InCommerce Lanarkshire - Issue 9

THE

INcommerce

Lanarkshire CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

ISSUE 9

BORDER

TAKES THE BISCUIT to round off a record year - pages 10 & 11

• LANARKSHIRE BUSINESS SUCCESSES - pages 4, 13, 26, 28 & 31 • GRADUATE JOBS SCHEME LAUNCH - pages 40 & 41

www.lanarkshirechamber.org

Contents Welcome .................................... 3 News in Brief ........................... 4-6 Barr’s Merger Decision Delayed ....................... 8 Amazing Year for Border Biscuits ������������������� 10-11 PAYE Change ���������������������������� 12 SSE Sponsors Chamber Members ............. 16-17 Hotels.tv Contract Success ������ 17

The Cloud and SaaS What’s it all about? .............. 23-25 Revo Repeats Award-Winning Success ........... 28 QTS Rail Profit Soars ................ 31 Motherwell Bridge Triumph ..... 32 LifeSKILLS Targets Unemployment ........................ 32 Harness the Power of the Unconscious Mind �������������� 33-35 New Mercedes-Benz for Glasgow Warrior ................. 39 Graduate Recruitment Scheme Launched ..................... 40 Back to School for Chamber ���� 42 Events Diary............................... 46

Cover photo of Border Biscuits technical manager Nicola Hainie by Tony Marsh Photography www.tonymarshphotography.com.

For advertising contact D-Tech on T: 01389 736000 E: sales@incommerce.biz For editorial enquiries contact the editor, June Hyslop T: 07944 265126 E: editor.lanarkshire@incommerce.biz

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

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HIS issue of InCommerce continues to reflect the diversity and vitality that exists within the Lanarkshire business community.

One of the strengths of the chamber movement is the fact that we include all sizes of commercial enterprises within our ranks.

This is well illustrated in the case of SSE – Scotland’s largest business in terms of turnover – and its desire to give small, local businesses in Lanarkshire free chamber membership for a year.

This is a great example of both ends of the business spectrum working together and is something we want to see more of at Lanarkshire Chamber of Commerce.

Our export documentation service has picked up additional activity in the food and drink sector, something the following pages will give you a ‘flavour’ of (sorry couldn’t resist it)!

The chamber recently organised a visit to multi-award-winning Border Biscuits and will also visit the makers of Scott’s jam in February.

We are always keen to help and advise any firm that wants to export or learn more about expanding its business beyond the UK. Links between business and education at all levels are vital and we, as a chamber, are exploring how they can be strengthened.

Publisher: D-Tech

I recently attended a chamber event at St Andrews High School in Coatbridge, and was hugely impressed by the pupils, and what they do. In North Lanarkshire, the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme is now part of the mainstream curriculum and this can only be a good thing.

The chamber is also in discussion with the University of the West of Scotland to see how our members can engage with students in the business and journalism faculties.

Finally, South Lanarkshire council has included the chamber and other key stakeholders in discussions about business regeneration and support.

As always there is much to reflect on across the business spectrum.

I hope you agree that this edition of the chamber magazine reinforces the message that, at all levels, Lanarkshire IS open for business.

Maurice Logie President Lanarkshire Chamber of Commerce www.lanarkshirechamber.org www.incommerce.biz

Distribution: D-Tech Distribution InCommerce is published by D-Tech Graphic Design & Print Ltd. Unit 14 Birch Road Broadmeadow Ind Est Dumbarton G82 2RE. Telephone 01389 736000. Fax 01389 736002. E-mail: info@dtechuk.com.

Edited by June Hyslop, CopyWrite Editorial, Dumbarton.

T: 07944 265126. E: editor.lanarkshire@incommerce.biz.

InCommerce is fully protected by copyright and nothing may be printed wholly or in part without the written permission of the publishers. The proprietors of this magazine are publishers and not agents, or sub-agents of those who advertise therein. They cannot be held liable for any loss suffered as a result of information gained from this publication.

The views expressed by authors of articles published in this magazine are solely those of the author and are not necessarily the views of or shared by the editor, nor the publisher or the directors, shareholders and/or employees of D-Tech Graphic Design & Print Ltd.

The Chamber is grateful to our partners for their financial support.

lifeSKILLS c e n t r e s

Lanarkshire CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

Lisini’s New Website ���������������� 19

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SSE Supports Economic Growth ��������������������� 18

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Photo courtesy of North and South Lanarkshire Councils.

News in Brief...

2012 LINE-UP: Last year's Business Excellence Award winners with host comedian Des Clarke (right).

Record Numbers for 20th Anniversary Business Awards

Ad+ Reaps Rewards

By Taking Its Own Advice

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ANARKSHIRE Business Excellence Awards celebrates its 20th anniversary with a record number of entries for 10 prize categories.

The final shortlist will be announced in January with the awards taking place on Friday 8 March at a prestigious ceremony in Motherwell Concert Hall.

Event hosts, North and South Lanarkshire Councils, are delighted to have secured sponsorship from nine local businesses, in addition to the main sponsor – Motherwell Bridge.

THE

Lanarkshire CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

The categories are:

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• Best Small Business (50 employees or less) – sponsored by UK Steel Enterprise; • Best Business (51 employees or more) – sponsored by Westcrowns Contracting Services; • Best New Business – sponsored by Lanarkshire Enterprise Services Ltd; • Best Green Business – sponsored by Healthcare Environmental Group; • Tourism and Leisure Award – sponsored by Lanarkshire Area Tourism Partnership; • Excellence in Young People Development – sponsored by North Lanarkshire Working and South Lanarkshire Works 4 U; • Best Performing Third Sector Award – sponsored by Lanarkshire’s Colleges; • Excellence in Customer Service Award – sponsored by Hamilton Park Racecourse; • Food and Drink Award – sponsored by Tunnock’s; • Digital Communications Award – sponsorship opportunity available.

Tickets are on sale for £70 a person, with tables of 10 and 12 available. To book, contact event organisers Strategem on 0141 249 6660 or email scotlandevents@ strategem.co.uk.

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HARTERED accountants and business advisers ad+ followed its own advice to clients – and is now reaping the rewards.

The Cambuslang-based firm has appointed three new senior staff in the last six months to strengthen its accountancy, tax planning, payroll and wealth planning departments.

It has added on-line accounting systems, cloudbased document management facilities and has also centralised investment administration services. This makes it easier for clients to access and review the important data they need to run their businesses effectively and keep on top of their personal finances Despite the recession, the firm is regularly winning new business and being asked to provide additional services for existing clients.

Every month it analyses independent research findings on business trends, market data, finance and grant availability, and new tax developments. Its policy of actively sharing these insights with clients helps to ensure they meet their business and personal goals.

It also runs the ad+ Entrepreneurs’ Breakfasts, in conjunction with Lanarkshire Chamber of Commerce, to allow the wider business community to access this information and to network.

Ad+ has been giving expert advice to business owners for more than 20 years. www.adplusaccountants.co.uk

www.lanarkshire.com/businessawards Follow us on Twitter @LBEA2013

Eureka Solutions Saves the Day

In addition, the database has been set up to allow companies to be grouped and segmented based on various criteria which will help the chamber manage information and target its communications to members more effectively.

Eureka’s managing director, Alistair Livingstone, commented: “We have been members of Lanarkshire Chamber for many years and were more than happy to assist them with their contact management solution. We do this sort of thing every day, so once we understood their requirements it didn’t take long for us to get them up and running.” www.eurekasolutions.co.uk

PROBLEM SOLVERS: Eureka’s managing director Alistair Livingstone (centre) with (from L-R) David Lindores, product development manager; Alyson McCrum, commercial manager Sage development; Aileen Primrose, commercial manager and Alan Miles, technical consultant.

MSP Jobs Fayre Success Lanarkshire CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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JOBS fayre organised by Airdrie and Shotts MSP, Alex Neil, had more that 400 people through the door in the first hour.

The event which was opened by Angela Constance, MSP, Minister for Youth Employment, attracted around 1000 people in total and at least 30 jobs were handed out on the day.

Almost 50 employers, training providers and agencies took stalls in Airdrie Football Stadium.

