FforB InCommerce Issue 2

INcommerce The Falkirk forBusiness Magazine

Issue 1 • June 2011

www.falkirkforbusiness.org Supplement Inside

m: 07721 416997 t: 01324 570291 e: jim@jspa.co.uk

www.jspa.co.uk Professional Photography In The Heart of Scotland commercial • events • editorial • fashion

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Contact Fiona, Tel: 01324 874428 Mobile: 07764254933 www.thesweetieheaven-falkirk.co.uk

Business Panel Update ................................4 Cllr Adrian Mahoney Update ......................4 BP Business Loan Fund ................................6 Falkirk Business Exhibition ..........................7 Social Media - No Magic Bullet?! ..............8 The Business Panel Update Event 2011 .............................10-11

Welcome

Case Study - Black Noir ........................... 13 Supplier Development Programme ........14 Businesses in Race for Life .......................15 My Future’s in Falkirk Supplement............................................17-24 Why Cloud Computing is here to stay ............................................. 25

Unfair Dismissal The cost to your company! ..................... 28 Putting Smart into Exporting ................. 29 Chinese Visit ................................................ 29 Workplace Pension Reform .............. 30-31 Carbon Trust ................................................ 32 Ocean70........................................................ 32 Retail .............................................................. 34 The Mary Portas guide to successful retailing comes to Falkirk ......................... 34 Whisky Mad ................................................. 35 The Business Panel+ Programme of Events ............................... 35 The Business Panel+ Member Profiles ................................... 36-37 Business Gateway......................................38

For advertising contact D-Tech, T: 01389 736000 E: sales@incommerce.biz For editorial enquiries contact the Editor, Michelle McKearnon T: 01324 66 55 00 E: Michelle.McKearnon@falkirkforbusiness.org Publisher: InCommerce Ltd Distribution: D-Tech Distribution InCommerce is published by InCommerce Ltd. Unit 14, Birch Road, Broadmeadow Industrial Estate G82 2RE. T: 01389 736000. F: 01389 736002.

E: info@dtechuk.com. W: www.dtechuk.com Edited by Falkirk for Business, The Falkirk Stadium, 4 Stadium Way, Falkirk, FK2 9EE T: 01324 66 55 00 F: 01324 61 76 37 E: info@falkirkforbusiness.org W: www.falkirkforbusiness.org 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 InCommerce Ltd or D-Tech Graphic Design & Print Ltd.

W

elcome to this our inaugural edition of InCommerce business to business magazine for the Falkirk and district area. We hope that you like the magazine and once you have had the opportunity to read through it we would welcome your feedback on its layout and contents.

The success of InCommerce will be in your hands as we want it to be relevant and interesting to business in the area so please feel free to let us know what you like and dislike and remember to send us articles or case studies that you think other businesses will be interested in.

As I write this a number of significant things have changed or are changing in the world around us, not least what has been happening in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya, and the recent disaster in Japan. Closer to home we have seen and are experiencing change which is less radical, but change that affects us all nonetheless. We will by now, know if we have a new Scottish Government and the budget cuts that the Public Sector have made will be in one way or another impacting upon us all. I am sure that you, like us, have been looking at your business and ensuring that you are doing things as effectively and efficiently as possible, as well as ensuring that your customer service is exceptional. I hope that some of the articles in this edition will help you in each of these areas.

I would like to thank our sponsors and advertisers as without your support we would not have been able to produce this not-for-profit magazine. Also thanks go to the individuals that have taken the time and effort to supply us with some very interesting articles.

Finally, I hope you enjoy InCommerce and that wherever possible you will use it to promote your own organisation.

Laurence Barrett CEO

Issue 1 • June 2011

How to slash your costs and still have your service sizzle .....26-27

The Falkirk forBusiness Magazine

Contents

Welcome ..........................................................3

3

Business Panel

Over 5 years ago, widespread concerns about overdependence locally on the oil and chemicals sector, brought about a collaboration between the public and private sector with a view to developing a strategic plan that would encourage a wider and more secure base for the Falkirk District economy. The key elements of the plan were:

A shared Public Sector/Private Sector vision for stimulating sustainable economic growth.

High quality business support for all (ie not just start up companies and/or high growth companies in Scottish Enterprise supported sectors).

A simplified and more easily accessible network of business support agencies.

Well educated, well informed and “work ready” young people coming through the local education system.

Access to appropriate and affordable training.

Formation of a Business Panel to facilitate more effective business to business networking.

A local authority that is recognised as business friendly.

The Falkirk forBusiness Magazine

Issue 1 • June 2011

It is pleasing to recognise that great progress has been made in all these areas.

It’s terrific to see the arrival of InCommerce magazine – we hope this publication will help create new connections in our business community and grow Falkirk’s economy.

Last year the Council relaunched the “My Future’s in Falkirk” strategy – re-stating our ambition to achieve economic growth: we want to grow business and employment in Falkirk. We need to boost entrepreneurship, help business to flourish and create jobs. Unemployment in Falkirk stands at 4.8 per cent and job creation is the acid test of success. we want to improve business connections – exploiting our central location in Scotland. A new 4-way junction at Larbert will commence soon and the M80 will be completed this year! we want to transform our settlements – particularly town centres. Despite the recession significant improvements have been made at Bo’ness, Stenhousemuir and Falkirk. We aim to get work underway soon in Denny and Grangemouth. we need to engage young people in realising opportunities available to them. They have been worst affected by the recession and over 1500 young people claim benefit. We must create new opportunities for them.

The establishment of Falkirk for Business as the one stop shop for everything to do with supporting businesses and economic development in the area has been a key outcome, and the Council are to be commended for committing the resources necessary to bring this about. One of the remits of Falkirk for Business is to run the Business Panel. This involves:

There have been excellent achievements recently – most noticeably our accolade as the most enterprising area in Scotland. However we must work together to achieve Falkirk’s true potential. Key projects we are taking forward include:

Enrolling members. Basic membership is FREE and every company in Falkirk District is automatically a member – we just need to know their contact details. The membership database is currently at around 2,500 and growing daily.

A Development Framework for Falkirk and Grangemouth, creating a zone to attract industry, hopefully introducing a new “Tax Increment Financing” initiative.

Keeping members informed. Achieved through regular e-bulletins, the F4B website (www.falkirkforbusiness.org) and now InCommerce magazine. Running business update and networking events throughout the year.

Our Business Support Strategy – which identifies how the Council and Falkirk for Business will help business to thrive in our area. Business is the lifeblood of our economy and we want to engage with you in taking this work forward.

Although the current economic climate is still extremely tough, we are grateful that with F4B and the Business Panel, the Falkirk economy is better supported and better prepared than many others to climb out of recession.

InCommerce will be a vital tool in supporting this effort for Falkirk’s businesses and I wish it well.

Cllr Adrian Mahoney

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George Stevenson Chairman of Falkirk for Business

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BP Business Loan Fund News that the UK's biggest banks have agreed to lend £190 billion to businesses this year after hammering out a long-awaited deal with the Government, should be welcomed by the many local small businesses starved of finance over the last two years. Despite recent claims from the banks, however, that lending to businesses has been low due to a lack of demand, businesses in Falkirk District are still reporting a reticence on the banks’ part to lend. Many owners say that they have been turned down completely by their banks while others say they have been offered around fifty percent of their requirements on the condition they can match this from another source. As a result of this, the BP Business Loan Fund is of vital importance, and Business Advisor John Judge, who manages the applications to the fund says “It has been pivotal to the financing of many new and existing businesses in the district.”

The BP Business Loan Fund, set up by BP in partnership with Falkirk Council in April 2000, provides loans to new and existing businesses as part of its commitment to helping the business community in the Falkirk Council area. The Fund aims to increase economic prosperity in

the area by supporting entrepreneurs who need funds to start up or expand their business and makes a valuable contribution to the My Future's in Falkirk Economic Development Initiative.

The Fund is administered by Falkirk for Business, acknowledged experts in this field with a wealth of experience of providing sound business advice to the local business community. Falkirk for Business was established in May 1983, with a combination of public and private support, to provide practical advice and assistance to individuals wishing to start up or expand their business in the Falkirk Council area.

For more information on the BP Business Loan Fund please go to the Falkirk for Business website www. falkirkforbusiness.org and follow the links to business support.

John Judge, Falkirk for Business

The Falkirk forBusiness Magazine

Issue 1 • June 2011

Based in Falkirk, Jim started his career in 1972 as an advertising artist with the Falkirk Herald. It was there that he took over drawing “The Bairn” the popular topical cartoon which he still draws thirty years later. After eight years with the paper Jim took the plunge into running his own graphic design business, still going strong today.

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They're all about you.

They're everywhere you look.

They're in books, magazines, on TV and on the internet.

They're one of the most powerful, yet underappreciated marketing and communication tools available.

They are, of course, cartoons. And if you're in the Central Region, chances are they'll have been drawn by Jim Barker.

In recent years, Jim has specialized in cartoons and humorous artwork. “I'm a great believer in the power of humour in getting a message across,” says Jim. “Whether it's for marketing, promotions or information presentations, it's well known that people respond to visuals much better than just words. By also using humour, the points are easier to make, the message is better understood, and the audience will pay closer attention to details or points you want to get across. It is a fact that laughter releases endorphins that make people feel relaxed and overall happy. Visuals… humour… visual humour… see the connection?”

Jim’s clients range from one man operations to BBC Scotland, and his Facebook page has followers in America, Australia and Vietnam. He designs presentation cartoons for gifts and cartoons “live” at events and exhibitions such as the Falkirk Business Exhibition. Future plans include Cartoon workshops aimed at trainers and his own range of cartoon T-shirts and merchandise available via the internet.

To see samples of Jim’s work and discuss how cartoons can improve your business, please visit http://www.jimbarker.net.

FALKIRK BUSINESS FREE PARKING ON SITE

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A FALKIRK BUSINESS PANEL EVENT • SPONSORED BY

Now in its 4th year, the Business Exhibition 2011 is promising to be bigger and better than ever before!

