www.dundeeandanguschamber.co.uk Winter 2009 2

THEbusinessThe Business Magazine for Dundee and Angus WINTER 2009

INSIDE Platinum partners Bank of Scotland and Michelin DevelopmentAugment’s new service for Angus employersSCRI: Dundee’s best kept secret

CONTENTS

3 A word from the President

4 Membership matters

6 Member news

10 Bank of Scotland focus

12 Chamber news

14 Michelin Development focus

16 Community focus

18 Innovation focus

19 Education focus

20 More member news

23 Ask the coach

Dundee & Angus Chamber of Commerce

info@dundeeandanguschamber.co.uk

www.dundeeandanguschamber.co.uk

Cover photograph courtesy of Evelyn Hardie

Contributions by members are welcomed –

please contact Alan Mitchell on

01382 228545

alanmitchell@dundeeandanguschamber.co.uk

Designed by The Puffin Room

www.thepuffinroom.co.uk

Proofed by Pat Baxter Language Services

patbaxter@edit-scotland.org.uk

A word from the President

It gives me great pleasure to write my first introduction to ‘The Business’.

The news that the UK economy contracted in the third quarter was disappointing and

caught most commentators cold. A recent Scottish Chambers of Commerce survey

was more positive, with optimism in manufacturing and tourism balanced with a more

challenging outlook for construction and retailing. At our recent breakfast meeting with

the Secretary of State for Scotland, DACC members left him in no doubt as to our

concerns, and, in particular, for the need for government to ensure that banks meet their

commitment to increasing lending.

In my role of President, I am looking forward to building on the excellent work already

done by Alan and his team, with the support of my predecessor and the board. We have a

great Chamber and we should celebrate the fact that the membership has already grown

to 360, with a diverse range of events on offer.

So, what are my ambitions for the future? I would sum up with the acronym GDP.

Growth – the Chamber is a member organisation and we have the aim of doubling our

current numbers. The staff and board have the crucial role here, but all members can help

through their networks.

Diversity – the quality of networking and events for members, and the power of the

Chamber as a lobbying body, will be reinforced if we represent the real diversity of business

sectors across Dundee and Angus. Our ambition is to ensure that our membership profile

truly reflects this.

Product – being a membership organisation, the product the Chamber delivers to

members in terms of services, events and lobbying is vital. Through maintaining close

contact with members our ambition is to develop a product that adds real value to your

organisation.

These are challenging times. However, as the old saying goes – ‘when the going gets

tough, the tough get going’! I look forward to working with each and every one of you.

Trevor Haines

Dundee & Angus Chamber of Commerce is proud to acknowledge its Platinum partners

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MEMBERSHIP MATTERS

New member profiles

4 The Love of Sales

A professional and intelligent telemarketing service that excels in building relationships with its clients’ target customers. It gathers information, raises profiles

and widens networks. Its highly professional approach ensures that your message is clearly relayed to your clients. In addition it can clean your databases,

source leads, follow up quotations, discover who your competitors are, make sales appointments, rejuvenate lapsed customers and carry out surveys. It

makes cold calls warmer. “Outstanding”; “Highly Professional”; and “Excellent” are some of the words that its happy clients have used.

Tel: 01786 841269

Acclaim Cleaning Services Ltd

Acclaim is a commercial company that undertakes commercial contract cleaning services throughout Dundee, Perth and St Andrews, delivering wherever

cleanliness is vital. With its ability to deliver on health and safety, it improves the cleanliness of its clients’ operations and provides exceptional value for

money while delivering peace of mind. The firm always strives to give its customers the highest standard of service possible. So, when things aren’t running

smoothly with your present cleaning service, think of Acclaim – they love to talk. Acclaim Cleaning Services are delighted to be members of Dundee &

Angus Chamber of Commerce and look forward to bringing many benefits to other members and gaining from their experiences.

Tel: 07875 715973

Cybertech Computers Ltd

Cybertech Computers Ltd, established in 1996, fills the role of the ‘One Stop I-T Shop’ to SMEs throughout the North East of Scotland. It offers I-T

consultancy services and a comprehensive range of troubleshooting, administration, design, installation and maintenance services. Its latest packages

offer monitoring, maintenance and administration services at fixed costs, from £250 per year. Cybertech doesn’t just want to come in and solve clients’

problems; it wants to prevent them happening.

www.cybertechcomputers.co.uk

Heal Physiotherapy

Heal Physiotherapy was established in 2004 in Dundee’s west end and moved to its central location in City Quay in July 2008. The clinic facilities are

spacious, modern and bright. The private treatment rooms and gym area allow the needs of each individual client to be met. Heal’s team of experienced

Physiotherapists offer the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of musculoskeletal problems, and many physiotherapy services are offered, including

assessment, manual therapy, rehabilitation and educational seminars. The firm works extensively with local companies to treat employees, allowing them

to remain productive or facilitating their return to work.

www.healphysiotherapy.co.uk

The recession has made 2009 a tough year for everyone. There are very few organisations that haven’t been affected by the slowdown in some

way, shape or form. Against this less than favourable backdrop, we are pleased to report that membership of Dundee & Angus Chamber of

Commerce has grown again this year. Some of our latest members are profiled below and we thank them, and every other new and renewing

member for their support. We are delighted that they have all chosen to make membership of this Chamber a part of their future strategy for

success. They all have one thing in common: they have decided that being part of the Chamber, engaging with the Chamber team and joining

forces with other Chamber members is going to make their organisation, and Dundee and Angus, more successful. If you are reading this and your

business or organisation isn’t a member, why not follow their lead and call us on 01382 228 545 to find out what membership can do for you?

Dundee & Angus Chamber of Commerce: Better Together

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Internet For Business Ltd

Internet For Business, with its headquarters in Aberdeen, is an independent UK internet service provider (ISP). Its corporate aim is to provide the best,

most resilient and most scalable ISP services for its customers in business and at home. Its core business is in providing internet access, server hosting and

web application development for business customers. These services are provided through the firm’s national, multi-Gbit/s network. It provides not only

broadband and leased lines but also data-based application development, WAN, VPN, WiFi networks and on-line video conferencing. All its services are

supported by an in-house technical team in Aberdeen.

www.ifb.net

MacRoberts LLP

MacRoberts LLP is one of Scotland’s pre-eminent law firms, providing a full range of legal services to clients throughout the country. Its clients include

leading UK and international businesses, financial institutions, public sector organisations and private individuals, and everything it does is driven to secure

the success of its clients. It offers advice in a number of specialist areas, which include intellectual property, renewable energy, share schemes and pensions.

