Forth Valley InCommerce Issue 7 by dtech

INcommerce

YO UR FR EE CO PY

THE FORTH VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

ISSUE 7 â&#x20AC;˘ SUMMER 2014

Forth Valley Chamber has angels on its side... Read more on page 23

www.forthvalleychamber.co.uk www.stirlingchamber.co.uk

FOR BUSINESS AND LEISURE.

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R IE EM PR

PAGE HEADER N RT PA S ER

elcome to the summer edition of InCommerce which contains lots of news from our members and partner organisations.

The Growing Talent programme, formerly called the Graduate Recruitment Incentive closed recently and has proven to be a resounding success with Forth Valley Chamber of Commerce members. The programme was designed to help SME’s recruit graduates into new posts and offered a wealth of recruitment and induction support with the added benefit of a financial incentive. Eleven companies across the Forth Valley recruited a total of 22 graduates and received a combined total of £33,000 in financial support. We look forward to hopefully running a similar programme next year. We have two big events coming up in September: for the keen golfers out there we will be running our first Chamber Golf Day on 17th September, so keep this date free and look on our website under “Events” for up to date information or, if you can’t wait, call the Chamber office on 01324 66 55 00. For those of you that were at the launch of the Stirling Chamber of Commerce in February or at the Business Awards in March, you will definitely remember Colin Cloud who I am pleased to announce is coming back in September to support the Chamber with an event called “Change Your Mind”. It’s going to be very insightful, whilst September seems a long way off, places are going fast and it is likely to be a sellout. Please contact the Chamber office on 01324 66 55 00 to book your place before it’s too late. We now have two offices and after a frenetic few days moving, we are settled in to our new homes in Grangemouth on the CalaChem site in the Shearer Building, and at Scion House in the Stirling University Innovation Park. Our phone numbers and email addresses remain unchanged and we will be updating all our email footers and websites as soon as possible with the full details. And finally, this is your Chamber and we are all keen to hear from members on what works for you and what doesn’t therefore, please feel free to contact me or any member of the Chamber team with your feedback or ideas. We would love to hear from you. I am sure you will enjoy this issue and look forward to meeting you at one of our events. Regards Laurence

Contents Prow Provisions – local company takes to the high seas

Young Enterprise Scotland

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning – It’s Alarming

Communication – award-winning Arka

A Force of transferable skills

8-9

Stirling Highland Games are back

The Battle of Bannockburn

Chamber News Round Up

The Biggest Data Security Risks to Business

Does your website pass the goldfish test?

Blogging – some tips on how (not) to do it

Angels on their side – a divine business idea

Member News

28-29

Business Mentoring in Forth Valley

32-33

Auto-enrolment – are you ready?

Change your mind (with mind-reader Colin Cloud)

New Members’ Profiles

40-42

Members’ Register

42-44

Forth Valley Chamber of Commerce, Suite 2, Scion House, Stirling University Innovation Park, Stirling, FK9 4NF. Tel: 01324 665500, www.forthvalleychamber.co.uk InCommerce is published by D-Tech 20 East Argyle Street, Helensburgh, G84 7RR. T: 01436 678808 / 671133. E: info@dtechuk.com. W: www.dtechuk.com. Edited by Michelle McKearnon, Forth Valley Chamber of Commerce, Suite 2, Scion House, Stirling University Innovation Park, Stirling, FK9 4NF T: 01324 66 55 00 F: 01324 61 76 37 E: michelle@forthvalleychamber.co.uk W: www.forthvalleychamber.co.uk InCommerce is fully protected by copyright and nothing may be printed wholly or in part without the written permission of the publishers. The proprietors of this magazine are publishers and not agents, or sub-agents of those who advertise therein. They cannot be held liable for any loss suffered as a result of information gained from this publication. The views expressed by authors of articles published in this magazine are solely those of the author and are not necessarily the views of or shared by the editor, nor the publisher or the directors, shareholders and/or employees of D-Tech.

FORTH VALLEY • SUMMER 2014

MEMBER NEWS

Prow Provisions

– local company takes to the high seas!

row Provisions is a local company providing a unique new service to a niche market which is choosing Scotland as a top visitor destination.

The owners of Prow Provisions, Kerry and Alistair Prow, are also owners of Dollar’s Deli which received the “Highly Commended” title in the Forth Valley Chamber of Commerce Awards in the “Best Small Business” Category this year. As this was the category which had caused the judges the most challenge due to the number and quality of competitors, it was a real testament to the high standards delivered by the company. However, they are certainly not resting on their laurels. Their latest venture is to supply and deliver super yachts and larger vessels with all of their provisions. This covers raw and cooked meat, fresh veg, cleaning products, and specialist requests such as sourcing oven parts specific to the yachting industry. They also offer a “mail handling” service, which means that the yacht can have a temporary mailing address. This results in Prow Provisions receiving everything from letters and parcels to sofas and engine parts. Fortunately they have large secure storage available! However, this is not unchartered territory for the duo who have extensive experience in all areas concerned. Kerry was a live-in super yacht crew member for a number of years, after which she spent many years in high end restaurant management before opening the deli with her husband Alistair. Over the years the couple have developed an extensive array of suppliers which, along with Kerry’s contact network within the industry and their central location, allows them to service the whole of Scotland and provide the necessary service and quality of product that such a luxury industry demands. Their company logo was designed by a local artist and graphic designer Peter R. Nelson who has capitalised on the family genealogy of the Prow surname and its nautical connotations: – “prow” meaning the front pointed end of a boat. Mark Upton of MGMT, a well-respected Super Yacht management company based in London said, “Prow Provisions services were excellent. The quality was extremely high and their prices were much better than competitors we normally contract with, especially bearing in mind the speed of services and quality when compared with many other much longer established companies. We will be happy to recommend and work with Prow Provisions in the future and the feedback from the yacht crew was equally positive.” With key contacts in the larger marinas and ports within Scotland and the UK willing to engage Prow Provisions, it seems that this new local company is leaving the competition in its wake in this very specialist market. Kerry Prow commented, “We are show casing the very best that Scotland has to offer to the ultra-luxury Super Yacht industry and things are looking bright for the future. We are very excited to be launching Prow Provisions and are looking forward to seeing the business grow and develop.”

FORTH VALLEY • SUMMER 2014

BUSINESS NEWS

Young Enterprise Scotland Forth Valley Area Board

oung Enterprise Scotland is part of the UK’s leading business and enterprise education charity and is managed at a local level by the Forth Valley Area Board (FVAB) made up of volunteers from local business and education. As part of YES the board run the “Company Programme” which offers secondary level school students the opportunity to set up and run their own company over one academic year, with support and guidance from volunteer business advisers. Students elect a Board of directors, raise capital, market and finance their products or services, then sell these to the public. During the year students take part in a range of activities funded by the area Board, such as special Trade Fairs in Falkirk, Stirling and Grangemouth. Throughout the year students develop enterprise knowledge and understanding by coping with an evolving business in the process, developing skills in areas such as

carbon monoxide

danger!

teamwork, communications, finance, problem solving, managing risk, leadership and all it takes to run a successful business. Throughout the academic year the students are judged on many aspects of running their companies including sales and marketing techniques, business reports and presentations by people involved in running their own business within the Forth Valley area. The year ends with the Forth Valley finals where the best performing company is selected to compete in the all Scottish finals and hopefully, the UK and ultimately the European Finals. The board is run on a charity basis so are responsible for raising funds through local businesses to ensure this important opportunity is made available to students in the Forth Valley area on an annual basis. Without local business support this would be lost to our young people. If you would like to be involved contact Richard Girvan at AG Office Supplies - richard@agofficesupplies.co.uk Richard Girvan FVAB Treasurer

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning – It’s Alarming

hilst fitting a smoke alarm in most homes and businesses is now common practice, people don’t realise the importance of installing a Carbon Monoxide Alarm. Recent changes to Scottish Legislation make it compulsory to fit Carbon Monoxide Alarms in properties when new Gas Appliances or Boilers are installed. Is your business compliant?

What is Carbon Monoxide poisoning? Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning can be fatal or cause permanent damage to your health. CO is produced when carbon fuels don’t burn completely. It has no smell or

taste and, in large quantities, it can kill very quickly. The UK statistics show approx 40 deaths and 7000 admissions to A&E each year as a result of CO Poisoning.

What are the symptoms of CO poisoning? Symptoms include headaches, dizziness, tiredness and nausea (feeling sick). Some of these symptoms can be mistaken for flu and other common viruses, or even food poisoning. If someone in your workplace suffers from these symptoms they may be suffering from CO poisoning.

it according to manufacturer’s instructions. After installation, ensure you test the CO Alarm with a test gas and not just by pressing the test button. Recent research has shown that 45 per cent of CO alarms already installed may no longer be detecting gas. Therefore, it’s really important to test the sensor in your CO alarms, both on installation and then every year after. Craig Dolier CMD Electrical Engineers

What can we do to reduce the risk of CO poisoning? One important thing you can do to protect yourself and family from this silent killer is to get a CO alarm approved to BS EN 50291. Fit

FORTH VALLEY • SUMMER 2014

MEMBER NEWS

Communication

the cornerstone of success for award-winning Arka

collaboration between three Falkirk-based companies has resulted in their renovation project picking up not one, but two prestigious awards. Arka Architects, Crannog Construction and Rooftec (Scotland) Ltd, have been celebrating their collective success. Set up by Adam Toleman in 2001, Arka had previously designed and built a bedroom wing extension onto a 19th Century Farmhouse in the Stirlingshire area. Adam was contacted again last year by the owners, asking for a further extension onto the other side of the building. Adam submitted his design and was again selected to carry out the work. His design included a stunning integrated bookcase and stairway to accommodate the clients’ extensive library, along with galleried access to a new bedroom. In design terms he sought to blur the boundaries between the original building and the new work by using a palette of traditional slate and stone but in a contemporary way. With the design approved, Adam turned to local companies to deal with the construction, and joined forces with Crannog Construction for the main build,

and Rooftec (Scotland) Ltd for the roof work. The three companies worked together on the site for 8 months to transform the residence to the delight of the owners who say their home “has been revitalised and given a new lease of life.” The project has been so successful that Arka were awarded the Stirling Society of Architects “Wood for Good” Award for the design. Adam commented, “This was a challenging project as we had to “undo” some earlier work by other contractors before we could proceed with the plans. We operate to the highest possible standards and I knew that Crannog and Rooftec have the same ethos, so a lot of time was spent on getting all the small details exactly right. The key to the success of the project was in communication. With three companies involved we had to collaborate closely and keep in constant communication: from the provision of clear accurate drawings at the start, to putting in the final nail at the end. There was a great relationship between the three companies, which created a positive vibe during the build. We are all delighted with the finished product, as are the owners.” Crannog Construction Ltd was selected as the Regional Winner (Medium Renovation Projects) in the Master Builder of the Year Awards 2012, presented by the Federation

FORTH VALLEY • SUMMER 2014

of Master Builders. Speaking of the award Lindsay Neill adds, “In an industry where the trust of the customer is vital, the award confirms Crannog Construction’s reputation for integrity, reliability and success in completing even the most challenging of projects. Good communication and the cultivation of strong, long term working relationships are key in the delivery of these results, and it is always a pleasure to work with Arka and Rooftec.” Director of Rooftec (Scotland) Ltd Mark Cattenach couldn’t agree more and commented, “The transformation of the farmhouse is amazing. Gaining a mutual trust and respect with our customers and industry counterparts is a key value for us, and it is this ethos which laid the foundations for the successful communications between all parties involved.” Michelle McKearnon of Forth Valley Chamber of Commerce commented, “It is always wonderful to hear of our members’ success, and these awards reflect the high standard of work delivered by our businesses. Our congratulations go to Arka Architects, Crannog Construction and Rooftec, not just for their awards but on their ability to work collaboratively to achieve a positive end result. SMEs need to be able to work together and this is a great example of what can be achieved when they do.”

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ex-military personnel sKills

BUSINESS NEWS

20,000

A Force of transferable skills

Every year over 20,000 skilled and experienced individuals leave the Armed Forces

The Armed Forces equips its employees with a vast range of skills applicable to many industry sectors, and ex-military personnel have the qualifications and experience to fit into many key vocations and roles.

If you’re looking for skilled and experienced personnel in Engineering, Logistics, HR, Project Management, Accounts, Administration or general management roles, the CTP talent pool is likely to have candidates with the skills associated with those roles.

As well as their highly sought after vocational skills, ex-military personnel also possess a wide range of transferrable soft skills.

pproximately 20,000 people leave the UK Armed Forces and make the accelerated transition to civilian life each year. effective learning leadersHip They are of widely different ages and communication curve have a range of qualifications and aspirations.

Organisation & Commitment

Ex-forces personnel understand the rigors of tight schedules and limited resources. They have developed the capacity to know how to efficient problem teamworK performance accomplish priorities on time, in spite of tremendous stress,solving and they and flexibility know the critical importance of staying with a task until it is completed.

