in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Visit www.netregs.org.uk

FEATURE: GREEN VISION

ADVERTORIAL

National Liftshare Week – 3rd-9th October 2016

Life’s more fun when you share.

Tripshare SEStran is the free, web-based car-sharing scheme that links drivers and passengers who are making similar journeys in South East Scotland. As petrol becomes increasingly expensive and traffic congestion grows, it is vital that we find new cost effective, sustainable, solutions to our transportation problems.

Car-sharing is a ready-made solution that offers participants convenient everyday travel at a cost effective price. Car-sharing can save you money and reduce wear and tear on your vehicle while helping to cut traffic congestion and reduce the carbon footprint.

It also makes good financial sense; regular car-sharers can save up to £1000 a year on their regular commute.

To celebrate National Liftshare Week, Tripshare SEStran is running a competition for new and existing members, in partnership with Forth 1 Radio. Check out Forth 1 during National Liftshare week (3rd-9th October) to see how Drive Time presenter Mark Martin got on with his very own Liftshare Lip Sync Battle. For the hilarious video, and find out how you can win a £250 shopping spree courtesy of Tripshare SEStran, visit www.TripshareSEStran.com or at www.forthone.com

WHAT IS RTPI? RTPI (Real-Time Passenger Information) is a computer-based tracking system providing up-to-the-minute information about individual vehicles operating on bus service routes to public transport users.

Building upon Edinburgh’s successful Bustracker system, SEStran has introduced RTPI throughout South East Scotland, on all First and Stagecoach services, as part of our strategy of building a passenger-focused, sustainable transportation system for South East Scotland.

BustrackerSEStran aims to make bus travel easier for everyone. The system takes account of traffic conditions, delays, unforeseen problems and

breakdowns. You can find out exactly when your bus will arrive without relying on timetables or spending time waiting at the bus stop. It saves you time and puts you in control of your journey.

Our Initiative In order to expand the availability of live bus times, SEStran is supporting the implementation of digital signage (TV screens) in public premises throughout the South East of Scotland to display the real-time bus information (trains and trams can also be included) with the aim of encouraging people to use public transport.

displayed. This allows your organisation to choose the information that you wish to display, such as: Upcoming events; Marketing information; Sustainable travel initiatives; Weather/news RSS feeds, videos and many other options.

The signage is flexible and adaptable to any organisation and there are a number of ways in which the information can be

For more information: enquiries@sestran.gov.uk 0131 524 5150

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CHAMBER TRAINING

Training Course Calendar October Tuesday 4th 09:30 / 16:30 Ultimate Project Management: Time and Process Fundamentals Wednesday 5th 09:30 / 12:30 LinkedIn: How to build your personal brand

Friday 18th 09:30 / 12:30 Instagram, Google + & Facebook for Business

Monday 31st 09:30 / 16:30 Networking: How to Build Great Business Relationships and Enjoy Meeting Strangers

Thursday 24th 09:30 / 12:30 10 Steps to Converting Website Traffic into Sales

November

Friday 25th 09:30 / 12:30 LinkedIn for Business Development

Friday 7th 09:30 / 12:30 Instagram, Google + & Facebook for Business

Tuesday 1st 09:30 / 16:30 Welcoming Visitors: Customer Service Excellence

Tuesday 11th 09:30 / 16:30 Difficult Situations: How to Deal With Difficult Customers and Staff Effectively and Confidently

Thursday 3rd 09:30 / 12:30 Essential Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) & Google AdWords

Wednesday 12th 09:30 / 16:30 Time Management: How to Get More Done in Less Time Thursday 13th 09:30 / 16:30 Export Documentation Friday 14th 09:30 / 12:30 LinkedIn for Business Development Thursday 20th 09:30 / 16:30 Advanced Google Analytics for Business Tuesday 25th 15:00 / 17:00 Inspiring Women in Business Leadership Training Seminar Thursday 27th 09:30 / 16:30 Bidding to Win: How to write tenders and proposals that beat the competition (without cutting prices)