It focuses on team-work to deliver the very best results for clients.

www.macroberts.com

Montrose Rope & Sail Co. Ltd

Montrose Rope & Sail is a family business with over 200 years’ experience in the manufacture of tarpaulins. It is a forward thinking company, which has

embraced modern technology while maintaining a commitment to high quality products and exceptional customer service. Montrose Rope & Sail’s kit-bags

are renowned as some of the best around, and that reputation has seen the company supply the oil industry worldwide and other commercial markets for

over 25 years. Montrose Rope & Sail offers professional advice and the technical ability to design and manufacture tarpaulin covers to precise specifications

for any application.

www.montroseropeandsail.co.uk

Robertson Collaborate

Robertson Collaborate provides freelance marketing support to SMEs and not-for-profit organisations in Dundee and the surrounding area. Owner

Catherine Robertson is an experienced marketer with a proven track record in helping organisations to sell more of their product or service to existing and

new customers. She will work with you to grow your organisation, without the need for you to invest in the cost of a full-time marketing department.

www.robertsoncollaborate.co.uk

Stephen Westwood Consulting

Stephen Westwood has over 20 years’ experience of success in building and realising value for businesses. This has been for businesses at all stages of their

life cycle, including starting up; growing established businesses organically and by acquisition; reshaping and refocusing established businesses; undertaking

fundamental change; and realising value by trade sales. He has particular strengths in developing and managing people to succeed. One of the many

services available is coaching and training for organisations, teams and individuals. An extensive network of advisors can provide complementary specialist

expertise when required.

www.stephenwestwood.com

VWS Ltd

VWS are independent, specialist installers of integrated security systems, with over 20 years’ experience in designing, installing, commissioning and

maintaining CCTV, alarms, automatic doors, and fire and security entry systems. The Company has been active in the Dundee area since 1996 as the

main contractor to Dundee City Council Housing. Earlier this year it moved to new offices in Dundee to improve local service. As suppliers of all leading

manufacturers’ products, VWS are able to select the most suitable of these for any application.

www.videowatchmansystems.co.uk

MEMBER NEWS

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Dundee’s integrated transport boostA new, direct, city centre to airport bus link, operated by National Ex-press Dundee, has been launched. The new 8X service will stop at the airport every 30 minutes, offering air passengers a fast and frequent link to the city centre, Broughty Ferry, the Technology Park and Ninewells Hospital. The service will also call in each direction at Dundee railway station, provid-ing a new and convenient link for Dundee, Angus and Fife travellers making an onward-journey by air or rail. National Express Dundee’s fleet of accessible, low-level floor buses will make the airport bus link an easy option for travellers with wheelchairs, prams or heavy luggage. This exciting develop-ment means that, for the first time, the airport, city centre and train station are all linked by one bus service.www.hial.co.uk/dundee-airportwww.traveldundee.co.uk

The Business Environment Partnership: saving money for local businesses

The Business Environment Partnership (BEP) has opened office in Dundee. Over the past 10 years, BEP, a not-for-profit organisation, has provided environmental advice that has helped over 2,500 companies in Scotland to save money and reduce their impact on the environment. To date, their free and subsidised resource efficiency advice has helped Scottish companies save nearly £19 million.

The Dundee Business Advisors, Mark Weglarski and Allison MacPherson (pictured above), have over 10 years’ experience working in environmental management, and they have got down to work quickly in Tayside. Waste, water and energy annual savings found so far have included:

• Over£4,000inanAngushotel • £2,164fromglass,paperandcardboardrecyclinginthesamehotel • £5,126 from a water meter size reduction in a Dundee distributionfirm • £600frompaperrecyclinginanAngusprintingcompany• £75,000fromatariffrenegotiationinaDundeeengineeringfirm

• £25,000fromenergyefficiencylightinginthesameengineeringfirm Currently, BEP can provide free assistance to many companies through the Envirowise Small Business Support Programme and the Scottish Enterprise Environmental Management Initiative. Another major initiative is the Environmental Placement Programme (EPP), which places students within Scottish businesses to undertake projects with an environmental focus. It runs a series of events and training workshops, and also has a successful membership scheme.

If BEP can’t help you, one of its partner organisations probably can, so for any resource efficiency advice, please do not hesitate to give Mark or Allison aphoneon01382205070orvisitwww.bep.org.uk

MEMBER NEWS

Westport development powers aheadThe G Casino, part of the Rank Group, opened its doors to 800 VIP guests in October 2009, when friends, family, invited guests and members of the media were treated to an evening of spectacular entertainment and hospi-tality. The next test for General Manager, Linda Hodes, and her team, came on the opening weekend, when 1500 members of the public descended on the casino. The G Casino, which covers around 30,000 sq ft, was given a 24-hour licence by Dundee’s licensing Board earlier this year, and is set to become a resounding success, following a £5.5m investment to provide visitors with an exceptional leisure experience.

The casino forms part of Marketgait Developments Limited’s larger development, known as ‘Westport’. The ‘Westport’ development contains a mixture of ground floor retail units, offices, constructed to Grade ‘A’ specification, and Dundee’s first purpose built serviced apartments, which are scheduled to open in 2010.www.james-keiller-estates.com

SC Makeup Artistry’s London Fashion Week link...darling!

London Fashion Week celebrated 25 years of fashion between 18 and 23 September 2009, and a DACC member – Sandra Cormack – was lucky enough to participate. Sandra is a freelance makeup artist, based in Dundee but covering the whole of the UK: and her company is ‘SC Makeup Artistry.

London Fashion Week is a maelstrom of vitality, enthusiasm, talent and creativity, and Sandra thoroughly enjoyed being part of it. The highlight of her week was assisting Rachel Wood, (Sandra, right and Rachel pictured below) who works in TV, pop promos, advertising, editorial, beauty and catwalk, with clients that include Jared Leto and Alesha Dixon, and super models Erin O’Conner and Daisy Lowe. Sandra also had the pleasure of meeting one of her inspirations: Nina Butkovich-Budden, who runs ‘Nina’s Hair Parlour’ in London.

A flawless face and a perfect red lip were required for one of Rachel’s shows, and the look needed to be completed in super quick time. Needless to say: Sandra delivered! Another essential element of being part of London Fashion Week is assisting anyone who needs help and Sandra was always willing to step up to the plate: she found herself

helping clothe and unclothe models and fan them down when they got too hot, as well as doing facial and hair touch-ups. It was full on! The great thing was that all the make-up assistants were allowed to keep the make-up that was used, so Sandra now has some new additions to her kit!