Resettlement services are provided by the Career Transition Partnership (CTP) and more and more employers are discovering the Problem solving & Adaptability rich source of talent ex-Armed Forces personnel offer to business. Adapting quickly to ever changing situations in a pressured environment is a skill developed by all ex-military personnel, along with learning new The Armed Forces equips its employees with a vast range of skills applicable to many industry sectors, and Service leavers enter the processes and integrating into new teams on a regular basis. civilian job market wide variety of formal qualifications, soft and self integrity and with a diversity HealtH and motivation loyalty safety savvy skills and experience that areinclusion both relevant to industry and extremely Leadership & management skills valued by employers. Not surprisingly, they’re in big demand and The military trains people to lead by example as well as through direction, delegation, motivation and inspiration. Ex-military personnel the CTP make it easy for employers to locate and employ the right candidates by offering a no cost recruitment service which can be understand the practical ways to manage behaviours for results, even tecHnology personalised to meet organisational needs. in the most trying circumstances. and Organisations including Jaguar Land Rover, Openreach, globalisation Health & Safety, Security awareness and best practice Tesco, BAE Systems, Barclays and British Gas look to the CTP for a recruitment service that’s streamlined, effective, and most importantly, Thanks to extensive training, Service leavers are aware of procedures The CTP has a network of introduces them to candidates who they know can do the job. with the benefit of protecting employees, property and materials. UK-wide Employment Whatever the vacancy, CTP are likely to be able to introduce candidates Consultants, along with a with the skills required. Team working Service leavers go into a range of industry Key Accounts team who CTP sectors also works with a wide range Service men and women understand can how provide genuine teamwork grows and jobs such as:of SME organisations across a personalised the UK. Via our dedicated ex-military recruitment site, RightJob, out of a responsibility to their colleagues. Military duties service based oninvolve your a recruitment and a companies can add any number of job vacancies to attract candidates blend of individual and group productivity and alsoneeds necessitate yourother organisation with the right skills in their local area. Local CTP employment perception of how groups of all sizespromote relate to each in order to to our client base of over canobjective. reachemployers an overarching consultants provide knowledge of the local market and can use CTPThrough CTP 20,000 candidates. access our on-line job matching systems to identify those personnel looking to settle in a particular CTP in Scotland have been working withactive Forth Valley Chamber of We can advertise your engineering Hr finance construction service – RightJob – which Commerce to support the ViNE (Veterans into New Enterprise) scheme. area. vacancies on our dedicated enables their vacancies to be As well as their highly sought after vocational skills, ex-military Chamber staff have been attending CTP’s two day job Business Up ex-military site, Start arrange accessed by suitable ex-military personnel possess a wide range of transferable soft skills. These candidates courses to talk about the scheme and its benefits. As a result, a number company presentations, quickly and effectively leavers have signed up andemployment their business fairs, plans are welldays include: open – there is of noService cost to this service underway. The scheme provides an additional bespoke levelinterviews of support and even facilitate as the CTP is the official provider and assessments. of Resettlement the MOD.self-employment. Communication to thoseto considering public nHs skills police project sector management Those who have served in the Armed Forces are practised in dealing For further information about how the CTP can help you with internal and external stakeholders, at all levels of seniority. access the ex-military talent pool, see www.ctp.org.uk/employers or call 0207 469 6661.

accounts

general management roles

FORTH VALLEY • SUMMER 2014

For further information please visit

www.ctp.org.uk

ex-military personnel sKills

20,000

Every year over 20,000 skilled and experienced individuals leave the Armed Forces The Armed Forces equips its employees with a vast range of skills applicable to many industry sectors, and ex-military personnel have the qualifications and experience to fit into many key vocations and roles.

As well as their highly sought after vocational skills, ex-military personnel also possess a wide range of transferrable soft skills. accelerated learning curve

leadersHip

integrity and loyalty

diversity and inclusion

effective communication

teamworK

efficient performance and flexibility

problem solving

self motivation

HealtH and safety savvy

tecHnology and globalisation

Service leavers go into a range of industry sectors and jobs such as:

engineering

finance

construction

public sector

nHs

police

project management

accounts

general management roles

Through CTP employers can access our on-line job matching service – RightJob – which enables their vacancies to be accessed by suitable ex-military candidates quickly and effectively – there is no cost to this service as the CTP is the official provider of Resettlement to the MOD.

The CTP has a network of UK-wide Employment Consultants, along with a Key Accounts team who can provide a personalised service based on your recruitment needs and promote your organisation to our client base of over 20,000 active candidates. We can advertise your vacancies on our dedicated ex-military job site, arrange company presentations, employment fairs, open days and even facilitate interviews and assessments.

For further information please visit

www.ctp.org.uk

RECRUITING NOW IN THE FORTH VALLEY REGION FOR PAID PART-TIME ROLES IN THE ARMY RESERVE

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NOWLEDGE NOWLEDGE

• Business and Commercial Law • Business and and Commercial Commercial Law Law • Property Property Law Law •• Property Law • Agricultural • Agricultural Law Law • Agricultural Law • Litigation • Litigation • Family Law • Family Law Law s s • Wills and and Executrie Executrie •• Wills Wills and Executries

EVENTS

Stirling Highland Games are back!

he Stirling Highland Games are back and when event organiser Matt McGrandles took over last year he made several key changes including a change of month, date and location of the games. This year sees The Games being held on the last weekend of the Scottish school holidays, and the team behind this community event has been working hard to bring it back to life after a two year absence. Matt explained, “We have been concentrating on not only attracting new business support for the event, but also working with partners like Stirling Council and Active Stirling in developing a new games field area at Stirling Sports Village to host the event.”

The SHG team has managed to raise £20,000 so far from local businesses but there are still opportunities for others to get involved and support the games this year. These include buying tickets for hospitality hosted by Stirling Provost Mike Robbins who is also this year’s Games’ Chieftain, advertising in the games programme with sales being managed by S3 pupils at Beaconhurst School as part of their skills development, pitch space within the trade/ exhibition area and lastly, if you would like to give some of your time, they are recruiting up to 40 volunteers. The Games field opens at 10.30am on 16th August with traditional Highland Games events including Highland dancing, running, cycling, light field, tug-o-war and Heavyweights with favourites such as tossing the caber. There will be several food stalls including a BBQ from Frankie

FORTH VALLEY • SUMMER 2014

and Bennys, a refreshments marquee and an activities area to entertain the younger audience. “It’s hugely important,” Matt states, “that if we manage to secure enough business support to cover the events delivery cost then every pound taken from ticket sales allows us to reinvest back into Forth Valley Social Enterprises CIC so they can continue to develop their employability and enterprise programme for young people.” If you are looking for something to do on 16th August then why not drop into Stirling and join the many others who are backing the Games! Event Organiser contact details: Matt McGrandles - 0773 973 6659 – matt@stirlinghighlandgames.com

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These solutions are purposely designed to incorporate renewable, low carbon, low energy, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, mechanical, electrical and public health systems for the built environment. Above all these are designed to meet your unique aspirations and requirements.

Sustainable By Design Sustainable design is a key aspect in obtaining Building Warrant approval for your project. Viridis building services provides its clients with the right support to allow them to decide how best to meet Building Warrant requirements for heating, lighting, alarms leading to the provision of SAP’s, SBEM’s and EPC’s.

Planning As a design practice we like to support our client’s projects from the earliest concepts all to ensure the lowest cost energy efficient solutions are incorporated from the outset. All to ensure we add value to our client’s and ensure that their aspirations for their projects are maintained. Key to our approach is adopting low energy techniques and sustainable principles to ensure that any planning requirements are met.

Low Carbon Design & Engineering In addition to planning and building warrant input and advice, Viridis Building Services Ltd provide detailed design and specification services to ensure low cost renewable, heating, lighting and plumbing systems are provided that meet with our clients requirements. Through this process Viridis also provide cost and budgetary advice to ensure our solutions provide the most cost efficient approach for our clients.

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Community Healthcare

Education Industrial

Government Offices Retail

MEMBER NEWS

The Battle of Bannockburn

A present day look at souvenirs past.

014 is Stirling’s year, with Homecoming, the Ryder Cup, Armed Forces Day and the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn bringing visitors from far and wide. Travellers and tourists always expect souvenirs and keepsakes, and good examples of historical merchandise can be seen in the Stirling Smith’s Bannockburn exhibition. A hundred years ago, the Courier was excited about the 600th anniversary or ‘sexcentenary’ of Bannockburn: “Probably, we shall have Bannockburn Rock, Bannockburn cake, Bannockburn mixtures. Bannockburn literature is already in evidence; the battlefield and associated scenes will provide pennyworths of pictures and in china, terra cotta and metals we shall have a choice of souvenirs.” Mauchline souvenir ware made from wood ‘grown on the Field of Bannockburn’, ‘on the slopes of Stirling Castle’, ‘on the

Abbey Craig’ and fashioned into boxes, table ware, and sewing and writing requisites was also popular. Each piece was inscribed, highly polished and carried a transfer picture of the site. Based in Mauchline but serving tourist sites worldwide, the Mauchline ware trade lasted from 1830 – 1930 and the product is now a favourite of the antique trade and specialist collectors. ‘The Bannockburn Brooch’ was made by Stirling jewellers, Drummond, in silver from 1892 onwards and sold for two and sixpence. Gold brooches retailed at ten shillings and sixpence, but so far none have been found. Dunoon Pottery figures of the Bruce Statue were produced in the 1964 for the 650th anniversary, selling for thirty shillings. The bronze coaster of the statue was the cheap alternative. Discerning collectors in the 1960s could buy a fine porcelain figure by Michael Sutty. Needless to say, King Robert the Bruce himself has always been commercially popular, especially with whisky companies such as Johnnie Walker and Chivas Regal. He has also been used by a French meat paste company (1920s) and bizarrely, a pharmaceutical company (1976) whose advert claimed that he was in the cave ‘try,

try and trying again’ owing to constipation, and had their product Lomotil been available then, the course of Scottish history would have been different! Bannockburn 700 runs at the Smith until 12 October, Tuesday – Saturday 10.30-5; Sundays 2-5. Closed Mondays. Admission and parking free. Elspeth King

www.smithartgalleryandmuseum.co.uk

FORTH VALLEY • SUMMER 2014 15

CHAMBER NEWS

Chamber News Round Up

t’s been a busy few months here at the Chamber with networking events, new products and services, and an ever-growing membership. The launch of the Stirling Chamber has seen an increase in engagement with Stirling businesses, especially rural businesses across to the West of our “patch”, and we attended the very successful Rural Roadshow in Drymen to see what help we can offer to our rural members. Thanks to our Premier Partners STEP Stirling for organising this.

A slippery social evening Great fun was had by all at our Curling Evening held at The Peak in June. In a hard fought battle between the guys and the girls it was honours even with one end each, with the guys pipping the girls to the post in the final end with the last stone of the evening! Definitely a repeat match on the cards…

Military Matters We are continuing to develop strong links with our partners at the Ministry of Defence and SaBRE, and are recruiting ex-service personnel onto our innovative ViNE programme which promotes selfemployment as an option for military veterans. We also became the first Chamber in Scotland to sign up to the Corporate Covenant, publicly committing our support to the recruitment of Reservists and Veterans. In recognition of this, our Chairman George Stevenson was invited to be the civilian guest of honour at the Royal Gun Salute at Stirling Castle earlier in June: a great honour for the Chamber and a wonderful occasion. Our most recent military event was to take part in Armed Forces Day where we had a stand in the main marquee networking with other support agencies and promoting the Chamber to thousands of visitors.

And finally – a new home! As if we weren’t busy enough, we have also now moved into our new home. Well, two new homes. We are split between Stirling and Grangemouth with one office at Scion House on the Stirling University

Suite 2 Scion House Stirling University Innovation Park Stirling FK9 4NF 16

FORTH VALLEY • SUMMER 2014

Innovation Park, and one at Shearer Building, Calachem at Earls Road. Our phone numbers and emails haven’t changed but if you are mailing stuff to us, here are the addresses you need.

Photo: Eden Consultancy

Shearer Building c/o CalaChem Ltd Earls Road Grangemouth FK3 8XG

BUSINESS NEWS

The Biggest DATA SECURITY Risks to Business

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES BY LAW Under data protection guidelines from the information commissioner’s office, it is unlawful for a business to store confidential data such as client or employee details on insecure systems. This includes phone numbers, bank or credit card details, dates of birth and names/ addresses. All sensitive data should be stored on a secure and encrypted drive using a minimum of 256 bit encryption.

DATA THEFT AND EXTORTION If someone were to get into your systems and steal data, they could use it for extortion against your company – this happens more often than you might think. You could report the incident to the Met Police Digital Crimes Unit but it would be nearly impossible to catch the perpetrator – your business, however, would also be placed under investigation for not keeping the data secure. This is a prosecutable offence under the Data Protection Act 1988. This type of incident could cripple or destroy a business affected.

THE MOST SERIOUS RISKS TO YOUR DATA Ransomware - There are many types of ransomware that will lock all your files and spread across a network, encrypting and

your documents and other data - rendering them inaccessible . The only way you get your data back is to pay whatever ransom they ask. We can’t get around this - nobody can – as the encryption is 512 bit and is twice as strong as military standards. Keyloggers - a piece of software sometimes used in conjunction with a virus on your system. The purpose is to monitor all keystrokes and steal login details and passwords to websites and emails etc.

ANTIVIRUS AND ADVANCED FIREWALLS – LIMITED PROTECTION! Most people believe that using antivirus protection and keeping it up to date will keep them protected from viruses, malware and other security threats. Unfortunately, that’s not quite the case. They do catch and stop some threats, but that’s only the ones that they know of and have engineered a fix for.

ZERO DAY ATTACKS There are thousands of new computer viruses made and released every day. It takes on average around 3 months for the antivirus company to get a sample, find out how it works and how to prevent it. The timescale has been known to be higher - up to 10 months! When discovered, they need to develop a way to detect it, prevent

it and remove it. This information is then passed to your antivirus software through a virus definition update. The same can be said for firewalls included in antivirus software. They can be exploited through loopholes that hackers find by reverse engineering an antivirus product.