For all the information on the exhibition you can visit our designated website www.falkirkbusinessexhibition.co.uk or contact Robin Mordue who is managing the event on behalf of Stark Events. E: robin@starkeventsuk.com

• June 2011

Feedback from exhibitors and visitors last year was very positive: “Really impressed” “The event hit many marks and I certainly came away better informed on several matters and met some good contacts for follow up” This year, thanks to sterling work by Falkirk Council, there will be improved parking facilities so that visitors can drop in during the day by parking onsite or nearby, free of charge.

There is a £10 fee to attend for visitors on the day, but if you register your attendance on-line via the website, then you can get in for FREE! Also, look out for your free ticket in the Falkirk Herald, who are once again media sponsors of the event and who will be publishing a Business Supplement in the run up to the big day.

The Falkirk forBusiness Magazine Issue 1

Formerly known as the Business Fair, the event has been refreshed and re-branded, and will be taking place on June 17th at Falkirk Town hall from 10.30am to 4pm. Exhibition stands have sold out quickly this year with local businesses snapping up the opportunity to promote their services and network with the hundreds of visitors who attend on the day.

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Social Media – No Magic Bullet?!

by Julie Deans, Julie Deans Inspiring Social Media

The “in phrase” at the moment must undoubtedly be “SOCIAL MEDIA” but quite frankly what exactly is Social Media?

Type it into Google and see a million different definitions from a million different people. Whatever the result, it is safe to say that Social Media is here to stay and can be defined as: “….any form of online publication or presence that allows users to engage in multi-directional conversations in or around the content on the web.”

The Falkirk forBusiness Magazine

Issue 1 • June 2011

Or in plain English, it allows people to easily share information and experiences – people like your customers!

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Social Media is a rapidly changing and effective way of communicating but it is important to realise that the major goal of Social Media should not be to sell or collect – it’s all about giving. Listen first, sell second! Social Media is about conversation, community and content sharing, amongst many other valuable objectives.

However, reaping the benefits of Social Media takes time but when properly cultivated and nurtured, it brings long-lasting results. That is why you have to seriously consider sowing the seeds right now so that your business can grow and develop on Social Media platforms and ride on the wave rather than being swept away by the tide!

Whatever your views about Social Media, there is one thing for sure, ignoring the Social Media tsunami is not an option.

Five Reasons Why Your Business Needs Social Media: Social Media isn’t a fad, it is a fundamental shift in the way we communicate. We will no longer search for products and services, THEY WILL FIND US VIA SOCIAL MEDIA! Ignore it and you are playing at a major disadvantage to the people and

competitors in your industry who are actively using Social Media to win new business.

Mobile Fusion! An amazing 50% of the mobile internet traffic in the UK is for Facebook and over a quarter of adults use the internet on their phone. Every day, every minute, your potential clients are on their iPhones looking for places to eat, drink and stay in the Forth Valley.

If Facebook were a country, it would be the world’s third largest, is this something you can afford to ignore?

Word of mouth marketing has always been a valuable selling tool but think of the potential when 90% of people trust online recommendations from people they know but even better, 70% from strangers!! Combine this with the fact that visitors from Social Media sites are 10 times more likely to make a purchase on-line than the average visitor. It is powerful stuff !

Does your business need the “extra man?” If you choose to step into the Social Media realm with a calculated plan you are, in effect, playing with an extra man. You have the chance to be one of the first in your industry to build a truly loyal following and this is your chance to do what you wished you’d done when the first wave of internet successes started emerging over ten years ago!

You don’t have a choice to enter the game. It’s already started!

For more information on how to make Social Media work for your business, visit www.juliedeansinspiringsocialmedia.co.uk or follow me on Twitter @JulieDeans1.

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The Business Panel update Event 2011

The Business Panel Update Event 2011 was very well attended by businesses who heard excellent presentations from Rhona Geisler of Falkirk Council and Julian Taylor of Scottish Enterprise. These were followed by a discussion session covering the 3 key questions put forward by Falkirk Council as part of their consultation process around the Business Support Strategy.

A detailed analysis of the findings can be found on our website www.falkirkforbusiness.org but the key points are outlined below.

Q1 - Desired improvements to the infrastructure?

Q2 - Business support required?

Upgrading of the A801 Avon Gorge road Upgrading of Junctions 5 and 6 of the M9 Contingency plans for bad weather in winter, better road clearing and gritting Faster internet connectivity – superfast broadband is required Lack of suitable commercial premises Better public transport links required Flood prevention strategy Better tourism signage Denny town centre improvements

Mentoring – growing businesses are looking for Trusted Advisors/Non-Executive Business Mentors to deliver effectively targeted support and guidance

The Falkirk forBusiness Magazine

Issue 1 • June 2011

The first three topics above were clearly the most pressing priorities as far as respondents were concerned, with last year’s very severe weather highlighting business continuity as a serious challenge.

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Business Finance – access to capital funding and grants for enhancing premises, particularly retail Advice on employment legislation and better signposting of schemes such as Modern Apprenticeships More networking events “cross border” to widen business opportunities Training - more information about training opportunities for staff, training integrated with what the employers actually require, better inter-agency communication between training providers and businesses Property – quicker response time in dealing with enquiries Business Panel – an excellent idea but lacks direction.

Councillors don’t attend leadership group meetings or Business Panel events and should be more involved The key message around business support was that it is the existing businesses which need support to help their sustainability and growth, and too much emphasis is on supporting start ups. There is a need for support and finance for those businesses who are “in the middle” i.e no longer start ups but not yet high growth.

Q3. Business Finance (loans, grants, equity)

Q7. Business Networking

3.88

4.24

1.50

Provision

Employment legislation – SMEs need help to minimise the burden of red tape and to ease the fear factor around committing to taking on employees. Problems with employees can cripple a small business.

Young people leaving school without the skills and knowledge required. No understanding of the realities of working life, poor literacy, a need to get youngsters into the workplace/ work mode earlier via volunteering, shadowing and work placements.

Provision

As well as the discussion session, delegates completed a questionnaire scoring the importance of areas of business support against the delivery of this support. The graphs show that the biggest discrepancy is in the need for funding against the lack of funding available.

The highest scoring overall need was for business networking, an area where the delivery scored well, with almost 50% of those attending registered as members of Business Panel+, and 54% also members of LinkedIn.

Q8. Business Networks

Work placements not long enough. Better one day a week over several weeks/months, rather than just one week.

54%

Potential employers unaware of the different schemes which can help them with costs, candidates etc. Don’t have time to chase around contacting different agencies, more joined up support needed.

It can be seen that there is a large “fear” factor around employment, particularly for SMEs who don’t have HR departments to advise them and who are wary of both legislation and potential litigation. Businesses showed interest when schemes such as Modern Apprenticeships were discussed but overwhelmingly seemed to know little about what was on offer.

48% 29% 17% 14% 3%

LinkedIn Business Panel+ Women into Business 4 Networking BNI Business Banter

Issue 1 • June 2011

Q3 - Assistance required with employment/staffing issues?

Importance

The Falkirk forBusiness Magazine

Importance

3.69

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Case Study - Black Noir

e ov C

Demonstrating his creative flair has always been a key part of the job for Greig Black. Originally a tailor, Greig was made unemployed when the company he worked for went out of business. At this point he decided to ask a family friend, who was the master glass blower at Stirling University if he could train with him with the view to starting a new career.

After five years training, Greig was a fully qualified and experienced glass blower and approached Falkirk for Business (known then as FEAT), to help him with a start up grant, and in 2000 he started his own business Black Noir.

Initially the business started off producing glass wedding favours, but diversified from there into a range of other glass products, including industrial products and water cleansing plants. Much of the work Greig now undertakes is producing decorative glass products, including perfume bottles, glass flowers and fruit ornaments, jewellery, letter openers and the original wedding favours.

Black Noir was the 1000th business to be supported by Falkirk for Business and Business Gateway with start up funds, and in the past ten years, Greig has maintained a good connection with the business support organisation. He attends Falkirk for Business events as regularly as he can to find out more about developing his business at home and abroad, and to see what support is available to develop his business.

For more information visit www.black-noir.co.uk or www.ash2glass.com

The Falkirk forBusiness Magazine Issue 1

Greig is now planning to diversify the business again, to produce a more unusual type of glass product. Having been approached by a local funeral director asking if Greig was able to produce jewellery items that could hold ashes for people to be able to wear in remembrance of loved ones, he decided to see if this could be another avenue of glass design to consider. Having carried out extensive research, Greig has launched Ash2Glass, which he believes is the first business in Scotland that will be able to produce such products for customers in the UK and internationally.

• June 2011

He also makes bespoke trophies and awards and was recently selected to produce the commemorative souvenirs for all competitors and officials competing at the World Junior Curling Championships which took place in Perth in March 2011. With competitors from all over the world including Canada, China, Scandinavia and America, it was the perfect opportunity for Greig’s work to be exposed to an international audience.

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www.sdpscotland.co.uk

The Falkirk forBusiness Magazine

Issue 1 • June 2011

The Supplier Development Programme (SDP) was established in 2006 following a business needs survey which highlighted that procurement within the public sector was a high priority for small to medium enterprises but also one which involved barriers when it came to engagement in the tendering processes.

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Glasgow City Council, South Lanarkshire Council and East Renfrewshire Council were the founding partners of the SDP and this partnership has developed and grown to 23 local authorities including Falkirk Council which became a partner last year and which has begun to deliver the programme of events to ensure its local firms are fully prepared when tendering for public sector contracts.

‘The “Guide to Procurement” seminar held in September last year raised awareness of the benefits of the opportunities available from the public sector procurement market place and was well received.

“The event was well worth attending.” Elaine Graham, Nemesis Training (Falkirk) The next event to be hosted by Falkirk for Business was the tender writing training course, “Tender Ready in 10 Steps”. This series of three workshops helped companies understand how public sector tendering works, what buyers are looking for and how to create a structured response that attracts a high score.