London Fashion Week was a great opportunity for Sandra to showcase her skills, learn new ones and network with lots of very talented individuals and she can’t wait for the 2010 event, where she will hopefully be participating again. Everyone at DACC hopes so.www.scmakeupartistry.co.uk

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MEMBER NEWS

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Construction boost for Dundee

Despite the present global slowdown, Taylor Brothers Limited, a Dundee property development company and new

Chamber member, is bucking the trend. The company is self funded and will continue to develop its site at Seafield Road,

West End, Dundee. Its latest project is a 50-child nursery school in a beautiful gated, garden site. This state-of-the- art

facility is on course to be completed and ready for occupation for the summer 2010 intake.

Seafield Road is in the West End Lanes Conservation Area, in close proximity to Dundee University, Ninewells Hospital,

Dundee High School, Abertay University and the Perth Road shopping area. The project has already created much needed

employment in the local construction and child care sectors, and will continue to do so, while providing essential nursery

provision for the West End of Dundee.

Full details can be found on www.taylorbrotherslimited.com

New business ... and now new premises for Gowrie ContractsAs a family-run business, Asbestos Management Ser-

vices (Scotland) Ltd was established in 2004 with Jim

and Martin Henderson at the helm, offering survey-

ing services across Scotland.

Jim and Martin saw an opportunity to get into the

demolition business, and in 2006 Gowrie Contracts

Ltd was created as sister company to AMS (Scotland)

Ltd. As there were few demolition companies spe-

cialising in asbestos removal, they decided that was

the route to go. With a squad of about 10 men, Gow-

rie Contracts maintain a high standard of work wher-

ever they operate, at very competitive prices.

In 2009, AMS (Scotland) Ltd and Gowrie Contracts re-

located to larger premises at Faraday Street, Dundee.

The increased space from these new premises has al-

lowed Gowrie Contracts to expand their operation to

include the resale of architectural salvage items, such

as Belfast sinks and cast iron radiators, along with

reclaimed timber and many other unique items. As

the business goes from strength to strength, there are

hopes that 2010 will be a bigger and better year and

the shape of things to come.

www.gowriecontracts.co.uk

MEMBER NEWS

Unicorn clocks success with top Civic Trust honourA derelict former warehouse was awarded a top honour by Dundee Civic Trust after undergoing a breathtaking trans-formation by local developer and Chamber member, Uni-corn Property Group. The ClockTower – which dates back to 1877 – scooped the 2009 award at the Steps Theatre cere-mony for outstanding contribution to Dundee following its £4million conversion into a stunning waterfront residence by restoration specialist Unicorn.

Designed by Archial Architects – the six-storey building comprises 12 properties, including two and three-bedroom apartments and three duplex penthouses, steeped in both historic and contemporary architectural splendour. Origi-nally designed as a symbol of prosperous times for the Port of Dundee, visible to any vessel in the harbour of the mouth of the Tay, in 1900 the ClockTower would welcome 20 ves-sels a day from the Baltic, India and the USA with jute, flax and hemp for processing in the city’s mills.

The Civic Trust also recognised Unicorn’s successful Pan-mure Shipyard development on South Victoria Dock Road, which combines new build and historic conversion apart-ments and townhouses.www.unicornpropertygroup.com

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MORE NEW MEMBERS

Albacom Limitedwww.albacom.co.uk

Alternatives (Dundee Crisis Pregnancy Trust)www.careconfidential.com

ARC Visual Communicationswww.arcvisual.com

Asdawww.asda.co.uk

Bodycare Complementary Clinicswww.bodycare.vpweb.co.uk

Curr & Dewarwww.curranddewar.com

Dents 8 Smart Repair Centrewww.dents8.co.uk

Dundee Energy Recycling Serviceswww.dundeecity.gov.uk

Fibrecity Dundeewww.fibrecity.eu

Harpers Limitedwww.harpersltd.com

Kirsty Legg Photographywww.kirstylegg.com

Liquid & Envywww.liquidclubs.com

Murgitroyd & Companywww.murgitroyd.com

Premier Inn Monifiethwww.premierinn.com

Riverside Engineering Services Ltdwww.resl.co.uk

Screen Manufacturing Ltd

Towergate Financialwww.towergatefinancial.co.uk

Bank of Scotland - Local Banking for Local NeedsThe Bank of Scotland in Tayside offers a full banking service, and because the teams in the key business areas of Commercial, Private Banking and Retail are based locally, the bank can ensure customer needs are fully satisfied.

Bank of Scotland has had a presence in Dundee and Angus for a very long time - the Bank itself has been in existence since 1695 and has been through various mergers and acquisitions since then. D u n d o n i a n s will remember its previous locations in

Murraygate and Reform Street. It still has two flagship offices in the town centre - moving, after its merger with Halifax in 2001, just a few yards back along the Murraygate and building its new HQ in 1996 for the area in Marketgait. The Corporate Offices at the Technology Park demonstrate the bank’s commitment to offering employment opportunities in the city.

The bank aims to be the ‘best in class’ in the banking sector and offers a fully integrated banking service, based on a commitment to ensure a full partnership with clients. That is based on a belief that the bank’s success should rest on the success of its clients and professional relationships. The bank is willing to challenge traditional, accepted solutions, and actively pursues new ways of meeting customers’ expectations.

Working in partnership with the client, Colleagues in all areas aim to bring to life financial solutions which

best suit the client - both from a personal and business

perspective.

Retail NetworkThrough its branch network, Bank of Scotland Retail Banking offers a wide range of products and services to meet clients’ everyday personal finance needs. In Tayside, that means we operate 12 branches in Dundee & Angus and 10 branches in Perthshire. Each of these branches looks forward to welcoming both existing and new customers and helping to meet their financial needs.The bank works extremely hard to have the best and most professional teams on hand to serve its clients and they can be assured of a warm welcome and first class service from friendly and highly trained Colleagues.A wide range of products from Banking and Savings solutions to Mortgages and Insurances are available and the bank aims to deliver a level of service to clients that clearly differentiates it from other High Street banks.

Private Banking The Private Banking team offers a tailored one-to-one relationship service for private clients who demand greater flexibility and more personal solutions. This team strives to be part of the community, and is respectful of local traditions and expectations.Director Brenda Gardiner has headed the Private Banking team looking after Tayside clients for a number of years, and recognises that providing a one-to-one personal service remains top of the list in the ever changing environment of today. “Once we’ve established a strong relationship, customers come

Joy Stapley and Pauline McConnachie ready to meet the needs of Private Clients

Andrew Chapple and his Branch Management Team

The Marketgait offices house around 300

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back to us for banking advice throughout all life stages - from house purchase to retirement planning - the list is endless.”