Mr Neil was delighted at its success and has pledged to hold a similar event next year: “We had people of all ages and backgrounds there looking to take advantage of having so many employers and agencies in one place. I think we catered well for everybody.

“The feedback I have had has been extremely positive, so I will definitely be looking at doing this again.

“The volume, number and attitude of those attending certainly nailed the myth that people are happy to sit at home and live off benefits.”

THE

Photo courtesy of Eureka Solutions.

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UREKA Solutions solved Lanarkshire Chamber of Commerce’s database problems in half a day.

The East Kilbride software company was on the case after an initial exploratory meeting with the chamber to find out what the issues were when it had difficulties with its contact management system database after an upgrade.

The chamber could no longer use custom fields to capture information and was unable to generate standard letters. There were also difficulties in accessing the database.

Thanks to Eureka Solutions, however, the chamber has a customised database up-and-running again with historical information available.

Mass letters and emails can be easily created and sent and all users who need access to the system now have it.

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Grovewood Business Centre Occupancy Holds Up

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ESPITE the current economic climate, occupancy is running at more than 90 per cent at UK Steel Enterprise’s (UKSE) Grovewood Business Centre.

Although this is down slightly from a high of 96 per cent, Anne Clyde, area manager for UKSE, is pleased with the number of tenants at the premises in the prestigious Strathclyde Business Park in Bellshill in what she describes as a ‘tough environment’.

“Our managed business centre offers three month rolling licences rather than formal leases and provides 24-hour access, meeting rooms and free parking, helping keep costs down and allowing growing companies to keep overheads to a minimum,” she explained.

“Over the last three decades, UKSE has helped hundreds of Scottish businesses maximise their potential through use of our services.

“We have also given over £21 million in funding to Scottish based SMEs, many of whom would not have had the chance to thrive without UKSE’s involvement.

“Loan and equity packages of up to £750,000 are available to qualifying businesses and we are very proud of the difference we have made, and continue to make, within Lanarkshire’s business community.”

UKSE invested £5 million to provide 46,000 square feet of office and light industrial units in a managed workspace on flexible terms at Grovewood.

Business finance from UKSE has enabled the creation of approximately 17,000 new jobs in Scotland, 8500 of them in Lanarkshire. The Tata Steel subsidiary has played a vital part in the rebuilding of the area since the closure of the Ravenscraig steelworks in 1992.

Set up in 1975, UKSE has been providing assistance to SMEs and helping to create jobs in Lanarkshire for more than 35 years in total.

For more information visit www.uksteelenterprise.co.uk.

THE

Lanarkshire CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

UKSE AREA MANAGER: Anne Clyde.

Photos courtesy of UKSE.

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Chamber News – More, More, More Membership Lanarkshire Chamber of Commerce (LCC) has grown its membership base with an almost fourfold increase in numbers in the last 12 months. More members means more people at events, more networking opportunities and more chances for people to do business with each other.

SSE Renewables Sponsored Memberships More small businesses have joined the chamber thanks to the generosity of major sponsors SSE Renewables. It provided funding for 30 local firms to have membership free of charge for a year and these went like hotcakes.

Events The chamber is running more events than ever with 40 a year ranging from business networking breakfasts and lunches to financial seminars sponsored by the Clydesdale Bank, to tours of business premises such as BBC Scotland’s

headquarters, R & W Scott’s factory in Carluke and Coca Cola in East Kilbride.

New Office LCC has moved to new premises at Suite 4, West Stand, Hamilton Academicals Football Club, New Douglas Park, Hamilton ML3 0FT. The move means the chamber can now hold small events on the premises and it allows members to meet staff. The telephone number remains the same 01698 426882 as does the fax number 01698 424699.

Website The chamber website is being updated and revamped to make it more accessible and user-friendly. It should be up and running in February or March. www.lanarkshirechamber.org

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Choose Business Mentoring Scotland today on 0845 609 6622, and start benefitting from the support and advice that it offers.

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

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Barr’s Merger Decision Delayed A G BARR CHIEF EXECUTIVE: Roger White.

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www.agbarr.co.uk

Photos courtesy of A G Barr plc.

THE

Lanarkshire CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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G BARR will have to wait for a decision on its £1.4bn merger plans with Britvic after the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) decided it needed to more time to review the proposal.

The competition watchdog has extended its timetable and is now expected to make its decision in February and not at the end of January as originally envisaged.

As InCommerce went to press, the companies were waiting for confirmation of the revised decision date from the OFT. Up to 500 jobs could be lost if the merger goes ahead.

The Cumbernauld-based Irn-Bru maker reported revenue and volumes up by nine per cent and 6.6 per cent respectively in the 18 weeks to 1 December compared to the same period last year.

Year to date revenue at 1 December had increased by 6.5 per cent ahead of the previous year’s 4.6 per cent.

A statement issued by the company noted that its core brands had performed well in what has continued to be a competitive but robust soft drinks market.

“The market, as measured by Nielsen, increased in value by 3.3 per cent over the 26 week period ending 24 November 2012 with volume flat.

“In the period our margins have performed in line with our expectations. Our balance sheet remains strong and there have been no significant changes in the financial position of the company since the publication of the Interim Accounts for the six months ended 28 July 2012.

“We have continued to make good progress with the development of our new manufacturing and logistics facility at Magna Park, Milton Keynes.”

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An Amazing Year for Border Biscuits!

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Lanarkshire CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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ORDER Biscuits has just crowned a hugely successful year by notching up record sales of its best-selling dark chocolate gingers.

In 2012 it won no fewer than six prestigious business and industry awards.

Year on year it has seen a whopping 70 per cent increase in sales through multiples, wholesalers and smaller retailers, while its range as a whole has grown by 22 per cent.

Finance director, Caryl Hamilton, puts the Lanark firm’s extraordinary success down to the commitment of its staff: “Baking great biscuits requires a dedicated team. We therefore put a great deal of emphasis on developing our people at Border Biscuits.

“The majority of our staff comes from within the immediate vicinity of the factory, so building our links with the local community is an important part of our core company values.”

Border Biscuits is an independently owned, family-run business which was founded in 1984. It employs 150 people from the local area and has a turnover of £9.3 million.

In addition to offering the usual staff development courses, employees at Border Biscuits have had the chance to try neurolinguistic programming and have taken part in ‘Aspire 4 Africa’.

Staff are also given four paid days off a year to take part in local community projects.

The company allocates 10 per cent of its annual profits to its community support charitable trust which is then donated to local good causes.

In February 2012, Border Biscuits set up its own community web project – Lanark Life – to strengthen its relationship with the town and to encourage its employees to get even more involved in the local area.

The award-winning website promotes Lanark’s attractions, businesses and events both to locals and visitors.

Border Biscuits has also recently redesigned its packaging across its portfolio and developed new product offerings like its 300g sharing packs. www.borderbiscuits.co.uk www.facebook.com/BorderBiscuits Twitter @BorderBiscuits

Awards: • • • • • •

Cakes and Biscuits Company of the Year at the Food Manufacturing Excellence Awards Food and Drink Federation Community Partnership Awards - Gold in Local Community Category Business of the Year - Scotland Food and Drink Excellence Awards Winner of the ‘Profiting Through Skills Development’ category - Scotland Food and Drink Excellence Awards Lanarkshire Business Excellence Awards - Food and Drink category winner Asda Scottish Supplier of the Year Award

Taking the Biscuit There are now 31 varieties in the Border Biscuits family.

These range from its best-selling dark chocolate gingers to more traditional flavours like Viennese whirls and shortbread.

There are also some genuinely different flavour combinations in its crumbles range – toffee apple; yogurt, cranberry and pumpkin seed; tropical fruit; raspberry, white chocolate and pistachio to name a few.

Lanarkshire CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR: The Border Biscuits team at the Scotland Food and Drink Excellence Awards – (Front) Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment; Louise Creevy, national account manager; Susanna Lloyd buyer at Asda; Dee Scott, chief operating officer and Caryl Hamilton, finance director; (Back) Colin Stewart, non-executive director; Ewan Anderson, sales director and David Reid, marketing director.

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Photo courtesy of the Scotland Food and Drink Excellence Awards.

Photo by Tony Marsh Photography – www.tonymarshphotography.com.

