Celebrate with our QMU ‘Class of 2014’. View QMU’s first celebratory graduation film.
GRADUATION — One of ‘the best days of our lives!’
Commenting on the release of official data which shows that Scotland’s GDP grew by 1.0% in the first quarter of 2014, therefore exceeding UK GDP growth of 0.8%. Figures indicate an annual growth in Scottish GDP of 2.6%, when comparing the first quarter in 2014 to the same quarter in 2013.
Liz Cameron, Chief Executive of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said:
“News of continued growth in the Scottish economy is welcome. The largest growth was experienced in the total output in the Production sector which grew by 2.1%, driven by growth in manufacturing of 3.4%.
“Various sectors are experiencing an increase in economic activity and future investment will be essential to continue this journey. Particular attention should be paid to monitoring the skills shortage in some sectors to maintain the path of growth.”
Maclay Murray & Spens LLP (MMS), the commercial law firm with offices in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and London, has reported a robust financial performance in the last financial year, which has seen firm turnover increase by 7.3 per cent to £43.3m (£40.4m). Profit available to all members for the year ended 31 May 2014 reached £14.1m, up from £10.8m the previous year (30 per cent), while profit per equity partner (PEP) increased by £50,000 to £261,000 (24 per cent).
Particularly strong performance in corporate, tax, real estate, construction and financial services activity allowed the firm to invest further in its London and Scottish offices, including the appointment of five lawyers to partner in the course of the last financial year, with an additional four lawyers promoted to partner on 1 June.
Kenneth Shand, chief executive of MMS, said: “Maclay Murray & Spens is in excellent shape, both at a strategic and operational level, which is testament to the commitment of our partners and staff, who have maintained a clear focus on delivering what really matters to clients.
“The legal sector has faced a period of considerable economic uncertainty and has also had to tackle structural change. We have by no means been immune to these challenges but I am confident we have a very strong platform from which to move forward. In fact, the underlying trend is even more encouraging with our total profit figure showing an increase of 35 per cent before exceptional costs.
“Irrespective of the outcome of September’s independence referendum, we believe clients will continue to look for legal advisers who share their own vision. Continued investment in our London and Scottish offices, underpinned by our active role in Lex Mundi, the leading global network of independent law firms, remains at the heart of our strategy, which will allow us to support clients across domestic and international markets.”
Kenneth Shand – Chief Executive
Inlingua has been offering foreign language courses since 2005 throughout the year for employers and employees who need to improve their language skills in
Arabic – French – Germane – Greek – Italian – Japanese – Mandarin – Norwegian – Russian – Spanish – Swedish – Turkish
Our native speakers are qualified and experienced inlingua teachers who offer classes tailored to different needs; whether it is dealing with tradespeople or just wanting to be comfortable inday to day transactions with colleagues and clients from abroad.
Our Conversational group courses take place once a week at our premises in the West End and our focus is on speaking. Private or duo lessons are flexible in time and date with option of in-house training.
For further information about prices, terms and conditions, please contact reception at
info@inlingua-edinburgh.co.uk , Tel 0131 220 5119.
Desk Union is celebrating this week having signed a contract with the Royal Bank of Scotland to launch an innovative community workspace on the first floor of the bank’s iconic flagship branch, 36 St Andrew Square, in the heart of Edinburgh.
This pioneering coworking space, branded Desk Union at The Square will consist of 24 workspaces alongside a large meeting room, available for hire by the hour. Businesses will be able to use the space from August and it is hoped the pioneering concept will help young businesses and entrepreneurs flourish and thrive.
Victoria Arnold, CEO, Desk Union, comments: “We are absolutely delighted to have the backing of Royal Bank of Scotland and are so excited to start taking on members, allowing them to build communities and collaborate through the use of this unique space in such a prime location.
“The way we work is changing. We are no longer restricted to set hours or based in office cubicles. Businesses crave ‘touchdown’ workspace, where workers can meet, connect and collaborate with like minded coworkers. In recognising this growing trend for shared space, flexible working, Royal Bank of Scotland will be supporting growth businesses across Scotland that are looking for workspace in the city’s capital.”
