Business Comment 13

Edinburgh Chamber – UK Chamber of the year for international trade support and skills development

Al Gore on ‘climate reality’ at our low carbon conference

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2011

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Contents

oct/nov 2011

08 Renewables and the Scottish Low Carbon Investment Conference

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Your Chamber has played its part in helping Scotland become the centre of thought leadership in funding for the low carbon economy. Last year’s superb Investment conference at the EICC, which Edinburgh Chamber organised on behalf of the Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise, was an enormous success, and on the 27th and 28th September this year’s conference will build on that experience with the prospect of significant investment in the coming period.

Scotland has massive green energy potential - from our vast natural resources of a quarter of Europe’s tidal and offshore wind potential and a tenth of its wave power, to the legacy of Scotland’s traditional energy industries. That’s why our Government confidently set an ambitious target for the equivalent of all of Scotland’s electricity needs to come from renewables by 2020; one of the most demanding anywhere in world. The Chamber has used our extensive international network to help encourage others to follow Scotland’s lead on tackling climate change and it is gratifying to see that this year’s Scottish Low Carbon Investment Conference has business and political leaders from across the world including Africa, Asia, Europe, India, Scandanavia and United States of America.

The Conference target is to encourage the investment needed to release Scotland’s potential and in the process create tens of thousands of new jobs by securing billions of pounds of investment in our economy.

At the conference we reviewed progress and I am pleased to say that top marks for effort are secure and our endeavours have delivered excellent results. Scotland has established world leading marine expertise with our first commercial-scale tidal turbine already connected to the electricity grid off the Orkney coast and generating power. We are now generating over a quarter of Scotland’s electricity needs from renewables and with projects in operation, under construction or consented capable of providing around 50% of our electricity needs. Critically, renewable heating uptake has doubled in the last year.

The Scottish Government is of course keen to go faster and further and has set out a Renewables Routemap which explains how our target will be met through deploying all forms of renewable technologies, onshore and offshore, from the Borders to Barra to Banff - and beyond.

The research and development, design, construction and servicing of these new technologies will create thousands of highly skilled jobs, give investors the confidence to continue to invest and give Scotland a sustainable, energy secure future.

The Scottish Low Carbon Investment Conference will play host to the best minds in renewables if you want to find out more visit our website http://www.slciconference.com

03 Introduction / contents

04 Chamber Statement

22|23 The Interview

05 Edinburgh Airport team dismayed at sell-off proposal

07 Capital view

08 Al Gore on ‘climate reality’ at our low carbon conference

19 60 seconds

24|25 City Development

37 In the spotlight

41 Ask the expert / get with IT

44 Getting started

13 Be the best

48 New members

15 Going international

49 Encouraging performance

50 Movers & shakers

16|17 Inspiring connections

Business Comment is an Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce publication.

All editorial and g eneral enqu iries: Edinburgh Chamber Customer Services Team Tel: 0844 736 2992 email: customerservices@edinburghchamber.co.uk Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, Capital House, 2 Festival Square, Edinburgh EH3 9SU www.edinburghchamber.co.uk President: Robert Carr Chief Executive: Ron Hewitt BUSIN ESS COM M EN T EDIT OR Sharon Duncan, Tel: 0131 221 2976 Email: sharon.duncan@edinburghchamber.co.uk P RODUCTI ON & DESIGN Distinctive Publishing, 8th Floor, Aidan House, Sunderland Road, Gateshead NE8 3HU Tel: 0845 884 2385 www.distinctivepublishing.co.uk ADVERTISIN G Distinctive Publishing, 8th Floor, Aidan House, Sunderland Road, Gateshead NE8 3HU Tel: 0845 884 2345 john.neilson@distinctivepublishing.co.uk FEATURE EDITORS John Dean & Francis Griss deangriss@btinternet.com

Ron Hewitt chief executive

DISCLAIM 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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Chambernews Tom Buchanan: Chamber has left its mark in all areas of the Capital

By Tom Buchanan

Many readers must have been surprised to read of the financial difficulties that the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce is going to have to address because of problems relating to the recession.

It has to be said that many chamber members will have had to face up to similar financial pressures.

The Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce is one of the council’s key partners.There has been a long-standing collaboration with the public and private sector to drive Edinburgh’s economic success.The chamber provides a strong voice to represent the business community.The organisation has a deep understanding of the relationship between commercial, political, social and environmental factors that face Scotland’s capital city and the wider economy.

The council is involved in a number of joint initiatives with the chamber.These have yielded many economic benefits to the city and its citizens. One example of this is the formulation of Edinburgh’s Economic Strategy - a document that will shape development across the city over the next five years.

The chamber is also a key delivery partner for the Economic Development Service for all business advice delivered in the city. During the period 2010/11 this has included: 1502 new start-up businesses supported, 1701 “meet the advisor” sessions, 194 events and an ongoing invaluable stakeholder management and advocacy role.

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Reports in the local press have recently highlighted financial problems that exist within Edinburgh Business Development Ltd (EBD) and their implications for the Chamber Group.

As a membership organisation, it is important to us that we inform you first of any changes in our circumstances and structure and I apologise that you may have heard of it first in the press. These circumstances were out of our control. The past year has been challenging for EBD and for the Chamber. Trading conditions have been difficult and, in common with many private sector companies at this time, we have had to implement a redundancy and re-structuring programme to adjust to the reality of our position.

As the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce reveals serious financial concerns, Tom Buchanan explains the vital work it has carried out for the economic wellbeing of the city.

At this challenging time, I would like to make a plea to members to continue to support the chamber and I hope this article will help people understand the very valuable work that the Chamber of Commerce does for the economic wellbeing of Edinburgh.

To all members and partners of Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce

Tom Buchanan

Additionally, since March of this year, the chamber has delivered the Inspiring Enterprise programme in partnership with the council’s Economic Development Service.

This programme comprises a series of business events reinforced with one-to-one advisory support, designed to complement the service provided by Business Gateway.

To date the programme has delivered: three successful masterclass events focused on the themes of business growth and internationalisation that were attended by more than 100 businesses; five “growing business” events focused on businesses with high growth potential, which were delivered in partnership with local legal and accountancy practices. These events have been attended by a total of 238 businesses.

The programme has included advisory support to a total of 127 businesses. This has been targeted at those businesses with growth potential but which have been unable to access support through existing initiatives such as the Growth Pipeline or other Scottish Enterprise service.

In these challenging financial times, this is needed more than ever.

Source: Edinburgh Evening News Published Date: 15 September 2011

Financial challenges within Edinburgh Business Development, a member of the Chamber of Commerce group of companies, have led to a significant trading loss in that business for the year to April, 2011, with consequences for the Chamber.

Accordingly, we are implementing a recovery plan which enables both companies to adjust to the reality of our financial position and to maintain our services to members, clients and partners.

Audited financial statements will be made available to members, and the opportunity to debate them, at our AGM which will take place at The Hub, Castlehill, on Thursday, 20th October 2011.

In the meantime, I can assure you of the continued commitment of the Chamber’s award-winning team to maintaining the support and the services that you have come to expect. Since April, the number of events, promotions and services we are delivering are all ahead of last year- and it is encouraging to see this reflected in higher retention levels. Believe me, this will continue to be our absolute priority as we implement our recovery plan.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me or a member of the membership team by ringing 0131 221 2999. graham.birse@edinburghchamber.co.uk Graham Birse, Deputy Chief Executive

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Edinburgh Airport team dismayed at sell-off proposal Edinburgh Airport’s management team have criticised a recommendation from the Competition Commission, which requires BAA to sell Stansted airport and either Edinburgh or Glasgow.

Change at the top for airport

The Edinburgh team say that they are ‘dismayed’ and point out that BAA’s owners have invested £5 billion in UK airports since acquiring the company in 2006 and are currently investing £1 billion a year.

Edinburgh Airport announced that Managing Director Kevin Brown is leaving to become chief executive officer at North Queensland Airport Group, in Cairns, Australia.

They also argue, in a letter sent to stakeholders, that BAA’s operational performance has improved, security queues are shorter, baggage delivery is more reliable and flight punctuality has hit record levels.

Passenger surveys show that customers recognise the improvements.

His successor is Jim O’Sullivan, BAA Technical Standards and Assurance Director, who took up the role on September 1. An experienced aviation professional, Jim spent 14 years at British Airways including time as Chief Project Engineer for the Boeing 777 and General Manager of Concorde.

In terms of Edinburgh, the improvements have meant: ■ Edinburgh Airport is half way through a £100m investment programme that saw a £42m extension to its departure lounge opened in 2010 ■ ACIEUROPE voted Edinburgh Airport Best Airport in Europe (5m-10m passengers) ■ Edinburgh Airport is rated 5th in Europe for customer service by Airport Service Quality (ASQ) ■ It has recently become the 5th largest airport in the UK and has added more than 20 new routes this year alone ■ It was its most punctual in the first quarter of 2011 than at any time since 1998.

EMS

Colin Matthews, chief executive of BAA, said: “Kevin Brown leaves a healthy airport that is performing well in difficult circumstances. ” Edinburgh Airport is currently the fifth largest airport in the UK by passenger numbers and has maintained steady growth.

Jim O’Sullivan said: “Kevin has done a fantastic job in his tenure at Edinburgh.

It has bucked the general trend in UK aviation by growing and it is currently the best airport in Europe for its size.

I hope that I can continue its development and assist the team in

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realising the growth strategy they have created and giving Edinburgh and Scotland what it deserves – a diverse choice of routes and a world-class facility.”

Kevin Brown said: “Only a once in a lifetime offer could take me away from Edinburgh Airport and this is it.

Working in Australia has been a lifelong dream of mine and it’s made extra special by the fact that I have family in Cairns.

I’m hugely thrilled at the opportunity but I will miss Edinburgh Airport. It has a fantastic team and it has been a privilege working with them.”

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Tel: 0131 552 4085 October/November 2011

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Capitalview Living in an ever-changing city Cathy Kirk

Station Director Radio Forth/Northsound Radio Edinburgh, like most Capitals, is a city on the move. Constantly changing, developing, expanding and attracting new people.

The media and radio in particular, is very similar. Twitter, Facebook, iPods, iPads, iPhone and 24-hour news have changed the way we go about our business and view the world around us. Therefore it’s only natural it will impact on our city and the people who live and work within it.

Radio Forth has been part of the fabric of Edinburgh, the Lothians and Fife for 35 years, and like the city we’ve had to constantly adapt and change the business to stay in touch with the people who matter most to us – the listeners.

Changes to the city in recent years include the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood which sparked fierce debate over cost and necessity. The re-introduction of trams is another issue that will be debated at dinner tables around the Capital. And in the not too distant future we’ll have another Forth Road Bridge, something else for those who live in, and commute to, the city to chew over.

Despite the changes lies a city full of heritage – the Castle, Old and New Towns and the historic port of Leith. As a radio station, that’s what

we have to embrace – modern multi-media side-by-side with heritage brands. For Forth One and Forth 2 the emphasis is on fun and great music, as well as providing vital local information. It sounds simple, but with increasing competition and a transient population in the Capital, it’s a constant challenge.

The way people get their entertainment and information has changed in the last few years, and radio has had to adapt and evolve with it…. but some things don’t change! Over the years Radio Forth’s Cash For Kids has raised more than two million pounds for local children, ‘What’s On’ and ‘Forth Action’ are heritage brands on the stations, giving local people and organisations a chance to get their messages across. Radio may have changed, but staying close to our listeners is still our number one priority.