Bank of Scotland CommercialAs we look ahead to 2010 and the first signs that the country is moving out of recession, Graham Blair from Bank of Scotland Commercial introduces a new Relationship Team for Dundee and Angus and tells us why the service they offer is so important.

Recent research shows that British businesses are now more confident about their future than any time in the past 15 months and are regaining their optimism in the outlook for the wider economy.

Our primary focus is to support our customers through the renewal of their existing facilities with us and we’re working closely with them to identify and support any opportunities to develop and grow. We want to help them drive their business forward.

As part of the wider Lloyds Banking Group, Bank of Scotland is fully supportive of all Government schemes designed to help businesses get access to funding, and continues to work hard with customers, both existing and new, to support them through these undoubtedly difficult times.

The restrictive credit market has inevitably put a strain on some relationships, but what’s exciting now is that we have the chance to be part of the solution and drive growth forward. We’ll do that by sticking to the commitments to various stakeholders under which we’re making significant sums of money available to UK companies. Our customers know we’re fully focused on providing a comprehensive banking relationship covering both assets and liabilities.

Through the Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme and European Investment Bank funding, Bank of Scotland Commercial is opening up new channels of funding for viable companies to grow. And these Government-backed initiatives are only a small part of what we’re doing. Our own strong range of attractive products is particularly focused on ensuring businesses have access to funds when they need it most. We look at each business on a case-by-case basis and create a solution that addresses all their needs – whether they need cash for new premises or to

help them move in a new direction.

As well as offering a wide range of products and services to business customers with a turnover of up to £15m, we also deliver an unrivalled service with Relationship Teams available in your local area.

Our experienced Relationship Teams provide professional advice tailored to each individual customer’s need. Being based in the communities enables these teams to fully understand the challenges that our customers face.

The Dundee and Angus Commercial Team is headed up by Matthew Strachan and combines many years of local banking experience between both Lloyds TSB and Bank of Scotland heritages.

The Team manages portfolios of local businesses, which are a mix of both recently acquired and long established customers. By working and living in the local community they have a full understanding of local issues and can provide an insight that would not otherwise be possible.

At Bank of Scotland we pride ourselves on providing businesses with the support and advice they need to succeed combined with an unrivalled level of service.

Graham Blair is the Area Director for Bank of Scotland in the North Region. If you want to find out more about the range of products and services available for your business you should call Matthew on 01382 373243 or Graham on 01224 283247 or visit www.bankofscotland.co.uk.

Matthew Strachan and Graham Blair

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CHAMBER NEWS

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‘High Noon 3’ is biggest Chamber event so farThe Hilton Hotel was the venue for Dundee & Angus Chamber of Commerce’s biggest event so far, when 160

members and their guests gathered earlier this year for ‘High Noon 3’. Dr Vince Cable, Finance and Economy spokesperson for the

Liberal Democrat Party, was the keynote speaker. He offered a very succinct analysis of the economic and fiscal challenges facing the UK as a consequence of the meltdown of

the UK’s banking sector and the global recession.

He likened what has happened to the UK economy in the last year to someone

having had a ‘massive heart attack’ but went on to explain how ‘the patient had

been stabilised by a massive dose of steroids’, in the form of historically low interest rates and massive Quantitative Easing (printing new money to you or me) initiated by the Bank of England.

Turning to the future developments, Dr Cable expressed concern that there was a ‘false sense of recovery’; he then explored the three issues he felt would determine the future prospects for the UK economy. What would happen when interest rates rose and Quantitative Easing ceased? How would the nation’s public finances be restored and the underlying budget deficit tackled? What were the prospects for the global economy?

In conclusion, he said that the UK economy had experienced an ‘extraordinary shock’ but prompt action by government and the Bank of England had prevented a 1930s style depression. He concluded on a more negative note, asserting

that there was no sign that politicians had yet come to terms with the scale of cuts required in

public sector spending to plug the b u d g e t deficit. Will he be proved correct? We will soon find out when the General Election campaigning gets underway.

Dr Cable was followed on to the stage by John Paterson from Montrose Port Authority, who highlighted the many changes experienced by the port in its 400-year history, through to the exciting opportunities presenting themselves today in fields such as decommissioning and renewables.

Iain Banks from i3 Group, the firm behind the exciting Fibrecity project in Dundee, was the final speaker and he explained the strengths of the multi-million pound project that will run fibre optic cables through Dundee’s sewer system to give the city very high speed broadband connectivity. He highlighted the positive impact that this would have for business and the public, as well as for the city’s profile and reputation.

As you would expect, the questions came thick and fast and eventually the event Chair had to bring proceedings to a close, leaving everyone looking forward to ‘High Noon 4’.

Events demonstrate growing strength of DACC

‘Yesterday was a great opportunity

to meet new members’

‘Interesting, informative and

enjoyable’

‘Thoroughly enjoyable’

‘Congrats to all on a splendidly

organised lunch’

CHAMBER NEWS

‘Full house’ after AGMChamber members met at the AGM to celebrate another successful year, which saw a growing membership and a growing events programme. Members were also able to reflect on other highlights, from a healthy financial position to growing stature as the region’s premier business organisation.

They also launched the Chamber on to its next phase of growth by overwhelmingly approving the appointment of one of the area’s senior business figures – Trevor Haines, the General Manager of Michelin Tyre plc in Dundee – as the new President. Chris Lundie, Founder and Managing Director of The Covert Group, was elected as the Vice-President.

Members also confirmed the appointment of five new non-executive directors: Dave Tudor, Site Director at GSK Montrose; Morna Wilson, Chief Executive of Dundee Voluntary Action Ltd; Alan Rae, Copyright Consultant at © Here; Ken Glass, Partner at Blackadders LLP; and Mai Hearne, Chief Officer of AAVO (Angus Association of Voluntary Organisations).

They join the existing board members: Jim Pickett, Managing Director of Liftruks; Richard Smyth, Centre Owner of Kall Kwik; and Andy Walker, Partner at Walker Dunnett, while Gary Langlands stepped down from President. He remains on the board as Immediate Past President. Two directors, and well-known and well respected members of the local business community, Peter Menzies and Henny King, retired from the board, and our grateful thanks go to both of them for their hard work and tireless efforts to make Dundee & Angus Chamber of Commerce the success it is today. They are true CHAMBER CHAMPIONS.

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We are the championsSo go the words of the famous Queen anthem, and now also the proud boast of Claire Grainger of Grainger PR and Simon Stratford from STV, our inaugural Quarterly Chamber Champions. Claire and Simon are recognised because they both passed two leads onto us, which we were able to convert into new Chamber members. They each now have the opportunity to become the first ever Annual Chamber Champion, the prize for which is a reduction in their firm’s DACC membership subscription. Our grateful thanks go to Claire and Simon, and to everyone else who passed a lead onto us in the last three months. Your Chamber is bigger and better as a result.

