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25/02/20
Scottish Borders Chamber of Commerce e-Bulletin
Chairperson's update

At last, I am delighted to formally announce the addition of Deirdre McKendry, Lee-Anne Gillie and Mark Timmins to the Board of Directors of the Scottish Borders Chamber of Commerce. Their drive, enthusiasm, passion and industry experience shone throughout the application and interview process and their addition has already been instrumental in supporting the continued growth and development of the Chamber through their network and knowledge. I know that all three are already recognised names within the business community, but we look forward to cascading a formal biography on them all shortly.

Moira Wilson, ChairThis month I was delighted to attend Borders College for the official launch of the South of Scotland Skills and Learning Network in conjunction with Dumfries and Galloway College. I witnessed first-hand the investments made by Borders College in their STEM Hub at their Hawick Campus, in addition to their outstanding Care facility based in Galashiels. If you haven’t already been for a visit to the Hawick or Galashiels Campus, it is definitely worth a visit to see the leading-edge facilities that are available on our doorstep.

I also attended an event hosted by Heriot-Watt University in conjunction with their Entrepreneurial Communities Initiative. Heriot-Watt are keen to work with local business/support agencies to enable, develop and grow the outstanding entrepreneurs we have right here in the Scottish Borders. If this is something that you may be interested in learning more about then contact n.lobley@hw.ac.uk.

Finally, thank you to SoConnect for their sponsorship of our most recent Speed Networking Event hosted this time at the Carfraemill Hotel, outside Lauder. Once again, it was a very well attended event and it was great to see so many new faces and to learn about their exciting and revolutionary businesses. Our next event is taking place at the outstanding Gin Academy at Peebles Hydro on 10th April. If you haven’t already attended one of our Speed Networking Events, then I suggest that you buy your ticket now, as I foresee this event selling out very quickly.

Dates for your diary

#ScotlandHour


#ScotlandHour on Twitter

MBTAG are co-hosting the bi-monthly #ScotlandHour Twitter chat on Wednesday the 26th of February from 9pm. Get involved to promote all things Food and Drink. You can also follow @ScotlandHour on Twitter.

 

Great Start to Speed Networking for 2020

Perhaps it wasn't quite 'love' that was in the air at our latest Speed Networking event on 14th February, but there were plenty of productive conversations, creating an altogether different buzz in the room at the Carfraemill Hotel. 

These small, but highly intense, events are hosted with one key aim in mind - growing the business network of those who attend. We heard plenty of conversations that included useful referrals, agreements to send follow up emails and confirmation of future catch ups - also known as 'doing business'.

A well-spent Friday morning.


 

Here are the upcoming Speed Networking dates for your diary:

A few words from SoConnect

Campbell Fraser from SoConnect said: “It was great to get the opportunity to sponsor the event and meet and connect with other Border based businesses looking to develop and grow. The Borders is a great place to work and do business and the more we can use and promote our local network in the Borders the better. Thanks to Moira, Emily and their team for organising this.”

General Articles

Skills and Learning Network
Launched across the South of Scotland

Jamie Hepburn, Minister for Business, Fair Work and Skills, was at the Borders College Scottish Borders Campus and Deputy First Minister John Swinney was at Dumfries and Galloway College to officially launch the Skills and Learning Network across the south of Scotland recently.

Staff and guests on both sides of the country watched via the latest video conference technology as Angela Cox, Borders College Principal, virtually welcomed guests from Dumfries and Galloway College to the joint live event, before both ministers took the opportunity to announce the network open.

The south of Scotland has benefitted from an investment of just over £6.6 million as part of plans approved by the South of Scotland Economic Partnership (SoSEP) in July 2018, to enable the creation of a digital learning platform and infrastructure that aims to provide access to learning opportunities for individuals of all ages, irrespective of location.

Mr Swinney said: “The South of Scotland Skills and Learning Network will broaden access to teaching for students and learners of all ages right across the region. With a clear focus on areas that have growing regional job opportunities, the ability to develop key skills without having to relocate will provide so many more people with an excellent start to their careers, or the chance to retrain to branch out into new areas.