BEST SELLER: It’s raining dark chocolate gingers for technical manager Nicola Hainie.

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Get Ready for Biggest PAYE Change Since 1944

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NE of the biggest changes to PAYE in 70 years takes place from spring 2013. Are you ready for it, asks ad+ accountants and business advisers of Cambuslang?

What Is Real Time Information?

Real Time Information (RTI) will require employers to make submissions of payments and deductions when or before payments are made to employees. Currently this is submitted once a year.

When Does RTI Begin?

The migration period will be phased in between April and October 2013. H M Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will notify you four to six weeks before your first submission is due.

Why?

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Lanarkshire CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

RTI is being introduced to improve the operation of PAYE and to support the introduction of Universal Credit - a new benefit for people of working age designed to top up their income to a minimum level.

RTI will increase the frequency of employer submissions to HMRC. This will allow HMRC to react more quickly and efficiently to changes in employee’s circumstances and reduce the likelihood of over/underpayments.

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How This Affects Employers Three types of submission will be required: Employer Alignment Submission – A one-off submission which confirms employee data before entry into RTI system.

Full Payment Submission – Report to HMRC each time a payment is made to employees. This contains details of payments and deductions (income tax, NIC, Student Loans) and details of leavers/joiners (P45/P46 no longer need to be submitted).

Employer Payment Submission – Where a NIL payment is due or where the amount paid to HMRC differs from the total deductions (i.e. where there is a recovery re Maternity Pay etc.)

Prepare for RTI You need to be pro-active before you receive your invite to join RTI. Be ready for it by ensuring: • Your payroll software is up-to-date and RTI enabled. Without RTI enabled software you will not be able to submit.

• You have an active Government Gateway account at www. gateway.gov.uk . If you have not previously submitted online you will need to register. If you are not registered or your status is inactive your RTI submissions will be rejected.

• Your employee data and company data is absolutely accurate. It is the employer’s responsibility to provide correct information.

• You have a reliable system for recording hours worked by your employees. As part of the RTI process, HMRC requires you to submit information about the hours worked by each employee. If this information is not processed accurately, it could affect any benefits which they receive.

Is Big Brother Watching?

HMRC will know how much tax and NI is being deducted from employees in real time and will not need to wait until the end of the tax year for this information.

• It will know how many hours each employee has worked.

• HMRC will know the liability which is due to them each month in advance of it being paid. Previously this information would not have been available until after the end of the tax year. If the correct amount is not paid, HMRC will be in touch! www.adplusaccountants.co.uk

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HamiLton ParK raCeCoUrse more than just a racecourse!

Hospitality Packages 2013

DUKes restaUrant All Dukes Restaurant packages include hospitality admission, race programme, reserved parking and dedicated staff members to guarantee an enjoyable day for you and your guests.

Hamilton Park is the ideal venue whether you are entertaining clients, staff or friends.

Experience the excitement, speed and glamorous atmosphere that a raceday at Hamilton Park offers throughout the summer months.

Set in some of the most idyllic grounds in British horseracing, our beautifully appointed hospitality areas offer uninterrupted views of the action with an extensive choice of options from the social buzz of Dukes Restaurant to the elegant Private Boxes.

Whichever your choice our team of top chefs will create your food using the finest local, seasonal ingredients whilst you sit back and enjoy entertaining your guests.

Our fixture list is designed to offer something for everyone with a range of themed afternoon and evening meetings as well as the Hamilton Park Super Six - the top six racemeetings of the year where style, exhilaration and thrills combine both on and off the track. These include the ever popular Saints & Sinners Racenight in June and Ladies’ Night in August.

For more information please contact Kirsty on 01698 206474 or via email at Kirsty@hamilton-park.co.uk Hamilton Park Racecourse, Bothwell Road, Hamilton, ML3 0DW t: 01698 283806 • f: 01698 286621 e: enquiries@hamilton-park.co.uk • www.hamilton-park.co.uk

afternoon meetinGs

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Gold Upgrade £20 + VAT per person

includes nibbles on arrival, afternoon tea & £5 tote bet

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Gold Upgrade £22 + VAT per person

includes champagne and nibbles on arrival, cheeseboard & £5 tote bet

includes half bottle of wine, cheeseboard & £5 tote bet

Private boxes All Private Box packages include hospitality admission, race programme, reserved parking, private bar charged on consumption, exclusive use of the box for duration of the meeting with a viewing balcony overlooking the home straight and a dedicated waiter within your box to guarantee an enjoyable day for you and your guests.

afternoon & eveninG meetinGs traditional Package £92 + VAT per person includes 2 course meal & champagne reception

Prestige Package

£112 + VAT per person includes 3 course meal, champagne reception & half bottle of wine

Platinum Package

£132 + VAT per person includes 3 course meal, champagne and nibbles on arrival, afternoon tea or cheeseboard, half bottle of wine plus £5 tote bet

sUPer six meetinGs traditional Package £105 + VAT per person includes 2 course meal & champagne reception

Prestige Package

£126 + VAT per person includes 3 course meal, champagne reception & half bottle of wine

Platinum Package

£138 + VAT per person includes 3 course meal, champagne and nibbles on arrival, cheeseboard, half bottle of wine plus £5 tote bet

Full details available on www.hamilton-park.co.uk

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Over 3000 products Over 2000 customers Over 130 years experience Dunns Food & Drinks Ltd has its’ headquarters in Blantyre and distributes a wide range of food and drinks to the trade in Scotland. In fact, it supplies over 3000 products to over 2000 customers from hotels, pubs, restaurants, independent retailers, not forgetting the local corner shop.

With a turnover of over £20m and 95 staff, Dunns Food & Drinks, one of Blantyre’s biggest independent employers, is buoyant about the future.

Its flagship soft drink, Currie’s Red Kola, invented in Auchinleck in Ayrshire has been around for over one hundred years and with little or no marketing over the years has still been able to sell just under 2 million bottles in Ayrshire alone. This is attributed to its cult following amongst its loyal consumers.

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Photo Courtesy of SSE.

SSE SPONSORS CHAMBER MEMBERS

NEW RECRUITS: (L-R front) Neil Kennedy and Lynsey Kennedy of Lanarkshire Chamber of Commerce (LCC); Alan Tennant, Hotels.tv; Tom Gardiner, Gardiners of Scotland; William Ramsay, Revo Technologies Ltd; Cameron Halfpenny, Halfpenny Development Ltd, Caryl Hamilton, Border Biscuits; John Brown and Ellen Begley, LCC; (Back) Brian McFarlane and Gillian Wilson of SSE Renewables.

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Lanarkshire CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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HIRTY local businesses have joined Lanarkshire Chamber of Commerce for a year for free thanks to SSE Renewables.

The energy giant has sponsored the memberships to encourage involvement in the leading business organisation.

New members already signed up include Alexander Brooks and Son in Carluke, Low Cost Spares in Lanark, Halfpenny Development Limited in Leadhills, Dynamic Chemicals in Lesmahagow, Briarlea Trees in Larkhall, Plaisir in Biggar and Border Biscuits in Lanark.

Welcoming the initiative, chamber director John Brown said: “We are extremely grateful to SSE Renewables for supporting the chamber and for making it possible for so many local companies to join our organisation. It is encouraging to see small businesses being able to grow and expand their network.”

Some of the new members celebrated with a chamber visit to the award-winning Border Biscuits factory where financial director, Caryl Hamilton, said: “Thanks to SSE Renewables, our membership will allow us to work closer with our fellow businesses in Lanarkshire, make new contacts and further raise the profile of the Border Biscuits brand.”

Lanarkshire chamber champions business development and creates opportunities for networking in addition to providing advice on international trade delegations.

SSE Renewables supports the chamber’s aims and is keen to enable local businesses in the area to join and take advantage of its connections. It has been working closely with the chamber since February 2012 to maximise engagement with the local business community.

The Clyde Wind Farm near Abington was developed and is operated by SSE Renewables, which has a policy of using local and Scottish-based businesses wherever possible during the construction and operation of its wind farms. It has demonstrated its commitment to this by working with the local supply chain for consented projects.