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Friday 28th 09:30 / 16:30 Business Planning & Strategy Development

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Friday 4th 09:30 / 12:30 How to Create a Social Media Strategy Tuesday 8th 09:30 / 16:30 Creating Killer Conference Content/ Copy Thursday 10th 09:30 / 16:30 How to Write Compelling Web Content Thursday 10th 13:30 / 16:30 Incoterms 2010

December Thursday 1st 09:30 / 15:00 Sales Cycle One Day Course Monday 5th 09:30 / 16:30 Difficult Situations: How to Deal With Difficult Customers and Staff Effectively and Confidently

The calendar is subject to change. All courses can be delivered in house at a discounted rate should you wish more than 3 people to attend.

For further information please check the website or email training@edinburghchamber.co.uk.

Friday 11th 09:30 / 12:30 Twitter and Blogging for Business Wednesday 16th 09:30 / 12:30 Telephone Sales Skills Half Day Course Wednesday 16th 09:30 / 12:30 Email Marketing For Business Thursday 17th 09:30 / 12:30 An Introduction to Basic Google Analytics

To book please contact the training department on 0131 221 2999 option 3 or email: training@ edinburghchamber.co.uk www.edinburghchamber.co.uk/ training/courses

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Company name: Aon Who? David Wilson, Development Manager, Trade Credit Insurance & Surety Bonds Website: aon.co.uk/aon-credit-international 1. What were you doing between 10 and 12 this morning?

I have been working on a report for a potential new client to help them identify financial risks to their business.

2. What do you see as your job’s biggest challenge?

Brexit has led to many uncertainties, so for me, I am helping businesses navigate both the challenges and the opportunities that have arisen. It’s important that businesses don’t sit tight and hope for the best. Ensuring that businesses are supported when approaching new sectors and territories is key at the moment (although it helps that Aon Credit International can draw on the support and experience of colleagues across 57 offices around the world).

3. Do you have and money-saving business tips?

It’s only a good sale if you get paid! Did you know that at least one fifth of UK insolvencies in the past year were caused by late payment? Do some research into your customers prior to offering credit terms.

4. Where do you stand on work/life balance?

To be at your best, it’s important to be able to ‘switch off’. I make sure my weekends are my own and, when I’m at work, I think it’s important to get away from the desk even just for a 15 minute walk.

5. What do you like to do on your spare time?

I’m really enjoying going to the gym at the moment. I also enjoy going out for dinner and drinks with friends and family. The gym allows me to do the latter guilt free.

6. In business, is it more important to be liked or successful?

I think it’s important to be both liked and viewed as good at what you do. I think they both go hand in hand. Who wants to do business with someone they don’t like?

7. What is the one piece of advice you would give to others trying to reach the top in their career?

Always look to the long term when holding discussions or establishing relationships. Create a good impression and make sure you are the person they pick up the phone to, when they require your services.

People don’t like to be sold to – They value good advice.

8. Who is your hero?

Apart from my colleague who brought in the cakes today, my parents that brought me into this world and put up with me. I’d have to say Sir Chris Hoy.

9. Any business (or other) projects you would like to plug?

Aon have recently launched the Aon SME Bad Debt Protection product, that allows businesses, of any size, easy access to credit insurance covering UK and export customers, regardless of whether fully established or a start-up.

I would be delighted to talk to any business, who would like to assess their current financial risks, as well as review any potential new clients.

10. Other than your current position, what would be your dream job?

Chief cake tester at Patisserie Valerie

11. Who (living or dead) would you invite to a fantasy dinner party?

Peter Kay, Alan Carr and Kevin Bridges – I think that would be a thoroughly entertaining evening.