WHAT ARE YOUR OPTIONS TO STAY SAFE AND SECURE? 1. Upgrade or Replace your XP Systems - Now that Microsoft have stopped all security updates, continuing to use XP will put any systems connected to the same network at extreme risk. 2. Ensure your Data is backed up and a copy stored off-site - Use secure and encrypted cloud backup using AES-256 military grade file encryption, with real time backup. Keep your data stored in secure UK data centres in an encrypted format. This is also an essential part of disaster recovery for any business safeguarding your data. 3. Encrypt all your important and sensitive files - encrypt hard drives and also create hidden partitions, keeping your most confidential data extra secure. This also applicable for external hard drives and flash drives/memory sticks. jay.duployen@logiccomputerservices.co.uk

FORTH VALLEY • SUMMER 2014 17

BUSINESS NEWS

Does your website pass the goldfish test?

eople’s attention span online is notoriously short. Here, Andrea McFarlane from Write Marketing Consultancy looks at how you can write great web copy to keep visitors to your site interested... How long is your attention span? When you visit a website for the first time, how long do you stay on a page? Do you read every word from top to bottom? Really? For most of us, the way we read online is very different to how we read printed items. The typical attention span of a web surfer has been compared to that of a goldfish - approximately nine seconds. We scan a page, look for reassurance that we’re in the right place and move on if we don’t see what we are looking for straight away. So when people visit your website, you have just nine seconds to make an impression. Nine seconds to get them interested. Nine seconds to make them want to stay around long enough to understand your message and take the actions you want them to. It’s not long is it?

So how do you write great copy for your website? With the pressure on, writing interesting and engaging content can be a real challenge. Here are five top tips to get you started.

TIP 1 - Know your audience It’s the golden rule of marketing. Think about the audience you are writing for and what they want to read. If you write for everybody, you’ll interest nobody. Your message will be too generic to be effective. Targeted copy will keep the visitors you want on your page for longer.

TIP 2 - Put key information first Grab your readers’ attention and reassure them that they are in the right place. If you don’t, they’ll move on before they find what they are looking for.

FORTH VALLEY • SUMMER 2014

TIP 3 - Combat that short attention span Make your text easy to scan, navigate and read. Do this by: 1. 2. 3. 4.

Keeping your sentences short Using punchy headings to grab the attention Using bullet points to convey key information quickly Keeping pages relatively short. It’s a difficult balance between writing enough to be picked up by search engines and keeping the reader’s attention. 5. Include a call to action at key points in the text to make it clear to the reader what you want them to do.

TIP 4 - Use keywords to improve Search Engine Optimisation Search engines are a hugely powerful way to attract new visitors to your website. Web content plays a big role in search engine rankings. You need to know what your audience is searching for and write copy that includes those terms in key places such as headings and subheadings. Your web developer can give you tips on how to do this.

TIP 5 - Check your copy! Get someone to proof read it for you. A fresh pair of eyes will help spot obvious grammatical mistakes, get rid of jargon and make sure that it all makes sense. If you have read this far, thanks for your attention! And, if you find yourself suffering from writers block, please get in touch to find out how we can help your web content pass the goldfish test.

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the grange manor Winter Wonderland Wedding Package Available 2014 – 2015

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We offer several Industry recognised Apprenticeships including:

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Ever thought about a Cocktail Masterclass? A great interactive event perfect for Team Building, Birthday Parties & Hen Parties. Our expert mixologists will teach you all the tricks as you mix, muddle and stir it up behind the bar.

For more details & booking information

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BUSINESS NEWS

Blogging

some top tips on how (not) to do it!

ompanies today need to exploit the many different tools we use to communicate, to stimulate new business. One way to attract new customers and update staff is to write a regular website blog. Here are some suggestions. Dig up a diamond Many companies think they don’t have anything interesting to say, but they do. Ask your staff what’s new. That can glean many gems. Keep it simple. It doesn’t need to be a detailed description of a new product or service. Everyday workplace happenings can be interesting.

In the long run, keep it short You’ve picked your topic. Keep it brief – no one wants War and Peace. Write short paragraphs. Make it personal. Blogs should be conversational. It’ll help readers to engage with you, so use ‘I’ and ‘we’. Mention social activities. It’s informal and adds a human touch.

What’s the buzz? Linked to your website are words put into search engines to help people find companies. Use your buzzwords – but don’t overdo them or it could turn out to be as exciting as a technical manual. I’m blogging for a company building different kinds of developments. Recently I wrote: ‘’We’re about to finish our new build town centre housing development in Falkirk. ‘’It’s a departure from previous projects, rural developments with equestrian facilities between Glasgow and Edinburgh. ‘‘Soon we’re doing another Falkirk job, a conversion and extension for a villa. It’s been a hard week, so we’re looking forward to our stress break tonight at the Wheatsheaf!’’

Using the firm’s SEO words increased website traffic and generated new business. The blog was written informally, while using terms linked to the site.

Breaking up isn’t hard to do At the end, break the blog up into sections. Insert headings and images – perhaps pictures of a staff event? Check spelling and grammar. Many sites are strewn with howlers. Potential clients will query the quality of your work if you can’t even get your blog right. Punctuation is important. Example: ‘’Woman without her man is nothing.’’ But ‘’Woman – without her, man is nothing‘’, means something entirely different. ‘’Let’s eat Grampa’’ differs from ‘’Let’s eat, Grampa.’’ The social services would be round! And don’t use phrases which don’t stand up. ‘’Our sales team are literally on fire.’’ Trust me, they’re not!

Yakkity yak Never use ‘’management speak.’’ Meetings often hear about paradigm shifts, focused strategies and strategic focuses. The CEO of a children’s charity attending my media training course read out this script. ‘’We ambition (?) for the delivery of quality services, in a focused and strategic manner, evaluating results through KPIs and a structured framework going forward’’. What does this mean?? We suggested he say he wanted to help disadvantaged children and he replied that that was what he HAD said. But now he – and his charity - are much in demand for media interviews, as he tells it as it is. That’s to be encouraged, as I was saying yesterday, while going forward with a strategic goal, focusing on key performance indicators and evaluated processes...... (Tom McAllister is a former national newspaper and television journalist. He has worked with Scottish Television, SKY TV and the BBC, as a reporter and producer. He now operates his own company, Steeple Media.)

FORTH VALLEY • SUMMER 2014 21

M ACDONA LD INCH Y R A HOTEL & SPA

For style, elegance and flexibility, our hotel is the number one choice in the Central Belt for events ranging from association and business conferences to gala dinners and smaller private meetings. We are also an excellent choice for training sessions and workshops. • Dedicated conference and events centre • Nine naturally lit meeting rooms • Conference capacity for up to 750 delegates • 97 luxury bedrooms

• Free on-site parking • Meeting@ all-inclusive delegate rates • Scottish Steak Club Restaurant • Free WiFi and extra dedicated bandwidth

We welcome all Forth Valley Chamber of Commerce Members so contact our General Manager, Brett Ingle, to discuss our exclusive member business packages.

Macdonald Inchyra Hotel & Spa, Grange Road, Polmont, Falkirk, FK2 0YB. Tel: 0844 879 9044

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WE’VE GOT THE RIGHT TRAINING SOLUTION FOR YOU…

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email info@central-training.co.uk or visit www.central-training.co.uk Courses are accredited with nationally recognised certification, issued by these Awarding Bodies:

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MEMBER FEATURE

Angels on their side

a divine business idea with a heavenly future

father and daughter team based in Bridge of Allan discuss the phenomenal success of their innovative product The Angels’ Share. Tom Young is a world renowned glassmaker from Bridge of Allan. In 2005 he sold Village Glass and looked forward to enjoying retirement. However, his daughter, Karen Somerville, did not share this pensionable vision and together they designed and produced the Angels’ Share Glass®. The result is both a beautiful keepsake for whisky lovers and a distinguished glass ornament. Where did the inspiration for the Angel come from? Tom: Angels’ Share is the term used to describe the spirit lost to evaporation during the ageing process while the whisky is maturing in its cask or barrel. Karen: The Eureka moment came after watching Ken Loach’s Award winning film The Angels’ Share. We realised that there was nothing out there on the market which represented this whisky legend.

How do you seal flammable liquid into molten glass? Who does this part of the operation? Tom: This is our trade secret and is very much its unique selling point. The sealing part is unique to us and we do it all in house Karen: I am slowly learning my craft from my Dad but I have also learnt that I am better at running the business than glassblowing and so we have a team of glassblowers from around Scotland aiding production as demand grows.

Have you had much assistance to get this business off the ground? Tom: With help from Business Gateway Stirling we’ve been able to develop and market Angels’ Share Glass ® and we hope our success inspires other small, family businesses to believe in their dreams and bring their ideas to life. We have had

assistance with product and marketing development and business improvement, as well as accessing referrals for IP protection. Karen: It was great to sit with Colin Clark at STEP and get his advice on the website and internet marketing as this was a new area for us. IP advice allowed us to protect our designs and products and to register our name as a trademark. We are also members of Forth Valley Chamber of Commerce which helps us to make good business connections.

What type of customers do you have? Karen: We supply The Famous Grouse Experience in Perth, Deanston Distillery in Doune, The Scotch Whisky Experience on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile as well as Diageo classic malt distilleries of Blair Athol, Lagavulin and Glenkinchie, plus lots of independent retailers across Scotland. We are also producing corporate Angels for The Angels Share Hotel in Edinburgh and last year for The Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions. The range is available online selling direct to the public and from gift & whisky retail outlets and distillery visitor centres across the country. Tom: We hadn’t realised the potential of customising our products. This year we have specially designed limited-edition Angels, in collaboration with Deanston and The Macallan. Deanston have a special set of Commonwealth Games themed Angels Gold, Silver & Bronze - and The Homecoming Scotland has a Thistle Whisky Dropper.

What would you put your success down to? Karen: We have been astounded by its success which has been achieved in a short space of time. I think having a vision of the future and being determined to get there has been the most important step. Also working with someone you totally trust. Tom: We have had some great PR which Business Gateway organised. Also being shortlisted for the Forth Valley Chamber of Commerce Business Awards under Most Innovative Product/Service category got 2014 off to a very good start.

What are the challenges you have had to overcome? Tom: We have a very small studio which is now bursting at the seams, so we are looking to relocate decoration, packaging and despatch to free up some space for manufacture and research and development Karen: I was working nearly full time in the arts when we started Angels’ Share Glass® and so having to reduce my hours to allow me to concentrate on the business. Also juggling a family and a growing business was quite challenging at times, but you roll with it and things always seem to fall into place.

What has been the highlight of your first year? Karen: The highlights for both of us have been reaching the Final stages of the Forth Valley Chamber Awards and having our Angels endorsed by Ken Loach himself. When he received his angel he wrote us a very nice letter stating it had pride of place on his mantelpiece next to his Bafta. Taking part in many whisky festivals this year has also let us engage with our customers face to face and the feedback has been awesome.

What does the future hold for Angel’s Share? Tom: Our creative side never stops thinking about new ideas and concepts for Angels’ Share Glass® Karen: New Limited Editions and collectables are going to be good, and possibly some new tableware for Christmas 2014

FORTH VALLEY • SUMMER 2014 23

ADVERTISING FEATURE

FVC at the Heart of Bu First Aid Training Saves Sara’s Son

it would have been very different. I would have been calling on my daughter to call an ambulance, I would have been distressed and Matthew even more so because he would not have known what was happening. “After using the technique Matthew said ‘thank you mummy’ and wasn’t even upset - the back slapping didn’t affect him in any way apart from freeing the obstruction. The whole episode was over within a minute. “I would highly recommend that parents and other members of the public seriously consider going on this course as it could help to save a life. If you have the time to sit and watch a movie, you have the time to go on this course!” Richy Todd, Forth Valley College’s Senior First Aid Trainer, said: “Sara has demonstrated just how effective these skills can be when put to the test. I am very impressed with how calm she was.

From left to right Richy, Matthew and Sara

A single mum of three managed to save her seven year-old son from choking with techniques learned an hour before on training offered by Forth Valley College.

anything, but I could hear him gagging and holding his throat and I instantly recognised that he was showing the classic signs of choking. I knew I couldn’t get my fingers in to clear the blockage so I had to use another technique.

Sara Evans (29) from Falkirk, had just finished a free British Heart Foundation (BHF) Scotland Heartstart course at the Falkirk Campus, when she swung into action to save her son Matthew recently.

“I couldn’t believe what was happening, but somehow I just kept calm and explained to him what I was going to do and that he had to cough when I told him to. This was very important as Matthew has autism and I knew he could become very distressed if he didn’t know what I had to do and why I had to do it.