Edinburgh is a wonderful city to live and work and it’s often said to be more like a village than a city, making it easier to build relationships here than in many other Capitals. The key for radio is to build relationships with listeners and our clients. After 35 years we have advertisers who come back time and again thanks to the relationship and trust we’ve built up over the years.

The Radio Forth Awards give our listeners a voice in Edinburgh, the Lothians and Fife, recognising and honouring hard working, talented individuals and teams. Big names in music including James Blunt, the Stereophonics, Paulo Nutini, and Spandau Ballet have all performed at this key Edinburgh event.

As Bob Dylan told us in the ‘60’s ‘The Times They Are A Changin’. Half a century on that still stands, and it is our job to keep pace.

Edinburgh Airport performing well BAA’s figures for July showed that Edinburgh Airport had its best ever month, just 7,000 passengers short of its first million passenger month.

July 26 was its busiest day ever and the overall figures were a rise of 3.3% on last year. It followed on from the airport’s busiest March, April and June.

Kevin Brown, former Managing Director of Edinburgh Airport, said: “This fantastic performance is testament to the continued appeal and resilience of Edinburgh as a place in which to live, work and visit and to the hard work and dedication of the team at Edinburgh Airport.

“We’re continually adding new routes and upgrading our facilities. This choice, coupled with a focus on the passenger seems to resonate with the travelling public. We will continue to work with the city’s tourism industry, business community and government to make sure we play our part in maintaining Edinburgh as a top European destination.”

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Coverfeature sPeCiAl FeAture

The clock is ticking on climate reality As Business Comment went to press, Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce staff were busy making the final preparations for the second Scottish Low Carbon Investment Conference at the EICC, September 27/28.

The conference has already become the signature event in the renewable industry calendar in the UK, attracting ‘thought leaders’ from around the world, incubating new ideas to usher in the low carbon revolution, with Scotland at its centre.

He said: “I am incredibly proud that so many people around the world participated, but it’s also important to remember the individual actions it represents. There are countless stories of impressive grassroots mobilization.

A company in Tel Aviv hosted a watch party at their headquarters. A group of graduate students in Athens, Georgia rented out a popular local movie theater. People across the world joined hands to say: Climate change is real, it’s happening now and the time to act is now.”

Sponsored by the Scottish Government, RBS and Scottish Enterprise, with support from leading private and public partners, the conference developed its reputation for brokering financial solutions to investment in renewable energy, low carbon and grid infrastructure projects.

Addressed by the First minister, Alex Salmond, Lady Susan Rice of the Lloyds Banking Group and Akio Fukui of Mitsubishi Power Systems Europe the keynote speaker was Al Gore, Nobel Laureate, former U.S. Vice President and the world’s leading authority and campaigner of climate change.

Gore told delegates in Edinburgh that the clock is ticking on climate reality, quoting the frequency of cataclysmic climate events across the world, and setting out the full scope, scale and impact of climate change on our lives.

He believes that political forces and the hydrocarbon lobby are preventing the full reality of climate change to be understood around the world- and impeding solutions that will help us move towards a sustainable and more stable future.

It was expected that he would urge delegates in Edinburgh to ‘keep the faith’ by continuing to push the boundaries of discovery in renewable and sustainable energy, eradicating our dependence on fossil fuels forever. The work of the Scottish Low Carbon Conference in developing and

Al Gore

sharing new ideas, technologies and financial solutions is critical in that context.

Al Gore is the founder Chairman and inspiration behind the Climate Reality Project. Gore says: “Climate change is not a political problem, it is a human problem, and it is a problem we can all solve together.

And we can start by addressing the deniers of climate change.”

“The Climate Reality Project is bringing the facts about the climate crisis into the mainstream and engaging the public in conversation about how to solve it. We help citizens around the world discover the truth and take meaningful steps to bring about change.”

Al Gore is the author of the bestsellers Earth in the Balance, An Inconvenient Truth, The Assault on Reason, and Our Choice: A Plan to Solve the Climate Crisis. He is the subject of an Oscar-winning documentary and is the co-recipient, with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for “informing the world of the dangers posed by climate change.”

Gore’s Climate Reality Project was a 24 hour long event which attracted an amazing, 8.6 million views to his website www.algore.com

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Liz McAreavy, Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce’s Director of Development and the organiser of the conference, said: “We were truly inspired by Al Gore at the conference. His knowledge of climate change, his conviction of the need for change and his influence in bringing governments, corporations and citizens together in pursuit of a sustainable future gave us tremendous encouragement to work hard at the conference on the agenda for change. We were delighted with his contribution and that of all of our speakers, partners and sponsors.”

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Edinburgh firm sets its sights on renewables market

An Edinburgh firm is to take advantage of Scotland’s growing renewable energy industry after agreeing a finance deal with Clydesdale Bank.

Would you like to promote your organisation?

Established in 2006, Geckotech Solutions Ltd has announced plans to extend its specialist industrial rope access and confined space engineering services to wind farm energy companies across Scotland and the UK. This will see the company undertake inspections, maintenance and repair work of both on and off-shore wind turbines.

Geckotech Solutions has secured funding from Clydesdale Bank amounting to £225,000.

Stephen Pearson, managing director of Geckotech Solutions, said: “Wind energy production is a key focus area at the moment, with onshore and offshore wind farms making a significant contribution to the Scottish Government’s renewable energy targets.

“Turbines require regular inspection and maintenance work to ensure that they are working as efficiently as possible. The access engineers at Geckotech Solutions are fully qualified to carry out this type of inspection and maintenance, both off and on shore.

“This is a business area that we have been keen to explore for some time, and the credit facility offered by Clydesdale Bank has given us the opportunity and flexibility to do this.”

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If you would like to promote your organisation in Edinburgh Business Comment please contact Distinctive Publishing on 0845 884 2334 or email john.neilson@distinctivepublishing.co.uk

October/November 2011

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Edinburgh Napier University invests £12m to help businesses the Scottish government. The Institutes give businesses an easy access point to the wide range of expertise within the University.

They can offer your business direct technical support, grants, specialist skills, training, CPD, facilities and equipment.

The University is particularly keen to engage with small and medium-sized enterprises which account for the majority of Scotland’s business community.

Edinburgh Napier University has established nine Institutes of Research and Innovation in sectors identified as key growth areas by

www.napier.ac.uk/business

Edinburgh Napier Institutes of Research and Innovation Institute

Director

Edinburgh Institute for Leadership & Management Practice Professor Charles Edwards Employment Research Institute

Professor Ron McQuaid

Institute for Science & Health Innovation

Professor Keith Nicholson

Institute for Creative Industries

Professor Robin MacPherson

Institute for Informatics & Digital Innovation

Professor Jessie Kennedy

Institute for Product Design & Manufacture

Professor Ian Hunt

Institute for Sustainable Construction

Professor Sean Smith

Forest Products Research Institute

Professor Philip Turner

Transport Research Institute

Professor Kevin Cullinane

Baltic connections A new centre has been launched to support Scottish companies operating in the Baltic States.

The Baltic Scotland Enterprise & Export Centre will be based at Edinburgh Napier University’s Institute for Product Design & Manufacture.

It aims to strengthen Scottish exports to central and eastern Europe, as well as to Russian and Confederation of Independent States markets, such as Ukraine’s and Kazakhstan’s.

The centre will also help companies take advantage of EU funding for establishing R&D and production bases in the Baltic markets.

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The new initiative has been jointly founded

by IPDM, The Roslin Biocentre, Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce and Cormack Consultancy Baltic (CCB Ltd).

Nurses’ diabetes business has it covered Edinburgh nurses have launched a range of specially designed colourful insulin pump covers.

Diabetes nurses from NHS Lothian and Edinburgh Napier University, who work at the Metabolic Unit at the Western General Hospital, noted widespread concern about the aesthetic and practical challenges of using an insulin pump, which is worn on the body as an alternative to multiple daily insulin injections.

The team identified a gap in the market and, with the help of the Edinburgh BioQuarter, set up a not-for-profit company, ipSOX with all proceeds reinvested in the Metabolic Clinic at the Western General Hospital.

Jacqui Charlton, a lecturer/practitioner in diabetes at Edinburgh Napier University, said: “We spoke to many people who had tried to find a cover that was both comfortable to wear and did not make them feel self-conscious but there was very little choice.

“Some said that the pumps were uncomfortable when worn against the skin or that pumps could be visible when worn under clothing. The covers on the market at the time were bulky, indiscreet or used Velcro, which can damage your clothing.” www.ipsox.co.uk

The BSEEC will operate an export incubator in Lithuania, in association with one of the new Lithuanian Science valleys.

This will offer a range of facilities to UK companies, including: • Virtual and actual office space • Support in applying for local funding support • Access to local legal, accounting and marketing specialists, as well as the local science base www.napier.ac.uk/ipdm

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City region review reveals a robust economy Researchers assessing the state of the economy in Edinburgh’s City Region have produced a mixed picture, showing cause for optimism in some sectors but concerns in others.

• The financial and business services sector accounted for 64% of Edinburgh ’s growth in the last decade. This is expected to be more subdued in the medium term.

The Edinburgh City Region Economic Review, which involves organisations including the Chamber of Commerce, set out to provide an accurate picture of the factors likely to impact on the economy in the years to come.

• The public sector accounted for 57% of employment in Edinburgh in 2009. However, cuts in public sector expenditure are expected to lead to the loss of 4,200 jobs in the next four years

It concluded: “Edinburgh has proven resilient during the economic downturn, with residential property prices remaining at near peak levels and unemployment significantly lower than other major UK cities.”

Its findings include: • The tourism and leisure centre will continue to perform well, with employment in hotels and restaurants expected to rise by as much as 35% between 2011 and 2032 • Foreign direct investment accounted for 9,600 new jobs in Edinburgh from 2006-10, the majority coming from North America, Western Europe, Japan and the Middle East. Relatively little investment is currently coming from the BRIC countries

• Businesses in Edinburgh lag behind the UK as a whole in terms of innovation and internationalisation • Unemployment amongst state school leavers in Edinburgh is the highest in Scotland at 19% • Firms which employ fewer than 50 people account for 90% of all businesses in the city • Edinburgh and Lothians contains a higher concentration of potential high growth companies than other parts of the UK • Business expenditure of R&D in the city region is higher than the Scottish average but lower than the UK average.

‘Pick and mix’ strategy needed to cut high street retail vacancies

A new study by Ryden finds there is no “single solution” for tackling rising retail vacancies in Scottish town centres.

agency, landlords, planning & development, funding opportunities and temporary measures from which Scotland’s BIDs can handpick. The firm, which is respected for property market research, said there can be no ‘one size fits all’ plan to reduce vacancies because town centres are unique and retail markets are complex, so local BIDs would need to select from the strategies to create a bespoke plan to address their own issues with empty shops.

The report, commissioned by Business Improvement Districts Scotland (BIDS), details a variety of strategies for local Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) to ‘pick and mix’ from to address the issue of empty high street shops.

The vacancies report is just one approach being pursued to contribute to BIDS’ goal of improving the trading environment for the businesses involved in their districts, while contributing to local communities’ wider regeneration and asset management aspirations.

The study is based on detailed market analysis and a review of existing best practice. A seminar involving BIDs across Scotland to share knowledge and experience also helped to inform the report.

BIDs Scotland was incorporated as a company in 2009 and leads the Scottish Government’s BID programme across Scotland. It has been established to support and encourage the development of Scottish BIDs and to aid the regeneration and asset management of towns and villages, business parks and tourism and visitor areas.There are currently 9 town centre

Dr Mark Robertson, Ryden Partner

Within the paper, Ryden details possible strategies under the themes of partnership,

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business improvement districts in operation, with a further 18 town centre BIDs in development and enquiries from tourism and visitor areas, cultural quarters and single sector BIDs.