“I particularly liked having a concise plan to follow leading to Step 10. Excellent course.” Wendy Sharp, Forth Valley Advocacy (Falkirk) With 60 local companies already benefiting from the free training, it makes sense not to lose the advantage by registering your company free of charge so that you are eligible to attend SDP events across Scotland. You can register online at www.sdpscotland.co.uk.

Benefits of registering include: • Access to any local SDP event • Access to any SDP event in any partner area • Certificates awarded for completion of training which can be used to support your tender submission • Full access to information on website • Company listing on the SDP’s Suppliers’ Register • Receive regular SDP communications • Access to local business support network • Meet the Buyer access • B2B networking opportunities Your business’s active participation with the Supplier Development Programme will result in your business being better placed to compete for and win future business.

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It’s that time of year again when woman all over the UK dig out the running shorts and trainers and take part in the “Race for Life� to raise funds for cancer research.

For the Falkirk area this year’s event took place on May 22nd in Callendar Park and taking part was an 8- strong team of ladies from the business support agencies based at Falkirk Stadium. The “Business Babesâ€? were drawn from Falkirk for Business, Falkirk Council and the Falkirk Stadium Company and they took on the 5K route in an attempt to raise ÂŁ1000 for the charity.

Since the first Race for Life in 1994, the events have raised over ÂŁ362 million, one fifth of Cancer Research’s annual income and the Falkirk team are hoping that local businesses will get behind them and donate as much as they can to this very worthwhile cause. “It’s always great fun taking part in the Race for Life eventsâ€? said Michelle McKearnon of Falkirk for Business, “and also very poignant. We all know someone whose life has been touched by cancer, and just want to do our bit to help fight this dreadful illness. Our businesses have been very supportive, and our fabulous race t-shirts were designed and provided by Don Jack at IDEAS, so thanks to him.â€?

It is still not too late to sponsor the team, as the online sponsorship page will still be taking donations until the end of June, so to show your support please go to www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/businessbabes

Tel: 01324 562800

email: ann.dickson@boys-brigade.org.uk

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issue 1 - june 2011

www.myfuturesinfalkirk.co.uk

Heart of Town Centre Restored Recent visitors to Falkirk town centre won’t have been able to miss the new suite of signage installed throughout the town centre. We announced last year that Falkirk Council had won £2 million in regeneration funding from the Scottish Government’s national fund for revitalising town centres, along with a Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant award for improvements to Falkirk Old and St Modan’s churchyard.

Part of the funding has been used to provide both directional signage and maps, which allow users to find out where they are relative to other attractions and retail areas in the town centre.

Meanwhile, the churchyard of Falkirk Old and St Modan’s Parish Church, situated directly opposite the prime retail core of the town, has been quietly undergoing a transformation to become the historic heart of Falkirk. The town is believed to take its name from this church, “Faw Kirk”, meaning “speckled church”, over time becoming “Falkirk”.

and participation aspects of the project. Forth Valley College art and design students have been invited to design an interpretative leaflet promoting the site, which will be distributed across the area to attract visitors. Throughout the summer, Falkirk Local History Society will be conducting tours of the church and ghost tours will be available from the award winning Ghostly Guides group.

The church has important connections to the Battle of Falkirk in 1298, with notable casualties including Sir John de Graeme, William Wallace’s right hand man, being buried in the graveyard. There are also tombs from the Battle of Falkirk Muir in 1746, when Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobites defeated government troops. A number of tombs and monuments have been cleaned up, the churchyard and surrounding retail areas landscaped, feature lighting installed and now plans are afoot to raise awareness of the fascinating history of the site.

One of Scotland’s top stone carvers, Gardner Malloy, has been working on the site and has just completed a series of stonemason career workshops with local high schools as part of My Future’s in Falkirk’s engaging youth programme.

To help with this aim, Falkirk Council has recently been successful in receiving a second HLF award, specifically for the interpretation

The combination of town centre and churchyard improvements add to Falkirk’s attractiveness and appeal, maximising visitors’ and shoppers’ enjoyment of the town centre. The work has been warmly endorsed by the Falkirk BID (Business Improvement District) and other town centre businesses.

For details of tours visit www.myfuturesinfalkirk.co.uk/towns

Issue 1 Ċ June 2011

Extensive planning went into the design of the signage to ensure it would maximise the amount of useful information for both shoppers and visitors.

Movie Magic for Forth Valley Tourism Partnership Tourism businesses had a taste of movie magic in February when the latest Forth Valley Tourism Partnership event was held.

Hosted by the Bo’ness Hippodrome, Scotland’s first purpose built cinema, businesses were treated to an evening of networking and film clips featuring the cinema’s history and restoration, plus heritage attractions in the Forth Valley. Trailers highlighting some of the big-name releases in the forthcoming programme were screened and the Hippodrome team gave an insight into their plans for Scotland’s first silent film festival.

The pre-art deco cinema has boosted visitors to the Bo’ness area and been described as one of the top five local cinemas in Scotland.

the helix heralds start of £43 million land transformation project t Recipient of Scotland’s largest Big Lottery Fund award starts work on major project. t Land between Falkirk and Grangemouth will be transformed into an international visitor attraction. t Development will feature world famous horse sculptures, The Kelpies®.

Something fantastic is happening in the heart of Scotland.

The VisitFalkirk team at the expo in Aberdeen

Putting Falkirk on the international map A new visitor map and a new guide highlighting events and festivals across Falkirk district were launched at a major travel trade event in April.

Issue 1 Ċ June 2011

The free publications – under a new brand “VisitFalkirk” - have been produced by Falkirk Council to showcase the wealth of attractions in the local area.

A team from Falkirk Council, the Falkirk Wheel, Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway, the Helix and Falkirk District Town Centres Management came together to promote the Falkirk area at the VisitScotland expo in Aberdeen.

With around 850 buyers from across 30 countries, the event was an excellent opportunity to meet coach operators, travel agents and independent tour operators and to press home the message that the Falkirk area is a great place to visit at the very heart of Scotland.

The leaflets are available online at www.falkirk.gov.uk/visitfalkirk

A 300-hectare site of unused land between Falkirk and Grangemouth is to be transformed into the Helix, a superb, vibrant new parkland set to become an exciting international visitor attraction.

Whether it’s walking or running, cycling or sailing or simply taking in the beautiful natural setting, the Helix promises something for everyone.

Key developments in phase one will include a dramatic central park, with its own enclosed lagoon and outdoor events space. Boaters will be able to navigate a new canal link connecting Grangemouth and the Firth of Forth to Scotland’s extensive canal network.

The centrepiece of the new canal link will be the stunning Kelpies® lock: two 30-metre-high sculptures in the shape of horse’s heads.

Other planned developments include pathways and cycle networks, a major public artwork and a range of community facilities.

The Helix has been awarded £25 million by the Big Lottery Fund’s Living Landmarks programme, the largest single grant to be made to an individual project . Phase one of the project is scheduled to be completed by summer 2013.

The first contractor to start work on the Helix is Land Engineering. The company is carrying out a series of landscape improvements in the southern zone of the Helix site.

in the headlines Falkirk BID aims for five year term Falkirk Business Improvement District (BID), launched in 2007, has unveiled its plans for the future. Working alongside Falkirk Council to deliver projects such as taxi marshals and farmers markets, the BID has completed its three year term and is now asking local firms to give them the opportunity to continue to for a five year period.

Falkirk Herald, 18/04/1

Compulsory purchase may speed up Denny revamp Falkirk Council announced a major step forward for the redevelopment of Denny town centre. Use of Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) was approved at the council’s Policy and Resources Committee, which will accelerate the acquisition of properties and enable demolition to begin.

Stirling Observer, 02/03/11

Ineos China-UK oil refinery deal worth $1bn.

Planting the trees were Craig Martin, leader of Falkirk Council; Anne Widdop, chairman of the Helix Trust board; local youngsters Grant Woodburn (15) and Charlotte Laing (15), who originally helped the Helix celebrate the award of Big Lottery Funding; Kirsty Nairn, programme manager Big Lottery Scotland; Steven Pressley, manager of Falkirk Football Club, whose stadium sits adjacent to the Helix site, and pupils from Victoria Primary School in Falkirk.

Throughout 2011, work will also start on the construction of central park, the canal hub, canal extension and the fabrication of the full-size Kelpies®.

Bus builder Alexander Dennis in Falkirk have secured a deal to supply Stagecoach with an additional 20 of their Enviro 400 hybrid diesel-electric buses. This brings the total green buses Stagecoach have ordered to 142. Stagecoach have received financial support from the Government’s Green Bus Fund which helps companies to adopt green technologies.

Falkirk Herald, 07/04/11

HEROtsc reveals job numbers up by 1500 Call centre company HEROtsc, headquartered in Falkirk, announced a new contract with energy provider E.on. The expansion of operations has meant the creation of 1500 jobs in the past 18 months, approximately 800 of which are in Scotland.

The Scotsman, 07/04/11

Green light for road project Road improvements at Larbert have been given the go-ahead. Development of the transport infrastructure was deemed necessary in line with increased traffic around the new Forth Valley Royal Hospital.

The junction between the A9 and M876 will be upgraded to a four-way interchange, improving access to the motorway and the Clackmannanshire Bridge. Work should be completed by March 2012.

Falkirk Herald, 10/03/11

Land Engineering resurface the path at Mumrills Road near Beancross as part of the Helix South paths improvement programme.

FVC Students Help Falkirk Youth to be heard Two Forth Valley College students have been elected as MSYPs (Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament) for Falkirk East.

The Scottish Youth Parliament is a nonpolitical, youth-led organisation that seeks to represent Scotland’s young people aged 14-25. Falkirk West is also represented by two young people, all of whom are elected for a two year term.

Forth Valley College website, 21/04/11

The Wheel turns – major canalside regeneration scheme sails through planning Planning permission in principle has been granted for a mixed use scheme on a 58 acre canalside site near the Falkirk Wheel.