“Today marks the launch of the network and I look forward to seeing how the colleges develop the technological platform that has been created here to its fullest potential. The Scottish Government has now approved funding for 30 SoSEP projects. Alongside the South of Scotland Enterprise agency, which will launch on 1 April, the work of SoSEP will help us maximise the full economic potential of the south.”

Angela Cox commented: “This innovative partnership enables us to better capitalise on the expertise and resources that exist across the South of Scotland and provide more accessible learning opportunities through our Digital Learning and Skills Network.

“Our schools and employers, such as NHS Borders and Eildon Housing, are already benefitting from the SoSEP investment in our Technology Enhanced Care Hub and STEM Hub. We remain committed to expanding the range of learning opportunities in conjunction with Dumfries and Galloway College in order to deliver on our joint vision of being regionally focussed and globally connected in the delivery of future skills.”

The investment sees a unique partnership between Dumfries and Galloway College and Borders College to develop a network of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) Hubs across the South of Scotland, to address the immediate skills gaps in areas such as Energy and Engineering, Construction and Care.

These are accessible to school and college students, and employers wishing to try the latest technologies or upskill their current workforce. Digital spokes, located across the south of Scotland in schools, community venues and in local business premises provide inclusive access. Lessons delivered elsewhere will be open for others to participate in, along with online learning resources. Borders College are currently implementing community options for digital spokes.

Through this investment, the colleges are collaborating to develop their offering within their respective regions, especially at higher levels, to meet the needs of local businesses and grow their online flexible learning provision over the next five years.

In addition to the digital Hub and spokes, Borders College has to date used its portion of the funding (£2.3m) to provide new STEM and Care facilities in Hawick and Galashiels:

The Technology Enhanced Care Hub in Galashiels builds on the success of the College’s Care Career Academy in partnership with Scottish Borders Council, NHS Borders and SB Cares. It delivers online and blended learning and assessment for the future workforce across the south in the health and social care sector, as well as upskilling staff in the use of technology to empower individuals to manage their own health and social care needs as part of the integrated service delivery model currently being implemented across Scotland.

The STEM Construction and Renewables Hub in Hawick promotes training and development of new and emerging technologies in the construction and renewables industries. It hosts an ECO House, demonstrating the latest technologies in construction and renewables, and provides a range of technical and digital resources such as 3D printers, drone technology, virtual and augmented reality, and BIM software to support the upskilling of local employees.

Help Shape the Direction of our
Regional Economy

Dumfries & Galloway Council and Scottish Borders Council are looking for representatives from across a range of sectors to apply to become a member of a new partnership body which will play key role in driving forward the South of Scotland regional economy. This new Regional Economic Partnership (REP) will bring the Councils, the new South of Scotland Enterprise agency, and other key public agencies together to formulate a new Regional Economic Strategy.

While South of Scotland Enterprise will bring significant new momentum to economic development in the South of Scotland, it is essential that we harness the efforts of all partners and stakeholders to ensure that we deliver on a shared vision and strategy for the South of Scotland. This must extend beyond the new agency, the public sector, universities and colleges. Businesses, social enterprises, the third sector, community groups, and registered social landlords (RSLs) will be key partners in driving inclusive growth. The REP is designed to be the forum that brings together this expertise and sets the direction of our regional economy.

The REP will develop and monitor the delivery of an economic strategy for the South of Scotland. It will ensure that the actions taken to drive forward this strategy are informed by a broad base of expertise to ensure a focus in the right areas. It will also be a forum to address the key economic challenges that we need to overcome in the region.

The REP is looking to appoint a total of 12 additional members. These are:
  • Four Private Sector Representatives
  • Two Social Enterprise Representatives
  • Two Third Sector Representatives
  • Two Community Representative
  • Two Representatives from Registered Social Landlords

If you are interested in applying to sit on the REP, the closing date for applications is Sunday 8 March 2020. You can find more information at www.scotborders.gov.uk/REP

New UK Immigration System


Liz Cameron, Scottish Chambers of CommerceCommenting on the proposals for a new UK immigration system post Brexit, announced by the UK Government today, Dr Liz Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce said:

“Scottish companies are committed to investing and growing our talent but these proposals will require continuous review to address increasingly critical labour shortages. Current high employment is welcome but it means that companies need to secure talent which is both domestic and international.