Chris Wilson, Managing Director of branch and private banking, Royal Bank of Scotland, explains: “I am delighted to be able to support Desk Union. Royal Bank of Scotland is playing the leading role in Scotland in supporting entrepreneurs and this is yet another example of RBS’s commitment to getting the economy moving. The money made from this project will be reinvested back in to creating similar work-spaces around the country so that other entrepreneurs and businesses can benefit.”
Victoria continues: “We are currently identifying next steps with RBS in terms of a potential further roll out. We would be delighted to hear from other corporations that are interested in doing something similar.”
To book a tour of this new space, or to discuss membership pricing and availability please contact hello@deskunion.co.uk, or call 0800 1588558.
(L-R) Victoria Arnold (CEO, Desk Union) & Chris Wilson (Managing Director of branch and private banking, RBS)
MuleKick Media, fellow members of the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, announce today the launch of their, for a limited period, Free Reputation Marketing trial for members of the Chamber.
This short YouTube video that we’ve created shows the importance of building a strong Online Reputation and how we’re doing that for some Edinburgh companies. It also gives more details on the Month’s Free Trial that we are currently offering Chamber members:
Just paste this web URL into your browser to view the video: http://goo.gl/ZW7ZRs or click our logo:
What you get in your Free Month’s Trial:
- The MuleKick team will check your Google+ Local free listing to ensure your listing has been done correctly – crucial to helping you rank highly in Google.
- We’ll install some software on your website which makes it as easy as possible for you to direct happy customers to post reviews on Google (primarily) for you (you can view the software on the MuleKick website Home Page – we’ll advise on how best to do this.
- Phone consultation to outline some ideas for building a Reputation Marketing culture in your business and to developing your Online Reputation and also in dealing with negative reviews.
- We’ll list five other major Online Directories that you need to be listed on (free) which can help with your ranking highly on Google – and broadcasting your good reputation where your prospective customers will see it.
All this is free of charge – with no obligation to carry on working with MuleKick at month’s end. If nothing else you’ll have learnt some strategies for building a 5-Star online reputation – and we are confident you will have more good Customer Reviews than at the start of the trial.
Visit the Free Trial page on your website: www.mulekickmedia.co.uk or
Call: Frank Kelly – 07711 327359 or email: frank@mulekickmedia.co.uk
Queen Margaret University film and media students have been spreading their own special brand of happiness around local businesses and across the global, as part of their ‘Working in the Media’ module.
Each year, the QMU students undertake a project with external clients which involves the production of a media product such as a film, website or social media campaign. Often the client is a small business, charity or community group, some of which don’t have the expertise needed to produce specialist promotional media. The result is therefore a win-win situation – our students gain excellent practical and technical experience working on a live project, and the client gets a high quality promotional tool.
2nd year students on the BA (Hons) Film and Media degree, Siril Borgersen, Anine Rygg and Sophia Saheicha, teamed up with Clifton Hall School in Edinburgh this Easter to create an energetic short video set to the chart-topping single ‘Happy’ by singer Pharrell Williams’.
The fun film ‘Clifton Hall Does Happy’ demonstrates the dancing skills of staff and students at the school and has such a great feel-good factor, that it is now being used on the institution’s website and YouTube to show people what a happy school it is.
The feel-good factor has already spread beyond Scotland with many views taking place in California. The school has been able to identify that ‘Clifton Hall Does Happy’ has been viewed by staff at Stanford University in California!
The foot-tapping video has also generated enquiries from parents interested in enrolling their children at Clifton Hall School and into its ‘happy’ environment.
To watch ‘Clifton Hall Does Happy’ visit: www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0TbLjYLQrU
Another group of film and media students has teamed up with an East Lothian home improvement network to help it attract more members and to give its social and digital media presence a boost.
The REdesign network offers furniture up-cycling and refurbishment services for house-proud residents in East Lothian, as well as staging a range of creative upcycling workshops, pop-up shops and local community group events throughout the year.