Falkirk Council and British Waterways are collaborating on the project to regenerate and revitalise the Forth & Clyde canal corridor.

Compropscotland.com, 20.04.11

Issue 1 Ċ June 2011

To help mark this symbolic moment, a group of special guests planted the Helix project’s first new trees. The Helix will incorporate a thriving blend of new and existing woodland as part of a sustainably managed natural habitat.

Stagecoach orders 20 additional buses in £3.8m deal

Ineos have been offered $1bn (£626m) by PetroChina for a 50% share in its European refining business. The joint venture will include investment in refineries at Grangemouth and Lavéra in France and is expected to secure 2000 Scottish jobs.

BBC, 31/01/11

New Grangemouth Bandstand has local flavour

The provision of a new bandstand in Grangemouth town centre provided the opportunity for Grangemouth High pupils to add a local flavour. Pupils were invited to create designs, with the winning design being used for a feature slab which would be inlaid in the flooring in the centre of the performance space.

The brief for the competition was to depict the history and character of the town, thinking about key landmarks like the oil refinery, Zetland Park, the War Memorial, the Docks and Town Hall, but to convey this in a design simple enough to be created in a 600mm x 600mm stone carving.

A judging panel consisting of a local business representative, design architects Ironside Farrar, Town Centre Management and Falkirk Council selected 2nd year pupil, Jessica Wood’s design which has now been incorporated into the Grangemouth Events Space for all residents and visitors to enjoy. Jessica was presented with a replica plaque of her design by Provost Pat Reid as a memento of her involvement.

The bandstand provides a contemporary performance space, compete with power point, which can be used flexibly to accommodate different types of performances and events in the town centre.

Bo’ness Academy pupils get business experience with launch of community food project Pupils from Bo’ness Academy are being given the opportunity to develop their employability skills and gain hands-on work experience with the launch of the ‘Bon Appétit’ food cooperative.

The project, which has been designed to offer training and business experience to pupils in areas such as money-handling, food preparation and marketing, also provides staff and pupils with low cost, healthy food options.

Issue 1 Ċ June 2011

The key aims of the initiative are to provide opportunities for those S4/5 leavers who are at risk of not going into further training or employment when they leave school, with practical skills to assist them and give them an insight into employability.

The project is run in partnership with local employer Caledonian Produce. It supplies the Bon Appétit co-operative with food products such as pasta, fruit and vegetables that may be surplus packs from a production run, or poorly presented.

All products supplied are perfectly fit for consumption and have a minimum of two days use-by date. There is an extensive procedure manual in place to ensure all health and safety recommendations are followed.

Initially the food cooperative has been set up at Bo’ness Academy, utilising a dedicated kitchen area within the school where food is stored, repackaged and made ready for collection or distribution.

Food is currently being sold to staff and pupils, but the long-term plan is that the project will eventually reach out to the wider community.

Members of the project have paid a fee of £2 to join with £1 allocated to the purchase of a reusable bag and £1 to join the project.

Fifteen per cent of the income generated from sales goes towards extracurricular activities for the students involved the project, and they have already enjoyed a go-karting trip with their earnings.

Kevin Rae, Learning Choices Coordinator at Bo’ness Academy, commented: “We are thrilled with the positive feedback we have received so far from the Bon Appétit project. Both pupils and staff have really got involved and it has been a great success.

We’re now looking at options to expand the project within the wider community around Bo’ness and hope very much to build upon its initial success”.

talkback Glenn Hodgson, Apex Vets What has been the most difficult hurdle to overcome in business and how did you do it?

Without doubt it was obtaining funding during a recession.

This was overcome with a lot of keen planning, saving, help from the BP Business Loan Fund, utilisation of the Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme and a great deal of kind assistance from both my own and Douglas’s family members.

Which famous person do you most admire and why?

Chris Paterson, rugby player. Need I say why?

They invested their own capital into the project, and were also awarded money from the BP Loan Fund, which was set up in 2000 by BP in partnership with Falkirk Council, Scottish Enterprise and Falkirk Enterprise Action Trust (now Falkirk For Business).

Having studied, and practiced as vets across the UK, Glenn and Douglas decided to set up their own practice together and wanted to identify an area that had a real need for a first class veterinary centre that could also be a strong part of the community.

Best deal?

The best deals are the ones that work for both parties.

In my previous employment the high case load allowed me to gain a lot of experience.

My employers also felt that they were getting a good deal as I did plenty of work!

Best recipe for winding down?

Going for a walk in the country with my Fiancée and two Labradors.

In a perfect world…

Everyone is healthy and happy.

Glenn talks about his experience of starting up his own business and the careful planning that went into Apex Vets before it was launched in September 2010.

Favourite place?

Scotland. I have visited other countries briefly but they are just not the same.

Best piece of business advice you ever received?

This is an easy one. Treat others as you would like to be treated yourself.

Dream car?

Pagani Zonda R. I wouldn’t want one for keeps though; I think they are a little overpriced.

What makes your blood boil?

Injustice followed closely by poor service.

What makes you happy and contented?

When everything is going well at home (family and friends) and at work (business and colleagues).

In one sentence, what piece of advice could you offer to a new business?

When working with some service companies plan everything well in advance and keep your finger on the pulse.

Careful plans or big risks?

Carefully planned risks!

Going into business is always risk to some degree. Careful planning helps reduce risk and the associated stress. Prior to starting Apex Vets, my business partner and I found ourselves with a 120 page business plan!

Best under pressure or well chilled?

A bit of both please.

Pressure is provided by the surgical and medical emergencies that arrive here daily. It is important to be able to thrive in this environment. When an emergency arrives the whole team gets into action. It is good to see everyone getting involved in an emergency case, from the vital client communication at the front desk through to animal monitoring and treatments in the kennels or operating theatre.

A “well chilled” period following emergencies is always appreciated. It gives us time to tidy up and get ready for the next arrival; and to enjoy the more relaxing work like checking and vaccinating client’s new puppy/kitten!

What makes you happy and contented?

When everything is going well at home (family and friends) and at work (business and colleagues).

Favourite city?

Edinburgh. I really enjoyed being a student there and have lots of fond memories.

Favourite book?

Lord of the Rings.

Hobbies?

The dogs, a spot of fishing and a good competitive game of badminton.

Favourite eaterie/restaurant?

The Anchor in Dunipace. I am very biased as it is only a stone’s throw from my house.

They ran a comedy night last month and the half time snacks went down a treat!

Issue 1 Ċ June 2011

Glenn Hodgson, veterinary surgeon and co-manager of Apex Vets in Denny, opened the purpose-built Veterinary Centre, with fellow vet and business partner Douglas Paterson in September 2010.

falkirk business panel

update event in march

Members of the business panel came together in March for the annual update event, providing the opportunity to hear from Falkirk Council on all its activities affecting business. This year the business community were also invited to participate in discussion groups to give their feedback on a new business support strategy for the area.

Rhona Geisler, Director of Development Services at Falkirk Council spoke about Tax Increment Financing and the Upper Forth Development Investment Zone. This project recognises the strengths of the Falkirk-Grangemouth area and the potential for the site to be of national significance. She outlined that Scottish Enterprise, Falkirk Council and Chemical Sciences Scotland have commissioned a study and framework to “provide a clear and common direction for future economic growth in the area”. Work is ongoing and this will be published in June.

Julian Taylor, Director of Strategy and Economics at Scottish Enterprise then gave a lively and informative talk on the wider Scottish economy and how the Falkirk area compares, before the audience gathered into discussion groups to help inform the content of the new Business Support Strategy for the area.

Issue 1 Ċ June 2011

Since the event, the Business Support Strategy for the Falkirk Area has been approved by Falkirk Council’s Economic Development and Strategy Committee. For a full write up of the discussion groups visit www.myfuturesinfalkirk.co.uk/results

diary dates Falkirk Business Exhibition 2011 Friday 17 June, Falkirk Town Hall Visit the home page of www.myfuturesinfalkirk.co.uk to register.

Falkirk Business Panel Annual Conference Friday 23 September, MacDonald Inchyra Grange Hotel Further details will be added to www.myfuturesinfalkirk.co.uk in due course.

economic outlook The Importance of Manufacturing

Business Demography In Falkirk there were 3,375 active businesses in 2009. There were 400 business births, a birth rate of 11.8%, and there were 325 deaths (9.6%). The five-year survival rate for businesses born in 2004 and still active in 2009 was 43.2%.

In Scotland as a whole, the comparable figures for 2009 are: 151,000 active businesses, a birth rate of 9.8% and a death rate of 10.2%. The Scottish five-year survival rate for businesses born in 2004 and still active in 2009 was 47.5%.

Although these figures for 2009 show that Falkirk compared favourably in terms of its birth and death rates, Falkirk has for many years had a lower stock of businesses for the size of its population than Scotland as a whole.

Number of Active Business Enterprises per 1000 Working Population 2004 Falkirk 32.4 Scotland 42.6

2008 35.3 46.0

2009 35.6 46.5

The recently approved Business Support Strategy for the Falkirk recognises that a healthy business birth rate is needed to maintain and enhance the business base. Increasing the business birth rate has been identified as a key priority of the strategy.

Forecasts of Economic Growth The UK economy is currently forecast to grow at around +1.6% in 2011. The average of several forecasters’ estimates for Scotland is also around 1.6% growth. This would be a slight improvement on Scotland’s growth rate in 2010.

Mackay Consultants produce forecasts of economic growth at local authority level. In their Prospects for the Scottish Economy 2011-2014, Falkirk is rated 7th highest of 32 council areas at an average annual increase of +2.38% over 4 years.

Falkirk has a higher percentage of people employed within the manufacturing sector than Scotland as a whole, particularly within the chemicals and petro-chemicals industries and metal goods, mechanical engineering and transport equipment. In Falkirk, manufacturing accounts for 12.7% of total employment compared to the Scottish proportion of 7.9%.