The Heartstart programme is just one of a range of excellent training opportunities available at the College including: First Aid at Work, First Aid Emergency and First Aid Paediatrics, with many of these courses offering expert tutelage on defibrillators. With her new skills in basic emergency life support fresh in her mind Sara - who had just collected her three children, Jennifer (11), Matthew (7) and Nathan (5), from her childminder and returned home - knew exactly what to do when the drama unfolded. She explained: “I was tidying up in the kitchen when Matthew, who had been eating chocolate cake - came in. He didn’t say

“I then began to slap him on the back, as I was shown at the First Aid course less than an hour before and on the fourth hit it dislodged a large piece of chocolate cake.” Sara revealed that it would only have been after a fifth slap without success that she was prepared to start on abdominal thrusts to try and clear the blockage, but thankfully she did not need to do that. Sara went on: “When I first saw my son in that state it was a fright, but I didn’t panic and I knew exactly what to do. If it had not been for the training I received on that course

“When someone starts choking they have five minutes at the most before they could die, so sometimes waiting for an ambulance might not be the best option. Sara demonstrated the emergency techniques she learned on this excellent Heartstart course perfectly and effectively saved her son’s life. We are all very proud of her. “Heartstart is a great introduction to initial emergency first aid training, but we also have a great portfolio of day and evening commercial First Aid courses on offer at the College. “Several people who have completed the free Heartstart course have booked up to come back to learn more at these in-depth courses. If anyone is keen to find more we would be delighted to hear from them. As Sara has demonstrated, you never know when these skills could be needed to help someone in distress.” For more information on all the First Aid Courses on offer at Forth Valley College Call: 0845 634 4444 or email: businessdevelopment@forthvalley. ac.uk Alternatively why not visit: business.forthvalley.ac.uk

siness Training

Making Learning Work

Interested in Attending a First Aid Course? Forth Valley College offer various First Aid courses throughout the year from our FREE Heartstart courses to our 3-Day First Aid at Work course. Full details can be found on our website: business.forthvalley.ac.uk For more information, please email: businessdevelopment@forthvalley.ac.uk or call: 0845 634 4444 HEARTSTART (2 Hour Course) 11 Aug 2014 2 Sep 2014 15 Sep 2014 18 Sep 2014 6 Oct 2014 7 Oct 2014 23 Oct 2014 4 Nov 2014 20 Nov 2014 15 Dec 2014 FREE

FIRST AID EMERGENCY (1 Day Course) 23 Jul 2014 17 Sep 2014 18 Nov 2014 £99

FIRST AID AT WORK (3 Day Course) 28 - 30 Jul 2014 6 - 8 Aug 2014 10 - 12 Sep 2014 8 - 10 Oct 2014 5 - 7 Nov 2014 3 - 5 Dec 2014 £195

FURTHER INFORMATION

FIRST AID AT WORK REFRESHER (2 Day Course) 24 - 25 Jul 2014 14 - 15 Aug 2014 18 - 19 Sep 2014 23 - 24 Oct 2014 24 - 25 Nov 2014 17 - 18 Dec 2014 £165

Call:

FIRST AID PAEDIATRICS (1 Day Course) 13 Aug 2014 22 Oct 2014 16 Dec 2014 £99

For further course information please see our website or contact us today Visit:

http://business forthvalley.ac.uk

Email: businessdevelopment@ forthvalley.ac.uk (01324) 40 30 20

Local Firms Urged to Take on Business Administration MAs An opportunity for six firms to take on a new Modern Apprentice (MA) in Business Administration has been created at Forth Valley College. Extra funding from Skills Development Scotland (SDS) has allowed the College to offer six 16-19 year-olds the innovative Level 2 MA which could start them on the road to success. Any employers in the Forth Valley area looking to take on an MA or with an existing employee who they would like to put through the MA qualification, should contact the College as soon as possible to find out more. Netta Davidson, a Work Based Assessor at Forth Valley College said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for a local firm in any industry who are looking to employ someone to help with their business administration. “The College will fund the provision of the work based programme as well as support the candidate and their employer throughout the MA. A College Assessor will visit the MA in the workplace and take them through their work based assessments, so there is no need for the apprentice to attend college. The firm will be showing commitment to the employee by providing them with work allowing them to gather evidence used towards successful achievement of their MA.” Any firm in Stirling, Falkirk or Alloa looking to find out more about the MA in Business Administration should contact Vicki Francis on: 01324 403140 or email: vicki.francis@ forthvalley.ac.uk

ER PA RT N R EM IE PR

Welcome to our new Premier Partner, Borland Insurance

e are delighted to welcome Borland Insurance as Premier Partners of the Chamber and they have an excellent offer for Chamber members on commercial insurance. Borland Insurance are an independent insurance broker and have three offices based in Scotland. Account Executive Gary Harrison is a familiar face at Forth Valley Chamber events and lives in the central belt. He looks after his clients in and around the central belt plus Edinburgh and Fife. Gary has been with the company for 5 years and is committed to offering Forth Valley Chamber members a free review of their current insurances, including recommendations on any additional insurance needed. Taking the time to understand your business is key, so Gary will meet with you at your premises to conduct this review. Borland believe than all insurance is not the same, and that frequent reviews are required to ensure that the business arrangement last year is still adequate for this year. Borland only deal with blue chip insurance companies, so your business should never be left open to trading risks in the event of an insurance company ceasing to trade; a situation which has happened in the UK market in the last ten years, leaving many policyholders without valid policies.

Borland have also committed to not charging any unnecessary administration fees to Forth Valley Chamber Members. Many brokers will charge fees of £30 or £50 for example on top of the commission made, but Borland Insurance will not charge any fees on top of commission earnings as a commitment to customer service value and to supporting Chamber members.

• • • • • •

Cover can be arranged as follows: Employers Liability, Product and Public Liability Property and Business Interruption Motor Fleet Directors and Officers Liability / Employment Practices Liability Professional Indemnity Insurance Business Travel / Personal Accident

Borland also have the following additional services available: • Employee Insurances • Financial Services / Pensions / Business Protection To arrange a review with Gary, please contact him directly on 01383 623300 and quote FVC2014 to access the discounted services, or email gary.harrison@borlandinsurance.co.uk or speak to a member of the Forth Valley Chamber staff.

Free one to one business support only 30 funded places left ……

f you are a military veteran, or the spouse, partner or family of ex-forces personnel then this is a business opportunity you don’t want to miss.

The ViNE programme (Veterans into New Enterprise) was funded earlier this year by the Community Covenant to support would-be entrepreneurs on their journey to self-employment. Interest has been high and we now only have 30 places left. If you are interested in setting up your own business in Civvy street and would like to access specialised one to one support, including mentoring from Veterans who already run their own businesses and who understand the challenges of transition, then please call Forth Valley Chamber on 01324 66 55 00. Act now! Take command of YOUR career!

FORTH VALLEY • SUMMER 2014

PAGE HEADER

ADVERTISING FEATURE

FIRST4FRAMES is the Forth Valley’s premier independent picture framing specialist. Based in Falkirk since 2010, First4Frames are proud of their reputation of being able to mount and frame anything – from paintings and photographs, to posters & football strips. First4Frames are equally proud of their reputation for producing Fine Art Giclée prints, canvass printing and stretching, to acrylics, mirrors, calendars & gift cards. First4Frames offer a full scanning and printing service for your photographs and fine art. First4Frames legendary attention to details starts with a conversation with each client to see what he or she wants to achieve and where each project will eventually be located. They will then recommend appropriate mounts, frames, printing technique and glass to ensure the finished product is perfect.

Every item that comes to First4Frames is unique, as is the service every one of their customers receives. Whether it is a wedding photograph for your living room wall, or a picture of your business products in a reception area, First4Frames will help you create something you are proud to hang on your wall.

It’s this versatility and attention to detail that has made First4Frames the number one choice for artists, photographers and interior designers across Scotland.

Contact First4Frames on 01324 466333, or visit their studios in George Street Falkirk.

FORTH VALLEY • SUMMER 2014 27

MEMBER NEWS

United Auctions teams up with Stirling County RFC to develop club rugby

hamber Members United Auctions are stepping up their support of club rugby by becoming the new main sponsor of Stirling County RFC. Scotland’s leading livestock auctioneers, who have recently been named as one of Scotland’s top SMEs by the London Stock Exchange, have completed a threeyear deal to partner with Stirling County, one of Scotland’s top premiership rugby clubs. The deal recognises the long-term association UA has in Stirling and with their local rugby club as well as its rural and farming connection. The company’s Sales Manager and Auctioneer Matt Stevenson is a former 1st XV player with Stirling County and went on to referee at the highest level. Neil McLean, Group Joint Managing Director of UA, said: “The company has

(l-r) Neil McLean and Matt Stevenson of UA with Kevin Robertson, Club President.

operated in Stirling for many years and has always had a strong link with Stirling County. We are very proud to be the new main sponsor for Stirling County as it reflects our local and rural connection with the Club and builds on our support of their British and Irish Cup campaign.” Kevin Robertson, President of Stirling County said: “We are absolutely delighted that such a well-known and respected local company has taken over as main sponsor of Stirling County. This support from United Auctions will allow the Club to further build on its successful rugby development programme across all levels and enable Stirling County’s teams to compete at the highest levels. We look forward to working with United Auctions to bring further success to Bridgehaugh Park.” Stirling County has more than 100 senior playing members and in excess of 300 juniors regularly playing the sport at Bridgehaugh Park. The Club’s 1st XV play in the top tier BT Premiership and famous internationalists who have worn County colours include George Graham, Allister Hogg, Ian Jardine, Alastair Kellock, Kenny Logan, Kevin McKenzie, James McLaren, John Barclay, Richie Gray and David Denton.

Stirling Highland Hotel part of national rebrand

he Stirling Highland Hotel, one of our Premier Partners, has undergone a rebrand and is now part of The Hotel Collection. Formerly known as the Puma Hotels Collection, the new brand reflects the collections desire to build upon the strengths of the individual hotels, many of which are iconic properties. The Hotel Collection has 20 other properties across the UK as well as the Stirling Highland. To celebrate the launch of the new brand, the Stirling Highland is offering Chamber members the chance to be part of the Partners First programme which contains the following amazing benefits: • 25% off bed & breakfast stays • 20% off spa treatments • 15% off dining • 10% off spa products Members will have received information on how to claim these discounts in one of the Friday updates but if you can’t remember, just phone the staff at the Chamber who will pass on the relevant code.

verifier Ltd gets SSAIB certificated

rangemouth based verifier Ltd, who provide the installation, service and maintenance of electronic fire and security systems are proud to announce that they have been awarded SSAIB (Security Systems & Alarms Inspection Board) certification for the installation, service and maintenance of Intruder Alarms and CCTV systems. SSAIB is a leading certification 28

FORTH VALLEY • SUMMER 2014

body, who offer a range of schemes for the provision of fire and security services and provide recognition to companies who achieve and promote high standards. Stuart Comrie, Director at verifier Ltd said, “verifier are the only SSAIB certificated company who are based in Forth Valley. Having an accreditation like SSAIB, instantly gives reassurance that our designs and systems will have both ACPOS (Association of Chief Police Officers (Scotland)) and Insurance company approval.

MEMBER NEWS

The Westerwood Hotel & Golf Resort named number one hotel in top hospitality accreditation

hamber members The Westerwood Hotel & Golf Resort, have been celebrating this year after winning the prestigious No.1 Hotel Award in the annual VenueVerdict Awards. This award recognises the hotel’s consistently high conference service standards. In addition to this outstanding award, they were also honoured with the prestigious VenueVerdict Gold Standard Accreditation, which they have consistently held for the last three years. The hotel was named No.1 Hotel from just under 360 venues following feedback from over 22,000 event hosts. Paul Bray, General Manager said: “To be named No.1 Hotel by VenueVerdict is absolutely brilliant and highlights that we are delivering on quality across all aspects of an event,from the food served to the hi-tech facilities

available. Retaining our Gold Standard Accreditation for the third year running was the icing on the cake. This has been a great start to the awards season for us.” We asked The Westerwood for their top tips to success in customer service and Margaret Ann Miller, Director of Sales gave us this 5 point plan: 1. Recruit on attitude and train the skills – It’s people that deliver customer satisfaction. 2. Empower your people, encourage them to be themselves. We want individuals not robots. 3. Managers are there to facilitate the Team’s Success. Put together a strategy that compliments the capabilities of your staff. 4. Have clear and regular communication internally (including performance feedback) from, as well as to, the client. 5. Deliver on what you promise (to the customer, to your shareholders, to your people).

Creation Social Media Goes to “Let’s Network” Copenhagen!

hese are exciting times in the world of Creation Social Media, and anyone who knows us will understand how much we value the benefits of networking. So when our good friends from Copenhagen decided to open a branch of “Let’s Network” in their fair city, where better to spend a few days? These days business has so few boundaries. Many of us can trade

internationally just as easily as we can locally, and the Danes certainly have that opinion. “Let’s Network” was set up to be informal, low cost networking – a concept which is quite alien to Denmark so there is a real international feel at the meetings – UK, Russian, Greek – the list is endless and English is often the language of the day. Our whistle stop visit to Copenhagen finished with a Social Media talk to a lovely group of women from an International Women’s Club. Graham managed to use the set up for the talk to also watch

international football on a full screen – who says men can’t multi-task? If anyone is interested in networking in Copenhagen please let us know. “Let’s Network” Denmark meet on the last Friday of every month at different Regus venues around Copenhagen. A warm welcome is guaranteed. More information can be found at www.creationsocialmedia.com, www. letsnetwork.org.uk, or give us a call on 07786036609.

FORTH VALLEY • SUMMER 2014 29

CHAMBER NEWS

he Chamber of Commerce programme “Growing Talent” – formerly the Graduate Recruitment Incentive – has now closed for this session and has been a resounding success with Forth Valley Chamber members.

Growing Talent Programme Delivers £33,000 to Forth Valley Businesses JOIN US

The programme is designed to help SMEs recruit graduates into new posts and offers a wealth of recruitment and induction support, as well a financial incentive. 11 companies across the area recruited a total of 22 graduates during the duration of the programme, receiving a total of £33,000 in financial assistance. Chamber members DOGFI.SH Mobile have benefitted hugely from the programme and commented, “DOGFI.SH Mobile has expanded significantly over the last year. The limiting factor in this expansion was being able to find suitable developers and project managers. We needed motivated and skilled individuals that

could stand on their own two feet with the minimum of training. For this reason we felt we needed to recruit heavily in the graduate market. The Growing Talent Programme allowed us to approach this task with increased confidence and support, and also provided an element of financial risk mitigation. As a result we recruited 5 graduates to new permanent positions. We are very positive about the Growing Talent Programme. Not only did it ease the recruiting burden, it also allowed us to recruit individuals who have bags of potential which will contribute to our future growth. At the same time we are contributing to their professional development and skill growth, a win-win situation!” A survey of employers who have used the programme in the past found that 100% rated it highly and 93% rated the work readiness of graduates recruited as good to excellent. With a maximum of £1,500 per graduate placed, the programme is just one of many ways that the Chamber can help members to save money and increase productivity. We hope to offer it again next year, so watch this space.