The next Quarterly Chamber Champion will be announced at the end of December, so get your leads coming and who knows, maybe it will be you and your organisation that will be singing next.

Left to right: Jim Pickett, Andy Walker, Ken Glass, Trevor Haines, Chris Lundie, Morna Wilson, Alan Rae, Richard Smyth, Dave Tudor, Gary Langlands

The “Presidential’ handover Members decide Mai Hearne

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Michelin Development Business Loans: Diversity in action

What do a fancy dress firm, a bus company and a computer games designer have in common? While this may sound like the prelude to a brain teasing riddle, this puzzle is a lot easier to solve. It’s about business, and doing business successfully, in Dundee, with the help of Michelin Development. Dundee companies Dress Fantastic, TeeJay Travel and Tag Games are linked through the financial assistance and advice they received through the Michelin Development Business Loan scheme.

The scheme provides access to unsecured business loans and advice to new start-ups and small- to medium-sized firms (SMEs) in Dundee, and in the other regions where Michelin has an operations base. Over the five years since it was formed in the UK, Michelin Development has loaned over £3m and helped around 130 new enterprises, in industries as varied as engineering, technology, manufacturing and fine china.

In Dundee, it has approved loans worth £800,000 and potentially helped create more than 400 jobs. Behind this striking figure sits an interesting story about the business reach of the scheme. You won’t find all of its eggs heaped in one basket; business diversity runs like a rich seam throughout the loan recipients as Dress Fantastic, TJ Travel and Tag Games can testify.

Dress Fantastic

Dress Fantastic is a Dundee company that really is dressed for success. Operating out of a 30,000 sq ft unit in Dundee’s West Pitkerro Industrial Estate, the fancy dress costume supplier hasgonefromatwo-staffoperation,withsix-figureturnoverin2007,toa16-staff,£5mplusbusiness in the space of two years. The company has also just signed an exclusive deal with Matalan to be lead supplier of fancy dress costume and party outfits for the retail giant’s 198 stores across the UK. It’s a whirlwind business success story, but one that could have had the wind taken out of its sails early on, as Dress Fantastic’s attempts to secure finance from the banks was blown out.

Tom McCafferty, Managing Director of Dress Fantastic, said: ‘In the early stages of our business growth we found it difficult to get funding from the banks. We were seen as a niche business and in the prevailing economic climate the banking institutions were reluctant to invest in a company which they did not see as a traditional type of business. Thankfully, we were able to turn to Michelin Development and secure a £25,000 loan to invest in working capital. Without the Michelin fund it would have been very difficult for us to progress and move forward.’

With the Matalan deal in place and further expansion plans in progress, Dress Fantastic are cutting an elegant figure in the local business community. A Dundee company, doing well with the help of a Dundee loans fund, and utilizing a Dundee skills base, had its success re-affirmed recently with the appointment of a new designer from the University of Dundee’s art college.

TeeJay Travel

Keeping the wheels of local commerce well oiled and moving forward are at the heart of the Michelin Development loans fund,andthisisvividlydemonstratedwithCarnoustie-basedbuscompanyTeeJayTravelLtd.Foundedin2007withacoupleof taxis, TeeJay Travel Ltd now operates bus services for schools and commercial contracts, including a school contract for Angus Council and airport transfer services. From a staff team of two, they are now up to two full-time and seven part-time employees, and the funding from Michelin Development helped secure the firm a new contract this summer.

Tom Jordan, Managing Director of TeeJay Travel Ltd, said: ‘The £12,000 loan from the Michelin Development fund helped

Platinum Partner Focus

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us to take on a new service contract in June. It enabled us to sell one vehicle to buy another to fulfill the contract needs. At a time when it is very difficult to get funding from the banks, the Michelin Fund offers a great opportunity to secure finance to help grow a business.’

The Michelin Development money has certainly helped to keep the wheels turning at TeeJay Travel Ltd, and the company is gearing itself up for expansion, with plans to pitch for contracted services as far afield as Aberdeenshire. It is also looking to diversify – it’s that key word again – into the tourist market, with an eye on developing holiday coach tours and golf-trip days out.

Tag Games

In the heart of Dundee, and at the centre of the city’s cultural quarter, Tag Games is another shining example of the diverse range of companies that flourish under the Michelin Development banner. Formed in 2006 with three staff, the company, which designs and develops games for mobile phones and latterly multiple platforms including the iPhone, PSP and Nintendo DSi, has taken off over the last three-and-a-half years and grown to a 12-staff business.

With titles such as the popular Car Jack Streets successfully launched, and upcoming big hitters such as Astroranch in the pipeline, they are contributing to Dundee’s burgeoning reputation as a gaming design and development centre of excellence. But once again, that business ascent has not always been trouble free; however, the Michelin Development fund loan of £25,000 helped to clear the financing obstacles put in place by traditional lenders.

Paul Farley, Managing Director of Tag Games, said: ‘The banks would not touch us because we are not a traditional type of business. They do not understand our industry

and this causes all sorts of problems in terms of accessing finance for the business. Fortunately for us, Michelin Development was prepared to listen to us and invest, and it has really helped us to take things to the next level.’

That next level has seen Tag Games start publishing its own games, moving away – although not entirely – from contracted games development. By owning games outright, it takes a greater share of the profits. This level of business self-sufficiency and confidence to strike out in the market is one of the direct benefits of having the right finance package in place, and is one of the many advantages to be derived from being part of the Michelin Development family.

Dave Thomson, Michelin Development Business Manager in Dundee, said: ‘We are very proud to have helped so many companies from the Dundee region to grow. It is very pleasing to have assisted such a diverse range of companies, and it is a true testament to the ethos of the loans fund; if you have a good, solid, well thought-out business model and are committed to creating jobs in the manufacturing or service sector (business to business), then we want to hear from you.’

Applications for loans are overseen, facilitated and assessed by a steering committee, which comprises Dave Thomson and representatives from Royal Bank of Scotland, Angus and Dundee City Councils (Economic Development), Scottish Enterprise and Business Gateway.

As well as offering unsecured business loans, Michelin Development provides business advice and support to those companies eligible to receive loans. The business advice and support comes in various forms and could include anything from sales and marketing through to training, quality and productivity improvements.

In the next 12 months, Michelin Development in the UK is looking to loan a further £1m, help another 30 companies and create around 250 jobs. Interested parties should visit www.michelindevelopment.co.uk to see how to qualify.