With a higher concentration of manufacturing than any other part of Scotland, Falkirk should be well placed to capitalise on export and other emerging opportunities as government seeks to re-balance the economy away from over-reliance on the financial sector, the domestic consumer and public services.

Falkirk Council, Scottish Enterprise and Chemical Sciences Scotland, in conjunction with local industry, are currently developing a framework which will provide a clear and common direction for future economic growth in the area’s key sectors.

2011 Census Most people will be aware that the date of the 2011 Census was Sunday 27th March. Once the data has been fully collected and analysed, the Census will provide a wealth of information about the local population, including information on the economy. The first results are expected in July 2012 and will be released over the following months.

There will be figures on the numbers of people in employment, the types of jobs they have and the industries they work in. Data will be available on the qualifications held by local people and their travel to work patterns. All this will give everyone an insight into the local economy and help to plan for future developments.

The Council will publish information on its website as it becomes available.

For further information on economic statistics for the Falkirk Council area, please follow the links: Falkirk as a location: www.myfuturesinfalkirk.co.uk/research The Falkirk Council Research and Information web page: www.falkirk.gov.uk/statistics

Issue 1 Ċ June 2011

In this edition, the Economic Outlook column takes a look at some key statistics and what they say about the local economy of the Falkirk area.

The latest business statistics for Scotland show that the Gross Value Added (GVA) of the manufacturing sector was £13,985.6 million.

Manufacturing in the Falkirk area contributed £1,546.3 million to Scottish GVA. Compared to all the other 32 local authorities in Scotland, Falkirk was the top local authority contributing 11.1% of Scotland’s manufacturing GVA, followed by Glasgow at 9%. The largest contributions to GVA within manufacturing came from the petro-chemicals industry.

Looking for Business Property in the Falkirk Area?

The Business Property Register is an ideal point of reference for companies or individuals looking for property in which to start a new business venture, relocate or expand an existing business.

Visit www.falkirk.gov.uk /property or call Jennifer Anton at Falkirk Council on 01324 590975.

Why Cloud Computing is here to stay

by John Howell, Director Vioptim Ltd

The second reason that cloud computing is here to stay is the proliferation of mobile devices and the speed of access that this affords through 3G with more to come in the future. We can access applications like Facebook, email, web browsing, even Microsoft Office. If these applications were all hosted in our corporate environment then we would have to connect there first to get access and what a pain that would be!

There are huge amounts of money being poured into these cloud data centres, massive amounts of CPU power, storage and Internet bandwidth. But it’s the way of the future as more and more of what we do will be based on accessing applications through our web browsers from anywhere from any computer.

John Howell, Director Vioptim Ltd, specialists in cloud based solutions.

John has a degree in Computer and Communications Engineering, is a member of the Institute of Engineering & Technology and has been working with computers since the early 1970’s. www.vioptim.com

Issue 1 • June 2011

At the time of the dot com period, Internet access was slow with dial-up modems offering 56K bits per second and generally bandwidth was very expensive. If you were lucky you could have the latest ISDN 64K or perhaps 128K circuits but these could cost a small fortune if left connected. So the first reason that cloud computing is here to stay is that we now have Broadband, with BT and others offering some amazing speeds that will provide downloads of entire films in seconds.

This means that accessing remote storage is fast, it means that we can run applications through our web browsers as if they were native to our computers and we all have done this many times using web based email and purchasing on-line.

The challenge that remains is how best to ensure that our business and private information remains secure whilst making use of remote services over which we have no direct control. As always with technology, methods are being developed and some are already well established to ensure this and it is only a matter of time before we accept cloud computing as being our business as usual process.

The Falkirk forBusiness Magazine

In the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, the “dot com” revolution hit and everyone was jumping on the bandwagon inventing all sorts of ways to get rich quick. It died a death, fortunes were lost and the computer industry settled back into its normal activities. Over the last few years we’ve seen an emergence of what is referred to as “Cloud Computing” where many of the applications and the servers running them are somewhere out there, connected to the Internet, but certainly not in-house.

There has been a lot of talk about this being the next fad or nothing more than a re-emergence of the doomed dot com period. Those of us that have been around in the industry long enough think differently, and here’s why.

25

How to slash your costs and still have your service sizzle

by Stuart Corrigan, Vanguard (Scotland) Ltd

Big and small businesses are in trouble. There’s a need to cut costs but many are worried that service will suffer and they’ll lose customers.

However there is a way to cut your costs and still improve service, in fact the solutions lie right under your nose.

The Falkirk forBusiness Magazine

Issue 1 • June 2011

According to the Federation of Small Businesses, in 2010 around 400 SMEs were going bust every week. It’s not much better if you work in the public sector. The Prime Minister, David Cameron, has stated that over the next 4 years, managers will have to cut their budgets by a total of £83 billion with expected job losses of 480,000.

26

So what’s to be done? Many managers are salami slicing taking a thin slice from each of their budgets, though the bigwigs agree that this won’t be sufficient. Judith Barnes, head of public sector law firm Eversheds, states that salami slicing won’t do it and services will have to be cut. KPMG, the accountancy firm, concurs.

I’m not a fan of salami, or for that matter simply cutting your service offering – it smacks of poor management. I’d therefore like to offer an alternative, and sticking with the food theme, one that allows you to have your cake and eat it. In fact, if you follow my advice, you’ll be able to cut your costs and improve your service. Then just for good measure I’ll show you how to plop a cherry and dollop of cream on top and grow your revenue.

Stage one is to optimise. A big fancy word, sorry, what I mean is that you get everything you can out of everything you’ve got. Think of it like this: all the work that you do - your ability to serve customers and your costs are governed by your capacity (the number of person hours you have available). And your capacity is made up of the amount of value adding work

that you do plus the amount of wasteful activity that takes place in the business. Waste happens when you have to put errors right for customers, or there’s duplication or rework, I’ve even heard some people go to meetings that they later claim were pointless! Surely not?

In my own experience around 40-50% of an organisation’s capacity is consumed with waste. Let me give you an example. Take a simple system like making repairs to council houses. The only calls that the department should receive are from people asking for a repair yet in the council we helped, 54% of all callers were phoning to ask when their repair would be done or reporting that their repair was botched – this is called failure demand. Only 44% of repairs were conducted in one go, so more capacity was wasted, sometimes having to go back up to four times! In fact it was not unusual to take up to 70 days to complete the repair. And when the billing information from the handheld computers came back to finance section it required hours of daily rework to put it right.

This organisation’s capacity was being destroyed because of poor policies, processes and management. The good news is that they changed and now have reduced their time to fix to around 8 days, increased their one stop repairs to 85% and saved £150,000 per year.

Having done the work to reduce waste and improve capacity they now have options. They’re able to bring previously outsourced work back in-house, create new value adding opportunities and in some cases reduce their resource requirements thus saving a king’s ransom! Actually the Chief Executive of this council, Andrew Taylor of the City of Lincoln Council, stated that “whilst others are moaning about their allowance from the government I’m wondering if we’ll need all of ours.”

dtech designers

& publishers

www.dtechuk.com

Yearbooks

If you want to do the same you’ll need to identify and remove wasteful activities, processes and policies i.e. get information on how your organisation or department works from the customers’ perspective. You see when you look at the world through the customers’ eyes you’ll find waste everywhere. Here’s a few ideas to get you started:

1. Go to where customers call in and listen to why they’re calling. Make a note of how many calls are to rectify problems or are chasers.

2. Walk through the process that’s caused the problem. Make a note of every step, the problems and their frequency.

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3. Finally sit down with your team and look at the process as if you were a customer. Remove and resolve all problem work.

Voila, you’ve now created more capacity and improved service! Easy right? Well it’s a start, but you’ll also have to tackle the measures and policy that may be at the root of the problems. And once you’ve optimised you can now move onto phase two which is innovate. In this phase we’ll look at new ways of attracting customers into your business.

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Until then get into the guts of your business, start with a customer call or order and follow it right through until the end. Soon you’ll be spotting and fixing problems everywhere in fact they’ll be as plain as the nose on the end of your face.

To get more information on how to cut your costs whilst improving your service go to: www.systemsthinkingmethod.com/costcutting.html

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Unfair Dismissal – The cost to your company!

In the last year, there has been an increase of more than 50% in tribunal cases against employers with the economic downturn being blamed for the unprecedented rise.

Here are three employment tribunal stories that have caused a headache for some UK organisations:

Unfair dismissal is leading the way as the most common type of claim. Over 120,000 unfair dismissal claims were made in the last year, with average pay-outs of £8,000 up to a maximum of £85,000.

A gay media sales manager was sacked after just eight days with a company because he was apparently not “psychologically balanced”. A tribunal heard the Glasgow man had been harassed and called offensive names. He was awarded the compensation for discrimination on the grounds of his sexual orientation.

Leading Scottish employment law, HR and health & safety firm, Empire HR, is urging businesses to ensure there are certain procedures in place to avoid potential tribunal claims.

The Falkirk forBusiness Magazine

Issue 1 • June 2011

The firm says business leaders and managers should be taking a fresh look at their disciplinary policies and working practices to ensure that the risk of a claim is minimised.

Research has shown there is an increase in the willingness among employees to raise claims against their employer or former employer. Claims can now be made online making the process more accessible and with employees struggling to find another job they are much more likely to resort to litigation.

CEO of Empire HR, Steve Cook, said: “In the current economic climate, the effects of a successful claim could be disastrous for a business. It’s worth bearing in mind that it’s not just the actual compensation that costs the business money, as the time and resources spent on defending the claim can also severely affect the day-to-day running of a business.”

The good news, however, for employers is that statistics show employers with legal representation are more likely to be successful in defending any claims brought against them by former employees.

Gay manager awarded £118,000 after only eight days of employment

£45,000 pay-out for cafe worker after being refused maternity pay The woman was working as a full time manager in the café for around 40–45 hours per week but the owner had only been putting her down in the books for working 15 hours a week.

When the worker fell pregnant, the owner then claimed she didn’t qualify for maternity pay, prompting the employee to raise a claim.