Forth Valley Chamber of Commerce and Stirling Chamber of Commerce

WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME? • A FREE member profile ad in this magazine, hard copy and digital versions • A FREE listing in our member directories, online and hard copy • Discounted advertising in INCommerce and our monthly ezine • Discounted entry to social and business events • Access to member to member discounts and special offers • Access to specialised Chamber products and services which will save you money • Business to Business networking opportunities • Warm referrals and positive connections to business contacts • Promotion via our social media feeds • Be part of the fastest-growing Chamber in Scotland • Access to the Scotland-wide Chamber network • An independent business voice represented at National Government level.

FORTH VALLEY • SUMMER 2014

Do the maths! Membership of the Chamber helps your business to save money and to make money. We’re here to help. Talk to us.

HOW DO I JOIN? It’s easy. You can join online by going to our websites

www.forthvalleychamberofcommerce.co.uk or www.stirlingchamberchamberofcommerce.co.uk and clicking the blue Join Us Now button. Or call us on 01324 66 55 00 and a member of the team will be happy to come out and chat with you.

Book your

next meeting with us in 2014

and enjoy a complimentary 4 ball round of golf with tea and coffee Awarded by our customers No. 1 UK Hotel via VenueVerdict for Customer Satisfaction. The entire team are committed to understanding our customer’s wider objectives and anticipating their needs in order to work in partnership to deliver a successful event. The hotels reputation sets them apart for the wonderful personal touches provided for our Conferences and Events. The Resort is perfectly located in the Central Belt, just off Junction 6 of the M80, is only 15 minutes from Stirling / Glasgow and 35 minutes from Edinburgh International Airport. • 7 flexible conference and meeting rooms • 148 spacious bedrooms • Free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel • 120 acres of grounds, ideal for team building

01236 860 709 Westerwoodevents@QHotels.co.uk www.QHotels.co.uk/thewesterwood

• Maximum capacity of 400 delegates • Free parking • Superb spa and health club • Championship golf course VenueVerdict

VenueVerdict

GOLD STANDARD GROUP AWARD 2013

No. 1 LARGE GROUP 2013

Terms and conditions apply and offer subject to availability. Minimum numbers of 10 delegates apply and must be paying a day delegate rate.

BUSINESS NEWS

B U S I N E S S M E N TO R IN G IN FO R T H VA L L EY

Celebrating our 1 year anniversary with our 50th match!

orth Valley Chamber of Commerce as part of the Scottish Chamber of Commerce Business Mentoring programme, started matching businesses with mentors in May 2013 and Laurence Barrett, Chief Executive at Forth Valley Chamber has been delighted with the success of this programme to date. “Running a business presents daily challenges. Having a sounding board and someone to confide in can have a huge impact on business success or failure. The Chamber mentoring programme provides this sounding board and with 50 successful matches already we are now seeing real benefits to the business community.” 32

Sarah Lowry knows these challenges only too well. Her company, “Fresh on the Go”, provides self-service coffee and hot drinks solutions to a variety of businesses. The innovative business model which Sarah has developed means there are no up-front costs for the customer. With a fast growing customer base, Sarah had a challenge in balancing supply and demand. Having someone to help with this expansion and offer guidance was vital, so Sarah contacted Alison Davidson at Business Gateway in Alloa to see if there was a mentoring service in Forth Valley. Alison made the recommendation and Dorothy Henke from the Chamber visited Sarah at her premises. Having established Sarah’s business priorities and goals, Dorothy searched the Business Mentoring Database to identify a business mentor who had grown a successful business and expanded throughout the UK. She contacted Bill

FORTH VALLEY • SUMMER 2014

Walters at The Electric Heating Company Ltd – one of the Chamber’s long-established Mentors. Bill has always been encouraged by the Chamber’s commitment to ensure that they develop a match designed to provide the best results for all parties involved and his first meeting with Sarah left him impressed. “Over the years I have been matched with various individuals who have identified an opportunity and are determined to make their business venture a success which is most certainly the case with Sarah Lowry of “Fresh on the Go.” Sarah has a clear vision for her chosen market opportunity and has very quickly laid out a strategy to ensure that she delivers a quality service and product.” Bill’s experience in growing a business in an emerging market certainly matched Sarah’s ambition. The first introductory meeting is a key part of the matching process and allows both parties to identify

BUSINESS NEWS Business Mentoring is a partnership between Scottish Chambers of Commerce and Scottish Enterprise and supported by the European Regional Development Fund.

the chemistry that exists between them and whether an ongoing relationship is likely to work. Sarah has been delighted with the interest shown by her new mentor. The relationship is only a few weeks old but Sarah is enthusiastic regarding what has been achieved. “I went along to the first meeting not knowing what to expect. But we realised quite quickly that there is a range of ways that Bill can help. Bill has vast experience of building a business and

has also given me some very useful contacts within his network. Getting his ideas on our new website has been invaluable. As well as the tangible benefits, it is also great to share the excitement when things go well and knowing that someone is there rooting for you.” With both Sarah and Bill ready to proceed, the Confidentiality Agreement was prepared and signed ......... and Forth Valley Chamber had made its 50th Business Mentoring match!

If you are a business with a minimum of £100K annual turnover and an aspiration to grow, then the Mentoring programme could be for you. We would also like to hear from would-be mentors. If you feel that you would like to further investigate having a mentor or indeed volunteering to be a mentor please contact Dorothy on 01324 665500 or Dorothy@forthvalleychamber.co.uk.

FORTH VALLEY • SUMMER 2014 33

ER PA RT N PR

EM IE

BUSINESS NEWS

Auto-enrolment – Are you ready?

ost employers are now aware they have certain responsibilities with regards auto-enrolment and many are now actively considering their options as their staging date gets ever closer. Whilst larger companies across the UK have already made their transition, it should be borne in mind that they have had the luxury of internal departments already dedicated to looking after this level of employee legislation. However, there is real concern amongst SME organisations about the best approach to dealing with the 33 new responsibilities for employers. Given the complexity and sheer volume of work involved (see summary chart), the regulator is advising employers to start the process at least 12 months before their staging date, but certainly no later than 6 months before. This means that if you employ 30 or more staff, you should be taking action now.

the employer AND employee contributions for the time they were wrong – doubling the cost • Several companies that are going down the DIY route have missed the opportunity to mitigate costs by implementing salary exchange. This could cost them tens of thousands of pounds. • A company that should have staged on 1 April assumed their accountants were taking care of everything for them as they handled their payroll, but they weren’t. Now they are playing catch up and have missed the opportunity to opt for postponement. • By far the most common mistake we hear about is relying solely on payroll software to deal with the requirements. Many employers have been sold the additional upgrades and training by well-known payroll providers only to find that it just takes care of a handful of the 33 new responsibilities that employers have.

What is your plan of action? If you plan to rely on your accountant or financial adviser to deal with this for you, make sure they are aware of this and have the capabilities to deal with it. If you plan on taking the DIY route, get started now. Do not underestimate the amount of work involved. Research from one of our auto-enrolment partners estimates that there are over 100 man days needed to fully comply with the requirements (see chart).

Mistakes to avoid Now that more and more companies are going through the autoenrolment process, we have noticed a significant increase in the number of organisations that thought they were prepared, but have found to their cost that they weren’t. In the last few weeks alone: • Leading national retailer Dunelm was named and shamed for failing to comply by their deadline. They have had to pay both

FORTH VALLEY • SUMMER 2014

We fully understand that most employers don’t want autoenrolment. However, doing nothing is not an option. There are ways to help mitigate the cost and reduce the time burden on you. But remember the later you leave it to start the process, the greater the risk you could make mistakes that could cost you even more money. If you would like more information about this please get in touch. Douglas Harley APFS Chartered Financial Planner Harley Financial Services Ltd

Are you looking for Business Premises in Clackmannanshire or Stirling? We can provide various properties, packages, and can add significant value to your business through provision of various additional services. Some of our properties:  ALLOA BUSINESS CENTRE  E-CENTRE  FORRESTER LODGE  SPRINGFIELD HOUSE  ELMBANK MILL We also provide a variety of conference/meeting room facilities and have a “Hot Desk” service, get in touch for more details.

E: Property@ceteris.co.uk @CeterisUK

T: 01259 721454

W: www.ceteris.co.uk

@CeterisLtd

FOR BUSINESS AND LEISURE.

Space to THE NEW BMW 2 SERIES / Work ACTIVE / Learn /TOURER. Grow

BMW Corporate Sales

Menzies

The Ultimate Driving Machine

STIRLING BMW and MINI specialists, Menzies Motors Ltd. (part of the Macrae & Dick Group), have appointed Drew Guthrie as their new General Manager. Drew brings almost 20 years’ experience in the motor trade to Menzies, the last seven of which was focused on leading Macrae & Dick’s Ford division. Drew commented, “Menzies Motors and BMW/MINI are synonymous with outstanding customer care and unrivalled heritage. The Stirling dealership has recently undergone a multi-million pounds refurbishment to enhance the overall customer experience. I look forward to welcoming customers new and old to come and see what Menzies has to offer”.

Office & Laboratory Accommodation from 46 sq m (500 sq ft) to 929 sq m (10,000 sq ft). / Flexible office accommodation / Open plan, cellular and serviced office space / Centrally located / Specialist on-site services / Multi-use facilities / Secure environment

For more information please visit: www.earlsgatepark.co.uk

“With a series of new product launches over the summer to add to the already stunning range of vehicles, this is an exciting time to choose your next car”. After graduating from the University of Strathclyde, Drew qualified as a Chartered Accountant whilst working with KPMG in Glasgow. He then spent three years with Standard Life in Edinburgh and Dublin before joining Peoples Ford in Glasgow in 1995. In his spare time, Drew likes to spend time with his three children and enjoys football, cricket and hill-walking.

For more information call us on 01786 474477 or visit www.menziesbmw.co.uk

Menzies

New Kerse Road, Stirling, Stirlingshire FK7 7RZ

We are a small family run Normal opening hours The besT of scoTTish media – news ● opinion ● debaTe 01786 474477 www.menziesbmw.co.uk delicatessen and cafe, Oct - Easter 8.30am til 5pm The besT of scoTTish media – news ● opinion ● debaTe Thursday to Tuesday, Closed Daughter (Julie) and Mother Fuel economy figures for the new BMW 2 Series Active Tourer range: Urban 46.3-56.5mpg (6.1–5.0l/100km). on Wednesday.Combined Easter to57.6-68.9mpg Oct (Lin). Been trading for 67.2-78.4mpg five Extra Urban (4.2–3.6l/100km). (4.9–4.1l/km). CO2 emissions 115-109g/km. Please note these figures are based on preliminary datatil and5.30pm. are not confirmed. Figures may vary depending on driving style and conditions. 8am years, serving home cooked food, including full breakfast, If you are planning a day in the tasty soups and made to order 31144_108142-BMW-2Series-ActiveTourer-SOCmaterials-A4.indd 1 27/06/2014 16:19 great outdoors, pop into the sandwiches and panini. All deli to fuel up before venturing baking is home made including out or enjoy a well earned scones, carrot cake and thick coffee and cake afterwards. caramel slice.

66 iSSueS iSSueS fOr fOr jUst jUst

Deli and grocery products are mainly sourced from Scottish producers and suppliers, along with a selection of ingredients for around the world.

10 Ancaster Square, Callander, FK17 8ED Tel: 01877 331220 email: deli.ecosse@yahoo.co.uk www.deliecosse.co.uk

Outdoor seating available, weather permitting, so enjoy a coffee or cold beer while watching the rest of the world go by.

£1

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Call: 0844 826 5009 Call:thestooshie.co.uk 0844 826 5009 Visit: Visit: thestooshie.co.uk QUOtE: TSTDD QUOtE: TSTDD Six issues for £1 subscription offer is available for recipients within the uK by Direct Debit Bank Accounts i understand that if i isam not 100% can cancel my Six issuesonly. for £1 subscription offer available for satisfied, recipientsiwithin the uK bysubscription Direct Debit before Bank the sixth issue pay no more if 100% i like what i see,i my will automatically Accounts only. iand understand that ifmoney. i am not satisfied, cansubscription cancel my subscription before continue by issue Directand Debit rate £20.99 every savings of 42% based on Direct the sixth pay no of more money. if i13 likeissues. what iFirst see, year my subscription will automatically Debit payment only. Savings onevery yearly13news stand £127.50. Discounted prepaid continue by Direct Debit rate ofbased £20.99 issues. Firstprice yearof savings of 42% based on Direct subscription rates available forbased one year at £89.95 (uK) andprice 6 months for £49.99 (uK). Offer ends Debit payment only. Savings on yearly news stand of £127.50. Discounted prepaid August 31st, 2014. View Digital editions via your desktop browser. subscription rates available for one year at £89.95 (uK) and 6 months for £49.99 (uK). Offer ends August 31st, 2014. View Digital editions via your desktop browser.

EVENTS

Announcing a very special Chamber Event…..

Change Your Mind

Photo: thestudiopenicuik.com. Art Direction: ideas.co.uk

(with forensic mind-reader Colin Cloud)

e’s back! For one night only, in a not-to-be-missed event commissioned and produced for Forth Valley Chamber members and their guests. If you saw Colin at our Business Awards, you will remember the jaw dropping accuracy with which he reads minds and deduces your best-kept secrets. STV described his mind-reading as “terrifying” and Edinburgh Spotlight as “utterly compelling.” Having sold out at Dynamic Earth and the Edinburgh MagicFest, as well as recently signing for a series with NBC television in America, Colin is the most

in-demand performer and speaker on the circuit and we are thrilled to have him back delivering a brand new event, “Change Your Mind” which will take place on September 3rd at the Inchyra Hotel in Polmont.