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Bethebest What are you doing to identify, develop and retain the talent in your Organisation?

Whether the future leaders and key staff for your organisation are already working for you, or you need to attract and recruit them, you should consider implementing a Talent Management Programme to give you a bigger chance of retaining your top talent.

Why? Well, by creating an environment that encourages learning and development, talented individuals are more likely to choose to stay and use their skills in your organisation, rather than look for their development opportunities elsewhere.

Talent Management is the process of identifying, developing and retaining your skilled and talented workers. The “talent” in your organisation may mean you prepare a Talent Development plan for every employee, or just for a few members of staff.

You may choose to create the plans for an employee, delegate the task to them, or work in partnership with them. You may keep the process secret or transparent to all staff.

Chamber Business Solutions (CBS), the Learning and Development arm of the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, provide help and support to organisations looking to implement a Talent Management Programme. The seven stages CBS help you to go through are: 1. Understanding the desired outcomes from the Talent Management Programme, 2. Identifying the talented people you want to include, 3. Identifying the development needs of each talented individual, 4. Encouraging each individual to take ownership for their own development, 5. Creating personalised talent development plans, 6. Implementing the plans, and

To discuss your Talent Management needs and learn more about how CBS can help your organisation, please contact Bryan Leslie, Chamber Business Solutions Manager, on 0131 221 3173 or by email at bryan.leslie@edinburghchamber.co.uk

7. Providing ongoing support, through personal coaching and mentoring, to each individual.

Double-edged sword for Scottish businesses following positive GDP performance Corporate restructuring experts at KPMG emphasise importance of sustainable growth Positive GDP figures should provide a welcome boost of confidence for Scottish businesses, but companies need to be wary of overtrading at a pivotal point in the economy, according to corporate restructuring experts at professional services firm KPMG. Alan Flower, a director in KPMG’s advisory team, says today’s economic data is good news for the economy continuing the growth story since the first quarter of 2010, albeit with the weather impacted blip in the last quarter

of 2010. However, with growth comes the threat of overtrading which has been observed in previous recessions.

He said: “Overtrading is defined as “the expansion of a business to a point where it cannot finance itself through its available cash resources”. In other words, businesses taking the signal of a growing economy to take on more orders than it can fulfil.

“Businesses with strong management teams which have seen their markets collapse in the last two years will have considered themselves successful in surviving until now. With the prospects of better conditions returning the outlook will be brighter but there is a need to keep close control on cash. Lessons of history tell us that there is an increase in business failures as we climb out of recession

as increased activity eats up available working capital.

“We’ve all heard the story of the growing business with the strong sales pipeline that has started to bump along at its banking facility levels. The finance director in 2007 would knock on the door of the bank and the kindly banker that opened it would advance the money. The solution for the issue of insufficient working capital was easily found.

“Wind on four years and that solution is not always there. Most banks do not have the same size of pot as before and the raft of refinancing due in 2012 means they are being more selective in who gets a share of it. Suddenly the circumstances which were tagged as successful in the past are given the less glamorous title of “overtrading”.

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Businessnews SCC’s Nora Senior appointed Vice President of British Chambers of Commerce

Nora Senior

Nora Senior,Vice Chair of Scottish Chambers of Commerce and Executive Chair, UK Regions and Ireland at Weber Shandwick, has now been appointed as Vice President of the British Chambers of Commerce.

National Museum of Scotland reveals spectacular new corporate hospitality spaces The National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh has re-opened following a spectacular £47million redevelopment.

This highly ambitious transformation, which combines spectacular spaces with state-of the-art facilities, enables National Museums Scotland Enterprises Ltd to offer a space for corporate hospitality events which is unique in terms of grandeur and scale, available from 1st September 2011.

The Grade A listed site in the heart of Edinburgh, is home to an international collection of objects spanning world civilisations, science, technology and the natural world.

It has been returned to its original Victorian grandeur, and includes sixteen new galleries filled with over 8000 world-class treasures, including a life-size Tyrannosaurus Rex, Sir Alexander Fleming’s Nobel prize for the discovery of penicillin and the world’s first colour TV.

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Since opening at the end of July the Museum has welcomed a remarkable 461,000 visitors.

The beautiful Grand Gallery, originally opened in 1886 and inspired by the Crystal Palace, is considered by many to be Scotland’s finest example of Victorian architecture. This stunning, light-filled space is one of the only venues in the city that can accommodate up to 850 guests for formal dining or 1,500 for a drinks reception.

Set against the backdrop of the ‘Window on the World’ - a four-storey installation which showcases over 800 extraordinary objects from across National Museums Scotland’s collections - it is ideal for a gala dinner, awards ceremony or reception.

As one of Scotland’s highest profile businesswomen, Nora has long been a passionate supporter of the Chamber of Commerce movement and is a keen advocate for the benefits that Chamber membership can bring to businesses of all sectors and sizes.

Combining her role as Vice Chair of Scottish Chambers of Commerce with her new post of Vice President of the British Chambers of Commerce, Nora will be using her expertise and national profile to fight for the best interests of Scottish businesses across the UK. Commenting on her appointment, Nora Senior said:“I am delighted to have accepted the appointment of Vice-President of the British Chambers of Commerce. I have been a strong supporter of the Chamber of Commerce movement for many years, including as vice-chair of the Scottish Chambers. I bring to this role experience of business in Scotland and across the regions of the UK, along with a longstanding commitment to the promotion of women in business; my appointment serves to emphasise the breadth and diversity of the Chamber of Commerce network across Britain.”

Martyn Pellew, President of the British Chambers of Commerce, said:“We are delighted to welcome Nora Senior to the Vice-Presidency of the British Chambers of Commerce. Her appointment emphasises the diversity and reach of the Chambers of Commerce network membership.

Nora brings valuable experience to this position; she is vice-chair of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, and over her career has invested much energy in the successful promotion of women in business. We are pleased to have Nora’s strengths contributing to BCC’s work.”

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Goinginternational Going International – what help is out there?

At the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce we hear about all kinds of support that is available to Scottish businesses going international – here are some for you to consider. smart exporter is an international trade skills programme, delivering free and heavily subsidised support to increase exporting skills and knowledge amongst Scottish businesses. There is a whole range of support available – here we’d like to tell you about International Business Manager for Hire.

International Business Manager for Hire (IBMH) - Companies at a senior management level may lack specific skills and knowledge associated with going global. IBMH can provide support and address these issues through the development of an international action plan.

Delivered through the Smart Exporter programme, IBMH involves hiring a recent graduate or highly qualified manager with extensive international expertise and knowledge on either a full or short/part-time basis.

IBMH Introductory is delivered over a 3 month or part-time basis and is limited to a maximum contribution of 50% to the overall cost.

export Communications review - UK Trade & Investment’s Export Communications Review (ECR) can help you improve communications with both English and non-English speaking export markets by reviewing all aspects of communication with them.

Many companies now rely upon their websites to promote their products and services. The ECR can review the effectiveness of your website to communicate with potential overseas customers and to generate export business.

Analysis covers: ■ Development of a web strategy

■ Technical aspects involved in setting up an international website Jenny Lockton ■ The design, structure and navigation of the site for overseas IBM standard is for companies that can justify an International Manager on visitors a 12 month full-time basis with grant support between 30% and 50% of fulltime salary costs.

■ Inclusion of appropriate international content

Benefits to your business include:

■ Translation and localisation for your target export markets

■ An international expert employed to spearhead your international plans ■ Fast tracks going global

■ Promotion of the site in overseas markets (including search engine optimisation)

www.smartexporter.co.uk

■ Monitoring the site’s performance

enquiries@smartexporter.co.uk

■ Managing the impact of a successful site.

0800 019 1953 talent scotland – It can be hard finding a cost-effective solution for a specific short term piece of work. The Talent Scotland Graduate Placement gives you access to the skills and knowledge of some of Scotland’s finest graduates to deliver a defined company project (with special support for businesses looking at developing their international trade). The programme can help you: ■ Grow your business ■ Improve your operating efficiency ■ Increase your profitability and competitiveness.

The programme recruits recent graduates and postgraduates, including international graduates, (up to two years after graduation) to undertake fixed term placements in host companies, based in Scotland.You identify the project and Talent Scotland will help you find the most appropriate graduate for the placement. There is no cost to the recruitment service.

www.talentscotland.com/gppemployers 0845 371 5444

Exporting companies that have been trading for at least two years and employing fewer than 250 staff can benefit from up to three UKTI-subsidised reviews. The cost of each review is £500 + VAT. Eligible companies can receive from UKTI a subsidy of £250 towards the cost of each of the reviews.

www.britishchambers.org.uk/ecr

export documentation and Certifi cation services – Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce can assist you with all of the documentation and legalisation services you need to export your goods and services quickly and easily, avoiding costly delays and ensuring prompt customs clearance. Our services are provided by our dedicated team of qualified and approved documentation officers, located in Livingston.

We also offer electronic certification services that are simple to use and can be completed online with minimum effort.

www.edinburghchamber.co.uk/business_solutions/ going_international/ 01506 468914

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Inspiringconnections 01

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Each year the Governor of the Bank of England visits different areas of the United Kingdom for discussions with local businesses about current business conditions.

This year, his visit to Scotland is centred on Edinburgh. The Governor made some opening remarks about the UK economy and the issues confronting the Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee in

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setting interest rates, and was then keen to hear from participants about their own experience in the current economic climate.

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Ron Hewitt, CEO Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce greeting Sir Mervyn King, Governor of the Bank of England Jenny Dawe, Council Leader of City of Edinburgh Council and Robert Carr of Anderson Strathern being formally introduced to Sir Mervyn King, Governor of the Bank of England

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Members enjoying breakfast before the Governor’s speech at the City Chambers

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Sir Mervyn King meeting Silence Chihuri of Brandon Business Support Services Ltd

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Barry Sealey of Marago Limited and Angus Macpherson from The Environment Exchange in deep discussions with Nils Blythe, Director of Communications and Sir Mervyn King of the Bank of England

Photos by Graham Carnie, Tuskite Photography

Bank of England Breakfast

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Lite Night BBQ at Hyde Out Photos by Graham Carnie, Tuskite Photography

Photos by Graham Carnie, Tuskite Photography

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There wasn’t a better way to spend a summer’s night than by joining us on the beautiful terrace of Edinburgh’s hottest new bar, the Hyde Out. It was a fun and relaxed networking opportunity with drinks 07 and a fantastic BBQ. 08

Lyndsay Henderson and John Peden of Robert M Donaldson Limited enjoying the relaxed atmosphere at the new Hyde Out with Olivia Bennett and Gil Munro from Spotless Commercial Cleaning Limited Gordon Forbes and Pauline Forbes from Caledonia Asset Management LTD making the most of Edinburgh’s warm Summers evening Helen Gilliespie of Thrive for Business Limited catching up over a beverage with Adelle Morris and Louise Boyle from Davidson Chalmers LLP

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Chamber Golf Club – Tournament The Chamber held a golf tournament for its members situated at the prestigious home of golf, stunning St. Andrews. It was a great chance to network with like-minded senior business professionals whilst enjoying a competitive round of golf.

Congratulations to our winner Malcom Rann, Rezidor Hotel Group

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Robert Simpson from Peter Vardy, Douglas Hunter from Scott Moncrieff and Martin Cook from Martin Cook Accounting waiting to tee off after Ken Craig from Cannongate Design.