The construction of Clyde Wind Farm provided an investment of almost £100m to the Scottish economy with the turbine tower sections sourced from Wind Towers Ltd, the only Scottish-based supplier.

The project enabled SSE Renewables to create jobs and secure existing employment, especially in the Scottish construction industry.

An amended proposal has been submitted for a 54 turbine extension that would create a natural infill between the central and north sections of the existing wind farm. If given the go-ahead, this will potentially provide a further 150 jobs during the construction phase.

Brian McFarlane, Clyde Wind Farm project director, said: “SSE Renewables is proud to give local Lanarkshire businesses the chance to join this great organisation which provides such diverse services and a great network of contacts.

“We are delighted to be able to continue our working relationship with the chamber and are eager to meet members, especially those whose products and services may be able to contribute to our Scottish projects, at the many forthcoming events that Lanarkshire chamber has planned.” www.lanarkshirechamber.org www.sse.com/Clyde

Photo courtesy of Alan Tennant.

Contract Success for Hotels.tv

SSE Renewables is the renewable energy development division of SSE. It is the UK’s largest generator of renewable energy in the UK and Ireland with 3,208MW of electricity generation capacity from wind, hydro and biomass.

SSE’s wind farms bring a range of community benefits in addition to generating clean, renewable energy. These include increased job opportunities and improvements to the built and natural environment.

All new wind farms constructed after 1 January 2012 have a community investment fund of £5,000 per megawatt of installed capacity, comprising: • £2,500 per megawatt for local community projects; and • £2,500 per megawatt for a regional fund to encourage job creation and skills training opportunities, community renewable energy projects and improvements to the built and natural environment in the regions which host its projects.

www.hotels.tv

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SSE RENEWABLES

Lanarkshire CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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UNIQUE hotel booking provider won its largest contract to date with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS).

From December, South Lanarkshire-based Hotels.tv became the preferred accommodation and event provider for the accountancy body’s 19,000 members.

Regional director, Alan Tennant has been operating the Glasgow end of the business for 14 months and recently took over the Edinburgh franchise.

“This is a hugely exciting opportunity for us and we are focused on providing ICAS members worldwide with great deals and a personal booking service via their own booking portal,” he explained.

“The great news for Lanarkshire Chamber members is that Hotels.tv is launching the same service for them early in the new year, so look out for further announcements and great deals coming your way!”

In addition, Hotels.tv was recently selected as preferred accommodation provider for the Global Energy Systems Conference 2013 in Edinburgh, which will have delegates from all over the world.

Hotels.tv merges a tried and tested reservation model with online hotel video reviews and has global reach as part of a worldwide franchise.

Personal reviews and presenter-led video reports form part of the service to potential clients, combined with a simple-to-use, secure online booking portal. Corporate clients receive special rates based on their individual requirements.

Each destination has its own business manager who is locallybased and offers clients a free service they simply can’t get from trawling the internet.

Hotels.tv also offers a comprehensive marketing package for partner hotels which includes the use of video, social media and, via a unique partnership with VisitBritain.com, an opportunity to appear on its TV channel, www.visitbritain.tv, which has 600,000 unique viewers a month.

Alan spent 21 years in FTSE 100 companies, mostly in senior procurement roles, often with a global remit.

During that time, he managed the travel category for a FTSE top five company and developed an in-depth knowledge of the commercial structure of travel agencies and their relationships with hotels, which he now puts to good use with Hotels.tv.

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MALL and start-up businesses in South Lanarkshire are benefitting from SSE Renewables’ Clyde Wind Farm Development Fund.

As a result the Handmade Shortbread Company in Hamilton received £14,000 to buy a key piece of equipment which helped it secure two large contracts.

Director Janice Park explained: “We recently set up business in Hamilton, manufacturing handmade shortbread biscuits from an old family recipe which was handed down through three generations. We are also developing further products including handmade desserts.

We currently supply hotels, restaurants, offices and retail outlets.

“With the assistance of the funding, we were able to purchase a flow wrap machine from Italy which helped us to secure two large contracts that we could not have taken on without the machine.

These contracts will also result in employment within the company.

“We are very grateful to South Lanarkshire Council and Clyde Wind Farm for their support.”

The fund, which is worth £210,000 a year, is designed to help local businesses and encourage economic growth in the region.

Other businesses which have received funding for a variety of projects include New Lanark Trust, Haynes Vehicle Services in Thankerton, Strathaven Ales, R L Engineering, Holmlands Guest House and St John’s Church in Hamilton.

Organisations and businesses throughout South Lanarkshire can apply for funds to improve their facilities or increase employment opportunities.

To date £140,599 has been given to 12 regional projects with many more applications currently being reviewed. While this year’s fund is almost fully allocated, next year’s allocation will open again in June 2013.

Ciara Wilson, SSE’s community investment advisor said: “SSE is especially proud to have supported a number of new and growing businesses through the Development Fund. Our latest funding round has proved to be extremely popular and has supported a number of

Photo Courtesy of SSE.

SSE RENEWABLES SUPPORTS ECONOMIC GROWTH

IT'S A WRAP: SSE's community investment adviser, Ciara Wilson with Janice Park, director of the Handmade Shortbread Company.

fantastic business projects. While this year’s funding has now been almost completely allocated, we are keen to offer as much support as possible to those who would like further information on eligibility and on how to apply for next year’s fund.”

The development fund is part of a larger community investment fund for the Clyde Wind Farm which is worth £700,000 per annum in total.

It was launched towards the end of 2011 and is made up of two elements - the Community Fund, which receives 70 per cent of the annual budget, and focuses on local community projects, and the Development Fund, which receives 30 per cent, and is available for local economic, business development and environmental issues.

The fund is managed by South Lanarkshire Council in partnership with SSE. The Community Fund is open to communities who live near the Clyde wind farm site. It has already allocated more than £257,000 to local groups and organisations, including £110,000 to Biggar Rugby Club for improvements to its grounds, and £72,000 to the Rural Development Trust to fund a community transport project with two new minibuses.

SSE has, for a number of years, established local funds as a way of saying thank you to the communities which host its wind farms. In terms of its lastest community investment policy, all new wind farms and wind farm extensions which begin construction after 1 January 2012 will receive a total community investment fund of £5,000 per megawatt of installed capacity.

For more information on how to apply for the Clyde fund visit: http://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/downloads/file/647/clyde_ wind_farm_fund_leaflet or contact John Archibald, who manages the fund on SSE’s behalf, at South Lanarkshire Council on 01698 455181.

New SmartphoneCompatible Website

www.lisini.co.uk

Lanarkshire CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

Photo courtesy of the Dalziel Park Hotel.

The website will also have dedicated wedding section as this is a big part of Lisini’s business at three of its specially designated venues – the Dalziel Park, the Parkville in Blantyre and the Castle Rooms in Uddingston.

Brides-to-be will eventually be able to check availability online and download brochures with all the information they need plus lots more.

Customers will be able to subscribe to a newsletter to hear regularly from Lisini about what’s on and to receive any promotional offers.

The Dalziel Park Hotel is a corporate sponsor of Lanarkshire Chamber of Commerce and is part of the Lisini Pub Group which was founded by former Celtic footballer Harry Hood in 1975.

It is still a family-run business.

Dalziel Park Hotel & Golf Club, 100 Hagen Drive, Motherwell ML1 5RZ. T: 01698 862862; E: info@lisini.co.uk.

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EEPING in contact with what’s happening at the Dalziel Park Hotel in Motherwell will be a whole lot easier with the launch of the Lisini Pub Group’s new smartphone-compatible website.

Customers will be able to keep in touch via their android or iPhones while on the move or still connect online via their computers and netbooks if they wish.

Parent group Lisini hopes to go live with its new web offering at the end of January. The idea is to make it easier for customers to find out what’s on offer at its range of Lanarkshire venues.

The website will have a new look, design and feel with the emphasis on being user-friendly and easy to navigate.

Customers will be able to check out menus and find out about up-and-coming events like wedding fayres or tribute nights and get any other information they need.

There will be online booking for its restaurants, events and accommodation, as well as the option to buy gift cards for friends and family at the touch of a button.

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We have a range of properties available to rent throughout South Lanarkshire. Whether you are a small business working from home or a business looking to expand or downsize we have a property to suit you.