“Genius…Truly Amazed. Go and see him – you literally won’t believe your eyes” Edinburgh Reporter. Accepted into university at the age of only fifteen to study Forensic Investigation and Criminal Profiling, no-one is better equipped than Colin to understand the workings of the human mind and this seminar will take you deep into the minds

of your customers as Colin shows you how to deliver your company message to your target audience in a way you never thought possible. He will tell you what you are going to say before you say it, and show you how to rethink your marketing messages in a performance which will entertain your senses, challenge your thinking and give you a genuine insight into how you do business. This event WILL sell out. Colin told us so, and he knows everything. He even knows who hasn’t booked their tickets yet, and believe us, you do not want this man in your head! Or do you?? For more details go to our website www.forthvalleychamber.com/events FORTH VALLEY • SUMMER 2014 37

Davidson Cruse Wealth Management Ltd Chartered Financial Planners and Affiliate of STEP

t Davidson Cruse Wealth Management, we provide wealth management advice and financial planning services to individuals of all ages, families and businesses.

6 PITT TERRACE, STIRLING FK8 2EZ TEL: 01786 445060 MOBILE: 07791204329 EMAIL: Justine.waddell@sjpp.co.uk

We are a local chartered firm who specialise in Inheritance Tax, Trust and Estate Planning; Investment Planning including Corporate Financial Planning; Retirement Planning and all types of investments.

∑

The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Regimental Museum

Service • Reliability • Quality • Integrity One of Europe’s foremost non-destructive testing organisations. Inspection Ecosse Limited offer specialised Non Destructive Testing including Radiographic, Ultrasonic, Dye Penetrant and Magnetic Particle Inspections, with fully qualified technicians. We operate in all industries including: • Oil Refining • Petrochemicals • Engineering • Shipping • Power Supply • Food and Brewing • Non Destructive Testing A vital role in a variety of industrial, commercial and service applications.

 STUNNING

VIEWS

 UNIQUE

Inspection Ecosse Ltd., Unit 1D, Laurieston Industrial Estate, Old Redding Road, Falkirk FK2 9JU www.inspection-ecosse.com

Tel: 01324 627 772

CASTLE SETTING AND MILITARY HERITAGE

 FIVE

STAR CATERING

www.argylls.co.uk • ceo@argylls.co.uk • Facebook • Twitter

Planning your estate? Don’t leave it too late!

here’s a natural reluctance for younger people to think about death and getting older. You are, in all likelihood, forging ahead just getting on with life. Perhaps climbing up the career ladder, buying a house, settling down with a partner and having children. It’s a fastpaced world we live in and thinking about the future is often put on the back burner. After all, talk of wills, inheritance tax (IHT) and estate planning seems far removed from your day-to-day life. But have you thought what would happen if the unspeakable were to happen and you died tomorrow? Have you, for instance, got sufficient life cover in place to take care of the loved-ones you leave behind? If you have excess income you could also consider gifting away some surplus income to avoid a potential IHT liability. After all, it makes sense to prevent an IHT liability where you can! Changes to the pension rules could also trigger unwanted IHT. New rules that came into force in April 2014 limit the amount you can invest in a pension each year to £40,000. If you start to redirect your retirement savings over and above the £40,000 limit into savings vehicles such as ISAs or unit trusts, they will form part of your estate. It

he Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum is located in Stirling Castle, in the city of Stirling, Scotland. The Museum is governed by a charitable trust whose purpose is to perpetuate the deeds of those who have served. The Museum traces the history of the 91st Argyllshire Highlanders and the 93rd Sutherland Highlanders up to the time of their amalgamation in 1881 when they became the 1st and 2nd Battalions of The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Regiment and thereafter to the present day. Stirling Castle, Royal Palace of the Stuart Kings, has been the home of The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise’s) since 1881 and through the years, many objects of regimental interest have been handed in, including: paintings, medals, silver, uniform and documents.

is therefore important to consider the IHT implications when funding for your retirement. A core part of any estate planning is making sure that you have an up-to-date will in place. If you are a parent have you named a guardian in the event of your death? If you think your mother or sister will automatically receive custody of your child (or children) you are mistaken. Also, have you ever considered what could happen if you were affected by serious illness, disability or mental impairment in the future? Many of us are living longer, but this means that there is a greater chance that you may need someone to look after your finances for you when you are older. This is why people should consider appointing a relative or trusted family friend as an attorney who could step into the breach. It is just as important for those who are fit and healthy and of sound mind to have proper plans in place for the future. Talk of estate planning is not the cheeriest of subjects and it is easy to put something off that doesn’t affect you today, or even in the near future. But it is a vital part of financial planning and once dealt with you can rest easy that the loved ones you leave behind will be looked after. If you would like to speak to someone about any of these issues or would simply like more information please call Justine on 07791204329 who would be more than happy to help.

The Museum receives modest Ministry of Defence funding, but is solely maintained through public donations and commercial activities in the Museum.To safeguard its future the Museum is developing its commercial operations and a feasibility study has been completed to secure its future in Stirling Castle. The initial response has been huge improvements to the retail offer and visitor experience at the Museum and a new commercial agreement with Wilde Thyme, one of Scotland’s leading caterers. So if you want an outstanding hospitality experience in Stirling Castle then why not bring your guests to the Museum and dine in the military splendour of the Officers’ Mess of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in Stirling Castle. The Museum can cater for a range of events from a simple buffet to haute cuisine at the highest levels.

www.argylls.co.uk

FORTH VALLEY • SUMMER 2014 39

NEW MEMBERS' PROFILE Wide Eye Marketing

As a marketing consulting business, Wide Eye Marketing are a fresh pair of eyes on your business. Our 6 Step Process is proven to work for SME businesses who either don’t have the in-house expertise or the budget to have a marketing team. We can offer our help in all respects of marketing and account management. We will help you and your business go through a transformation and be there with you from the start until the very end. Whether it is a project or a full make over, we have the expertise to do the job right. Our key focus is to deliver commercial results and add value to our customers. • We are GROUNDED • We are IMAGINATIVE • We have a FRESH PERSPECTIVE Be Inspired by Wide Eye Marketing and open your eyes to new and exciting business opportunities and growth.

Mob: Stacey 07590 998685, Jo 07801 816866 Email: stacey@wideeyemarketing.co.uk, Jo@wideeyemarketing.co.uk Web: www.wideeyemarketing.co.uk

Cloud Accounting Co

SME experts and Xero accountants. According to one client “Cloud Accounting Co are accountants for the twenty-first century. Service focussed, responsive and delivered through innovative, on line technology. Perfect for the fast paced demands of a modern business. Highly recommended.”

Tel: 01324 464510 Mob: 07768 045460 Email: alan@cloudaccountingco.com Web: www.cloudaccountingco.com

Geothermal Solar UK

GEOTHERMAL SOLAR UK specialise in the design and installation of highly efficient and integrated ‘Renewable’ Energy Systems. Our installations are subject to continuous remote monitoring ensuring that they run at optimum levels of performance at all times. We consistently win industry recognition for our innovation, craftsmanship and efficiency gains, and receive many referrals from our work with Local Authorities. We propose only the most appropriate technology be applied to any given project and are passionately committed to the promotion of a greater general understanding of ‘renewables’ technology. We fiercely believe that only the highest standards of workmanship and competency are acceptable.

Tel: 01324 826627 Mob: 07769 207651 Email: ian.young@vaughanrt.com Web: www.geothermal-solar.com

Davidson Cruse

At Davidson Cruse Wealth Management, we provide high quality personal advice to individuals, families and businesses on all aspects of wealth management and financial planning. Our specialist areas are tax efficient investments, retirement planning and inheritance tax mitigation. Additionally, we assist businesses with corporate financial planning, pensions, protection for directors, key employees or shareholders, tax reliefs and aspects of exit strategy planning. As a Partnership Practice of St James’s Place, you are guaranteed the backing and reassurance of investing with an award winning FTSE 100 company and, with Chartered Financial Planners Status, you can expect high standards of professionalism, integrity, technical competence and business capability.

Tel: 01786 445060 Mob: 07791 204329 Email: justine.waddell@sjpp.co.uk Web: www.davidsoncruse.co.uk

Denvir Marketing

Denvir is an award winning integrated marketing agency with a strong culture and focus on delivering commercial results for clients. The business provides a full service offering, focused on the three core areas of strategic planning, market research and insight, and full marketing campaign delivery including advertising, branding, direct and digital, public relations, events and new product development.

Tel: 01786 448160 Mob: 07919 204775 Email: catriona@denvirmarketing.com Web: www.denvirmarketing.co.uk

Angels’ Share Glass

Angels’ Share Glass ® manufactures and designs beautiful glassware especially for the whisky and gift market. Made in Central Scotland by a father & daughter team, Angels’ Share creates innovative and bespoke products. Stockists nationwide plus an online store to showcase our unique and exciting product. We offer years of glassmaking knowledge, shaping these truly Scottish products.

Tel: 01786 833974 Email: Karen@angelsshareglass.co.uk Web: www.angelsshareglass.co.uk

Dogfi.sh Mobile

DOGFI.SH Mobile is an award winning mobile technology company. We deliver enterprise level, cross platform, mobile solutions and have an impressive client list. Recently we have launched several mobile products including offerings in the hotel and ski sectors. We have also introduced a capability for rapid application development which sees mobile solutions being delivered in hours/days rather than weeks/months.

Tel: 07515 545377 Email: hello@dogfi.sh Web: www.dogfi.sh

Condies Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers

As dynamic and forward thinking business advisers we pride ourselves on our proactive, value-adding approach with clients. We understand the pressures of managing, developing and growing a successful business. We very much see ourselves as an extension of our client’s team, and therefore develop a service and support solution that is bespoke to the needs of the client.

Tel: 01383 721421 Email: george.primrose@condie.co.uk Web: www.condie.co.uk

Westerwood

Award winning hotel for Customer Satisfaction, located off the M80 with easy access to Glasgow, Stirling & Edinburgh. 148 luxury bedrooms, 9 Conference Rooms, 2 Restaurants; Flemings Restaurant boasts AA Rosette. Fabulous Leisure facilities, 5 Spa treatment rooms, relaxation area and 18 hole golf course. Fast, Free Wi-Fi throughout.

Tel: 01236 457171 MOB: 07717 707321 Email: mamiller@qhotels.co.uk Web: www.QHotels.co.uk

Colour Me Pretty

FORTH VALLEY • SUMMER 2014

Colour Me Pretty is a Holistic and beauty salon in Denny.

A relaxing and friendly salon which offers treatments ranging from hot stone massage to eyelash tint. A fabulous array of treatments carried out by a therapist with 7 years’ experience, including 5 years of Gleneagles training. With the calming shabby chic look inside, you can’t help but relax!

Tel: 01324 823993 Mob: 07742 687413 Email: colourmepretty@outlook.co.uk

Meridian Wellbeing Hypnotherapy

As well as providing Hypnotherapy for individuals, Chartered Organisational Psychologist Vicky McLeod offers workplace services including group & individual Hypnotherapy sessions, and Workshops in Team & Personal Development, Stress Management and Performance. She incorporates elements of Cognitive Psychology, NLP, Coaching and Meridian Tapping solutions to achieve a personalised approach. These tailored interventions are beneficial at achieving lasting change in a wide range of areas including performance and productivity, team working & collaboration, weight loss, smoking cessation, fears and phobias. Meridian Wellbeing Hypnotherapy is based in Stirling.

Tel: 07859 063834 Email: info@meridian-wellbeing.co.uk Web: www.meridian-wellbeing.co.uk

The HR Dept

Forth Valley SMEs can now access their own ‘HR Dept’!

Local HR professional Avril Dunn has launched The HR Dept Stirlingshire and Clackmannanshire, using her 20 years’ experience and expertise to help smaller businesses sort their HR headaches and people problems.

Tel: 0845 313 0361 Email: avril.dunn@hrdept.co.uk Web: www.hrdept.co.uk

Falleninch Farm

For 50 years, and three generations, our family-run farm has been supplying quality meat and produce to hundreds of hotels, restaurants and caterers across central Scotland.

With our recently-launched on-line shop (and on-farm butcher’s counter) we now supply direct to the public so you can now experience our high standard of customer service and enjoy farm quality produce at home. • Finest, freshest produce from our on-farm butchers • Great quality, value and service • Our products come straight from the farm to your fridge • Collect orders direct from the farm or, if your order is over £50 we’ll be happy to deliver it free (within 10 miles of Stirling)

Tel: 01786 446653 Email: enquiries@falleninchfarm.co.uk Web: www.falleninchfarm.co.uk

Drummond Laurie Chartered Accountants

Drummond Laurie is a firm of chartered accountants and business advisers with offices in Grangemouth and Perth. We provide a fixed fee service for both advisory and compliance work to small and medium sized owner managed businesses across Central Scotland. Between the three partners they have over fifty years of industry experience and are supported by a team of qualified staff.

Tel: 01324 441255 Mob: 07919 154045 Email: Greig.Brown@drummondlaurie.co.uk Web: www.drummondlaurie.co.uk

NEW MEMBERS' PROFILES Valerie Smith Solutions

We can help you develop and work well within your workplace, including relocation. Turning around a building, with practical and cost implications, is challenging.

We work with a broad range of clients to achieve new, improved and well-designed business spaces. Please discuss your plans and projects with us. We can help you move forward.