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Robert Simpson from Peter Vardy teeing off

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Lofthus Signs & Engraving Team: Henry Clark, Mike Gibson, Michael Williamson and Robin Williamson

Upcoming Events Breakfast Connections

Leith Lunch - Pelamis Wave

Tuesday 25 October 2011 | 8.30am - 9.45am Speakers: Mary Sharpe, Sharpe Thinking

Thursday 17 November 2011 | 12noon - 2.00pm Speakers: Richard Yemm, Founder, Pelamis Wave

The ability to concentrate on details, keep up with new developments, get work done, find new business opportunities, all require steady levels of mental and physical energy.

As life becomes more complex and stressful, displacement activities such as surfing the Internet to look for fun websites like social networking are rapidly taking up more time, attention and mental energy. For some heavy users, these activities are likely to set in motion the same addictive processes that researchers have already observed in the brains of addicts. Education for staff, and support for those already under the influence, are a good way to deal with this recent phenomenon as computer filters and zero tolerance policies will not entirely get the job done.

Join us and Richard Yemm, founder of Pelamis Wave Power for our Leith Lunch.

Pelamis Wave Power Ltd is the manufacturer of a unique system to generate renewable electricity from ocean waves. For energy companies, utilities and their customers, Pelamis machines offer the ability to unlock an immense clean energy resource with great potential.

Location: The Hub, Royal Mile, Edinburgh Fee:£33.00 (Chamber members and member guests) £63.00 (non-members)

The Hunt with Fife Chamber Wednesday 2 November 2011 | 12.00pm - 2.45pm We’ve teamed up with Fife Chamber to add a twist to our regular networking event, The Hunt! Ambitious businesses are seizing the opportunity to promote their company and meet new people. This variation of our highly popular business lunch will allow you to meet businesses from both the Edinburgh and Fife Chamber of Commerce. This lunch provides members with an opportunity to introduce their business for 2 minutes to 7 other guest at their table. Attendees then move to a different table after their starter and again have a 2 minute slot. Table plans are produced ensuring competitors are kept apart. One employee from any one company may attend.

Location: Malmaison Edinburgh, 1 Tower Place, Leith , EH6 7DB Fee: £33.00 (Chamber members and member guests) £63.00 (non-members)

Speed Networking Marathon Thursday 1 December 2011 | 9.30am - 1.30pm If you prefer a more facilitated type of networking, then this is the event for you.

During a morning you meet a minimum of 20 delegates face to face where you get the chance to talk about your business for a few minutes before moving on and meeting someone else. This is not one for the faint-hearted! There is also a chance to chat informally over a buffet lunch after the Speed Networking. Book now as places are limited. ONLY 1 PERSON PER COMPANY CAN ATTEND THIS EVENT Location: The Hub, Royal Mile, Edinburgh Fee: £33.00 (Chamber members and member guests) £63.00 (non-members)

Location: Queensferry Hotel, St Margaret’s Head, Queensferry Fee: £25.00 (Chamber members and member guests) £50.00 (non-members)

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60seconds Q How long have you been a Chamber member?

A I joined a while ago but it’s only since 23 Melville Street opened in June that I’ve been a prolific member.

Q Why did you join?

A To forge mutually beneficial relationships with other business professionals, including Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce members, in and around the city.

Q What services do you use?

A I find the Members’ Press Releases section of the website really useful for spreading the word about what’s going on at 23 Melville Street.

Q What’s the best business/benefit you have won through the Chamber?

A I think being able to keep Chamber members abreast of our special offers and developments is invaluable – as are the organisation’s networking events.

Name: Lynda Millar Company Name: 23 Melville Street Website: 23melvillestreet.co.uk Q In five words or less, what do you do?

A Centre Manager at 23 Melville Street.

Q Are there any additional services or information you’d be particularly interested in?

A I’m not sure. Anything which encourages local support and collaborative working is great by me!

Q If you were telling another business person about the Chamber, what’s the first thing you would say?

A I would say that joining the Chamber is a great way to connect with like-minded business professionals who care about the city we live in and work out of.

Q Where do you read your copy of Business Comment?

A In the office at 23 Melville Street – normally over a cup of coffee!

Anderson Strathern diversifying and growing In what is the biggest tie-up north of the border this year, Scottish firm Anderson Strathern is today joined by the partners and staff of niche property practice Bell & Scott. The deal takes the full-service firm’s turnover to £23 million, putting the combined entity firmly inside the UK’s top 100, and the practice now boasts one of the largest commercial real estate teams in Scotland.

According to Chairman Robert Carr:

Anderson Strathern recently announced a number of new client wins including Lloyds Banking Group, the Scottish Parliament, and the City of Edinburgh Council.

"We are delighted to join a firm which shares our ethos on in-depth expertise and development and investment in specialist services. In a combined firm, our clients will benefit by not only receiving specialist property advice but also by drawing on the full range of expert services in environmental law, licensing, planning, private client, renewables and tax, to name but a few, that Anderson Strathern provide."

The firm will have an enviable list of property clients many of which are household names including Capital Shopping Centres, The Crown Estate, INEOS, Quercus, and T Mobile.

“Our primary objective is to bring the clients of the combined practice a broader range of specialisms and opportunities. Our move places Anderson Strathern very firmly at the centre of the Scottish property market which remains a core element of our economy."

The combined firm has a total of 56 partners, 16 of whom are part of the commercial real estate practice.

Bell & Scott Managing Partner Paul Jennings said:

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Flow Stopping & Bypass Solutions Established as a quality manufacturer since 1877, Sarco Stopper has a worldwide reputation for pipeline stopping and bypass systems, produced in modern factory facilities in Broxburn, near Edinburgh.

Now with more than 40 years experience of producing under pressure pipe stoppers to suit ferrous and PE pipes, and now the only ever bag manufacturer to hold a BSI Kitemark Product Quality Award for its safety critical range of gas bag stoppers.

In recent years Sarco Stopper has pioneered the development of Aquastop and Hydrant Wizard, both systems incorporating mains pressurised water inflated Hydro® bags, to deliver the UK water sector with significant reductions in costs of repairing leaks and avoiding customer interruptions to supply, as now required by the UK Regulator.

Producing bespoke bag stoppers up to 140” dia and unique under pressure blade saddles and tees for a wide range of diverse applications, such as nuclear, subsea and LNG. Its comprehensive range of high temperature argon purge weld sets and nitrogen filled safety vapour barrier bags are increasingly used in the offshore oil and gas operations, as well as for land based installations.

For more details see our website:

www.sarcostopper.com

The Products Gas Bags

- GIS/E4:2006 Sarco Resistra® Gas Bag

Drain Bags

- inspecting drainage systems

Cleaning In Position (CIP) Bags - cleaning ducting Easi Purge™ Welding Bags

- Argon purging and vapour barrier safety systems

Aqua Hydro® Bags - under pressure equipment for water mains Mini Hydro® Bags - Hydrant isolations

Pipeline Inspection Bags

- servicing/monitoring pipes

Power Station Bags

- servicing/decommissioning

Oil - Petrochemical Bags - servicing valves & pipes

Bespoke Bags

- Custom made to suit application We also supply a large range of products for use with our bags including, under pressure pipe fittings and launch equipment manufactured by WASK and Torre

T: +44(0) 1506 855 824 F: +44(0) 1506 855 849

E: mail@sarcostopper.com

Sarco Stopper Ltd : Brocks Way : East Mains Industrial Estate : Broxburn : West Lothian : EH52 5NB : Scotland : UK Copyright © 2008 Sarco Stopper Ltd : Reg No. 3099903

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Guiding our clients every step of the way Turcan Connell offers a comprehensive service to private individuals and their families. Our focus has always been on providing trusted counsel over the long term. Our combination of legal, tax, financial planning and investment expertise allows us to provide focused and tailored advice on the issues that really matter. t "TTFU 1SPUFDUJPO

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Turcan Connell is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority for investment business.

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Theinterview sPeCiAl FeAture

Tackling the challenges of a capital city

By John Dean

Sue Bruce took up the post of Chief Executive of the City of Edinburgh Council on January 1, having previously been Chief Executive at Aberdeen City Council and East Dunbartonshire Council.

She began her local government career with Strathclyde Regional Council in 1976 spending the early part of her career in social and economic regeneration and then in the wider education field.

In May 2010, Sue received the Prince’s Business Ambassador award for 2010 and again this year from HRH The Prince of Wales and in October 2010 was recognised as the Scottish Public Sector Leader of the Year Award at the Scottish Leadership Awards.

How are public sector cuts likely to impact on the city over the next 12 months?

The City Council in February 2011, approved a budget which provides for 2011/12 and sets a framework 12/13.

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Sue Bruce

Chief Executive, City of Edinburgh Council

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We will however, have to understand and analyse what emerges from the Scottish Government’s spending review - which will be announced shortly - and assess how that impacts upon the City Council’s resources, services and service users with a view to making necessary adjustments through the budget review period leading up to budget setting in February 2012.

We are also considering the implications of the Christie Report and whilst we continue to review the effectiveness and efficiency of our services, we also await the Scottish Government’s response to that Review. The Christie Report does promote collaborative working and early intervention - both of which are approaches that are widely supported and reflect the Council’s planning.

There has been an encouraging response from the business community in Edinburgh and the City Council has committed to creating fifty apprenticeships. It is important that we continue to work collaboratively with the Chamber of Commerce to promote Edinburgh as a top location for inward investment whilst at the same time continuing to support the businesses already here in the city. We are committed to meeting the Scottish Quality Housing Standard (SQHS) and are increasing the availability of family housing through new build projects which are very welcomed and are amongst the first in Scotland for many years.

Over the course of the next near, apart from continuing to address the constraints on public spending whilst committing to continued improvement in services and customer relations, we will also see the local government election which is due to take place early in May 2012

Following the September decision of Council, we are working to conclude implementation plans and are working with colleagues at Lothian Buses who will operate the system.

An important area of work, not only for the Council, but for colleagues in further and higher education and businesses across the city is our collective contribution to helping create jobs and training opportunities for the young people of the city. A collaborative approach has been taken to developing the ‘Edinburgh Guarantee’ which aims to match school leavers to opportunities including mentoring, college places, jobs and apprenticeships.

What excites you most about Edinburgh?

Where do I start? To serve as the Chief Executive of the City Council is a fantastic privilege. This city - the Capital, the seat of Government, a Unesco world heritage site, first world city of literature, home to the world’s best festivals, great urban parks and gardens, home to many and a great business environment - what is not to be excited about? I reflect on my good fortune in being here in this role and revel in it every single day. Amongst all of the world beating attributes of the city, we are also home to many - a significant challenge for the council is in playing a full part in all that is exciting and at the same time serving those who need to be supported by public services.

What do you see as the other main challenges facing the council and the city?

In my role as Returning Officer I am accountable for the delivery of a fair, legal and transparent process. In the run up to what will no doubt be a hard fought contest by candidates, many of whom may be serving elected members, it is my job as Chief Executive to make sure that officers stay focused on the delivery of services and that we are prepared to support the new council immediately after the election. Other big issues for the council - and indeed for Edinburgh, include the continued effort to deliver the integrated transport system including the tram.

had such a busy summer with the excellent festivals emphasising that there is much about Edinburgh to celebrate and more to focus on than the troubles, albeit significant, that have surrounded the tram. I don’t minimise the issues, however, we have almost £500m of sunk investment and I do believe we have to put a substantial effort into making the most of that investment and the additional sum to get the tram to the city centre, and it is incumbent on all of us to continue to promote the many positive attributes of the city.

What effect do you see the trams problems having on the city?

The issues that have been faced in the delivery of the trams project have caused uncertainty, scepticism and for some, anger. We have been working hard to develop a plan which is deliverable within the revised budget and timescale to get the tram to the city centre.