Accountant awarded almost £40,000 after unfair dismissal An accountant from Perth was fired from his job after being accused of spending a “ridiculous amount of time” on the internet during working hours. It was later found that the management of the company had no idea how to interpret the internet usage reports and therefore the dismissal was treated as unfair.

Empire HR Ltd can assist businesses on all aspects of disciplinary action, from drafting the disciplinary procedure to representation at tribunal.

For further information, please contact Empire HR on 01224 701383

28

Steve Cook, CEO, Empire HR

Putting Smart into Exporting

Business leaders and government ministers alike argue that Scottish businesses must do more to embrace international trade markets in order to replicate such success across as many sectors as possible. However, many companies wishing to take advantage of the opportunities find themselves daunted by the many challenges of supply chain, logistics, language barriers and currency exchange rates – all of which loom large as potential problems when trading overseas.

This is where Smart Exporter comes in. Available to all businesses in Scotland, it’s a programme designed to help companies navigate the challenges of exporting.

Smart Exporter offers a wide range of support including roadshows, workshops, specialist training, skills development, in-house technical support, market awareness support and a specialist international trade helpline. A public/private partnership between the Chambers of Commerce in Scotland and Scottish Development International, the three year programme is part-funded by the European Social Fund and focuses on providing Scottish Companies with the skills they require to succeed in overseas markets.

Denise Horn, Smart Exporter Project Manager said “We are seeing a huge demand for the different support we are offering from all kinds of businesses. The first phase of roadshows really gets things moving and we are now seeing businesses sign up for training modules and market awareness events. The event at Falkirk went particularly well with excellent discussions between experienced exporters, people just thinking about exporting and a range of experts. There are roadshows coming up throughout 2011 as well as lots of support online that people can access.”

A delegation of Chinese government officials were welcomed to Falkirk last month to learn more about My Future’s in Falkirk, the district and find out what earned it the accolade of Most Enterprising Place in Scotland 2010.

The two day visit from 12 attending delegates was aimed at developing civic, educational and economic links between Falkirk and Yueqing City, Zhejiang Province in East China.

During their tour of the area, the visitors were met by a host of business leaders, politicians and schoolchildren who have all been involved in the My Future’s in Falkirk economic development initiative.

The delegation had tours of the Ineos refinery and petrochemicals complex, which has just signed a partnership agreement with oil giant Petrochina, and leading UK bus and coach manufacturer Alexander Dennis Limited. They also were shown round the iconic Falkirk Wheel, Falkirk Community Stadium and met pupils at Grangemouth High. Lunch was held for the group and other civic dignitaries at Airth Castle Hotel and a reception at Callendar House.

A formal agreement to develop links between the two economic areas was signed and it is hoped that this will be the beginning of stronger connections and opportunities for tourism and business.

The UK was the first stop of the delegation’s trip.

After Falkirk they returned to London before taking the Eurostar to visit authorities in France and Spain.

Issue 1 • June 2011

That importance was underlined by recent figures which showed that Scottish manufactured export sales had increased by 0.6%. Not all sectors did well, but among those with cause for optimism were textiles and leather up 22.8%, metals and metal products up 15.1% and wood, paper, publishing and printing up by 6.9%.

Chinese Visit offers opportunity for new Tourism and Business links

The Falkirk forBusiness Magazine

At a time when UK markets are emerging from recession and entering what appears to be only a sluggish recovery, the opportunities offered by export trade have assumed an even greater importance.

29

Workplace Pension Reform – Will It Affect My Business?

For the vast majority of employers the short answer to the above question is yes. End of article?

Well it could be, but unfortunately it seems that many employers are not even aware that changes are on the way.

The Falkirk forBusiness Magazine Issue 1 • June 2011

Eight years ago the Government commissioned Adair Turner (now Lord Turner) to consider pension provision in the UK, as they were concerned about our ageing population and the huge cost to the State of providing a meaningful income in retirement to our pensioners. Their concerns are well justified, as State pensions are paid to our retired population from the National Insurance contributions of those currently working.

30

In other words, when you pay your National Insurance each month, this is not put aside to provide you with your State pension in retirement, but is instead paid directly to the pensioners of today. When the working population greatly outnumbers the retirees collecting their pensions this works fine. However, with life expectancy now much higher than when the State pension was introduced, there are ever increasing numbers of pensioners and they are living for longer.

The Government therefore has a potential time bomb on their hands, as there is not enough money being raised from the working population to cover the cost of the pensions.

Lord Turner completed his main report approximately five years ago and one of his recommendations is that there should be a greater onus on individuals and employers to fund for retirement and less reliance on the State. Following much debate and further reviews, the Government has finally confirmed that workplace pension reform will take place and it is starting in October 2012 with the largest employers and gradually moving down to the smallest.

So what does that actually mean?

Well the most noticeable change for employers will be the new requirement to automatically enrol all eligible employees into a qualifying workplace pension scheme. They will have the choice between the Government-initiated scheme, now called NEST (National Employment Savings Trust) or a qualifying private arrangement of their own.

Despite lobbying by small business groups, it has been confirmed that all employers, regardless of size, should have the obligation to implement automatic enrolment. A key consideration in this was that removing micro employers would deprive 1.5 million people of access to workplace pension provision.

This is a huge change for employers, especially smaller employers who have no experience of enrolling employees in pension schemes.

So which employees would be classed as “eligible” employees? The following table summarises the pension provision employers must offer different groups under the review proposals:

Employee Group

Employer Requirements

Earnings under National Insurance threshold (currently ÂŁ5,715)

Must offer access to a pension scheme, but no requirement for employer to contribute

Earnings between NationaI Insurance threshold and Income Tax threshold (ÂŁ7,475 in 2011/12)

No automatic enrolment, but employer must contribute if individual asks to join

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No automatic enrolment, but employer must Age under 22 or over state contribute if individual pension age and under 75 asks to join

All other employees

Must be automatically enrolled

So having established which individuals are eligible, how much will need to be paid into the pensions? There have been protracted discussions about this, mainly focused around the definition of earnings to be used (e.g. basic pay, full P60 earnings, etc) and we are still awaiting the final decision. However, current indications are that employers will contribute a minimum of 3% of the employee’s salary, with the employee contributing 4% and the Government topping this up with another 1% via tax relief. So there is likely to be a minimum of 8% being paid to each employee’s pension.

However, the cost of automatic enrolment and employer contribution to the scheme is only part of the story for employers. It will also involve a great deal of extra administration in auto-enrolling staff at their staging date, registering with the Pensions Regulator, changing induction and payroll processes and managing reenrolment every three years. It is therefore vital that employers start to plan for these developments now so they are ready for the changes when they are introduced.

If you are in doubt, speak to your accountant or independent financial adviser for guidance.

Harley Financial Services has produced a factsheet which summarises the employer responsibilities and highlights some frequently asked questions. If you would like a copy of this, send an email to info@harleyfinancial.co.uk Douglas Harley

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Carbon Trust in Scotland helping you to deliver carbon and cost savings now The Carbon Trust in Scotland is here to help us move to a low carbon economy, inspiring organisations to take action on energy saving and climate change. It continues to make significant inroads by working with businesses of all sizes to help them reduce energy use, carbon emissions and ultimately costs.

For organisations concerned about their environmental impact, the Carbon Trust has developed guidance and training packages to explain the concept of a “carbon footprint”. This is supported by a wide range of free advice and assistance through the Carbon Trust’s website or dedicated advice line. It also offers onsite carbon surveys, to help businesses identify and implement energy and carbon savings and therefore cost reduction opportunities.

The Falkirk forBusiness Magazine

Issue 1 • June 2011

The Carbon Trust recommends that the essential first step on the road to achieving your low carbon goal is to measure your company’s carbon footprint as this helps benchmark progress. It is simple to do by visiting the Carbon Trust’s online carbon footprint calculator: www.carbontrust.co.uk/footprintcalculator.

32

From there, small steps can make a big difference, for example, replacing inefficient lights with compact fluorescent lamps will save 75% of energy.

Implementing a “Switch it Off” campaign can save energy and money; one PC turned off out of hours will save £35 a year, while turning off all non-essential equipment in a typical office for one night will save enough energy to run a small car for 100 miles.

Heating settings also make a difference: lowering the temperature by just one degree would reduce the heating bill for a typical office by up to 8% a year and fitting seven-day timers to water coolers and drinks machines can reduce energy consumption by up to 70%.

For more recommendations and advice, visit our website www.carbontrust.co.uk or call us on 0845 085 2005.

A new company has just relocated to the Falkirk district, and we are delighted to welcome them to the business community here.

Ocean70 is a full service marketing and design agency that works with a wide variety of clients at home and worldwide.

The company moved from Linlithgow to its new headquarters at The Hub building in Grangemouth at the start of March.

Prior to that they were based in the centre of Glasgow.

Alex Stewart, managing director of Ocean70 says “The reasons for moving into Falkirk district were simple: 1) great transport links to our clients across the country and easy access to Edinburgh airport 2) opportunities to meet and network with a diverse business community 3) great new space offered at great rates” He added “We are settling in to our new home right now, enjoying the smell of fresh paint and the space the new office offers us as well as looking forward to continuing our successful start to the year with the help of the team at Falkirk for Business.”

Contact alex@ocean70.com

ADVERTISING FEATURE

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Bo’ness coffee company Tapside is such a company. One of its main goals is to assist start-up businesses have as smooth an experience as possible in providing high-quality cups of coffee.

Jack Marshall, managing director, explained that they offer a unique combination of affordable high quality espresso machines and superb fresh coffee produced here in Scotland.

He considers the ease with which companies can set up the rental of machines (leading to their eventual purchase if the customer prefers), coupled with the commitment of his staff in installing the equipment and carefully training each operator, are what gives Tapside an unbeatable package.

Jack adds, “We strive to give each new business the best possible start, and always feel proud when it pays off.”

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Retail It was Adam Smith, who first coined the phrase “a nation of shopkeepers” over two centuries ago.