DSE specialises in industrial and commercial electrical, heating and maintenance and currently has several key customers including several car dealerships, auctions, schools and workshops located throughout Scotland. DSE has quickly built up a strong reputation based on the quality workmanship provided by all our staff, customer service, value for money and compliance with industry standards:

Tel: 01786 842363 Email: valeriesmithsolutions@gmail.com Web: www.valeriesmiththesolutions.wordpress.com

Tel: 01786 235045 Mob: 07817 476779 Email: helpdesk@dseservices.co.uk Web: www.dseservices.co.uk

Devine Property

Module Architects

Devine Property are Estate Agents based in Stirling City Centre providing a one stop property management & estate agency service throughout the Forth Valley and Central belt of Scotland. Devine Property are independently owned and operated, established in 2011 by Alasdair Devine. Our Offices are based in Baker Street, Stirling and we offer a bespoke service to Landlords and Sellers who are seeking a professional service.

Tel: 01786 358127 Mob: 07796 266710 Email: alasdair@devineproperty.co.uk Web: www.devineproperty.co.uk

Site Sealants

across the UK. Projects include:

Site Sealants was established in 2005 and is based in Central Scotland with clients

• Structural Waterproofing • Concrete Repairs • Specialist coatings (PU, epoxy, spray polyuria) • Joint sealants • Gas membrane systems We work closely with architects and engineers from initial design phase through to application in order to produce the best, most effective method of waterproofing, and our clients include Faslane Submarine Base, Scottish Gas and Glen Elgin Distillery. We are committed to providing the highest standards of service, as befits our ISO9001 accreditation.

Tel: 01324 626969 Email: info@sitesealants.co.uk Web: www.sitesealants.co.uk

ASC Finance for Business

ASC is one of the largest commercial finance brokers in the UK. Alison Hunter is the Regional Director for Scotland with a broad range of industry experience from large multinationals to launching a successful online business. ASC is all about personal contact, understanding the requirements of our clients and providing exceptional service to deliver the right financing solution. We help SME’s and owners/entrepreneurs across Scotland find and secure financing solutions for all their business needs. ASC is not a faceless website and you will not be stuck talking to anonymous call centres. The bank manager may have disappeared but ASC and Alison are still here to help you.

Tel: 01738 230333 Mob: 07930 698277 Email: alison.hunter@asc.co.uk Web: www.asc.co.uk

DSE Electrical and Heating Engineers LTD

DSE was established in 2013 by two electrical and heating engineers with over 25 years’ experience in domestic, commercial and industrial sectors, including electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, heating and gas.

Module Architects was founded in May 2009 by Mark Dowey to provide commercial and residential Architectural Services to the Forth Valley area. Mark is a Chartered Architect with extensive experience in large scale commercial projects including RBS Gogarburn, M&S and Hard Rock Cafe. The practice is based in Dunblane.

Tel: 01786 823753 Mob: 07779 011448 Email: mdowey@modulearchitects.com Web: www.modulearchitects.com

University of Stirling

Founded by Royal Charter in 1967, the University of Stirling was the first genuinely new university in Scotland for over 400 years. Working with academic, commercial, public, private and voluntary sector partners, Stirling is one of the UK’s leading research universities in the fields of health and wellbeing, the environment and people, culture and society, enterprise and the economy, and sport. For more information, please visit our website.

Tel: 01786 467041 Mob: 07515 850771 Email: john.rogers@stir.ac.uk Web: www.stir.ac.uk

British Heart Foundation Scotland

Coronary heart disease is Scotland’s single biggest killer. For over 50 years we’ve pioneered research that’s transformed the lives of people living with heart and circulatory conditions. But so many people still need our help. Join our fight for every heartbeat in Scotland. Every pound raised, minute of your time and donation to our shops will help make a difference.

Tel: 01259 220451 Mob: 07920 088318 Email: staffordl@bhf.org.uk Web: www.bhf.org.uk/scotland

STEP

and ventilation solutions to the food industry ensuring high standards and compliance are achieved for healthy, safety and insurance purposes. Our specialist cleaning services include kitchen grease extract system cleaning completed to B&ES TR19 Standards and kitchen deep cleaning. Our Hygiene Operatives are disclosure checked, trained in working in confined spaces, heights, first aid and asbestos awareness. They carry CSCS Health & Safety cards and are able to fulfil client’s Competent Contractor Schemes demonstrating our commitment to deploying skilled labour who work safely.

Tel: 01786 473840 Mob: 07814 237558 Email: simone@perfectservicesolutions.co.uk Web: www.perfectservicesolutions.co.uk

United Auctions

United Auctions are Scotland’s leading livestock auctioneers and procurement specialists who operate a network of auction marts throughout Scotland including the Company’s headquarters at Stirling Agricultural Centre. The Company conducts auction sales of commercial and pedigree cattle and sheep including the worldfamous Stirling Bull Sales. In 2013 the Company was listed by the London Stock Exchange as being in the top 1000 SMEs in Britain.

Tel: 01786 473055 Email: stirling@uagroup.co.uk Web: www.uagroup.co.uk

Word Woolf

Freelance copywriter for web and print who writes to inspire your clients and persuade them to do business with you. No waffle. Just sharp, focused content in a tone of voice that’s right for you and your customers. Why use tens of words when fewer well-chosen ones will do?

Tel: 01259 720309 Mob: 07896 216498 Email: gail@wordwoolf.co.uk Web: www.wordwoolf.co.uk

Stirling Audi Lomond Audi Group is delighted to announce that the Fleet Team are now on hand to support the business community and have appointed Graeme Southwood as the Local Business Development Manager based in Audi Stirling Branch. The Fleet Team has been in place for 1 year and has grown the brand and supply in 2013 to new heights.

Tel: 01786 446888 Fax: 01786 468908 Email: Graeme.Southwood@stirlingaudi.com

As the local business support agency, STEP plays a significant role in the economic development of the local area with resources utilised across a number of areas to support businesses including, business advice, training, property as well as hosting key industry events through its business club, INBUSINESS.

FLAWLESS

Find out how STEP can help your business.

Flawless specialise in permanent cosmetic treatments, bespoke skin treatments and advanced aesthetics.

Tel: 01786 463416 Email: step@stepstirling.co.uk Web: www.stepstirling.co.uk

Perfect Service Solutions Ltd

We are a family run business based in Stirling providing specialist deep cleaning

Sharon McAlpine is an award winning therapist and master brow artist with over 21 years’ experience in many areas of the beauty industry.

All consultations are free of charge.

Tel: 01324 552486 Mob: 07769 299054 Email: flawlesspermanentcosmetics@hotmail.co.uk Web: www.flawlessfalkirk.com

Continued on page 42  FORTH VALLEY • SUMMER 2014 41

NEW MEMBERS' PROFILES (CONT) Strathcarron Hospice

Strathcarron Hospice cares for people with illnesses that cannot be cured including cancer, respiratory and heart conditions and neurological diseases. We are a charity and our care is free to all patients and their families living in the Forth Valley Area, Cumbernauld and Kilsyth. At Strathcarron we are committed to ensure that our hospice care is available in the future to everyone who needs it. To keep delivering care to those that need it most, Strathcarron has to raise over £75,000 each week.

Tel: 01324 826222 Email: enquiries@strathcarronhospice.org Web: www.strathcarronhospice.org

Falkirk Furniture Project

The Salvation Army have extended their range of Trading Activities in the East Scotland Division by opening a Furniture ReUse Project in Falkirk. Situated in a large prominent retail unit on the Callendar Road, this much needed resource will be

open to everyone, with help given to those in need. Any surplus generated will be retained in Falkirk to extend the outreach of The Salvation Army in the town.

Tel: 01324 637554 Email: Falkirk.furniture@salvationarmy.org.uk Mob: 07732 886704

Cairney Cleaning Company

Cairney Cleaning Company has over 10 years cleaning experience. We provided industrial, commercial and domestic cleaning services in the forthvally area. We provide a one off service as well as regular upkeep and maintenance. We are happy to provide client references and testimonials on request. We provide a no obligation quote. All our work is fully insured.

Mob: 07779 041 629 Email: cairneybilly@yahoo.co.uk

CV World

CV World offers professional career materials, such as CVs, cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles, and also interview preparation sessions. We assist job seekers at all career stages and have experience in handling various client scenarios (returning to the workforce, lengthy job history, lack of education, employment gaps, or too many different jobs). As a member of Professional Association of Résumé Writers and Career Coaches we strive to help clients achieve their career potential and provide them with the most effective tools to succeed in this competitive job market. Magda Tomaszewska

Phone: +44 (0)1786 396331 Mob: +44 (0)7541 592124 Email: enquiries@cv-world.co.uk Web: www.cv-world.co.uk

MEMBERS' REGISTER ACCOUNTANCY/FINANCIAL SERVICES

A.R.D. Consultancy Limited 01324 670555 david.young@ardconsultancy.co.uk

Acumen Accountants & Advisers Ltd 01259 753555 barrie.alexander@acumen.info

ASC Finance for Business 01738 230333 alison.hunter@asc.co.uk

Atkinson & Co

01259 752232 neil.atkinson@atkinsonca.co.uk

Baker Tilly LLP

01324 475700 patrick.norris@bakertilly.co.uk

Barrie Scott & Co 01324 637654 office@barriescott.co.uk

Bibby Factors Scotland Ltd 0141 227 8475 jmcguffie@bibbyfinancialservices.com

Borland Insurance Ltd

01383 623300 paul.baillie@borlandinsurance.co.uk

Campbell Dallas LLP

01786 460030 john.gold@campbelldallas.co.uk

Canmore Business Service Limited 07853 360344 rory@canmore.co

Clydesdale Bank PLC

01324 508203 terry.quinn@eu.nabgroup.com

Condies Chartered Accountants & Business Advisors 01383 721421 george.primrose@condie.co.uk

Davidson Cruse Wealth Management 01786 445060 justine.waddell@sjpp.co.uk

Dickson Middleton

01786 474718 headoffice@dicksonmiddleton.co.uk

Drummond Laurie Chartered Accountants

Stewart Accounting Services Ltd

Falkirk District Credit Union

Stirling Credit Union Ltd

01324 441255 greig.brown@drummondlaurie.co.uk 01324 473695 fdcu@btconnect.com

Financial Services Appointments Ltd 01259 212414 chris@cnewton.co.uk

01259 721156 mark@stewartaccounting.co.uk 01786 233937 info@stirlingcreditunion.co.uk

Sykam & Co

07791 718861 stuart@sykamandco.co.uk

GS Insurance Services Ltd

The A9 Partnership Ltd

01738 441555 kenneth-blake@gsinsurance.co.uk

01506 834700 victoriaw@a9partnership.co.uk

Handelsbanken

The Cloud Accounting Co

01786 463109 dabe10@handelsbanken.co.uk

Harley Financial Services Ltd 01324 625225 info@harleyfinancial.co.uk

Insurance Advisory Services (Larbert) Ltd 01324 556414 iasltd@btconnect.com

01324 464510 alan@cloudaccountingco.com

The Royal Bank of Scotland 07901 587151 alan.smart@rbs.co.uk

Vision Financial Planning Ltd 01324 559976 scott@visionfinancial.co.uk

BUILDING CONTRACTORS/ MAINTENANCE/REPAIRS/ SERVICES

Applegreen Homes Ltd 0141 354 1618 alan@applegreenhomes.com

Crannog Construction Ltd 01786 450022 crannogconstructionltd@gmail.com

Edinmore Contracts Ltd 0844 567 2999 clarke@edinmoreltd.co.uk

F. Dougall & Son

01324 611254 dougall.family@blueyonder.co.uk

Keyline Builders Merchants 01324 638471 graeme.little@keyline.co.uk

Rooftec Scotland Ltd 01324 614014 info@rooftecscotland.co.uk

Site Sealants Ltd

01324 626969 sitesealants@btconnect.com

Jenkins & Co

Wealth & Safety (UK) Ltd

Yard (Direct) Ltd

Johnston Carmichael Chartered Accountants & Busine

ARCHITECTS

BUSINESS CONSULTANCY/ NETWORKING/COACHING

Kelvin Financial Planning

ART

01324 626496 graemem@jenkinsaccountants.co.uk

01786 45990 james.a.stewart@jcca.co.uk

01324 832820 geoffg@prismtd.co.uk

Module Architects

01786 823753 mdowey@modulearchitects.com

0141 204 3272 chris@kelvinfp.com

Towngate Gallery Ltd

MacFarlane Gray Ltd Chartered Accountants

AUCTIONEERS

01786 451745 info@macfarlanegray.co.uk

Martin Robertson Associates Ltd

01324 633550 martin@mraca.com

Russel & Aitken Financial Planning 0141 204 3272 chris@russelaitkenfp.com

Springfords Chartered Accountants 0131 440 5000 fpaul@springfords.com

FORTH VALLEY • SUMMER 2014

07749 550114 enquiries@towngategallery.com

DJ Manning Ltd

01506 827693 marie@djmanning.co.uk

United Auctions 01786 473055 stirling@uagroup.co.uk AUDIO VISUAL

GMS (Recordings) Ltd T/A GMS Music & Media 01324 711011 hsm@gmsmusic.com

07786 702181 ken.mclelland@btinternet.com

3D Developments Ltd 01506 499645 joan.b@3d-coaching.com

Balanced Strategy Solutions 01324 717285 julie-anne@balancedstrategy.org

Colin McKeand - Business Connector 01324 823664 colin@colinmckeand.co.uk

Creation Social Media

07786 036609 helen.warburton@creationsocialmedia.com

George Stevenson Consultant

01324 621981 georgebstevenson@blueyonder.co.uk

Interface - The Knowledge Connection for Business 0131 651 4791 laura@interface-online.org.uk