Michelin Development

COMMUNITY FOCUS

Augment (Scotland) offers new service to employers and employees in AngusIf you have an employee, or are an employee, working in Angus who is experiencing a mental health challenge and is finding it difficult to cope, then Chamber member Augment (Scotland), which has just added a new service to its already well established résumé, can help. Its Peer Outreach Project offers one-to-one support through specially trained volunteers.

Founded on the principles of peer support, and using an approach developed by, and unique to, Augment, the organisation offers people with personal experience of a mental-health challenge training to become Peer Outreach Volunteers and provide vital support to others. Peer Outreach Volunteers use training and their own experiences to encourage others to move forward in their journey of recovery, and to support them while they do so. For some this will include returning to, or remaining in, employment.

Whether undergoing a mental-health challenge for the first time or dealing with an on-going

issue, the right support can mean the difference between recovery and regression. Research has shown that the right support from a peer has even more benefits for people experiencing mental-health challenges, as people with similar lived experiences can offer each other practical advice and suggestions for coping strategies, as well as wellness tools that other professionals may not offer or even know about. For others, the ‘normalisation’ that comes from working with someone who has gone through, and understands, what they are experiencing is enough to make a huge difference.

To find out more about this project contact Andrea or Duncan on 01241 434405, or e-mail andreastewart@augment-scotland.org.uk or duncandavidson@augment-scotland.org.uk

Stay secure over the festive periodSince the clocks changed at the end of October, Tayside Police have been running Operation ‘After Dark’ to make house-holders think more about their home security and reduce the annual increase in housebreaking that traditionally takes place around this time of year. Last year in Tayside, housebreaking, including business premises, rose by some 20 per cent in Oc-tober, before falling by a similar figure in November. Howev-er over the festive period it spiked again. As well as providing additional high profile patrols, Tayside Police are giving simple security advice to householders at every opportunity - but what about your business or organisation?

At Christmas time thieves will be looking to businesses to pro-vide them with extra presents. Make sure you deny them the opportunity by following these rules:

• WhenyoushutdownforChristmaslockawayevery thing you can. • Leavenocashonthepremises.• Leavetilldrawersopenorremovethem.• Closeandlockinternalandexternaldoors.• Removesparedoorkeysfromthepremises,orlock them away securely. • Checkallwindowsareclosedandvaluablepropertyis screened. • Parkvehiclesinsideyourpremisesifpossible.• Removevehiclekeysfromthepremisesorlockthem away securely. • Canceldeliveriesthatmaycomeduringtheholiday period. • Doyouneedsomeonetocallinandmoveyourpost?• Ensurethereisnorubbishoutsideyourpremisesthat can be used to start fires.

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COMMUNITY FOCUS

Community Benefit Clauses: social transformation through procurementA Community Benefit Clause (CBC) is one of a range of ‘social’ clauses that can be included in public contracts and which is seeing increasing use in the public sector in Scotland. While grants and do-nations to good causes have a long-established history in both public and private sectors, procurement is now increasingly being seen as a dynamic tool to deliver social change and added value, through buy-ing goods and services from social enterprises and other small busi-nesses (SMEs). Achieving wider social outcomes in the procurement process offers SMEs and social enterprises real opportunities in the supply chain – social transformation through trade and not charity.

Many public sector contracts including the Commonwealth Games, the construction of Dundee House, and housing association ten-ders now include a CBC. ‘Community benefits’ in this context are contractual requirements which seek to deliver wider social benefit within a procurement contract.

There are three reasons why your business should be interested:

1. Market knowledge around this is key to winning new business. You could find yourself having to deliver stipulated community ben-efits through a suitable subcontractor within a contract so knowledge of clauses is key to successful delivery it successfully.

2. If your business can demonstrate community benefit through its work, either as a local small business or social enterprise, you could be the successful subcontractor fulfilling CBC in new markets.

3. By introducing CBC into your own company’s practices you could be cost effectively differentiating your business from the competition by demonstrating practical added value to your community; adding an exciting new dimension to your Corporate Social Responsibility policies; up-skilling and motivating your staff; increasing your pool of suppliers and of course, efficiently servicing your procurement needs.www.sencot.net/networks1st

• Removeanythingoutsidethatmighthelpacriminalto break in. • EnsureyourkeyholderlistwithCentralStationsand Police Safe is up to date. • Ensureyouhaveupdatedyourinternalkeyholderand call-out lists. • Backupallyourcomputersystemsandstoreacopyof your data off premises. • WhenyoureturnafterChristmas,ensureyourcomputer virus software is updated before downloading email or using the internet.

Hopefully by following this advice your premises will be safe from the criminals.

If you would like further crime prevention advice or a free business security review, please contact your local Crime Prevention Officer:

Dundee - Colin Brough 01382 591887 Perth – Donald Campbell 01738 892937 Forfar – Claire Taylor 01307 477477

Community Benefit Clauses: Your opportunity to learn more

Find out more about community benefit clauses at a very understandable and practical level……….What are they? Are they Legal? Are they cost effective? How do they work? Most, importantly, what are the benefits and advantages of them to your business or organisation? How can they improve your bottom line?

Organisations that have been through a CBC process will talk about their experiences, while procurement staff from Angus Council, Dundee City Council and NHS Tayside will be on hand to talk to you.

Where? Scottish Enterprise, Greenmarket, Dundee.When? Wed 20th January 2010.

To book your place call 01382 228 545 or go to: www.dundeeandanguschamber.co.uk

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INNOVATION FOCUS

SCRI: Dundee’s best kept secret?Which Dundee life-sciences outfit has links with research centres in 88 countries around the world? Where in Dundee would you find a re-search team that has been described by assessors as ‘world leaders’ in the field of genetics? How many Dundee science-to-innovation businesses can claim to convert every pound of public mon-ey invested into £14 of economic activity? (This one can – and by using official UK Treasury met-rics.) Which Dundee research team developed the UK’s most popular raspberry variety, the most popular raspberry grown in Spain and the UK’s favourite organic potato?

That has probably given the game away! The an-swer of course is SCRI – the Scottish Crop Re-search Institute – together with its commercial arm, Mylnefield Research Services. SCRI, based at Invergowrie, is proud to be part of the Dundee & Angus Chamber of Commerce family.

Phil Taylor, a former BBC news editor, who is now Head of Communications at SCRI says: ‘These are exciting times at “the Crop”, as we are known to many of our neighbours. Within 18 months it is likely that SCRI’s name will change, and it will become part of a much larger and brand-new research institute that will also in-volve the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute in Aberdeen. There’ll also be ties to the Moredun animal health institute near Edinburgh. The new centre will be the first institute of its kind in Eu-

rope, and is expected to set up an international office, probably in Brussels, to reinforce its global presence.’