For many the idea of an integrated, efficient and environmentally friendly transport scheme is an obvious thing to do, however the project has not been universally welcomed and the problems with delivery have not helped to convince the sceptics that it is the right thing to do. During construction and the remediation of the work on Princes Street there will inevitably be more disruption which is bound to be an irritant for businesses and residents. The Council has approved an ‘Open for business’ initiative which aims to promote the city and support businesses through the coming construction period. We have to work hard to overcome the reputational damage that has been done. It is welcomed that we have

What can the city do better and why?

We are working hard on our improvement programme and we readily challenge ourselves and our services with measures such as IIP - Investors in People and CSE standards for customer service excellence and of course we are thoroughly audited through formal measures.

Key to all of this is accurate self assessment - we must stay in touch with how well - or otherwise - we are doing - and have a plan for continuous improvement and we must work hard at customer relations and ensuring the best possible standards in our service delivery. We don’t deliver all of our services at first hand and we have many contractual or commissioned relationships with other providers. Edinburgh has a vibrant voluntary and social enterprise sector who are important partners for us in service delivery, as are other players in the public and private sectors. The economic climate will require us to work hard at collaborative work and it is entirely appropriate for us to be focusing on delivering outcomes and not being hostages to process.

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Citydevelopment sPeCiAl FeAture

Building a bright future for Edinburgh Anyone taking a stroll round Edinburgh’s streets will not take long to realise that the city is witnessing a series of major projects which provide work for the construction sector.

Strong partnerships between the public and private sectors are developing projects which improve life for communities, support businesses and create jobs.

Current projects include:

And despite the tough times being experienced by the private sector, there remains much cause for optimism, according to Councillor Tom Buchanan, Convener of Economic Development at City of Edinburgh Council.

He believes that the public sector can still play a key role in bringing major investment to the city. Pointing to major projects already under way, he said: “The construction sector has come through a difficult time, no one can deny that, but the main impact has been on the housing sector and the commercial sector is in a healthier state. I think Edinburgh has been lucky and even though there might not be the large public sector investment available, we are still able to play an important role.

“We can make the city attractive to developers and investors by creating the right conditions for them - for instance through the identification of four key development zones with their own dedicated managers - and using our leverage to allow them to invest in Edinburgh.

“And we can still invest. It just might be that instead of bringing forward a development with two phases of construction we have just the one. Overall, I am optimistic about the future.”

There do remain concerns as to how far the sector can return to former glories, though.

For instance, the recent Edinburgh City Region Economic Review, which involves organisations including the Chamber of Commerce. Although it remarked that Edinburgh has proven ‘resilient’ during the economic downturn, it pointed out that “the fastest growing sectors in the City Region in 1998-2008 – financial and business services and construction – are not expected to return to peak growth in the foreseeable future.”

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edinburgh international There are plans to transform a development zone around Edinburgh Airport into a global centre for transport and international business, which it is hoped could bring up to £4.4 billion into Scotland’s economy. It is estimated that development of the zone could create up to 3,600 new jobs across Scotland.

Announcing the project recently, Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth John Swinney said the plan was a ‘positive example of what can be achieved to facilitate long term growth despite the difficult economic climate.

We wish the Edinburgh International Development Partnership every success in delivering the vision for West Edinburgh.’

Lena Wilson, Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise, said at the launch: “Edinburgh International is one of Scotland’s most important economic development zones.

Ambitious proposals such as this demand rigorous planning and we have been working with our partners to facilitate an implementation plan that will help pave the way for the transformation of the West of Edinburgh into one of Scotland’s key centres of commerce and connectivity.”

Conference square The City of Edinburgh has signed a deal with hotel chain Motel One for the development of a 208room hotel in the heart of the city.

The scheme is in line with the company’s expansion strategy as it seeks to increase its foothold in key European centres.

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The construction industry plays an important role in the Scottish Economy. Not only does it contribute around £10 billion per annum it employs around 200,000 people. 90% of those employed are skilled professionals and this equates to around 8% of the working population.

In terms of the wider skills agenda, the industry has a major part to play with a third of all Scottish apprentices in training employed in the construction sector.

EICC expansion The development partnership of City of Edinburgh Council, Scottish Enterprise and Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) Limited is working on an £85 million ‘Expansion Space’ for EICC, as well as offices.

One of Scotland’s biggest construction projects, it will sustain 250 jobs at peak

employment and forms the last piece of Edinburgh’s Exchange Masterplan.

The development will be ready for occupation by 2013, adding a 2,000 square metre Multi Purpose Hall to EICC and delivering 186,000 square feet of office space.

Headline figures for the UK as depicted below from the Office for National Statistics show a continuing downward trend with the volume of new construction orders for Q1 2011 falling 18 percent compared with the same period in 2010.

The industry remains challenging and the Governments response in appointing a Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment is welcomed as is the continuing support for the Scottish Futures Trust.

Craigmillar’s regeneration - East Neighbourhood Office/ Library

Craigmillar’s regeneration - recently refurbished White House.

Development work is under way on a new community hub for neighbourhood and library services in Craigmillar, with the sod-cutting having recently taken place.

Edinburgh’s historic Assembly Rooms George Street is to welcome two new tenants next year, following the completion of refurbishment works. Edinburgh-based Salt ‘n’ Sauce Promotions Ltd, which specialises in comedy, will operate the venue during the Festival Fringe, while the Supper Room will play host to a ‘Jamie’s Italian’ restaurant, Jamie Oliver’s first venture in the city.

The new East Neighbourhood Office and Craigmillar Library is in the heart of Cragmillar Town Centre and will bring staff together from several council departments and partner agencies. It will also feature a new community space, with a large library. The East Neighbourhood Office and Craigmillar Library is the second major council project to be developed as part of the hub South East Scotland programme, following the start of work on the new Drumbrae Library and Community Hub in West Edinburgh earlier this year.

The current instability in the global financial markets has had a significant impact on construction over the last three years with output down almost by a fifth in 2009/2010.

Once home to the famous Fountainbridge brewery, the Edinburgh site has been earmarked for a new canalside district featuring moorings for boats, a public park, a hotel, a commercial quarter and waterside cafes and bars. The plan, which has been drawn up by award-winning Edinburgh architect Allan Murray, also includes hundreds of new homes.

With the continuing lack of confidence in the private sector, the reliance on public sector investment will continue in the short to medium term. Capital funding remains in short supply but alternative financing models are emerging in both the public and private sectors that could stimulate construction growth.

Tax Incremental Funding (TIF), JESSICA along with private sector cash has the ability to unlock development and continue the investment in the cities accommodation and infrastructure.

Scotland and Edinburgh has the potential to capture the new ‘Black Gold’ that is reminiscent of the Oil and Gas explosion of the 70’s.

Undoubtedly the Low Carbon Agenda and the Scottish Government energy targets has the potential to sustain the industry for the next decade and beyond. It is estimated that this sector alone has a capital value of £80 billion over the next 10 years and could generate in excess of 28,000 jobs. It is essential that Government, Local Authorities and we, the industry, help ourselves by making the commitment now to ensure that we collectively capitalise on the inward investment required to make best use of Scotland’s natural resources.

To conclude, the recovery in the construction industry remains fragile. With innovative funding models, greater utilisation of public private partnerships and investment in the emerging markets, the sector has the potential to once again flourish.

“The road to success is always under construction”

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sPeCiAl FeAture

How does the Greenest Company in the UK manage their carbon emissions?

As winner of the Sunday Times Best Green Companies Award 2011, Skanska are setting new standards for green construction. It’s called Deep Green construction and results in future-proofed buildings and infrastructure which are fit for a low carbon, resource constrained future.

They are successfully implementing energy reduction plans across 100% of their offices and have reduced consumption at head office by 19%, and an overall 7.5% reduction across all emissions.

Around the world, Skanska operate a broad portfolio of buildings. Some are owned, some are leased; some are managed in-house, some use external facilities management; some buildings are new-build, others are older. The type of buildings and they way they are managed presents a number of challenges and opportunities in Skanska’s battle to cut their own carbon. So how do they do it?

In order to identify and maximise opportunities Skanska directly employ a great deal of talent internally. There are over 35 UK full-time Sustainability and Environmental professionals as well as Low Carbon Consultants and LEED and BREEAM trained specialists. They have a successful Mechanical and Engineering specialist business, Skanska Rashleigh Weatherfoil and a Green Business Unit providing specific carbon efficient retrofit solutions to a range of customer assets. By harnessing this collective knowledge, coupled with the wider global network of Skanska specialists, they are able to tackle the carbon question more innovatively.

Above: Sedum roof at Project Pride helps reduce heat loss in the winter and thermal absorption in the summer – a passive solution.

Carbon Disclosure Project, providing specific client focused reports where applicable. They have just gained CEMARS (Carbon Emission Management and Reduction Scheme) certification for their reporting.

After the baseline had been established, Skanska then started to identify the ‘no cost’ then ‘low cost’ measures that helped to reduce consumption, before moving on to the medium to high cost measures that would have longer payback periods.

Skanska think of energy efficiency and carbon management as an ongoing process, approached in a logical way that empowers people to strive for continuous improvement.

This enables Skanska to consider the long-term impacts and opportunities for change in the buildings they design, build, manage and operate.

Minimising carbon through passive measures, such as maximising daylight whilst minimising solar gain, or through efficient systems and efficient operation and maintenance, including the use of simple O&M manuals, Soft-Landings framework and post occupancy evaluations, are all cost effective ways of reducing carbon emissions before more expensive investments are required.

The first step in cutting carbon is to accurately measure the energy used and checking consumption from smart metering or utility bills. Consideration of how internal factors such as energy generation, building fabric and buildings use, as well as the external factors such as weather, may have affected energy consumption helped to establish a baseline from which they could target improvements.

It only becomes cost effective to consider renewable sources of energy generation once energy efficiency measures have been installed to reduce demand. Whilst installing a micro wind turbine or solar photovoltaic (PV) panel is a highly visible statement of an organisation’s commitment to sustainability and minimising its impact on climate change, it should really be considered only once energy efficiency has been tackled.

Skanska’s 2010 footprint was 27t CO2/£million turnover and they publicly report their carbon emissions through the

This approach to carbon management is not limited to Skanska’s own building portfolio. They have publicly

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analysis. With this specially developed tool, Skanska can quickly analyse a portfolio or a building and advise you how to: • enhance your buildings’ cost effectively through targeted physical interventions; • improve the value for money and the return you get from your assets; and • develop and deliver the strategy to take your portfolio forward.

Above: The lake source heat pump, installed by Skanska at the King’s Mill Hospital, Mansfield saves 9,600MWh of gas and electric and 1700 tonnes of CO2 annually.

announced their intention to Commercialise Green and help their clients reduce their consumption.

Skanska bring the learning from the buildings they have designed, constructed and are now operating in the UK and wider to their customers. They have empirical data from Derby Hospital where, by working in close partnership, they helped save over £2 million for the Derby Hospital Trust through reduced energy bills and achieved the Carbon Trust Standard with greater than 2% reduction year on year.

They are retrofitting education and NHS estates to include more efficient systems, such as replacing old lighting systems with new more efficient LED lighting and providing cost modelling for the installation of low carbon technologies such as PV where these retrofits demonstrate significant savings over the customers’ preferred payback periods.

Skanska, along with our partners ARUP, employ a specific refurbishment model that is designed to demystify all of the unknowns surrounding the finance, design and delivery of high performance buildings. It is a fully integrated design and delivery solution incorporating guarantees of performance and integrates architectural, engineering and financial risk

The approach uses a three stage filter process driven by your goals and concerns. Whether you want to improve market performance, reduce energy use and carbon emissions or cut costs.