We can offer you:

Variety of types, sizes and locations of properties throughout the South Lanarkshire Area Flexible approach to the lengths of lease offered Straight forward application process

Contact us on 01698 455159 email landandproperty@southlanarkshire.gov.uk or log onto www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk

PROMOTION

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If you are looking for new premises for your business, it is likely that South Lanarkshire Council has something to fit your needs.

Whether you are wanting to increase your floor space or downsize, or whether you are setting up for the first time, we can work with you.

We are keen to help local businesses grow and develop, but are conscious that current conditions can often make it difficult for businesses to get into and out of the property market, and so flexibility is the key. We know you may have specific needs, and so we can offer a variety of types, sizes and locations of properties across South Lanarkshire for lease or, in a few cases, to buy.

We have, for example, new opportunities at Burgh Business Centre and Cathcart Place in Rutherglen and Hillhouse in Hamilton, as well as additional units being developed in Uddingston. The range of property types offered by these developments gives a range of accommodation and types of premises to suit anything from officebased professional firms to light industrial companies.

A particular advantage to leasing from the Council is the amount of extra help we can access if you would find it valuable, with advice readily available from, for example, our experts in Economic Development, Planning and Trading Standards.

So if you are a business who is looking for a tailored approach to finding you new premises, contact Sandra Kinnon on 01698 455091 or landandproperty@ .

Lanarkshire CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

Looking for new business premises?

You’ve come to the right place

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Savings, Loans and Life Insurance BSL Credit Union is a not-for-profit organisation Membership is open to all who live, work or volunteer in Lanarkshire

AD

If you would like further information about our products and services please contact the number below.

We would also be very happy to visit any business that would like a presentation on the benefits of credit union membership and the services / products we provide.

People helping people, plain and simple

Telephone 01698 711112 Blantyre & South L anarkshire Credit Union Ltd

Blantyre & South Lanarkshire Credit Union is a trading name for Blantyre Credit Union.

Registered Office 252 Glasgow Road, Blantyre, Glasgow G72 0YH. Tel 01698 711112 Blantyre Credit Union Ltd is Authorised & Regulated by the Financial Services Authority Firm Ref No 213669

The Cloud and SaaS What’s it all about?

Alistair Livingstone, managing director of Eureka Solutions, provides InCommerce with an insight into the Cloud and SaaS.

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WAS recently asked to speak at a Glasgow Digital event explaining what Software as a Service (SaaS) was all about.

Although well received, I think my presentation raised as many questions as it answered - certainly in my own mind. Having recently taken a decision to change my own business model from supplying traditional onpremise accounts/enterprise resource planning (ERP)/customer relationship management (CRM) solutions to providing best of breed cloud solutions, I now need to convince all around me that the cloud is the future.

My business is based on a traditional skill set of problem- solving in the ERP world, making sure my clients have the information they need to run their business - not only when they need it, but where they need it. I have been doing this for many years and could not be described as ‘Generation Y’, those whose relationship with the internet is ‘inbred’. My generation actually used slide rules (I’ve got a collection) and my primary school did have lovely oak desks with ink wells.

So why am I banging on about the cloud and SaaS instead of investigating nursing homes? Basically, I believe my generation is about to have to go full circle. Our early life was free from technology and allowed us to develop thought, solve problems and engage with solutions. We currently need to make sure all our technology works before we solve the problem. Simplifying the technology is an opportunity to improve our lives, both in and out of work. We not only need to adopt new technology but we need to ensure it adds value and personally, I think the opportunity offered by the cloud is limited only by our own imagination on how to use it.

Lanarkshire CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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Why full circle?

Well, basically the cloud should take away a vast amount of internal technology. By moving our internal infrastructure to the cloud, we ‘subcontract’ our networking to those more able to manage it. All we need is connectivity, i.e. broadband, wireless, 3G or 4G connection to the web.

Businesses will have a choice of whether or not to have internal infrastructure. Technically we are jumping back 20 - 30 years to what was known as ‘thin client’, i.e. dumb terminals connected to a mainframe.

Today’s mainframe is the cloud. In these halcyon days as long as the green screen worked, you left the IT problems to the guys on the mainframe. There was no need to know where they were or what they did – it just worked. Using the cloud to host your infrastructure is the same, albeit a much improved and more versatile ‘thin client’.

Of course there are options. You can do DIY and ‘rent’ a hosted server and install all your software off premise. For me this is not much gain for a slight improvement in accessibility. It is the ‘service’ in SaaS which makes the difference. By engaging in a SaaS solution you are not only buying software, but the provision of that software. No need to install, update or backup, you are simply gaining access to the software.

In a true SaaS model, this means access anywhere at any time. But be warned, there are some hybrids.

What kind of software?

In our case it is accounts/ERP and CRM but it could be Microsoft Office 365, Exchange Server, Google apps etc. Basically there is a long and growing list of solutions available via this model. If you do not need to install it, maintain it and it is available 24/7, then it is SaaS.

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Lanarkshire CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

What are the advantages?

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Most companies list the ‘usual’ suspects – reduced IT costs, no upfront costs, no updates, available anywhere and anytime, flexible (add users anytime). All of these are valid arguments for moving to the cloud/ SaaS model but I believe they miss the most fundamental point. Moving to SaaS/Cloud models frees you up to do what you need to do – run your business more profitably.

The purpose of senior management in any business is to ensure the long term viability and profitability of the business, not to run the internal infrastructure and software. All businesses, regardless of type, need information. Not only do they need it, they need to react to it.

I firmly believe the cloud and SaaS is an opportunity to focus on the important things which matter:

Why have margins dropped in one area for the last two months?

Why are donations falling?

Why are we over budget on advertising?

As a managing director I spend too much time ‘looking’ for information and not enough time reacting. I work with a file share on our sever holding most of my documents. I have some on my hard drive and some on an external drive (which I copied from the server when I thought I would not have access and never copied back). I also have information in our CRM and accounts system which I need.

Step 1 in resolving this ‘island of information’ issue is to move it all to the cloud – and trust it! I should be able to go anywhere and access the information I need and via any device as well. The evolution of tablets (I do not go anywhere without my iPad!) means accessing useable information on the move is a reality. As a company we offer a support desk to our clients and too many support calls are about infrastructure related issues. Moving software to SaaS means we will focus on support issues around the application rather than the infrastructure.

What is holding me back?

Step 2 is we need to see a vast improvement in connectivity. If I am going to trust my business to the cloud I need to make sure I can connect, especially in rural communities, and not only connect, but connect at a reasonable cost.

The future?

Alistair Livingstone is managing director of Eureka Solutions, providers of on-premise and cloud ERP/CRM and business intelligence solutions. The company specialises in ensuring their customers have the information they need to run their business when they need it, and where they need it.

Scottish businesses can find out more about the cloud and SaaS at cloud specialist, NetSuite’s, first ever seminar in Scotland on 20th November 2012 at the Grand Central Hotel, Glasgow.

For more information visit www.eurekasolutions.co.uk or call 01355 581960.

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About the Author

Lanarkshire CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

In five to 10 years time, we will predominantly be a SaaS/Cloud business community. Personally we are almost there – Google Docs, Facebook, web mail etc. Be prepared to return to the new ‘Free from Technology’ technology and start thinking again!

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Housefix Scotland DO YOU NEED A RELIABLE BUILDER? We’re professional and tidy, and always treat your home as if it’s our own.

Housefix Scotland Ltd covers all aspects of building work, from design and planning to the completion of the job.

If you want several home improvement services in one job, we offer every related building trade, so you’ll only have to deal with one contractor for all the work being done to your home.

Why move when you can improve what you already have?

• Loft conversions • Garage conversions • Bathroom and kitchens • Extensions • Building renovations • Conservatories • Patios • New driveway

Tel: 01698 292 020 | Mob: 07836 722577 www.housefixscotlandltd.co.uk

Campbell Fairfull Property Rentals LARGE SELECTION OF RENTAL PROPERTIES IN AND AROUND THE LANARKSHIRE AREA

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Having rented a flat from this company for several years I can definitely recommend their services. Busy Rental and Property Development/ Management company which provides comfortable properties for reasonable rent. Staff are always friendly and efficient though on the odd occasion they may not always be able to attend to things immediately unless they are urgent. Nevertheless they will deal with any issues as soon as they can. Unlike many Landlords, Campbell Fairfull provide white goods in the kitchen and have contractors they can call in to deal with anything from electricity to plumbing, decorating etc. They have property in a wide variety of areas.