Subsequently, this term would be used to describe Britain in a disparaging tone, when in fact retail was one of our greatest economic strengths. With a rich retail heritage, it is not surprising the retail sector remains a vital component of the modern Scottish economy. Indeed the state of the retail sector can be seen as a key barometer of Scotland’s economic health.

In employment terms, over 10% of Scotland’s workforce are employed in the retail trade – over 245,000 people – yet despite this, retailing is not seen as a priority sector by Business Gateway or Scottish Enterprise – and maybe it should be!

In recent years retail has endured tough times with the recession forcing customers to make careful choices in an intensely competitive marketplace.

The Falkirk forBusiness Magazine Issue 1 • June 2011

To keep pace with changes in society, retail has had to re-invent itself, creating a varied presence and transforming how it does business. Over the last half century, we have witnessed the advent of supermarkets, hypermarkets, malls, and out of town retail parks, as well as the construction of large distribution depots adjacent to our motorways and the extraordinary growth of online shopping offering the smallest online operation the opportunity to go global.

The Mary Portas guide to successful retailing comes to Falkirk Falkirk area businesses will soon benefit from the expertise of Mary Portas, best known from the BBC2 programme ‘Mary, Queen of Shops.’ With her mixture of guile, common sense and gregarious personality, Mary has revived many failing retail businesses across the country.

She has now shared her expertise with Skillsmart Retail to develop a unique series of master classes for independent retail stores.

Two free taster sessions were held at Falkirk Stadium on May 3rd and 4th where an accredited trainer led an interactive event to introduce local retailers to the master class programme. The full series of seven one-day long master classes will be delivered exclusively through the West Lothian Skill Shop which is a member of the National Skills Academy for Retail, and the programme is supported

by Falkirk Council and Falkirk for Business.

The master classes will provide businesses with the skills to increase turnover and profit, improve quality, standards and service, increase staff commitment, motivation and enhance personal confidence.

How has the Falkirk district fared?

Chief Executive of Falkirk for Business Laurence Barrett who attended the taster sessions, said: “Retail businesses are very important to the success of our town centres and are a key component in maximising spend in the area.

Falkirk town centre still has a mix of national and independent retailers and, despite the challenging environment, in October 2010 it claimed the title of top retail town in Scotland in the CACI retail rankings, and an overall 7th place rising from 15th place the previous year.

The retail sector is developing so quickly with internet purchasing increasing year on year that businesses need to keep up-to-date with best practices to remain competitive.

However with footfall down by 20% on average and “for let” signs very visible in Grangemouth and Denny town centres, there is no room for complacency. Efforts are underway to fill empty properties and Falkirk Council are delivering the new Mary Portas Skillsmart programme to support local retailers through these difficult times.

Hopefully we are now over the worst and the situation is stabilising with Wilkinsons moving into Falkirk town centre in the old Woolworths premises, and HSBC and other major players opening branches in the area.

With Falkirk for Business also seeing an increase in the number of SMEs supported during the past year, it is to be hoped that our retail sector will continue to be supported in its vital role as part of the local and national economy.

34

David Brown, Falkirk for Business

For independent businesses focused on day-to-day trade, this can be difficult but this series of master classes offers the very latest knowledge on how to maximise the customer experience for greater profitability.”

Jacquie McArthur of Falkirk Council added: “The taster session was a good opportunity for local traders to see what would be on offer from the full sessions.

The council is keen to do all it can to support local businesses in this way and it’s great that we have been able to provide some of the funding for this project.”

For more information on the masterclasses and booking process please contact: West Lothian Skills Shop, Peter Fitzpatrick on 01506 427939 / 07949 902893 or email: pfitzpatrick@west-lothian.ac.uk

Photo courtesy of Whisky Magazine www.whiskymag.com

for more than 5 years won the highest accolade possible at that time” he says. “It was the first hotel Whisky Bar of the Year in Scotland. It was achieved because the bar stocked an expression of every distillery in Scotland, proprietary or independent bottling. And it included open, closed, dismantled and mothballed, but we had at least one expression on the shelf.”

Regis moved on to Gleneagles where during three years he developed the whisky range. But he really came into his own four years ago when he founded Whisky Mad, working as an independent consultant and whisky educator. His work now takes him all round the world .

Whisky Mad Frenchman Regis Lemaitre has used his passion for whisky to convert hundreds of reluctant drinkers to the joys of Scotch whisky: His life is dedicated to whisky, and he now owns two businesses, WhiskyMad and WhiskyKilt. He originally made his name working in two of the world’s most famous whisky and golf bars, the Old Course Hotel in St Andrews and the Gleneagles Hotel.

His success has been extraordinary. Having been appointed assistant bar manager at St Andrews he was promoted to manager within two months and hasn’t looked back since. Unsurprisingly he is very proud of his achievements there: - “In 1997 the Road Hole Bar which I had managed

“I spread the word about whisky to the world, to individuals, to anyone whose path I cross” he smiles. “I edutain – educate and entertain. I do staff training private whisky tastings - pre and post dinner - and whisky tours in Scotland, Ireland and Japan.

My aim is to make people fall in love with Scotland and its whiskies. I rejoice at the smiles and the laughter. I look forward to all the questions relating to the water of life, generated during my work. And I love my work! I love the reactions, the astonishment on the faces of the audience when sipping for the first time, when tasting for the first time. I stand and I watch jaws drop. If you asked me to say what the best moments of my job are, I’d say it’s every time I get on stage, and start speaking about whisky. I love the product and I love speaking about it.”

The Business Panel+ EVENT

TIME

VENUE

FEE* (INCLUDING VAT)

17 June

Business Exhibition

10:30 – 16:00

Falkirk Town Hall

Free if you register online or have a ticket. £10 on the day.

August Date tbc.

Networking lunch

12.00 - 14:00

To be confirmed

Free to Business Panel+ members, £18 to non-members.

1 September

How to win (more) tenders 1

09:00 – 16:00

Falkirk Stadium

Free to Falkirk area businesses**

8 September

How to win (more) tenders 2

09:00 – 16:00

Falkirk Stadium

Free to Falkirk area businesses**

23 September

Annual Conference

08.30 – 14:00

Inchyra Hotel

£15 for Business Panel+ members, £25 for non-Business Panel+ members.

* Please note all fees include VAT and are payable prior to the event. ** In events which are open and free to all, priority will be given to Business Panel+ members.

Please visit our website www.falkirkforbusiness.org for more information on all events and for details of how to register. If you have not yet received any copies of our new monthly e-zine which is full of business news and links to events, then please let us know and we will add your email details to our mailing list.

The Falkirk forBusiness Magazine

DATE

Issue 1 • June 2011

Programme of Events

35

The Business Panel+

Member Profiles

DouBLE SCoTCh ConSuLTInG LTD

Business Panel+ is our business to business networking club and membership is open to all businesses in the Falkirk District area, providing members with a wide range of benefits from networking events to PR opportunities.

For an annual subscription, you can attend a variety of networking and training events usually free of charge, and be eligible for discounted and early bird rates to the Business Panel Annual Conference and the Business Exhibition. Members also have the extra benefit of discounted advertising rates within this publication, and the chance to be the featured company in our monthly-ezine.

To find out more please visit our website www.falkirkforbusiness.org or contact Michelle on 01324 61 89 62.

We are a niche company providing freelance/interim support to other organisations in policy research/analysis, lobbying and representation, and related forms of communication. The owner has more than 15 years experience of policy and trade association work, and of representing major UK industries in policy and regulatory affairs on various subjects. email: enquiries@double-scotch.com

ThE FALkIRk STADIuM Sometimes business needs a breath of fresh air... to discuss and develop...to have an interesting venue for staff training. That’s why The Falkirk Stadium is THE perfect venue. Fitted with LCD screens and use of wireless internet facility; all 8 conference rooms are perfectly suited for corporate meetings and conferences. email: enquiries@falkirkstadium.co.uk

FAMILy BuSInESS SoLuTIonS Managing complex family related problems in a family business (succession, employing family, inheritance etc) is challenging for a family to cope with – it’s emotional and the risks are high. With many years’ experience of helping family businesses, only FBS have the expertise necessary to work with all parties to minimise conflict and maximise the huge added value that a family working in harmony can deliver. email:georgebstevenson@blueyonder.co.uk

ALL PERSonAL GIFTS We are here to help you create a strong business presence with unique branding on a wide range of products. From business and credit card cases to more personal touches with bottle openers, wine stoppers and time pieces you know when you buy promotional gifts from All Personal Gifts that you’re in great hands. email: sales@allpersonalgifts.co.uk Web: www.allpersonalgifts.co.uk

GEMInI WALkS We specialise in finding new and off the beaten track walking experiences in spectacular areas of Scotland for you to enjoy. Julie, Steve and Holly the dog research these long distance walks and short breaks to make sure you make the most of your holiday time. www.geminiwalks.com

GMS RECoRDInGS LTD

The Falkirk forBusiness Magazine

Issue 1 • June 2011

ARM-IT

36

We are based in Central Scotland and offer computer, server and networking sales, installation and maintenance to clients across Scotland. We have over 20 years’ experience in the IT arena and a fully fitted workshop in our service centre. Our services are designed to be cost effective, enabling clients to increase revenue by increasing productivity.

We build tailored business solutions incorporating music, advertising and/ or imaging and screen media, delivering each client a package best suited to creating a comfortable spending environment for their customers. We are a long-standing family business, and work with some of the biggest names in British Industry.

We are also happy to offer Business Panel+ members a 15% discount on all services.

email: sales@arm-it.co.uk

email: info@gmsmusic.com

BAThRooM SuPERCEnTRE LTD

IDEAS

We are a massive Bathroom Supercentre in Falkirk with the largest showroom in the Central Belt. We are very flexible and offer supply only, or supply and fit, at a price to suit our customers. Vastly experienced, straight talking staff only add to the overall experience at the Bathroom Supercentre. Open 7 days a week.

Become more successful. Help attract and sustain more profitable business.