SCRI has other interests beyond crop research. It recently formed a spin-out company called EnPrint©, which is pioneering high-throughput water sampling using DNA-fingerprinting tech-niques. The company also has a team working with researchers at Dundee’s Ninewells Hospital on the health and medical impacts of soft fruit. The Ninewell’s link is one of many with the city. SCRI regularly works with fellow Chamber mem-ber Vision Sound and Light, who provide audio-visual support for public and industry events organised by the Institute – including the UK’s biggest potato industry field event – Potatoes in Practice. DACC member DP&L also works with SCRI on public events.

Increasingly the Institute is attracting scientists to Dundee from all over the world for confer-ences. The Apex City Quay Hotel has been a regular venue, hosting a conference to mark the UN International Year of the Potato in 2008, and hosting plant geneticists from all over Europe at the EUCARPIA conference in September 2009. Another conference being planned could see up to 500 visitors arriving in Dundee from all over the world in 2010.

SCRI is looking forward to continuing its long and successful partnership with Dundee.www.scri.ac.uk

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EDUCATION FOCUS

Internships at the University of DundeeThe Internship Module is a

university credit-bearing module for second-year students of any degree discipline. It is a ‘stand-alone’ module, and therefore not directly linked to any subject discipline. It combines a project undertaken on a placement with a local organisation with classroom learning about the world of work and career planning. The module is assessed entirely by university tutors, based on the academic work the students produce.

The placement involves an approximately 30-hour project over a period from January to March each year. This placement is usually undertaken in three four-hour sessions over an eight-week period, but can be completed in larger ‘chunks’, more remotely or in any other way that suits the business taking on the intern.

Ideally, the placement should involve the student in professional experience, undertaking work of a level sufficient for the development of new skills and/or new learning. Often, this may be a discrete project with a clearly defined outcome or end point, but may be equally valuable if it involves more operational tasks. The work undertaken should be beneficial to the organisation, as well as to the student.

If you would like to offer an internship to a University of Dundee student, contact the Career Service on 01382 384017. The InternshipModule Tutor or Employer Marketing Manager will then get in contact with you to discuss your proposal and to present a suitable candidate in due course.www.dundee.ac.uk/careers/

Don’t forget that the University of Abertay Dundee, Angus College and Dundee College can also offer student placements and other initiatives that can help get valuable skills into your business.www.abertay.ac.uk/Careers/w w w . a n g u s . a c . u k / s t u d e n t /studentservices.aspwww.dundeecoll.ac.uk

Developing Angus enterprise through teacher placementsEveryone in business knows the importance of ensuring that young people entering the labour market have the skills to be successful in work. Their teachers can play an important role in giving the youngsters the knowledge and understanding they need; but only if they themselves have an understanding of the traits and skills that your business looks for in the young people you employ.

One way that teachers can acquire this knowledge is through a placement – spending a short time in your business – and this can be done through the Excellence in Education through Business Links (EEBL) programme. Placements can be undertaken in many environments and may feature a range of different activities, including training and development alongside your staff, shadowing one of your employees, discussing key aspects of your business with you and your staff, or producing materials about your business to use in their school.

A placement should last a minimum of two days, but flexible patterns of attendance can be arranged and support is available. There are substantial benefits for your business, over and above the obvious – young people that are more ‘work ready’ for your business –including a higher profile in your local community.

If you want to know more or would like to participate, please contact Lesley Watson, Business Liaison Officer at Angus Council, on WatsonL@angus.gov.uk or 01307 473632

New man bolsters Dundee College’s business teamDundee College has strengthened its external relations team with the addition of a new business advisor. Dundee-born Michael Lawson took up the post recently, having previously spent two years working for the firm best known for devising the Taste of Scotland campaign.

Keen to return to his former stomping ground, Michael brings plenty of enthusiasm to his new role. He is looking forward to

working with staff across all the college centres to promote the Scottish Government’s plans for a smarter Scotland. He is particularly eager to learn about the range of technical and business skills that Dundee College can provide through its Knowledge Transfer Partnerships agenda. Michael has already made contact with a number of businesses in and around Tayside and Fife, and is eager to introduce himself to organisations of all sizes representing all sectors of industry and commerce. www.dundeecollege.ac.uk/Business-Services

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You’re in the Army nowEarlier this year Gail Forbes of Forbes of Kingennie took part in one of the regular ‘Executive Stretch Weekends’ organised by the Highland Reserve Forces & Cadets at Barry Buddon. This is her story!

Friday

Scheduled to register between 3 and 5pm, I arrived full of dread and fear that I had bitten off more than I could chew, after a training regime that entailed digging my own grave with my knife and fork (and wine glass) on a family holiday in South Africa, with absolutely no physical activity whatsoever to ensure being in tip-top condition for the challenges ahead. Add to that the fact that at 49 I was bound to be the oldest person there and a liability to any team hoping to have a chance of winning, and let’s just say I wasn’t sure I’d done the right thing signing up for this! I was escorted from my car to the meeting hall by a very nice young man (obviously they were taking no chances on my doing a runner) and, after the obligatory ‘brew’, we had to report to the kit room to ensure we had everything we needed for our time out in the field. I was issued with the biggest backpack I had ever seen in my life, full of everything needed to be self sufficient in the open in all weathers.

Supper that night was in the canteen with the other participants and the staff, followed by a meeting with the other members of my team and a brief on the remit for the exercise. A cash bar was open for some final ‘dutch courage’. Wine and beer, but no gin and tonics or fancy cocktails! It was a great ice breaker and a good chance to get to know each other and the staff who would be in charge of us all.

Saturday

Breakfast at 6am, then out to the assault course for instruction, followed by a practice round. It was great fun and not too difficult when you’re as fresh as a daisy. Throughout the day, the team learn different aspects of being in the forces – with the challenges entailing hands-on interaction and working together as a team, i.e. minesweeping, orienteering, target practice on the firing range, first aid and observation.

As night falls you make your own shelter and this is where you realise they weren’t kidding when they asked you to bring bungee cords, tent pegs, etc; and you pray the rain doesn’t start! You cook your own supper on your stove: boil in the bag provisions that you can eat cold if you can’t be bothered cooking.

Everyone then meets up at Field HQ for instructions on the challenge, and again you can have a glass of wine or beer before bed as there’s a cash bar open for a short time.Then it is off to bed in your shelter: don’t bother to pack a dressing gown and slippers and you certainly won’t need your hairdryer! A head

torch comes in very

handy if you need to use the loo during the night, and you will be glad

you packed a woolly jumper or two and some cosy socks.