“The expansion of the seasonal workers' scheme is a clear recognition of the important economic contributions the agriculture sector makes to Scotland. However, the proposed salary threshold does not go far enough to support specific sectors in Scotland – the UK Government needs to set out how they will support these companies to recruit and grow. Businesses will be taking a close watching brief to determine whether this expansion will effectively service the whole of the United Kingdom.

“The proposals will present major challenges for key sectors, such as hospitality, care and tourism to be able to recruit and we urge the UK Government to ensure all workable options are in the mix including proposals from the Scottish Government and other partner agencies. The UK Government needs to continue the dialogue further with businesses to ensure immigration and skills policies work for business and the economy.’’

Featured Member

Member Profile: Tony Douglas

Dr Tony Douglas is an experienced Sales Education specialist with a passion to do what is in his power to help the discipline of Sales (so crucial to the performance of every business) gain its rightful place as a profession in the eyes of both our business and academic communities in the UK and worldwide.

Appreciating that a career in Sales can be so rewarding, yet a career that many do not plan to enter, but fall into. The perception of Sales is changing and changing for the better. Dr Douglas believes that Sales will become, not just another job to do, but a career of choice for many.

Dr Douglas provides a range of programmes to develop those seeking a career in Sales. For more information, please see the Member Offer below.

Apply to be our next featured member!
Join the Scottish Borders Chamber of Commerce

B2B Selling/Sales Courses designed specifically with you in mind

Research tells us that in a tough and competitive business environment those who have a greater understanding of the sales process, and those who have developed, honed and practised their selling & sales skills, put themselves in a better position to reap success from interactions with their prospects and grow more profitable business from their existing clients/ customers.

Sales is not a dark art, it is a science, and you can become very good at it.

Whether your organisation is at an early stage or whether it is more established, whether it is big or small, and whether you personally are directly or indirectly responsible for business development or relationship management of your current clients/customers, these business development courses are designed for YOU with the sole aim of helping you become more confident in improving your personal selling & communication skills, your and your company’s approach to and attitude towards selling, leading to an improved sales performance for your company.

Courses:
  1. Course 1 - Influencing and Negotiating (email tony@readysteadysell.biz for course content information)
  2. Course 2 - Successful B2B Sales Meetings (email tony@readysteadysell.biz for course content information)
Delivery mode for EACH Course:
  1. Diagnostic questionnaire to identify you and your sales teams’ knowledge and skills
  2. TWO days of face-to-face delivery with online materials to support your learning
  3. – Day 1 is an interactive workshop
    – Day 2 focusses upon practical Sales Role Play activities
    – Thereafter online materials to support your learning
  4. Impact measurement on you and your business post-course completion
Dates of EACH Course:
  1. Influencing and Negotiating – Workshops: Dates of your choice, times to suit you
  2. Successful Sales Meetings – Workshops: Dates of your choice, times to suit you
Location of workshops:
  • Your office or Premises of your choice
Participant numbers:
  • Ideally 5-10 per Course
Course fees:
  • £1,995 per Course (workshop day and role play day plus online materials)
  • Special Price Offer of £2,995 for BOTH Courses (if booked & paid for by 14th April 2020)
Registration details:
  • Contact Tony Douglas tony@readysteadysell.biz with your details (contact name, email address, which course, numbers of participants, ideal date/times, and location)
Workshop leaders:

For more information, please email Tony@readysteadysell.biz or call +44(0)790 879 2713

Get in touch with the Chamber

Do you have a business update you'd like us to share for you? If so, please don't hesitate to get in touch. Just email Emily at communications@borderschamber.com

We would be delighted to help spread the word about the diverse and dynamic business community of the Scottish Borders.

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Copyright ©2019 Scottish Borders Chamber of Commerce. All rights reserved.
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Scottish Borders Chamber of Commerce
C/o Deans Accountants
27 North Bridge Street
Hawick
TD9 9BD
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Scottish Borders Chamber of Commerce · Scottish Borders Chamber of Commerce · 27 North Bridge Street · Hawick, Scottish Borders TD9 9BD · United Kingdom

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