12. Outside of business, what is the most important thing in your life?

Family, friends and my dog Luci

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INSPIRING CONNECTIONS

We are now in the full swing of Autumn in Edinburgh and the events department have held a number of events to allow you to network and listen to inspiring speakers.

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We celebrated our 230 year anniversary of inspiring connections with over 110 members at our office in George Street. Our Annual Pub Quiz was a fun night with 18 teams battling it out. Congratulations to the Voodoo Room who won both 1st and 2nd place.

Our Breakfast Connections with Gordon Dewar, Chief Executive at Edinburgh Airport attracted 80 guests and they listened to an interesting speech

by Gordon on Growth of Edinburgh Airport

and the plans for the future. Members enjoyed our beached themed Summer Party and BBQ supported by Blueparrot and the sun even made an appearance!

We have a packed events schedule including the launch of our 2017 Business Awards In November, our popular Women in Business lunch, Speed Networking and our sell out Leadership Sessions.

INSPIRING CONNECTIONS

FORTHCOMING EVENTS October

November

Tuesday 4th 12:30-14:30 Inspiring Women in Business Lunch with AKA Scotland, Le Monde & Angel Share Hotel, 16 George Street

Wednesday 2nd 10.00-11.00am 60 Really Useful Minutes - The Changing Landscape: new data protection rules and the impact of Brexit Edinburgh Language Centre, 62- 66 George Street

Wednesday 5th 10.00 - 11.00 am 60 Really Useful Minutes - how to get the most from your marketing activity, Edinburgh Language Centre 62- 66 George Street Wednesday 12th 12.30 - 2.30pm Chamber Dining Lunch at Divino Enoteca, Divino Enoteca 5 Merchant St Thursday 20th 17:30-19:30 Cocktails and Canapes, Appetite Direct The Festival Theatre CafĂŠ Wednesday 26th 6.00 - 8.00pm Hidden and Haunted with Mercat Tours, Mercat Tours Ltd 28 Blair Street Friday 28th 8.30-10am Early Morning Start with The East India Company, The East India Company, 80 George Street

Wednesday 9th 12.30 - 2.30pm Chamber Dining Club Lunch, Glasshouse Hotel, 2 Greenside Place Thursday 10th 5.30 - 7.30pm Awards Launch, Doubletree by Hilton Tuesday 15th 08.30 - 10.00am Breakfast with First East Scotland Wednesday 16th 10.00 - 11.00am 60 Really Useful Minutes with Heehaw, Edinburgh Language Centre, 62- 66 George Street Thursday 17th 5.30 - 7.30pm Networking & Canapes, North British Distillery Friday 18th 08.30 - 11.00am Breakfast Speed Networking, Malmaison Hotel

Tuesday 22nd 12.30 - 14.30pm Inspiring Woman in Buisness Lunch, Surgeons Hall Friday 25th 08:30-10am Early Morning Start with The East India Company, Sophie Dow

December Thursday 1st 08.30-10.00am Breakfast Connections with Geore Lowder, Chief Executive of Transport for Edinburgh, Bank of Scotland (The Mound) Friday 2nd 12.30 - 3.00pm Inspiring Woman in Buisness - End of Year Lunch Wednesday 7th 10.00 - 11am 60 RUM on Crowd Funding, Edinburgh Language Centre, 62- 66 George Street Wednesday 14th 12.30-14.30 Chamber Dining Lunch Thursday 15th 6.00 - 8.00pm Annual Xmas Party, G&V Hotel

To book please visit www.edinburghchamber.co.uk or call the events team on 0131 221 2999 option 2 or e-mail events@edinburghchamber.co.uk

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MOVERS AND SHAKERS Helen Hamilton joins Tanami as Client Services Manager

Social video agency Tanami has appointed Helen Hamilton as its new Client Services Manager. In her six-year media career, Helen has worked for the likes of Sony Music and BBC Worldwide, most recently leading the operations team behind the launch of BBC Store. Helen will be focusing on building client relationships, project management and developing new business opportunities. She explains “I’m delighted to be joining Tanami at such an exciting time for the business, having just been accepted onto Scottish Enterprise’s Growth Pipeline and moved into a fantastic new office on Hanover Street. I’m really looking forward to contributing to Tanami’s ongoing success”.