Sunday

Up early again to pack up camp. This is the day of the Big Team Challenge, and it’s all go from start to finish. The assault course is the Grand Finale and it is a lot tougher on the Sunday when you are tired than it was on the Saturday when you were fresh! It is watched by everyone, and the sense of achievement when you finish is amazing. Then the most wonderful hot shower and lunch. The prize giving ceremony brings everything to a close around 3pm. Then departure for all of the home comforts I have missed so much!

I took part because I wanted to see if the staff at Forbes of Kingennie could learn anything from participating that would help them in their work. I also wanted to know what the course entailed, so that I knew exactly what I would be getting them into.

Would I send my staff? Most definitely. Would they benefit? Absolutely. Would I recommend this to other Chamber members? Yes, and I would also encourage proprietors and senior managers to go as well because everyone can benefit. Do you have to be super fit? Not at all, although you can’t be completely unfit either. Was I the oldest person there? I think so, although there were a couple of people around my age on the course. But so what – I still competed and completed!

Was I a liability? Most probably, but that didn’t stop my team (the Yellows) winning first place! I will be eternally grateful to the rest of the team for their support and encouragement. And special thanks have to go to our two team leaders – Pete Riddell and Colin Park – for turning the rookies we were on the Friday into the winners we became on the Sunday!

For more information on Executive Stretch Weekends contact: Mrs Avril Blyth, SaBRE, Highland Reserve Forces & Cadets Association, 365 Perth Road, Dundee, DD2 1LXTelephone: 01382 631025 Email: hi-empspasst@hi.rfca.mod.uk

MORE MEMBER NEWS

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MORE MEMBER NEWS

Trading Standards: Helping business and the consumerIn Dundee over the past four-and-a-half years, the words ‘trading standards’ have been striking dread into the hearts of rogue traders and dodgy dealers alike. But, it hasn’t been for the usual regulatory reasons of clamping down on counterfeiting, misleading prices, or false trade descriptions – it has been the development of the Dundee Trusted Trader scheme.

Trusted Trader is a membership scheme designed to support local, customer-focused firms, by driving business to them and away from rogue traders and the firms that give hassle and heartache to their customers.

The scheme obviously provides invaluable information to consumers, but its innovative and detailed feedback system also provides its members with invaluable management and customer information that would cost hundreds, or even thousands, of pounds from independent sources. The better a business treats its customers, the better its customer feedback, meaning it can capture a bigger slice of the market. Trusted Trader currently has over 150 members from over 60 business sectors – from accountants to window cleaners, but there is room for lots more.

Find out more about the benefits of joining Trusted Trader by contacting Stuart Houston, Trading Standards, EHTS, Dundee City Council 01382 436210. trusted.trader@dundeecity.gov.uk or www.trustedtrader.info

BlueSky Challenge - mission completed!

It isn’t just Gail Forbes who has been ‘in the wars’ recently. Chamber members Andy Walker and Brian Kidd, and DACC employees Zoe and Karolina, have also thrown their bodies around the countryside. Together they were the FANATICAL 4, and they took part in the 2009 BlueSky Challenge, an annual adventure race, in which over 20 teams cycled, orienteered, crossed rivers, climbed trees, commando crawled and sack raced to raise money for the Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust.

As they waited at the start, they all wondered whether six months of training was enough to complete the challenge? Seven hours and 18 minutes later they knew it was. Having survived everything that could be thrown at them (including brain conundrums and extra challenges posed less than 50 yards from the finish line), they finished in 11th place; a great performance from a ‘rookie’ team. They raised over £1,100, and everyone at DACC (especially Alan and Ray who were nowhere to be seen when the hard work was happening) is really proud of them.www.blueskychallenge.co.uk

The ‘Phone’ gets mobile

Founder Chamber member and C h a m b e r C h a m p i o n Peter Menzies ( a f f e c t i o n a t e l y known as ‘Pete the Phone’) is on the move. IMPC is settling into its new home at 43 Magdalen Yard Road, Dundee. Pete and his team have successfully served the telecommunications needs of the local business community from their office in Perth Road for many years now, and the move to Magdalen Yard Road promises even greater things for the company. Watch this space for further details.www.impc.co.uk

THE PUFFIN ROOMDesign Consultants

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ASK THE COACH Interim Management

In our regular ‘ask the coach’ series, Ian Wilson of GHRL answers your questions on interim management and explains how it can help

your organisation.

What is interim management?

You might call interim management ‘proactive assistance’. An Interim Manager is there to assist you where you need help and when you need it. In essence, what is delivered is time, a resource that is lacking in many companies, especially during a recession. For example, projects can be managed effectively, or cover provided for senior managers who have left.

Who employs an interim manager?

Anyone with a need that is finite. A small company may, for instance, employ someone two or three days a month to offer sales support. There is probably not a full-time position, but the directors or company owner are uncomfortable performing such a role. The interim manager will add true value through additional sales and improved customer relations. At the other end of the scale, multinational companies will have large projects that need to be managed, but no staff are available busy to take on the role effectively. The interim(s) work full-time until the project is completed.

For how long will I need to employ an interim manager?

How long is a piece of string?

Contracts will be designed around the job that needs to be done. This can be full time for months, one or two days per week or per month, or just a day or two. When the task is completed the interim manager leaves.

What are the additional costs?

There should be no extra costs. At GHRL, at any rate, charges are made by the day, all inclusive. These will be clearly laid out in the initial contract, which will provide clarity about the charges to be made for the service and there is therefore, a known pay-back. The ultimate aim is to add value to the company. This can only be done if the cost is fixed with no additions for travel, phone calls, subsistence, etc.

Who becomes an interim manager?

I can only speak for GHRL, where all interim managers have held senior management or board positions. They bring a wealth of experience from their own particular field. A reputable interim management organisation will be able to draw on the right specialist for your need, whether it is finance, human resources, quality, sales or operations. In fact, just about anything. An interim manager is generally someone who enjoys the

diversity of different projects and has a desire to give some of their knowledge back to the business community.

Don’t I lose control by outsourcing the work?

Definitely not. The interim manager will report to the company, just as a member of staff would. The reporting structure will be clearly laid out in the contract. If you are unhappy with how the work is being carried out you have the right to say so, and to change direction. You gain through maintaining control with a known and fixed overhead.

What if I don’t agree with the advice given?

An interim manager will not assume to advise you. After all, nobody knows your organisation better than you. A course of action will be agreed and then followed. In the same way that the captain of a ship does not ask the helmsman if he thinks they are on the correct course, the interim manager is there to help you take your organisation to where you want it to be.

www.ghrl.co.uk01307 830377

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