QMU level two students, Stuart MacKenzie, Connor Mullan, Blue Rainbird and Roni Simpson worked with REdesign to build a new social media network, linking together Facebook and Twitter, as well as photo and video sharing channels – Instagram, Vine and Pinterest. The students also created a new image and logo for REdesign, by advising on a new style of photography to reflect the network as it develops.
The results of the students’ work are already having a positive impact on REdesign’s membership and online presence.
If other East Lothian and Edinburgh businesses and voluntary organisations are interested in finding out more about QMU’s film and media client projects they should contact Denny Collie on E: dcollie@qmu.ac.uk
Chamber members and a guest are warmly invited to celebrate 20 years of the Festival Theatre at a special business event on Tuesday 27 May 2014. Beginning with a drinks reception at 6pm you’ll have the opportunity to find out more about the theatre’s illustrious past, its current programmes and the famous faces that have graced its stage before being led on a behind-the scenes tour with mini-performances along the way. The evening will culminate in a party on Scotland’s biggest stage with live music, drinks and canapés.
There are a number of opportunities to promote your business at the Festival Theatre from client entertaining, advertising, sponsorship, staff rewards and support for our extensive community programme. Come along and find out more about getting involved with one of Scotland’s most important independent theatres on this special anniversary.
Dress code: Business Attire
If you could RSVP to the details on the flyer below by 23 May stating any access requirements you may have. If you are unable to attend, please feel free to pass your invitation on to a colleague.
I very much hope to see you there.
Miituu Ltd have recently joined Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce and wanted to extend an invitation to members to participate in a survey we are currently running to capture the diverse public opinions of the forthcoming Scottish referendum.
By providing everyone with the opportunity to express their views, miituu aims to capture the very essence of the referendum debate. The video wall allows participants to engage in civilised dialogue while also examining alternative points of view in a collaborative manner.
Through miituu’s video feedback technology, anyone can take part in the debate. Participants can record and share their perspective on the debate at any time using their mobile/tablet devices or webcam. Simply download the “miituu Lite” App from either the Google Play or Apple App Stores or click on this link to use your webcam: http://bit.ly/myscotref
CEO of miituu, David High, said “miituu’s Scottish referendum video wall allows everyone to share their thoughts, opinion and concerns through video. This enables us to capture and share the real emotions, expressions and opinions of the debate, making our videowall a much more visual and personal representation of peoples views on the referendum debate.
To view the referendum videowall and to take part go to http://referendum.miituu.tv/ or alternatively download the miituu lite app here:
Android: http://bit.ly/1fA2KNj
Event: Business Enterprise
Start: May 22, 2014 6:00 pm
End: May 22, 2014 8:30 pm
Venue: Sky Bar
Address: The Point Hotel, 34 Bread Street,Edinburgh, EH3 9AF
JCI runs so many engaging activities to enhance the development of young professionals in Edinburgh. Our Business Enterprise Day is an Open event suitable for anyone who wants to find out more about JCI, hear from some Entrepreneurs and other Business professionals and network in a friendly environment.
We have two fantastic Business speakers for the evening. Our first speaker for the evening is entrepreneur Leah Hutchison from Appointedd. Appointeed is an online booking portal that lets you browse beauty salons and hairdressers near you, compare services across different salons, leave and read reviews, and of course, book appointments. Leah has appeared on the BBC 2 show Meet the Entrepreneurs and was a runner up of the Scottish Government’s EDGE programme.
Our second speaker is John Loughton, Youth Leader and Entrepreneur. John is a JCI World 2013 Ten Outstanding Young Persons winner, Winner of Big Brother Celebrity Highjack, Former Chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament and in his day job he is CEO of Dare 2 Lead. John will share his experiences of his Political and Business career and will provide us with Leadership top tips.
You will get the chance meet many of our members, Patrons and partners at the event and find out what event JCI Edinburgh has lined up for the coming months.
Book your FREE place now at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jci-edinburgh-business-enterprise-day-tickets-8834497219