Harper Macleod adds a new Partner to its Personal Injury & Reparation team

Christine Kennedy joins The Bauer Academy as Corporate Manager The Bauer Academy is delighted to announce the appointment of Christine Kennedy as Corporate Manager. In an increasingly digital world, it’s important that businesses evolve and become smart content creators. The Academy helps with this journey by offering tailor-made packages, covering video, audio, text, social and digital, plus team building days. Training is designed and delivered by leading academics and industry professionals –blending cutting edge industry knowledge with excellent educational practice.

Hibernian Football Club appoint Rorie Cowan as new Commercial Sales Manager Hibernian Football Club has recently appointed Rorie Cowan to head up their Commercial Sales Team. Rorie has recently returned to Edinburgh after 10 years in Australia where he worked in traditional media for a business publication, before moving on to head up Groupon’s Western Australian office. Prior to moving back to Edinburgh in early 2016, he was General Manager for digital agency Socialite Media. Rorie’s main focus will be on the commercial activity at the club, primarily advertising and sponsorship opportunities.

He said “I am absolutely delighted to be joining the club at a time when there is a huge feel good factor around the place.

The tireless work from our current team has made my transition into the role an enjoyable one.”

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Harper Macleod, recently named Scottish Law Firm of the Year at the Scottish Legal Awards, is delighted to announce it has added a new Partner to its Personal Injury & Reparation team. Elaine Russell joins the firm from Irwin Mitchell where she was supervising partner for the Insurance and Personal Injury departments in Scotland. She said: “I am delighted to add my experience and specialist knowledge to what is already a market leading team at Harper Macleod.

“The firm is focused on achieving justice for the people it represents, often at a difficult time in their lives, and that has been the driving force behind my working life.

I’m passionate about what I do and am committed to working with others – be they healthcare professionals, authorities or other organisations – to make Scotland a more accountable, safer and fairer place. “Client care is always first and foremost in my mind, whatever the circumstances clients are dealing with, and together with my new colleagues I believe Harper Macleod can make a difference for those injured throughout Scotland.”

BUSINESS COMMENT IS AN EDINBURGH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PUBLICATION. Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, Business Centre, 2nd Floor, 40 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 2LE www.edinburghchamber.co.uk President: Scott Black Acting Chief Executive: Liz McAreavey

Business Stream strengthens it senior team Jo Mayes has joined Business Stream as Customer Operations Director, further strengthening its senior team as the company gears up for the opening of the English water market in 2017. Most recently Head of Customer Experience at Standard Life, Jo has an extensive background in customer service, gained in the utilities market with Scottish Power and in the financial sector where she has held a number of senior roles.

EDITOR : Mayan Grace, Tel: 0131 221 2999 Email: mayan.grace@edinburghchamber.co.uk FEATU R ES EDITOR David Forsyth, Tel: 07887 955778 Email: david@benchmarkpr.co.uk P RODU CTION & DES IG N Distinctive Publishing, Unit 6b, Floor B, Milburn House, Dean Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 1LE Tel: 0845 884 2383 www.distinctivepublishing.co.uk A DV ERTIS IN G Distinctive Publishing, Unit 6b, Floor B, Milburn House, Dean Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 1LE John Neilson, Tel: 0845 884 2343 john.neilson@distinctivegroup.co.uk

DISCL AIM ER

Distinctive Publishing or Business Comment cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies that may occur, individual products or services advertised or late entries. No part of this publication may be reproduced or scanned without prior written permission of the publishers and Business Comment.

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Business Development T: 0303 333 0330 E: mycentre@sqa.org.uk W: www.sqa.org.uk/journeys