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111 Westwood Road, Wishaw ML2 9EL | Tel: 01698 292 020

Campbell Fairfull Car Sales

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At Campbell Fairfull Car Sales we don’t just sell cars, we do everything possible to get you driving your perfect car. Why not come along to our dealership in Wishaw? We look forward to meeting you!

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If you are looking for a second hand car in Wishaw, then don’t delay, call us today to book a test drive. In order to offer cars to suit everyone we make sure that we update our stocklist regularly. It is therefore always worth giving us a call, even if you don’t see what you are looking for on our website.

are well established within the Wishaw area and come with a great reputation.

Furthermore we offer excellent advice and experience on vehicles and vehicle maintenance. Our friendly staff will go the extra mile to guarantee that you receive the advice you need. This is the reason why many of our customers keep coming back to us.

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If you are looking for great savings on quality used cars in the Wishaw area, then look no further. Campbell Fairfull Car Sales are a specialist used car dealer based in Lanarkshire. We are proud to offer you a first class customer service and very competitive pricing, so please browse our stock list. At Campbell Fairfull Car Sales we stock a range of used cars to suit all budgets and lifestyles so we are sure to have the right car for you.

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WE HAVE A HUGE RANGE OF CARS TO SUIT ALL TASTES AND BUDGETS

We realise that buying a car can be a daunting experience, but don’t worry, we

111 Westwood Road, Wishaw ML2 9EL Tel: 01698 292 020 | Mob: 07836 788869 www.campbellfairfullcarsales.co.uk

Avondale Car Sales CONVENIENTLY SITUATED CENTRALLY TO ALL MAJOR NETWORKS – M74, M8, M73, M80

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M8

Glasgow M74

Motherwell

M77 Hamilton

M74

Unit 6, Hamilton Rd Ind Est Strathaven ML10 6UB Tel: 01357 521 002 Mob: 07875 768004 E-mail: craigarthur@avondalecarsales.co.uk

WE ARE HERE M77 A71 Kilmarnock A71

Strathaven

Revo Repeats AwardWinning Success D IGITAL radio specialist Revo Technologies Ltd picked up a top industry award for the second year in a row at a glittering ceremony hosted by BBC presenter Alex Jones of The One Show.

The Lanark-based business won the ‘Product of the Year’ prize in the radio category for its AXiS XS model at the annual What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision Awards in London’s Dorchester Hotel.

Last year its first generation AXiS radio took the same prize. The prestigious awards represent the ultimate seal of approval and are seen as a mark of technical excellence within the European audio-visual industry.

Presenting the award, Simon Lucas, deputy editor of What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision magazine, said: “It was a deserved winner last year and now they’ve made it even better.”

Revo chief executive officer David Baxter was absolutely delighted at winning again: “At Revo we live and breathe our work. It is both gratifying and very flattering for the experts at What Hi-Fi? Sound & Vision to recognise our efforts in this way, especially given the strength of the competition in our category.”

The AXiS XS is a compact, multi-format, digital radio with a touchscreen interface, networked audio streaming, Bluetooth® wireless connectivity and docking for iPod and iPhone.

Its award-winning audio performance comes courtesy of an 8W Class-D amplifier and patented loudspeaker technology.

In the UK, it is sold in John Lewis, Selfridges, Currys, Argos and Amazon, whilst worldwide, Revo products are distributed in 20 countries.

PRODUCT OF THE YEAR: The AXiS XS digital radio.

Photo courtesy of Revo Technologies Ltd.

www.revo.co.uk

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Lanarkshire CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

AWARD WINNER: Revo CEO David Baxter (centre) with BBC presenter Alex Jones and What Hi-Fi? deputy editor Simon Lucas.

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Image © Haymarket Publishing 2012.

Full contract scaffold services provided including:       

Industrial Scaffolding Commercial Scaffolding Domestic Scaffolding New Build Scaffolding Civil Scaffolding Petrochem Hospitality Events

Tel: 01698 429000 Email enquiries@centralscaffold.co.uk Web www.centralscaffoldcaledonia.com

QTS Rail is best known for innovations that have made it a leading ‘one-stop shop’ service to the rail industry, with specialist road/rail machinery for laying tracks, building stations, rail platforms and footbridges.

Its fleet of distinctive orange and black vehicles have become a well-known feature on UK roads as they work on some of the most complex railway infrastructure projects around Britain.

QTS is committed to supporting local organisations such as schools and charities.

It has a sponsorship deal with Kilmarnock Football Club for season 2012/13 and sponsored the Local Hero Award at the Sunday Mail Sports Awards 2012 in December.

Photos courtesy of the QTS Group.

QTS Rail Factfile

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Lanarkshire CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

QTS Rail Profit Soars to More Than £2m

ANARKSHIRE’S QTS Rail Ltd had a record year with profit up by 43 per cent to more than £2 million.

Turnover at the company, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the QTS Group Ltd, increased by 75 per cent to £24.1 million in 2011/2012 – almost double the previous year.

QTS Rail, which is based in Drumclog near Strathaven, is a multidiscipline organisation servicing the rail, transport, utilities and private construction sectors throughout the UK. Staff numbers have grown too by around 75 per cent to date with 81 employees – up already from 65 at year end on 31 March 2012, which was itself a 50 per cent jump on the previous 12 months.

The impressive results were announced by the company in late November.

Alan McLeish, director and founder (pictured), commented: “Following restructuring within the QTS Group over the last two years, QTS Rail has enjoyed significant growth that has contributed to these excellent financial results.

“This growth has been fuelled by winning more framework contracts and alliances within the UK rail sector, improved supplier relationships and our increased capability to deliver more works. Looking to the future, our forward order book is very healthy.

“Last year saw us work on some interesting projects including the design and construction of a new station building at Dalmuir, major rock fall netting near the railway line at Lunan Bay in Angus and fencing work on the West Coast Mainline.”

He added that major capital investment last year had increased the road/rail vehicle fleet and upgraded the commercial vehicle fleet.

“This will help improve our productivity going forward. Much of this investment is self-funded and we also remain committed to our staff development, undergraduate sponsorship and apprenticeship programmes.”

September 2012 saw a further three part-time undergraduate university/college sponsorships plus two modern apprenticeships at QTS Rail.

Mr McLeish explained that, with a healthy order book in the UK, the company is now actively seeking opportunities in the Far East and Australia.

“Crucially these results allow us to reinvest profit in road rail vehicle research, development and production at Rench Farm which will help keep us ahead of our competition in railway operations.” www.qtsgroup.com

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Photo courtesy of RoSPA.

Lanarkshire CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE THE

SAFETY FIRST: Motherwell Bridge pipe fitter, James Nesbit, collects the company’s award from Lord Jordan of Bournville, president of RoSPA.

Double Triumph for Motherwell Bridge

lifeSKILLS Targets Unemployment

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OTHERWELL Bridge has been commended for an outstanding health and safety track record over 18 consecutive years.

The Lanarkshire engineering contractor received an Order of Distinction for achieving a Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) Gold Award every year since 1994. It was handed over at the 2012 RoSPA Occupational Health and Safety Awards in Glasgow.

Motherwell Bridge chief executive officer, Russell Ward, commented: “This is a fantastic achievement for everyone at Motherwell Bridge and it would not be possible without the continued desire to push the bar ever higher.

“Health and safety is something we take very seriously and the whole workforce is committed to maintaining our excellent record.”

Dating back to 1956, the RoSPA Occupational Health and Safety Awards scheme is the largest and longest-running programme of its kind in the UK. It recognises commitment to accident and ill-health prevention and is open to businesses and organisations of all types and sizes from across the UK and overseas.

Motherwell Bridge has also achieved the prestigious Investors in People (IIP) Bronze Accreditation.

This is an acknowledgment of its commitment to being at the leading edge in relation to business strategy, people management, recognition and reward, involvement and empowerment practice.