The first filter analyses the portfolio to determine which assets it would be best to retrofit. This is based on evaluating commercial factors, the market context and the potential to improve performance.

Filter two takes the assets identified in stage one and determines the bundles of interventions that could meet your objectives. For each bundle we carry out a robust cost-benefit analysis to show you the opportunities, commercial viability and associated risks. This means you can implement appropriate steps, knowing you have the analysis to support your decisions.

Finally, filter three produces a retrofit strategy by developing the outcome of filter two through a detailed feasibility study.

This analysis involves bespoke modelling of building performance.

By applying the Skanska Learning, they can help plan towards the delivery of a 34% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of the public estate by 2020.

State hospital, Carstairs Skanska in Scotland have undertaken the £75M design and build of the State Hospital in Carstairs on behalf of NHS Scotland.

Commencing on site in 2008 and due for completion early 2012, the Construction has been undertaken in a phased operation with the construction of nine new buildings and refurbishment to one providing a modern, secure facility for the treatment of patients with mental health issues.

Primary low carbon goals were incorporated and comprised of a centralised biomass boiler, maximum use of natural light and ventilation and the recycling of rainwater, all of which had an impact on the design and form of each of the buildings as well as the building services design. Expansive use of inverter drives, PIR activated lights, LED lighting and lighting control systems have all contributed to efficient energy conscious construction and the use of prefabricated bathroom PODS to all the patient rooms contributed to not only efficiency in construction but contributed to waste reduction on site.

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Tram decision is reversed Councillors held a special meeting with the City of Edinburgh Council at which they decided to build the city’s tram line to St Andrew Square.

Greener bus travel arrives in Edinburgh Public launch of Lothian Buses new hybrid fleet.

Lothian Buses marked the introduction of greener bus travel in Edinburgh with a public launch in the Capital last September.

Five of the new state of the art hybrid vehicles were on display in Castle Street, prior to the £5 million fleet taking to the roads on service 10.

Visitors were able to explore the low carbon buses which offer CO2 emissions savings of over 30 percent, and get behind the wheel of the green fleet. Adults and children had the opportunity to get up close to the state of the art diesel electric buses that are powered directly by electrical energy stored in batteries, and see how the electricity turns motors attached to the bus wheels to produce motion.

Ian Craig, Managing Director of Lothian Buses, said: “As a company we are always looking for ways to offer greener and more sustainable travel, both for our passengers and the local environment. It was therefore important to us that we created a public launch for the people of Edinburgh to unveil the hybrid fleet to them.

head-on both local air pollution issues and help Scotland achieve its ambitious carbon reduction targets. This new hybrid fleet is part of our continued commitment and investment to combat air pollution and to offer our passengers a low-carbon public transport option.”

The 15-strong fleet is the first of its kind in Scotland and Edinburgh is set to become the first city in Scotland to operate a doubledecker hybrid fleet. Setting the standard for greener public transport in Scotland, the fleet of Enviro 400 hybrid double-decker electricdiesel buses, manufactured by Falkirk-based bus and coach builders, Alexander Dennis Limited, will run on the city’s Service 10, from Western Harbour to Torphin.

The £5 million investment, including a £1 million contribution from the Scottish Government’s Green Bus Fund, is Scotland’s biggest single investment in green hybrid bus technology by a bus operator. This latest investment confirms Lothian Buses position as a category leader in public transport and its commitment to both Edinburgh residents and creating a greener capital.

For more information please visit www.ecolothianbuses.com

Their decision reversed one taken the week before in which members voted for a truncated first phase to Haymarket.

City of Edinburgh Council Leader Jenny Dawe said: “Continuing with the tram route to St Andrew Square was the only sensible option for Edinburgh. I look forward to seeing a new work programme which enables our tramline to be built and operational as quickly as possible.

“I am delighted that we have managed to deliver additional funds for the businesses affected. I am also grateful for the substantial effort that Council officers, and indeed the members of the Infrastructure Consortium, have gone to in enabling us to take the decision.”

The decision authorises Council Chief Executive Sue Bruce to negotiate the settlement agreement with contractors with the aim of delivering the tram route to the city centre as the first phase of the tram line.

She said: “The decision enables us to report back to the contractor that we have confirmation of the Council’s funding for the project and we can work towards a settlement agreement and a revised programme of works.”

In addition to the recommendation to complete the tram route to St Andrew’s Square, the Council has also approved the revised Open for Business Scheme which has been given an increased budget to provide support for businesses affected by the on-street section of works over the next two years.

“They introduce a new era of proven, reliable, greener buses that will tackle

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sPeCiAl FeAture

Five ways technology can help you manage growth As you know, when you run a growing business, everything is important, from order fulfillment to employee retention and customer satisfaction. Whether you’re focused on expanding your operations or remaining in control of how quickly your company is growing, the right business management tools can help.

Finance and Accounting Many companies launch their business with a simple accounting application, but, as they grow, they may find that software limiting.

Integrated software system to manage all of your financial transactions – from general ledger to budgeting and reporting - doesn’t have to be complicated, and you may not need an accountant to use it.

Consolidated financial information is critical to being able to track how and where you’re growing. Good software can provide practically all the data you need in ways that make sense, such as balance sheets, cash flow analyses, and comparisons, so you can see at a glance where your finances are on track and where you need to focus more effort.

Customer relationships To manage the growing numbers of customers, you must have processes in place to address their – and your – needs. With the right solution, you can manage the entire sales process from opportunities to deliveries, and you can use the information you gain to inform future sales and marketing decisions.

When your sales teams are on the road, they need access to customer information on the spot, without having to call the home office.

With a Web-based customer relationship management solution, the sales force can view customer information, stock levels, the status of orders, and more.

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Operations

e-Commerce

Customers have the opportunity to recommend your business to their friends and colleagues at any time. Good software can help you deliver what your customers expect, so those recommendations won’t turn into warnings. Comprehensive sales and delivery functions can cover all aspects of operations, from price quotes to stock levels and billing.

Inventory management and production planning can be integrated with your other processes – such as sales and purchasing – to assist your operations with inventory details and material requirements planning.

Most consumers expect online purchasing, service, and support. Business management software with integrated e-commerce capabilities means you can establish an online store quickly and cost effectively.

Administration and reporting Errors in administration and reporting can result in more than frustrated employees – they can put your reputation on the line with customers and bring your business to the attention of tax authorities. But manual data entry and reporting processes can lead to errors and duplicate information.

The right application can manage human resource information in one place; establish electronic workflow and approval processes and alerts; and let you create reports that make sense. Dashboards – or single screens that display multiple types of business information – can show you an up-to-the-minute, comprehensive view of nearly every aspect of your business, including customers, suppliers, sales, cash flow, bookkeeping, inventory, financial statements, pricing, and customer activities.

Onyx group - Helping You Manage growth Onyx Group has over 17 years of experience in helping businesses reach their goals through the use of technology. To help organisations manage critical business functions across sales, distribution, and finance with a single, integrated software system, we work closely with leading business software provider SAP. Their Business One product is designed to be affordable to acquire, implement, and maintain. With it, you can access critical, upto-the-minute data that provides a complete and current view of your business – so you can more effectively manage your company’s growth.

For more information email info@onyx.net or call 0800 970 92 92.

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private and corporate catering

Focus on the business in hand Leave the hustle and bustle of city life and concentrate only on the business in hand. This award winning country house hotel, only ten minutes from the motorway network with easy access to Edinburgh and the airport, is ideal for business meetings, seminars, team building events and corporate entertainment with facilities for 250 delegates. The hotel offers a team of highly professional staff, an award winning restaurant, 200 free parking spaces, a health and leisure spa and 73 en-suite rooms.

BEST WESTERN PLUS Keavil House Hotel,

01506 497878 / 07968 000 904 gcscatering@hotmail.com

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Crossford, Dunfermline, Fife, KY12 8NN

01383 736258 events@keavilhouse.co.uk www.keavilhouse.co.uk

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Former West End film location ‘set’ for business The Edinburgh building which once took centre stage in the film New Town Killers has been re-opened as a business centre.

23 Melville Street, which was also the location for Bollywood hit The Season of Love, underwent a £500,000 redevelopment by local property development expert Brian Cormack and has been transformed into a series of office suites and meeting rooms.

Peer and former Labour minister Lord Foulkes of Cumnock unveiled the Georgian building’s new look at a formal opening.

Edinburgh-born Brian, 47, who is a member of Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, bought 23 Melville Street in 2007 but was approached by film-makers before he could begin his renovations and found himself on set with director Richard Jobson as he filmed the story of two psychotic bankers who target a parentless teen on an Edinburgh housing estate.

Following the film’s release, 23 Melville Street took to the spotlight again in 2008 after Brian was approached by Indian film makers.

Why we rejoined the Chamber.

For a business that’s just enjoyed another year of continued growth and increased turnover – a feat which many in the property sector would find hard to rival – there perhaps would be no real gain in rejoining Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce.

But that’s a decision that commercial property specialists Space Solutions has been happy to make.

The business is Scotland’s biggest independent expert in helping businesses manage changes within the workplace, operating across the UK from bases in Edinburgh and elsewhere in the central belt.

It has just recorded a near 25% increase in revenues to top £20million for the first time with the Edinburgh office achieving a 26.4% surge in growth thanks to its specialist services in workplace analysis and space planning and in helping businesses manage property costs.

Director Derek Binnie said: “While this has been a great year for Space Solutions and the Edinburgh office in particular, which we have underpinned by planning a range of key appointments and activity to fuel further growth, we know the benefits of the Chamber can play a major role in our future plans.

“We are looking forward to linking up with other companies who can assist in providing support services and in networking with businesses who want their workplaces to work better or are looking for help in making the right decisions to allow them to expand and grow.

“We are a business that can help other businesses. We work to understand the challenges and aspirations of each particular business and focus on delivering the right solution that ensures they are perfectly positioned for the future.”

Why not join the Chamber’s linkedin group (www.linkedin.com – search for edinburgh Chamber of Commerce) and follow us on twitter (@edinChamber)?

We are also on facebook.

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ScotRail introduces Business Direct This autumn sees the launch of ScotRail Business Direct – an exciting new service that permits businesses and organisations to work directly with us to purchase rail tickets, identify cost saving opportunities and help us improve the overall value clients derive from travel budgets.

ScotRail Business Direct offers a host of benefits including fee-free transactions – so no hidden booking fees, postal charges*, or Ticket on Departure costs, dedicated account management and support team, and 3rd party ticket collection from any station with a self service ticket machine.You can even upload company travel policy, allocate purchases to specific cost centres, and utilise an intuitive Management Information (MI) suite.

Save favourite journeys, upload traveller details, including travel preferences and choose to have confirmation of booking

references and journey details sent directly to the travellers email or mobile, making it much easier to use rail for business travel.

The online self-book tool is further complemented by our specialist Scotland based telephone support team, ensuring continuity and reliability.

And if you’re planning an ‘away day’ or simply have to get a group of people from A to B, then you can enjoy preferential group rates, with discounts ranging from 20% to 50%**, and that even includes our Caledonian Sleeper.

ScotRail operates 95% of services within Scotland, including the Caledonian Sleeper Service, an overnight service conveniently linking over 40 Scottish towns and cities with London Euston, in the heart of the city.

To find out more, call 08450 700908, or visit www.scotrail.co.uk/businessdirect *Standard postage only. Next Day Delivery incurs a ÂŁ6 fee. **Subject to date/time of travel and availability.

