Tayside businesses benefit from business development \'masterclass’
A trio of Tayside companies with high growth potential have recently reaped the rewards from a business development ‘masterclass’.
The firms – letting agency, Pavillion Properties, interactive 3D creator, Live Visualisation, and health and lifestyle consultancy, Gwen McCreadie – were all participants of the Enterprise Partnership Scotland (EPS) initiative, which provides companies and entrepreneurs with the opportunity to learn how to rapidly roll out their growth strategies.
Throughout the course of the north-east-based programme, successful applicants enjoyed a host of workshops, delivered by specialists from a number of sectors, including finance, human resources and recruitment, law, marketing and public relations.
Participants also took part in a series of residential sessions, which featured presentations from motivational speakers, as well as tailor-made consulting and networking opportunities.
Each of the Tayside businesses enjoyed significant benefits from the scheme, with Dundee-based Pavilion Properties’ Ryan Letley commenting: “Throughout the course of the EPS initiative, we covered a range of essential topics – from how to analyse and deal with problems that arise in business, to how to identify new growth avenues.
“I particularly enjoyed the marketing element, as our business relies heavily on its image, so to be able to learn how to position our brand and spread our company message further is extremely important to us.
“Looking ahead, we have secured additional premises on Dundee’s waterfront, which will place us at the heart of the £1billion development and significantly increase our exposure to potential landlords and tenants.”
Live Visualisation’s Chris Bradwell added: “The wealth of knowledge from the array of sponsor companies provided a great overview of the cogs of business elements needed.
“Also, as the course took place over a period of four months – with each session consisting of day presentations and evening dinners and drinks – it created the ideal learning environment, where conversations, ideas, experiences and friendships with like-minded peers could naturally develop.
“I am currently in the process of applying what I learned into Live Visualisation, through moving the company through a focused high growth strategy to radically improve safety in the energy sector. The plans will result in the business being a premier app provider in purposeful interactive 3D experiences, such as training simulation, serious games and virtual/augmented reality.”
Forfar-based Gwen McCreadie also said: “Personally, I benefitted hugely from the programme by addressing any weaknesses in an environment where I felt safe and comfortable to do so. And, of course, my business has benefited as I have returned with an action plan of steps to, for example, improve my connections with existing and potential clients.
“Buoyed by the EPS experience, I have already undertaken a intensive social media course, as I envisage my business expanding significantly over the next two years through social media avenues.”
EPS’ Carolyn Maniukiewicz added: “We were delighted to have the Tayside business community represented in our latest EPS scheme by Pavillion Properties, Live Visualisation and Gwen McCreadie-Page. The future looks exceptionally bright for each of the companies and we look forward to watching them apply what they’ve learned, as they grow and expand in the days ahead.”
Co-ordinated by Ewan Neilson, senior partner of Stronachs, as well as Jacky Baltissen from EnValue and Mrs Maniukiewicz from Ideas in Partnership, EPS was launched in December 2004 and, to date, has successfully supported a total of 82 Scottish businesses.
For further information about EPS please visit www.eps-project.co.uk or call 01771 644163.
