Collaborating For A Stronger Economy

Registration

Stephen Leckie

Stephen is a firm believer in collaboration and is Chairman of The Scottish Tourism Alliance, the voice of the industry whose core purpose is to deliver strategy for tourism in conjunction with the private and public sectors and to promote the industry nationally.

A champion of businesses working together, Stephen will outline the theme for the day.

With a combined turnover of £4 billion and employing around 28,000 people, Scotland’s 550 co-operative businesses currently play a key role in driving Scotland’s economic growth.

In tough economic times, collaborating can help companies grow and prosper. By forming co-operative consortia, businesses can in some instances purchase and sell more effectively, increasing their productivity and share resources, whilst still retaining their independence.

Alastair Macnaughton, CDS Specialist Advisor will outline the competitive advantages that can be achieved when businesses work together and will explain what support is available from CDS and Perth and Kinross Council.

Alastair McNaughton

Alastair is a member of the Institute of Consultants and has been formally trained in advanced sales and marketing. During a career of over 25 years, he has held a number of senior sales and marketing positions within multinational corporations as well as SME’s. Over the past decade he has successfully assisted over 120 companies, all with growth aspirations, primarily when smaller businesses are trying to get bigger, by working with bigger businesses. A critical component of this is the ability of smaller businesses to collaborate together a subject which Alastair feels passionate about He is also a member of a Co-operative consortia himself.

Alistair McNaughton from Co-operative Development Scotland will clearly demonstrate the many benefits of collaborating with other organisations. Importantly, he will also highlight the potential pitfalls thus helping to ensure that your collaborative efforts are as successful as possible.

Time for a short break to stretch your legs!

Case Study – Mark Bush (Summer Harvest Ltd), Andy Hammer (Wild Thyme), David Burberry (Dalchonzie Fruit Farm) - followed by a Q & A session

David, Mark and Andy will give an overview of the benefits and pitfalls they’ve found from joining forces and how they overcame obstacles resulting in a collaboration which has helped all their respective businesses.

Details to follow

Time for a short break to stretch your legs!

Synopsis

Donna will highlight the benefits you and your business could receive from collaborating with academia. Her presentation will illustrate how all types of businesses can tap into the expertise and specialised facilities available within Scotland’s research base to accelerate growth and develop your business.

Donna Kudarenko, Marketing Manager

Donna brings a wealth of experience to Interface from the private sector including over 10 years marketing experience working within the IT industry - the most recent being business games development. Donna has held various senior marketing roles including managing global marketing communications and providing marketing consulting to some of the world's largest IT organisations. At Interface Donna is responsible for providing business support, account management to businesses in the Perth and Kinross area as well as managing marketing its activities.

Interface

Interface is is the knowledge connection for business provides a central point of access to the expertise within Scotland’s Universities and Research Institutes. It offers a free and confidential service to identify and match business needs with appropriate expertise across the research base, to encourage and facilitate knowledge exchange. www.interface-online.org.uk

Your chance to enjoy lunch and networking with fellow attendees.

Alastair Macnaughton, CDS Specialist Advisor will outline the competitive advantages that can be achieved when businesses work together. The workshop will also address the various legal structures that can be adopted to support your collaborative venture and outline examples of others that are successfully collaborating using this model. The CDS Collaboration Prize will also feature which gives those with a new consortium co-operative idea the chance to win £5,000 and up to 10 days of consultancy support - 3 prizes are available!

Alastair McNaughton

Alastair is a member of the Institute of Consultants and has been formally trained in advanced sales and marketing. During a career of over 25 years, he has held a number of senior sales and marketing positions within multinational corporations as well as SME’s. Over the past decade he has successfully assisted over 120 companies, all with growth aspirations, primarily when smaller businesses are trying to get bigger, by working with bigger businesses. A critical component of this is the ability of smaller businesses to collaborate together a subject which Alastair feels passionate about He is also a member of a Co-operative consortia himself.

Alistair McNaughton from Co-operative Development Scotland will clearly demonstrate the many benefits of collaborating with other organisations. Importantly, he will also highlight the potential pitfalls thus helping to ensure that your collaborative efforts are as successful as possible.

Time for a short break to stretch your legs!

Come along for an informal chat to see what help is available in your local area and a chance to network with likeminded people.