A fresh approach to Business Travel from ScotRail

Let us manage your business travel, while you get on with managing your business.

Arranging business travel for your organisation can be a headache so let ScotRail’s free Business Direct service do all the hard work.

With benefits like these, why not take advantage of this personalised service:

• • • • • •

Fee-free account-managed resource ‘Collect at station’ provision Aides implementation and compliance with travel policy Dedicated specialist Scotland-based support teams Online- and telephone-based ticket fulfilment options More value for your travelling needs

It could save you time, money and a lot of effort.

Visit www.scotrail.co.uk/businessdirect or call 0845 070 09 08 to find out more

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“From the convention-defying engineering of the Glenfinnan Viaduct more than 100 years ago to today’s spectacular O2 Arena, we have consistently forged a reputation for innovation and quality.”

Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd Scott House, Mid New Cultins, West One Business Park, Edinburgh EH11 4DH Tel: 0131 458 4255 Fax: 0131 458 4254 Email: edinburgh@sir-robert-mcalpine.com

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Residential property investment consultants Managing & leasing agents Residential property acquisitions Renovations project coordination Comprehensive landlord support

PROPERTY INVESTMENT INSIGHT Edinburgh Spaces Limited 6 Waterloo Place Edingburgh EH1 3E6 T/F: 0131 556 0001 info@edinburghspaces.co.uk

www.edinburghspaces.co.uk

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Inthe Inthespotlight Company name: Bank of scotland in east scotland Who? ian Collins, Area director Website: www.bankofscotlandbusiness.co.uk 1. What were you doing between 10 and 12 this morning?

5. What three tips would you provide to others trying to reach the top?

I spent the morning talking to my managers about their teams’ activities and current deals. When you run a people business there are always issues that need to be addressed swiftly. Whilst this takes some time it’s an important part of the job and means we have a happy and balanced workforce. I also made everyone a drink (I hate firms where the boss can’t boil a kettle).

Understand why you want to get a role - is it cash reward, job satisfaction or personal development?

Find only the next role / job that you want and work towards that. Don’t have a five year view as the world changes too much.

Ensure that those in your professional and personal life understand your work goals and are supportive of what you’re trying to achieve.

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

Proving to the marketplace and the media that we are supporting and lending money to Scottish businesses. As part of Lloyds Banking Group, we provided £21.2 billion of committed gross lending to UK businesses during the first half of 2011, of which £6.7 billion was to SMEs. We are absolutely supporting small businesses.

3. What do you consider your biggest business triumph?

Taking my staff through various development phases which has resulted in them taking on more stretching roles and in some cases real sector expertise.

4. do you have any money-saving business tips?

Talk to your bank regularly.You might be surprised what guidance we can provide.

If you are seeking funding then get in touch sooner rather than later, and make sure you know how much money you will require.

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

9. in business, is it more important to be liked or successful?

Tough question. In reality you won’t be liked all the time but if you aren’t successful eventually you won’t have a job.

10. What is the one piece of advice you would give to others trying to reach the top?

Never make an enemy. At worst make them someone who isn’t a friend, you never know when you might need them again.

Most people come to work in order to live and provide for their family. If you work hard then make sure you make separate time for the family and for yourself, which includes turning off the mobile phone. Then stick to it.Your kids won’t forget if you let them down and remember, they won’t be kids forever!

11. Who is your hero?

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

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

I play various sports with the kids, including tennis, running, cricket and football. I run about 20 miles a week on my own. I enjoy cooking as well.

A vet.

8. What qualities do you need to see in your employees?

Honesty, integrity, passion and pace. They should have belief in themselves and the company.

I don’t really have one. I admire a lot of people, including a number of sports stars and those that work in very difficult situations in the caring profession. I also admire my eldest son for so many things he does and the way he leads his life.

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

Norman Wisdom, John McEnroe, Marilyn Monroe, Frank Spencer.

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

My wife and my three children.

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Developing Sage for growing businesses

software | training | support

Thinking Sage?

Think Eureka.

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Find out more about our solutions and our unique approach at Eureka360, the business solutions event on Thursday 27th October 2011.

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The event for Scottish businesses.

27th October 2011

to discuss your requirements

0131 202 1598 www.eurekasolutions.co.uk

BC issue 13.indd 39

Find out more and register

www.eureka360.co.uk

21/9/11 12:26:36

“LET’S GET DOWN TO BUSINESS” COMPANY IDENTITIES / BROCHURES WEBSITES / CORPORATE REPORTS MAGAZINES / BRIGHT IDEAS

giving your business the edge

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what?s next! for your business?

Corporate consultancy:

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■ Market Research ■ Strategic Development ■ Workshop Design & Delivery

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Contact us to explore the possibilities.

Tel: 07971 406809 what?s next! business consultancy ltd

Email: info@whats-next.co.uk Web: www.whats-next.co.uk

Come and meet us New Start Scotlan at d, SECC Glasgow, Fri 18th-Sat 19th N ov, 10am - 4pm www.newstartsco

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Company Registration Number SC353152

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Asktheexpert Colin Gilchrist

Q: Is “blogging” worth the time and effort, and if so, where do I start?

A: It is definitely worth developing a

blogging strategy. Research in early 2011

by US business HubSpot identified that Business websites achieved an average of 55% more traffic if they followed a blogging strategy that included: • posting new blog content at least once a week, and • sharing the content on other platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

This question has been asked by a number of business owners, and is answered by Colin Gilchrist, Digital Marketing Director, Digital Bryan Leslie Face.

You start by familiarising yourself with social platforms like blogging, tweeting, Facebook, etc.You then start to produce content. Each post should: • take around an hour to research, develop and submit, • use photography or a video, • cover an area related to your work that excites or interests you, and • be passionately written from your point of view.

at colin.gilchrist@digitalface.co.uk, with “Blogging Report” in the subject. The top five from the report are: 1. DON’T directly sell your products 2. DO blog regularly 3. DO demonstrate your knowledge by giving useful advice away for free 4. DO use attractive or fun titles 5. DO share the content on other platforms (Linkedin, Twitter, Facebook, etc.)

Colin helps organisations grow by working with them to develop Social Media Strategies that get results. He can be contacted by telephone on 0845 409 2803 or by email at colin.gilchrist@digitalface. co.uk Colin also delivers Social Media Training courses for the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce. For details of upcoming subjects and dates please visit www.chamberbusinesssolutions.co.uk

To receive Colin’s report detailing 29 “do’s and don’ts” of blogging, please email him

GetwithIT

By Bill Magee

Scottish Business Technology Writer of the Year

Twitter:@billamagee for my Daily TechPost Fresh signs of business confidence highlighted in an upbeat report from Lloyds Banking Group are being matched by what is rapidly becoming a new wave of technological innovation in Scotland to benefit markets both here and overseas.

Par Equity, the Edinburgh-based venture capital, business angel and advisory company established in 2008, currently has “four cracking deals” fast reaching fruition as it acts as a touchstone to a new tech era benefiting Scotland PLC. In the teeth of the worst credit crunch in generations Par, an accredited partner of the Scottish Venture Fund and Scottish Co-Investment Fund, is achieving such an

impressive growing portfolio with one standout quality ~ a strong technological edge to their commercial offerings.

Collectively, they are proving instrumental towards Scotland set to reap the benefits of a sustained period of accelerated tech start-up action, as Par reports a diversity of potential deals flowing through their books with high growth prospects as nothing short of “fabulous.”

Already benefiting from Par’s unique mix of financial and intellectual advisory backing are enterprises like Ciqual, Kiltr, Money Dashboard, Simple Audio, Star Net Geomatics plus partners’ investments like Fruit Mobile, Head Resourcing, Mobiqa and Rocela.

Head Resourcing specialises in IT and business change along with financial services and human resources, and it attended the ScotlandIS inaugural Scottish Digital Technology Awards, when prizewinners included Standard Life, Rocela and the iomart Group ~ now representing Scotland in the National Awards.

ScotlandIS Chief Executive Polly Purvis says they share an ability to “take bold steps to invest in new technology to break into new markets at home and abroad” benefiting Corporate Scotland.

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Evans Halshaw Ford Edinburgh

Up to 33% discount on your new ford commercial, and 7.9% apr representative finance

Exclusive offers for Chamber members. l New commercials -call us to arrange your bespoke accessory requirements ......towbars, lining, roof bars and more. l 10% discount on servicing, repairs , parts

l Ford lease - Fiesta Van from £41.99 / Week

l 50% discount on MOT fee

l Ford lease - Transit Connect from £45.99 / Week

l Ask us about our service advantage plan, spreading service & repair costs and giving you additional discount entitlements on many more of your motoring needs

l Ford lease - SWB Transit from £52.99 / Week

l Service and bodyshop courtesy vehicles (subject to forward booking & availability)

l Ford lease - LWB Transit from £69.99 / Week l Ford lease - Ranger from £64.99 / Week

All you need to do is bring in your copy of this advertisement and proof of chamber membership. l New car and commercial vehicle sales and service l MOT and Mechanical repairs l Ford Accident Repair Centre.

Evans Halshaw Ford Edinburgh 0131 669 6261 graham.west@evanshalshaw.com www.evanshalshaw.com Business Users only. Contract hire based on 48 month non maintenance agreement, 3 payments in advance followed by 47, 10,000 miles per annum. Payments exclude VAT. Weekly equivalents shown, payments must be made monthly. Terms and conditions apply, finance subject to terms and conditions and underwriting acceptance of provider. Service offers valid until 30/9/2011, finance offers until 30/9/2011, for registration up to 31/12/2011. Ask dealer for details

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Essential Skills for Paralegals

The Scottish Qualifications Authority’s Legal Services Professional Development Awards (PDAs) meet the Law Society of Scotland standard for formal qualifications now required to register as a Paralegal.

The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) is an executive nondepartmental public body (NDPB), responsible for developing, accrediting, assessing and certificating the vast majority of Scottish qualifications.

Qualifications are essential tools in validating learning for individuals and employers and support the standards of achievement required by the economy, business and society.They also provide a record of progression for individuals as they develop through life, allowing them to build on their prior learning.

Specifically, Professional Development Awards provide focused education and training at a high level.They develop sharp, flexible skills quickly and in a cost-effective way.

Working with the Scottish Paralegal Association, SQA has developed seven qualifications covering key legal specialisms – Debt Recovery, Domestic Conveyancing, Executries, Commercial Conveyancing and Leasing, Employment Law, Family Law and Law and Practice Relating to Adults with Incapacity.

The PDAs deliver the skills and knowledge needed to practice within these specialisms.They are suitable for continuous professional development (CPD), or for anyone seeking to enter employment in an area of specialism.

This Unit covers certain key aspects of legislation relating to confidentiality, money laundering regulations, composition and jurisdiction of the civil and criminal courts in Scotland, legal research techniques and the conduct expected of paralegals.

Online learner resources are available from SQA for the Units common across all of the PDAs. Specific aims of these Professional Development Awards are to: ■ Equip candidates with knowledge of how to conduct themselves in a legal environment, taking account of client confidentiality, and how to interact with clients face-to-face and in written communications ■ Ensure candidates are able to identify possible conflicts of interest for their employer at the earliest possible stage when dealing with initial enquiries from clients ■ Develop the specialist competencies required by employers in private practice, local authority, commercial in-house legal teams or other organisation.

For further information on these, and SQA’s full range of qualifications and services, visit www.sqa.org.uk

In these PDAs, the Units Legal and Ethical Issues, Legal Secretarial Practice and Legal Research Techniques have been combined into one single credit Unit, Essential Skills for Paralegals.

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Gettingstarted Q3: What motivated you to set up in business for yourself?