For three decades IDEAS has enabled businesses to gain greater exposure to wider markets. If you need your brand to really reach out, to speak to and to engage with your market, access our legendary brand vision success strategies.

email: sales@bathroomsupercentre.co.uk

www.ideas.co.uk

CREChE MATTERS

IDEAS BuSInESS PRInTInG

We provide bespoke crèche services both from our town centre base and through our outreach services over Central Scotland. If you are hosting an event, training, open day, etc., reach a wider customer base by offering a quality childcare service. Registered to care for children from birth to 12 years, our staff provide a tailor-made service to suit your needs.

Who else wants to save money on print? We are a family run business passionate about print and founded on a tradition of value and great service.

We help our customers make substantial savings in time and money on printing flyers, printing brochures, leaflets, posters, postcards and all sorts of printed marketing materials. Online artwork upload, order tracking, next day delivery and VAT included.

email:crechematters@btconnect.com

www.ideasbusinessprinting.co.uk

InSPIRInG SoCIAL MEDIA

MInERvA BuSInESS SySTEMS LTD

The Social Media Revolution is here and it’s here to stay! Be ahead of the competition and let Julie Deans Inspiring Social Media help your business with all of its Social Media needs. Affordable training on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn or teach yourself with our fantastic Social Media Blueprints!

We offer software solutions to the Scottish market including the awardwinning Minerva Human resources. Utilising the internet to unleash the potential of a truly self service HR system. Accessible by employees anywhere from an internet connection. Scalable to suit from smallest to largest.

email: info@juliedeans.com

We are also happy to offer a 15% discount on any MBS product to all BP+ members.

JAMES STEWART PhoToGRAPhy

contact: info@Minervabs.net

All types of photographic services for the commercial & private sectors.

Commercial, event, PR, fashion, editorial, and sport photography. Whatever your requirements, whether you have a detailed brief or would like creative input, we’ll produce the right images to suit your needs. Good photography is not expensive : it’s PRICELESS. email: jim@jspa.co.uk

kIDzSToP

REFRACTIonz LTD Refractionz is a dynamic and industry smart company specialising in workplace consultancy and office furniture and fit-out. Our principal is to provide the best possible support and service to your organization. From the initial consultation through to the final installation, Refractionz works closely with you to ensure that what we offer is functional, creative and inspiring, and exactly what your business needs. Let us shape your space for your future.

E-mail: info@refractionz.co.uk

We provide pre-school education to 3-5 year olds, and staff are carefully chosen and committed to regular training. We provide freshly cooked, healthy meals and our garden offers great opportunities for outdoor play.

Children can attend right the way through from Nursery to our Out of School Club. www.thekidzstop.co.uk

LIFE ChAnGES Would you like to make positive changes to your life? Life Changes offers bespoke, individually tailored holistic services in stress management, personal coaching and, coming soon, style coaching. Life Changes can help you live the life you want and be all you can be.

RuSSEL + AITkEn LLP We have been providing legal services in the Falkirk area since 1818.

Services currently offered to the local community include conveyancing and estate agency services, corporate and commercial work, all types of civil court work whether privately funded or legal aided, criminal court work and road traffic advice, employment law and advice regarding wills, executries, powers of attorney etc.

Email:margaretlang@russel-aitken.co.uk

TAPSIDE MARkETInG LTD

email: liz@life-changes.co.uk

MACFARLAnE GRAy ChARTERED ACCounTAnTS We have more than 75 years experience in providing a full range of integrated advice for small and medium sized businesses..

Whether it’s accounts and audit, taxation services, payroll and systems development, financial services, insurance or corporate finance, we can provide top level, independent and specialist advice.

Professional interest - free Coffee Equipment available on rental that can be cancelled at short notice or retrospectively used to buy equipment. A great scheme for new and expanding businesses. Award winning energy saving Water Coolers supplied to Trade Distributors and also on low rent to Commercial Offices. Enquiries for any Hotel, Catering and Kitchen Equipment is welcomed. email: jack@tapside.com

TIMESAvERS

email: hazelb@macfarlanegray.co.uk

email: clairefreckleton@yahoo.co.uk

MARTIn RoBERTSon ASSoCIATES LTD All businesses are facing difficult times, which, is why we have invested significant time and money in the Business Growth System, provided by The Academy For Growth. Our clients can go online 24/7 to find out how to prepare for growth, how to generate more enquiries, how to convert more enquiries into sales and generate more sales and profits from customers.

Visit www.mraca.com to request your FREE report on “The 27 Common Financial & Marketing Mistakes And How To Avoid Them”. email: martin@mraca.com

MICRoSPEC CoMPuTERS LTD Looking for a reliable, innovative, enthusiastic and honest IT company to provide sound advice, along with a fully comprehensive service and support on an ongoing basis? We have over 29 years in the IT business, and guarantee a personal service advising, supplying and supporting CRM, Sage Software/Training, E-Marketing, EPoS Software and much more. email: lyndsey.pettigrew@microspec.co.uk

3 hours for the price of 2 email: Brenda at info@iam2busy.co.uk

ThoMAS DoChERTy SoLICIToRS We are a newly established firm of solicitors in Falkirk offering our expertise in House Purchase and Sale, Commercial Property and Leases, Business Start Up, Wills, Powers of Attorney and Executries and General Legal Advice to clients in the Central Scotland area. Our Practitioners have over 20 years of experience and provide a friendly, professional service.

Free consultation to other members email: thomas.docherty@tdlaw.co.uk

Issue 1 • June 2011

Many businesses have no idea how much their lighting costs to run - often over half their total energy bill! Market LED can reduce these costs by up to 85% - with no reduction in performance.

Switch to high efficiency Philips LED lighting - in our opinion, the best!

Too much to do, and not enough hours in your day? Calm, organised Timesaver can free up your time to enjoy the important things in life, by being your extra pair of hands - tackling everyday errands, or anything unexpected, that crops up.

The Falkirk forBusiness Magazine

MARkET LED LTD

37

Stirling Business Gateway, Stirling Enterprise Park, John Player Building, Stirling, FK7 7RP 01786 463416 reception@stirling-enterprise.co.uk JUNE 20/06/11 JULY 05/07/11 05/07/11 18/07/11 18/07/11 20/07/11 21/07/11 AUGUST 03/08/11 24/08/11 24/08/11 24/08/11 25/08/11 25/08/11 31/08/11 SEPTEMBER 01/09/11 07/09/11 13/09/11 20/09/11 20/09/11 20/09/11

Clackmannanshire Business Gateway, Gean House, Tullibody Road, Alloa, Clackmannanshire, FK10 2EL 01259 726430 aharrick@ceteris.co.uk

Improve your Search Engine Ranking

09.30-12.30

Falkirk

Build your own Website Part 1 Build your own Website Part 2 Bookkeeping Part 1 Bookkeeping Part 2 Customer Care What you need to know before setting up a Website

09.30-12.30 13.30- 16.30 09.30-12.30 13.30-16.30 09.30-12.30 09.30-12.30

Alloa Alloa Alloa Alloa Falkirk Stirling

Improve Your Search Engine Ranking Marketing Your Business Advertising & Promotion Bookkeeping 1 Getting Real Results from your Website Bookkeeping 2 Marketing our Business

09.30-12.30 09.30-12.30 13.30-16.30 18.00-21.00 09.30-12.30 18.00-21.00 18.00-21.00

Stirling Falkirk Falkirk Stirling Stirling Stirling Stirling

Getting Real Results from your Website Advertising & Promotion Trading Online Bookkeeping Improve Your Search Engine Ranking Part 1 Improve Your Search Engine Ranking Part 2

09.30-12.30 18.00-21.00 18.00-21.00 09.30-16.30 09.30-12.30 13.30-16.30

Alloa Stirling Falkirk Falkirk Alloa Alloa

The Falkirk forBusiness Magazine

Issue 1 • June 2011

ADVERTISING & PROMOTION This course considers the various advertising options available, looks at what's cost effective and what's not when it comes to spend and will help delegates formulate a basic advertising strategy.

38

Falkirk Business Gateway, Falkirk For Business, Falkirk Stadium, 4 Stadium Way, Falkirk, FK2 9EE 01324 665500 Natalie.bachen@falkirkforbusiness.org

BOOkkEEPING The golden rule of setting up a system to manage your finances is that it should be simple and methodical. This course will teach you the fundamentals and at the same time equip you with new skills for life.

BUILD YOUR OWN WEBSITE Learn from scratch how to build and manage an attractive and effective website for your business. This workshop will show you how simple it is to develop your own business website and keep it up to date yourself.

CUSTOMER CARE Simply “caring” for customers isn't always enough. Building strong, consistent and productive relationships and equipping staff with the skills to achieve this is a must for any business serious about growth.

GETTING REAL RESULTS FROM YOUR WEBSITE Considers what makes a good website, from a human and technical perspective. Looks at site planning, design and operational processes.

IMPROVE YOUR SEARCH ENGINE RANkING Aims to improve client understanding and improve search engine positioning and business promotion.

MARkETING YOUR BUSINESS Getting the marketing right for your business is crucial to its success. This workshop will help you to understand your competitors, identify your customers and understand the things you need to consider for effective marketing.

TRADING ONLINE This workshop aims to equip delegates with the knowledge and skills to enable them to produce and manage an effective online trading presence. It will also address what is required from a legal and regulatory perspective.

WHAT YOU NEED TO kNOW BEFORE SETTING UP A WEBSITE A website can be a very important tool for your business, but what should you think about before setting your up?

This half-day workshop is aimed at the complete beginner, or anyone who has been worried about what setting up a website will entail.

We know your IT System is important to you.

That’s why we monitor it constantly and manage it with first class technology and people.

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Exmos Ltd, Epoch House, Falkirk Road, Grangemouth, FK3 8WW Tel: +44 (0)1324 486844 networks â–Ş monitoring www.exmos.com backup â–Ş servers â–Ş windows network@exmos.com

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InCommerce Dunbartonshire

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