MEMBERS' REGISTER Laurence Barrett

07887 651785 laurencebarrett@btconnect.com

McKnight Gracie Ltd

01324 861448 matthew@mcknightgracie.com

Positive Qualities Ltd 01324 492726 liz@positivequalities.co.uk

Volunteer Scotland

01786 479593 adrian.murtagh@volunteerscotland.org.uk CHAUFFEUR SERVICES/TAXIS/ COACH HIRE

Forkers Scotland Ltd

Belgica UK

ID Systems UK Ltd

Blueton Ltd

IKM Consulting

GIFTS & SPECIALIST PRODUCTS

CLEANING

07791 758330 mike.bell@si8.co.uk

STEP Stirling

01786 463416 step@stepstirling.co.uk

Thinktastic

0131 202 1667 mike@thinktastic.co.uk

Valerie Smith Solutions 01786 842363 valeriesmithsolutions@gmail.com BUSINESS SERVICES

Pertemps (Scotland) Recruitment Agency 01324 632363 falkirk@pertemps.co.uk

CAR DEALERSHIPS/HIRE/ LEASING/MECHANICS

Ace Tyres & Exhausts 01324 639984 sales@acetyresfalkirk.co.uk

Hardies Motor Group

01324 562799 iain.bolton@peugeotmail.co.uk

Stirling Audi (Lomond Audi Group) 01786 446888 graeme.southwood@stirlingaudi.com

CHARITY/SOCIAL ENTERPRISE

British Heart Foundation 01259 220451 staffordl@bhf.org.uk

CVS Falkirk & District 01324 692002 karen@cvsfalkirk.org.uk

Fallin Community Enterprises (Recyke-A-Bike) 01786 447559 admin@recyke-a-bike.co.uk

Highland Reserve Forces & Cadets Association 01382 631026 hi-empsp@rfca.mod.uk

Open Secret

01324 630100 traci@opensecret.org

Scottish Waterways Trust

01506 828007 boness@thekidzstop.co.uk

Moirs Cleaning

01324 624600 enquiries@moirsresidential.com

Perfect Service Solutions Ltd 01786 473840 simone@perfectservicesolutions.co.uk COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Falkirk Football Community Foundation 01324 624121 davidc@falkirkfc.co.uk

DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT

01324 484901 martin@caledoniancheesecake.co.uk

01786 235045 helpdesk@dseservices.co.uk

FURNITURE PRODUCTS 01506 829447 michael@belgicafurniture.com

01324 666777 scotland@forkers.com

01324 829661 louises@bluetonltd.com

01324 611237 iaind@idsystemsuk.co.uk

Angels’ Share Glass

01324 878822 ian@ikmconsulting.co.uk

01786 833974 info@angelsshareglass.co.uk

Phase DSCS

Showcase Glass, Art & Craft Ltd

0844 358 9001 peter@phasebroadcast.co.uk

Process & Instrumentation Valves Ltd

01786 359252 jon@showcaseglass.co.uk

01324 630030 sales@piv-online.com

GLAZIERS/WINDOWS/DOORS

Scotweigh

01324 673100 willie@fine-wood.co.uk

Finewood Holdings Ltd

Dataspace Scotland

01324 611311 ian@scotweigh.co.uk

EDUCATION/TRAINING

01324 614090 lee.marshall@viridisbsl.co.uk

Central Training Services Limited

ESTATE AGENTS/PROPERTY LETTING/PROPERTY DEVELOPERS

01786 870967 jane@dataspacescotland.co.uk

01506 829883 allan@central-training.co.uk

Common Purpose

0141 341 3355 colette.lowe@commonpurpose.org.uk

COS (Scotland) Ltd

0845 226 1896 enquiries@cos-scotland.com

Developing Nation

0845 338 3567 cynthia@developingnation.co.uk

Evolutio Ltd

0844 504 6534 john@evolutio.co.uk

Forth Valley College

01786 406077 ken.thomson@forthvalley.ac.uk

SJ Rennie Consulting Ltd 01786 824320 info@sjrconsulting.co.uk

University of Stirling 01786 467041 john.rogers@stir.ac.uk

YouTrain Ltd

01786 478478 louise.findlay@youtrain.com ELECTRICAL SERVICES

Graham Robertson Electrical & Security Ltd

Astute Facilities Management Ltd 0131 2081 365 ry@astutefm.co.uk

01786 461123 andy.neebs@yahoo.co.uk

Absolute Renewable Energy

07969 813272 info@stepupsupport.co.uk

Bierce Technical Services Ltd

The Salvation Army Furniture Project

Geothermal Solar UK

01480 445080 squinn@bierce.co.uk

01324 826627 ian.young@vaughanrt.com

Colour Me Pretty

01324 823993 colourmepretty@outlook.co.uk

Flawless Falkirk Ltd

01324 552486 flawlesspermanentcosmetics@hotmail.co.uk

Devine Property

Meridian Wellbeing & Health

01786 358127 info@devineproperty.co.uk

Earls Gate Business Park 01324 494339 john.walker@calachem.com

Tailored Lettings Ltd

01324 884884 enquiries@tailoredlettings.co.uk

The Letting Co

01324 486 888 david@theletting-co.com EVENT AND CONFERENCING SERVICES

Ceteris (Scotland) Ltd

01324 614044 info@lifefitwellness.co.uk

07859 063834 info@meridian-wellbeing.co.uk

Firebreak Fire Protection Services 08456 448248 info@firebreak.co.uk

HEALTHCARE SERVICES

Strathcarron Hospice 01324 826222 angela.gillies1@nhs.net

Westfield Health

01259 725810 amcfarlane@westfieldhealth.com

01259 726430 mail@ceteris.co.uk

HUMAN RESOURCES/ RECRUITMENT

Falkirk Trinity Church

Greig Melville

FOOD & DRINK

Real Improvements To Employers (RITE) Ltd

01324 611017 thefawkirk@outlook.com

Endrick Trading Ltd

Step Up (Housing, Employability &

07967 115193 antoninemassagetherapy@hotmail.co.uk

Life Fit Wellness

01324 471278 douglas@bellair.co.uk

Stirling Electrical Services Ltd ENERGY

Antonine Massage Therapy

Bellair (Scotland) Limited

Fresh on the Go Ltd

01786 813916 info@stirlingelectrical.co.uk

HEALTH & BEAUTY SERVICES

Viridis Building Services Ltd

01786 468050 graham@graham-robertson.co.uk

01324 677809 karen@scottishwaterwaystrust.org.uk

01324 637554 falkirk.furniture@salvationarmy.org.uk

The Caledonian Cheesecake Company

CHILDCARE/NURSERY

01324 482093 david@fitzcharles.co.uk

Sheena Walker

Simple Improvement Ltd

01786 448777 scott@allenhpe.co.uk

Fitzcharles Coaches Ltd

The Kidz Stop Limited

07588 645702 sheena@sheenawalker.com

01506 823402 admin@tapside.com

Allen Associates (HPE) Ltd DSE Electrical & Heating Engineers Ltd

Robertson Training Ltd 01786 447548 derek@robertsontraining.co.uk

Tapside Marketing Ltd

ENGINEERING

07554 423120 sarah@freshonthego.co.uk

01360 440066 sales@scottishfoodoverseas.com

Laxdale Foodservice Ltd 01786 471000 enquiries@falleninchfarm.co.uk

Prowd Enterprise Ltd

01324 628676 hr@greigmelvillehr.co.uk

01786 235055 fred@rite.be

The HR Dept

0845 313 0361 avril.dunn@hrdept.co.uk

Topstaff Employment Limited

01786 451550 bmcgarrity@topstaffemployment.com

01259 742540 kerrymcgannprow@hotmail.com

Stirlingshire Vending (Scotland) Ltd T/A SV24-7 01259 215577 fiona@sv24-7.co.uk

Continued on page 44 

FORTH VALLEY • SUMMER 2014 43

MEMBERS’ REGISTER (CONT) HYGIENE SERVICES/CLEANING SUPPLIES/SALES

Alexander Ross Holdings Ltd 0333 000 0050 robert.ross@alexanderross.co.uk

Corporate Washroom Service Limited 01324 870719 iain@cwswashroom.co.uk

OTHER

SECURITY

Oldbaum Services Ltd

CMD Electrical Engineers Ltd

LEISURE ACTIVITIES

01786 469639 monica@oldbaumservices.co.uk PHOTOCOPIERS/OFFICE EQUIPMENT

Iain Cumming Security Solutions

01324 622888 karenmclachlan@russel-aitken.co.uk

Active Stirling Ltd

0300 028 0101 askus@activestirling.org.uk

Little Kerse Leisure Ltd

IMPORTS/EXPORTS

01324 486924 stephen@lkgalaxy.co.uk

CentralBridge Ltd

Xtreme Karting Ltd

INTERIORS/DESIGN

MANUFACTURING

01324 229435 94zly@163.com

Finestra Blinds

07890 998685 joe_nicoletti@finestrablinds.co.uk

Jane Nelson Interiors 07769 676595 jane@janenelsoninteriors.com

Osborne Heath

01259 215555 info@osborneheath.com

Refractionz Ltd

01506 204663 frazer@refractionz.co.uk IT/COMPUTING SERVICES/ TECHNOLOGY/MOBILE COMMS

Cloud Cover IT Services Ltd 07768 444498 lance@cloudcoverit.co.uk

Comtech

01786 406448 hello@comtech247.net

Dogfi.sh Mobile Ltd 07515 545377 ross@dogfi.sh

01324 579797 info@xtremekarting.co.uk

Allied International UK Ltd 01324 667488 / 489 p.duncan@alliedfittings.com

Ochil Timber Products Ltd 01324 825503 admin@ochiltimber.com

Polyurethane Products and Consultancy Ltd 07739 224189 robcraw@btconnect.com

Exolta Capital Partners 07920 008187 russell@exolta.com

01259 726633 support@fusion-ltd.co.uk

ITFA Ltd

Lithium Systems Ltd

01259 727847 stephen@lithiumsystems.co.uk

Logic Computer Services 0800 612 6404 info@logiccomputerservices.co.uk

Microspec Computers Limited

01324 636147 david.pettigrew@microspec.co.uk

Phoenix Broadband Ltd 01786 230830 tfreeth@medusabusiness.com

Steeple Media

01324 632805 tom@steeplemedia.co.uk

Wildcat Solutions

01786 473232 cat@wildcatsolutions.co.uk LEGAL & PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

K.W. Peter & Co

0131 445 8608 patents@kwpeter.co.uk

Psychologists Protection Services Ltd 0845 053 1182 enquiries@ppstrust.org

Anchorage Panoramics Ltd 07833 713416 sreadman@aol.com

01324 867733 graeme@aim-eu.com

CGH Creative

01506 842953 contact@cghcreative.co.uk

Cubic Blue Ltd

01698 239360 stephen@cubicblue.co.uk

Ideas

01324 716827 donjack@ideas.co.uk 01786 466799 stirling@printing.com

Smartlocal Marketing Vizibility Design

01786 469023 sdickson@vizibilitydesign.co.uk

01259 272167 sales@albionmobility.co.uk

MUSEUM/HERITAGE CENTRE

Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum 01786 475165 CEO@argylls.co.uk

Stirling Smith Art Gallery & Museum

SPORTING ACTIVITIES

Rhoddy Stewart Photography

Scott Stronach - Track Cyclist

PLANT HIRE

SPORTS WEAR/EQUIPMENT

01506 828983 rhoddy@rhoddystewartphotography.co.uk

Your Equipment Solutions Ltd 01324 467000 david@yourequipmentsolutions.co.uk

01324 668401 nik.scott-gray@forthports.co.uk PRINTING/PUBLISHING

01324 716827 scottstronach@yahoo.co.uk

RJM Sports Ltd

01324 873804 robert@rjmsports.co.uk STORAGE

Storage UK Ltd

01324 812914 storage.uk@btclick.com

Armstrong Printing (Alloa) Ltd

TELECOMS

Designed Now Print

Lochgreen Learning Limited

01259 722930 salesarmstrongs@aol.com 01324 614055 stuart@designednowprint

Dtech

01436 678808 mark@dtechuk.com

Helix Binders Ltd 01324 629025 iain@helixbinders.co.uk

KST Marketing

07824 630305 info@kstmarketing.com

Palimpsest Book Production Ltd 01324 677850 craig@palimpsest-bp.co.uk

Signs Express (Falkirk)

Albion Mobility Ltd

0330 999 0112 info@verifier-ltd.co.uk

01324 624121 kierank@falkirkfc.co.uk

Write Marketing Consultancy

MOBILITY PRODUCTS

verifier Ltd

Falkirk Football Club

Readers Direct

01324 874802 andrea@writemarketing.co.uk

07817 395437 info@cummingsecurity.co.uk

07931 251898 mark@markfergusonphotographer.com

Wide Eye Marketing

07590 998685 stacey@wideeyemarketing.co.uk

07873 327273 craig.dolier@cmdelectricalengineersltd.co.uk

Mark Ferguson Photographer

Forth Ports Ltd

01506 674584 iain@smartlocalvouchers.co.uk

01324 664713 admin@itfa.co.uk

PHOTOGRAPHY

PORTS OPERATOR

Printing.com Stirling

Fusion IT

01324 492785/08456540537 sandy.muir@leemic.com

Action Insight Management Ltd

01786 448160 catriona@denvirmarketing.com

01324 486844 gordonc@exmos.com

Leemic

MARKETING/PR/DESIGN/MEDIA

Denvir Marketing

Exmos Ltd

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