I have always been really into bikes and over the years I have developed a real passion for business. The opportunity to set up Grease Monkey Cycles arose through realising that the cycling industry is growing rapidly as a result of the current economic conditions with more people using bikes to get around town, or cycling as a more economic alternative to gym membership.

As a keen mountain biker I was very aware of the unhelpful and long waiting lists at bike shops to have servicing and repairs carried out so the demand was obviously there. The temptation of the challenge of setting up Grease Monkey Cycles became too much to ignore, and so it began.

Q4: What do you like most about working for yourself?

I enjoy the buzz from looking forward to what each day will bring, it has really been great fun so far and I’m looking forward to the future.

We have a great team of people at Grease Monkey Cycles and want it to be a fun place to work as well as having a great reputation for professionalism and customer service.

I enjoy being able to make decisions and planning, then carefully monitoring the outcome to test that the plans worked.

The best part of it is building something from scratch with all the challenges, rewards, highs and lows that brings.

Q5: What has been your greatest business success to date?

Name: David Wray Business Name: Grease Monkey Cycles Business Start Date: April 2010 Website: greasemonkeycycles.com Q1: Tell us a bit about your business?

Grease Monkey Cycles is a hassle free bike maintenance and repair service based right in the centre of Edinburgh near Haymarket. We go the extra mile by collecting and delivering your bike and if you use your bike to commute, we even offer courtesy bikes. We really take pride in putting the customer first.

Grease Monkey Cycles has grown steadily since opening and are currently expanding into online retail, which matches our hassle free philosophy. The plans don’t stop there, we have a couple of other exciting ideas to put into place, watch this space..

Q2: What gives your business ‘the x-factor’?

Our x-factor is that we are unique in the level of customer service we can offer. This includes collecting bikes from your office or home at a time that suits you and taking it to our purpose built workshop for servicing or repair. Every service also includes careful washing of the bike before it is fully inspected and assessed by our mechanics.

A quotation is then discussed with the customer before proceeding which means no nasty surprises for the customer and they only pay for the work they want carried out.

The bike is also test ridden before it is delivered back to the customer sparkling clean.

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The most satisfying success happens every day when we get really great feedback from happy customers.

Q6: What has been your lowest moment?

The lowest moments were during the first couple of months when we were investing heavily in fitting out our workshop, buying specialist tools and stock with very little money coming in. Thankfully that was only for a short period of time and we have been able to grow our customer base quite quickly.

Q7: In terms of business achievements, where do you want to be within the next 5 years?

We want Grease Monkey to be a well-recognised brand with an established branch network across the UK offering hassle free bike maintenance; it’s the way it should be! We will also build on our other work streams to create a solid bike business.

Q8: What would be your top tip to someone thinking of starting up their own business?

The best thing you can have to help is a really good support network of people who have done it before. They will be happy to help you plan and make decisions while keeping your dreams realistic.

The right people will enjoy being a mentor as much as you will enjoy going through the early stages and will be there when you need to ask questions, there are lots of questions during those days.

I really want to thank David Chisholm at Business Gateway and Moyra & Gordon Jeffery at Aqualife Services for all of their support and advice. My friends, family and partner Kirsty for all of their help and understanding the long hours needed and finally the team at Grease Monkey Cycles for being so great! Thanks guys.

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MI Consultants Would you benefit from 1:1 business mentoring?

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The rise of ‘Do It Yourself’ marketing “We have taken what marketing consultants do and simplified it.”

It’s the growth engine for SMEs. But as research proves effective marketing in a downturn is a tough call for small companies that have zero marketing budgets.

According to recent research over 60% of SMEs have no marketing budget for 2011. Most will probably squeeze their budgets for marketing or advertising.

Ruth Mckay, Director of UNIQ, the first company in Scotland providing specialist marketing training for small businesses, says that every business has the opportunity to punch above their weight.The watchword is DIY. “We have moved away from marketing consultancy to offering specialist marketing training services to cater for the rise in demand for DIY marketing. We have found that

marketing resources available for small businesses are very basic. So we wanted to give SMEs a more practical tool to help them drive their marketing.”

UNIQ has adapted to customer demand for DIY marketing training and the company is now launching The UNIQ DIY marketing programme which will be available online or as a box set and features video, audio, slideshare and online forms on topics such as how to identify a USP and identify most profitable target market.

“We have taken what marketing consultants do and simplified it. There is a range of other resources available but our clients found that they were so basic that they were not practical or helpful. So we came up with a fully interactive package that is scalable across the UK.” UNIQ, Scotland’s first Academy for Entrepreneurs set up after their research identified small and micro businesses found a

lack of practical and flexible support and training in core business skills from enterprise agencies.

Mckay, who set up a marketing consultancy at 24 and was the first business owner in the UK to give a live and interactive presentation online, says it’s vital that SMEs can invest time in their marketing if they have a limited budget.

“We set up to empower business owners to drive their business growth through core activities of sales, marketing and operations.And we found that SMEs have limited budget to spend on marketing.

“With the shift away from the more traditional forms of marketing towards web based marketing mediums, business owners see the benefits of putting a marketing strategy in place. Once they identify what works for their business we have found SMEs like to just get on with it.”

The Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce welcomes its latest member companies: 7 Elements Limited A & P Building Services Affordable Bookkeeping Services APC Overnight Limited Ardgowan PM Limited Autism Initiatives Scotland Barque Limited Basketball Scotland BiP Solutions Limited Blackhall Therapy Centre Bonham’s Burke Joinery Cairns Bond Limited Caledonian Language School Limited Canny Marketer, The Cassidian Limited CBM UK, The Overseas Disability Charity CGPM Consulting LLP Chi Flow Company Net Cramasie Limited Cuthbertwhite Limited DB Creative Easter Road Market Ecosteam Scotland Edinburgh Collection, The Edinburgh World Heritage Trust Ferguson Electrical Services

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First Décor Flavour Magic Flock Design & Advertising Limited Forth Metrics Limited GB Liners Limited Health-E Indez Limited Isleburn Limited J.G. Groundworks Jinja Ninja Productions Jordan Shaw Limited Korala Associates Limited (KAL) Led-Solar Limited Lickety Splits Lift Financial Limited Links Hotel, The Maximyze Limited MC Treats Limited McDonald Construction McRae & Company Limited McWilliam Park Hotel Michael Laird Architects Model Team, The Natwest Corporate Banking Only In Our Edinburgh Limited Orbit Communications Limited Pashmina Boutique Pera

Peter Hynes Partnership Platinum Graphics Limited Prettybright Primate Raving Mad About Recycle Edinburgh Redpath Design Represent Limited Resources Global Professionals RMJM Scotland Limited Roadsport Trailsport Limited Sandrine Sienche Santana Designs Sapience Online Limited Saville Media Facilties Scoot Scottish Adoption SortMyPC Space Solutions SPEAK Standingaloft Studio EH1 Limited Swanston Golf Tanya Castell Turnbull Plumbing Wessex Archaeology Limited Wind Trader Limited

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PartnersinEnterprise Forth Energy plans to bring low carbon heat and electricity to Scotland

Encouraging performance

Edinburgh-based Forth Energy is currently pursuing ambitious plans to bring low carbon, wood-fuelled heat and electricity to Scotland, creating economic growth hubs not just at Leith but at three other ports on Scotland’s east coast too.

David Nish, Chief Executive, said: “We’re on track to transform the operational and financial performance of Standard Life, with operating profit up 44%.

A joint venture between Forth Ports, Scotland’s biggest port operator, and Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE), the UK’s largest renewable energy provider, Forth Energy sees significant economic benefit from these proposals.

Forth Energy is proposing a £1.7bn investment in four low carbon heat and electricity generation plants to be sited in the Ports of Rosyth, Grangemouth, Dundee, and Leith. These plants will be fuelled by wood chips and pellets sourced from the global wood fuel market and will produce 320MW of low carbon heat and 500MW of low carbon electricity, making a significant contribution to Scotland’s 2020 climate change targets.

And Forth Energy is confident that their proposals, currently in the Scottish Government’s consenting process, represent the potential to draw in other businesses

using heat and cooling, to create economic growth hubs at each of the four sites. Directly, they have the potential to create up to 1,350 construction jobs and 285 permanent jobs in fuel handling and plant operations.

Calum Wilson, Managing Director of Forth Energy, says: “The Ports of Leith and Dundee have already been identified by the Scottish Government as the most suitable manufacture and maintenance sites for the offshore renewables sector. The provision of low carbon heat and electricity further enhances the attractiveness of these sites to inward investors involved in this sector.

“While at Grangemouth and Rosyth, we are talking to a range of industrial heat customers who could use the large volumes of heat that we will produce in their industrial processes.

“At all the sites, we believe the availability of low carbon heat and electricity, with the resultant carbon tax benefits, is a positive discriminator for inward investors looking to establish themselves in Scotland.”

Standard Life’s first half figures showed that its operating profit before tax grew 44% to £262m.

“We have grown assets under administration to £200bn and increased fee-based revenues by 14%. We are investing to strengthen our market positions and have launched a number of innovative propositions to respond to the changing needs of our customers, and their advisers.

“We have improved our efficiency and see further opportunities to do more. We are competitively positioned to benefit from market changes and the new regulatory environment.”

David is confident for the company’s future, saying: “We believe that the changes we are making to the business will deliver a stronger Standard Life which, in turn, will deliver sustained growth in the future.

We are confident that the strong capital position of the Group, and our attractive customer propositions, will enable us to continue to succeed in the current volatile market conditions. These results demonstrate the real progress we are making in our transformation.”

Find out more about our Partners in enterprise on our website: www.edinburghchamber.co.uk in the ‘About us’ section.

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Moversandshakers

New Non-Executive Chairman appointed

HSBC makes key appointment

Chambers appoints new Director General

Commercial property specialists Space Solutions has appointed leading corporate lawyer Malcolm McPherson as its first Non-Executive Chairman.

HSBC has announced the appointment of Colin More as Area Commercial Director for Edinburgh and the East, as the bank focuses on accelerating its growth in Scotland.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has appointed John Longworth as the organisation’s new Director General.

Malcolm, Senior Partner of HBJ Gateley Wareing, said: “Space Solutions is well managed with a strong board, exampled by the fact that it has performed solidly through the recession, something that very few companies in the property sector can rival.”

Colin will be responsible for managing and developing the bank’s commercial business in Edinburgh and the surrounding area.

John is an experienced businessperson, whose roles have included a Senior Executive Director at Asda and Tesco, and a Non-Executive Director of the Co-operative Group Food Ltd. He will be following on from the work done

by David Frost.

Gillespie Macandrew expands housebuilder team Gillespie Macandrew LLP has appointed two new lawyers to its Housebuilder team, which is aiming to double its turnover within the sector. Both were previously with Morisons Solicitors.

Harry Smith was head of Morisons’ Builders Unit and has spent more than 20 years in this sector, working in-house with two national housebuilders and in private practice. He is appointed as lead partner of the Housebuilder team while Alan Minty, a colleague with more than 15 years in the sector, joins as an Associate.

Derek McCulloch, Head of the Commercial Division, of which the Housebuilder team forms part, said: “We are pleased to recruit two such well qualified lawyers to join our team. Gillespie Macandrew took the decision two years ago to invest in key sectors of the economy,

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(L-R) Alan Minty, Derek McCulloch and Harry Smith

one of which is the housebuilding and construction sector. “Our chosen sectors are at different stages of the economic cycle, but there is no doubt that housebuilding is vital to Scotland ’s future, and accordingly

we are investing ahead of full recovery in that sector.”

October/November 2011 30/9/11 12:12:11

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