Mr Ward added: “We’re really proud of the Investors in People Bronze Accreditation especially since all three divisions of the business have contributed to Motherwell Bridge achieving this recognition.

“Investors in People provides an excellent framework for business and staff development which we are continuing to use to as part of our wider continuous improvement plans.” www.motherwellbridge.com

IFESKILLS has bid for and secured an additional £750,000 to support sustainable employment opportunities for the jobless across Scotland.

A key target group is young unemployed people who find it increasingly difficult to get work in the current economic climate.

In what is seen as a worrying trend amongst policy influencers, decision makers and businesses in Scotland, unemployment figures continue to rise despite improvements across the UK as a whole.

This represents a great challenge to individuals and organisations in the training, employability and welfare sectors north of the border.

To address this, lifeSKILLS is delivering a range of new, innovative services from short, sharp interventions of two weeks to longer term assistance for those with additional needs.

It already supports 9000 unemployed people a year with over 3000 moving into employment. This will grow as the additional services come on stream.

LifeSKILLS covers from Shetland and Orkney in the far north to Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders in the south and is working hard to increase sustainable long term job opportunities for the unemployed.

John Brown, CEO and founder of lifeSKILLS, said: “Each increase in unemployment represents an individual tragedy for those directly affected, for their families and for their communities.

“At the core of all our activities are people – people with ambition and the aspiration to achieve a better quality of life, not only for themselves but also for their families.

“While we recognise that there is no simple ‘cure all’ approach in the current climate, lifeSKILLS will continue working to secure opportunities and provide solutions to support disadvantaged and excluded individuals to improve their lives and those of their families by entering and sustaining employment, even in these most challenging economic times.”

For more information contact lifeSKILLS on 0844 391 5460 or email enquiries@lifeskillscentres.com. www.lifeskillscentres.com

lifeSKILLS c e n t r e s

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Harness the Power of the Unconscious Mind “It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.”

- William Shakespeare

Lanarkshire CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

therapies available today that can help alleviate the effects of stress. If, however, we are unable to escape from the causes of stress, the benefits will only be temporary.

For lasting effect, we need to change our thoughts and attitudes.

It is important to realise that in all alternative and complementary therapies, success depends not only on practitioner competence, but also on client compliance.

This article concentrates on one treatment method which has been found to be of particular relevance and effectiveness in the world of business — Neuro-Linguistic Programming.

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E live in an increasingly chaotic, complex and often confusing world of accelerated change where demands come at us from all directions, writes Dame Irene Loudon.

With mounting pressure, we conceal worrying thoughts and inner restlessness behind a mask of cheerfulness and freedom from care. As we become progressively stressed, the cracks begin to show.

So what can we do to regain and sustain a measure of equilibrium in the face of the onslaughts of modern-day living?

Alternative and complementary medicine can provide a whole range of answers.

Stress is a major cause of absenteeism and a precursor to many major illnesses. Reflexology, massage and aromatherapy are only three of many

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Lanarkshire CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) is a model of communication that focuses on identifying and using patterns of thought that influence a person’s behaviour as a means of improving the quality and effectiveness of their lives.

It offers a paradigm of how the brain works (neuro), about how language interacts with the brain (linguistic), and of how we use this interaction to get the results we want for ourselves and others (programming).

NLP enables us to increase our self-confidence and motivation; boosts our emotional intelligence and self-esteem; improves our communication skills; creates better personal and professional relationships; accelerates our professional development and enhances performance in any area of our lives.

Through NLP we become aware of how we have constructed our mental and conceptual ‘map’ of the world that we live in as a result of our lifetime experiences.

We can then identify counter-productive unconscious reactions to certain people and situations that prevent us progressing towards and achieving our specific and desired outcomes.

A change in ‘map’ will result in a change of thinking and resultant behaviours, which in turn will have a positive impact on our lives.

Basically, NLP can be used in any situation where two or more people must communicate! In the business world its uses range from coaching management executives to improving customer service. One example of how its use can improve business outcomes is found in the sales environment:

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“Whatever you can do or imagine, begin it. Boldness has beauty, magic and power in it.”

- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

About the Author Dame Irene Loudon, DGSJ, MD(MA), MIT (London), MIFA, MNCH(Acc), RAGPH, MRSPH, has over 30 years experience in the field of complementary and alternative medicine. She has a thriving practice in Glasgow city centre which has been built on her reputation for success in the treatment of chronic fatigue, stress-related conditions (including thinning hair), and fear and confidence issues.

www.advanced-alternative-medicine.co.uk

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It could be argued that pressure selling has had its day and that businesses now need to deliver content that matches customer thinking in order to establish unconscious rapport (a feeling of connection). Rapport provides a feeling of safety and security and so customers are much more likely to say yes to a proposal rather than no.

Most sales systems focus on the conscious minds of their target audience, (i.e. the logical, problemsolving part which is widely regarded to be around 10 per cent of the human thinking process) and fail to harness the power of the much larger unconscious mind which processes the emotions which influence our decision making. This is where NLP proves its worth!

NLP facilitates communication skills which connect with both the conscious and unconscious minds of the target audience at a deep level which fosters trust and understanding, leading to positive decision-making and outcomes.

Businesses are constantly facing individual and systemic challenges in the face of a fast-changing world. NLP assists with these by helping organisations adapt more easily and perform more effectively as a united whole through accurate interpretation of the subtleties of human behaviours and effective communication.

To be effective, change processes need to accord with values. By following the whole process of NLP, better outcomes and sustainable change can be achieved at individual and corporate level.

Lanarkshire CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

“Most sales systems focus on the conscious minds of their target audience... and fail to utilise the power of the much larger unconscious mind which processes the emotions which influence our decision making.�

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NEW MERCEDESBENZ FOR GLASGOW WARRIOR

G

LASGOW Warriors rugby player Graeme Morrison picked up his brand new Mercedes-Benz in time for Christmas.

The SLK 250 Cdi Sport is Graeme’s second vehicle under the Mercedes-Benz VIP Scheme which the company established in June 2011.

The centre has signed a deal with Warriors which will keep him in the team until at least May 2013. The Dollar Academy former pupil studied physiology and sports science at Glasgow University.

He joined the professional team from Glasgow Hawks in season 2003-2004 and was in the Scotland squad for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. A number of Warriors players have Mercedes-Benz vehicles under the scheme which enables the dealership to develop and build relationships with successful sports stars and other personalities.

Seventy new cars were supplied to VIPs in 2012 and this is expected to almost double this year with the new A Class and E Class vehicles included in the promotion.

Corporate leader Jacqui Lee said: “It’s a pleasure dealing with well-known sporting and other personalities as part of my job and it’s great to see them drive off in a new Mercedes-Benz.”

She and her team are definitely looking forward to meeting lots more celebrities in the new year!

Mercedes-Benz of Glasgow also works with the Rugby Union, with individual clubs and is an official business partner of the Professional Footballers Association Scotland.

Its corporate team attends business networking events and creates awareness by sponsoring awards. In 2012, MercedesBenz of Glasgow sponsored the Scottish PLC Awards. It is also one of the main sponsors of the Scottish Fashion Awards and has been for the past six years.

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Photo courtesy of Mercedes-Benz of Glasgow.

The 37th Curtis Cup Match – Nairn 2012

WARRIOR: Graeme Morrison with his new Mercedes-Benz SLK 250 Cdi Sport.

Lanarkshire CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

www.stratstone.mercedes-benz.co.uk www.glasgowwarriors.org

THE

designers

39

MINISTER for Youth Employment, Angela Constance (pictured), launched Photo courtesy of the Scottish Government.

Lanarkshire CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE THE

40

ÂŁ3K Graduate Recruitment Scheme Launched a pilot graduate recruitment scheme at a Lanarkshire Chamber of Commerce networking breakfast in November.

Scottish Chambers of Commerce, which is running the scheme with Scottish Government funding, will participate in a number of careers fairs to highlight small business employment opportunities to undergraduates.

Its operations director, Fiona McCann, attended the event to explain the detail of the scheme and answer members’ queries.

For more information contact Lynsey Kennedy at Lanarkshire Chamber of Commerce on 01698 426882 or email lynsey. kennedy@lanarkshirechamber.org. www.lanarkshirechamber.org

Lanarkshire CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

WELCOME: Chamber director John Brown with Fiona McCann, operations director, Scottish Chambers of Commerce.

THE

Photo courtesy of Lanarkshire Chamber of Commerce.

S

ince then, seven graduate appointments have been confirmed with more in the pipeline.

Lanarkshire is one of four Scottish chamber areas selected to take part in the trial which is aimed at tackling unemployment and helping business growth.

Businesses with fewer than 100 employees in Lanarkshire, Ayrshire, Renfrewshire and Dumfries and Galloway receive up to £3,000 to take on a graduate in a permanent post either full-time or part-time, with pro rata payment for the latter.

Up to 100 graduates will be supported by the £505,000 pilot in its first year.

Ms Constance said: “This is a very exciting opportunity and I hope you will be able to recruit one of our very talented young graduates, “We are committed to tackling youth unemployment across the board and have already put substantial funding into improving the prospects of our young people.

“In times of economic difficulty, it is young people who can suffer the most. When job opportunities are scarce, employers tend to turn to people with more experience.

“While figures on graduate destinations showed that 90.4 per cent from Scottish institutions found work or furthered their study, we are aware that many have been unable to find a permanent post.

“This will open up new opportunities for graduates, and will also enable many of our smaller firms to harness the potential of our talented young people and build up their businesses using their skills and abilities.”

Chamber director John Brown welcomed the initiative: “We need to create opportunities for young people to find permanent work and I am very pleased that Lanarkshire has the opportunity to be involved in this.”

41

Photo courtesy of Lanarkshire Chamber of Commerce.

THE

Lanarkshire CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

Back to School for Lanarkshire Chamber

42

C

HAMBER members went back to school with a visit to St Andrew’s High in Coatbridge courtesy of North Lanarkshire Council.

Delegates were piped into the assembly hall by St Ambrose High School pupil Dale Reilly for the event which was hosted by the council’s Learning and Leisure Services Quality Improvement Team.

Jane Liddell, head of education quality and development, welcomed guests and highlighted the importance of employers and schools working together to prepare young people for employment.

The visit was organised to strengthen partnership links and raise awareness amongst local employers of the wide range of activities now available in schools to equip and prepare young people for the world of work.

Pupils from 10 secondary schools spoke to employers about the range of experiences available to them and the valuable skills they gained as a result.

These include taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and employability projects, as well as encouraging the democratic involvement of young people and getting them to sign up to activity agreements.

Delegates were then treated to practical demonstrations in four vocational areas – beauty, automotive, hospitality and construction.

John Brown, director of Lanarkshire Chamber of Commerce, closed the event by thanking everyone. This was followed by lunch and an opportunity to network.

Get Growing!

With £3,000 towards a new Graduate position within your company.*

grow

help start a career.

Your business.

invest

In the future.

Is your business located in Scotland with fewer than 100 employees? If you recruit a graduate under the age of 25 into a new position and offer a salary of £14,000 or more, we will pay £3,000 towards the cost.

Positions must be new and permanent graduate level posts – full time or part time. The funding for the Scottish Government’s Graduate Recruitment Incentive is open to degree graduates under the age of 25.

Recruitment Support Advertising to graduates

Managing the interview process

Developing a job spec

Candidate management

Contract templates

Graduate induction packs

The GRADUATE RECRUITMENT INCENTIVE has been designed to encourage growth within Scotland’s Small / Micro businesses

*

For more information visit graduateincentive.co.uk

or email info@graduateincentive.co.uk

Funded by

12001 graduate A5 flyer.indd 1

10/01/2013 17:01

Healthy Working Lives Services Lanarkshire

We are here to provide FREE specialist and confidential services to all employers, employees and workers within Lanarkshire by supporting them improve the health, safety and wellbeing in the workplace.

Why would you want to engage with Healthy Working Lives?

Enhance your reputation as a responsible and well-managed organisation Raise your profile among clients and stakeholders, setting your business apart Reduce absence rates and support staff returning to work Underpin and promote health and safety practices and protect employees from workplace hazards Create a healthier, more motivated and productive workforce Control insurance costs Contribute to the health of the wider community.

Your local Healthy Working Lives team are here to support you with advice and guidance through the Award Programme and other FREE services available to you.

“Our sickness absence is less than half what it was five years ago.”

(Gordon Graham, Scotoil Services)

“Healthy Working Lives helped us put together policies and procedures that helped us to get tender work.”

(Michael Cunningham, Premier Bedrooms)

For further information please contact the Lanarkshire team on 08452 300 323 or email enquirieshwl@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk

Events Diary JANUARY Tour of BBC Scotland Thursday 24 January 10.45am for 11am – 12.15pm BBC Scotland, Pacific Quay, Glasgow G51 1DA. Free for LCC members Tour of BBC Scotland’s new headquarters at Pacific Quay with Ian Small, head of public policy and corporate affairs.

Speed Networking Lunch Thursday 31 January 12pm – 2pm Boxes 5 & 6, Hamilton Academical Football Club, New Douglas Park, Hamilton ML3 0FT. Cost - £8 for members, £15 for non members

THE

Lanarkshire CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

Come along to the first networking event of the New Year. You are guaranteed to meet every business in attendance. Each person has two minutes to introduce themselves and their business to the person sitting opposite, before moving on to the next one.

This fast-paced event is designed for you to meet a large number of businesses within a short period of time.

46

8am – 9.30pm South Lanarkshire College, College Way, East Kilbride, G75 0NE. Free for LCC members Details to be confirmed.

R & W Scott (Renshawnapier Ltd) Factory Tour Thursday 21 February 12 – 2pm Meet at factory at Clyde Street, Carluke ML8 5BD. Free for LCC members LCC members R & W Scott (Renshawnapier) are giving us an exclusive peek inside its factory, where marzipan, icings, caramels and the famous Scott’s jam are made.

Clydesdale Bank Financial Seminar Series 1 Thursday 28 February 8am – 9.30am Clydesdale Bank Financial Solutions Centre, 19 Stuart Street, East Kilbride G74 4NG. Free for LCC members Find out about a range of essential financial information for business courtesy of the Clydesdale Bank.

FEBRUARY

MARCH

Stakeholder Dinner Thursday 7 February 7pm for 7.30pm – 10pm Invited guests only

Bank of England Panel Meeting Tuesday 5 March 12pm – 2pm Invited guests only Hamilton Academical Football Club, New Douglas Park, Hamilton ML3 0FT.

University of the West of Scotland, Hamilton Campus, Almada Street, Hamilton ML3 0JB. Sponsored by UWS. Business Networking Breakfast Wednesday 20 February

To book contact Lynsey Kennedy at Lanarkshire Chamber of Commerce on 01698 426882 or email lynsey. kennedy@lanarkshirechamber.org.

LCC has a panel of members which meets quarterly with Iain Duff, Bank of England Deputy Agent for Scotland, over lunch to discuss trading conditions in Lanarkshire.

The outcome of these meetings helps form the bank’s report to the Monetary Policy Committee.

Tour of Coca Cola Enterprises Ltd, East Kilbride Tuesday 19 March 10am – 12pm Coca Cola Enterprises Ltd, 52 Milton Road, East Kilbride, Glasgow G74 5DJ. Free for LCC members Hear about branding and marketing and about using market research to shape product range and to create a marketing campaign.

Speed Networking Lunch Tuesday 26 March 12pm – 2pm Boxes 5 & 6, Hamilton Academical Football Club, New Douglas Park, Hamilton ML3 0FT. Cost - £8 for members, £15 for non members Another chance to network over lunch.

Clydesdale Bank Financial Seminar Series 2 Date to be confirmed 8am – 9.30am Clydesdale Bank Financial Solutions Centre, 19 Stuart Street, East Kilbride G74 4NG. Free for LCC members Find out about a range of essential financial information for business courtesy of the Clydesdale Bank.

Diary Date Hamilton Park Racecourse Night Wednesday 12 June - time and cost to be confirmed.

For the first time, the chamber is holding an evening event at Hamilton Park Racecourse instead of the usual daytime one. This will be a popular event so book early to be sure of a place.

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