At Scott-Moncrieff we are passionate about SMEs. When it comes to companies of this size, their opportunities, the issues they face, and the overall business landscape, we know our stuff and we want to share it with you.

At our upcoming seminars in Glasgow and Edinburgh, we’ll cover the importance of embracing technology, looking at the need to adopt ‘Making Tax Digital’ and detailing the benefits of Cloud accounting. We’ll also discuss succession planning and will explain how Scott-Moncrieff can help you take your business to the next level.

You can see the full details, including the agenda, here.

If you’d like to attend, please email the following information to sm.events@scott-moncrieff.com:

Name:
Company:
Job title:
Seminar (please delete as appropriate): Edinburgh / Glasgow

Note that spaces are limited and will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

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On Wednesday morning we were hosted at The Data Lab in South College Street by Craig Paterson and his colleagues.

They are two years old, and part of University of Edinburgh.  Recent new members of the Chamber – Craig gave an interesting run through of what they do and what data science means for business.  Their overarching aim is to develop high value jobs in Scotland in the area of data science.  They will take a business problem you have and using your data, apply their teams to it and draw out practical solutions for you.

They have over 90 MSc students available to them and a team of full time experts as well.  They will work on small or large projects and costing is done on a day rate basis.  They do receive some Government funding and their remit is to drive revenue and productivity growth in Scotland.

Craig began by reference to the Gartner Hype Cycle – he said ‘Big Data’ is in this cycle currently.  It is a hot topic and everyone refers to it as the silver bullet which will solve all our problems (real and perceived!).  Then this hype reaches a peak and starts to decline as reality kicks in and there is disappointment at the belief that whilst it may work for other businesses, it doesn’t work in mine.

He talked about the V journey of data science; Volume, Velocity, Variety, Veracity and now Value.  His feeling is that the most important question we must ask of our business data is – what is it’s purpose?  The difference between a data analyst and a scientist is the value added by a data scientist.  The Datalab prides itself on always keeping the practical business problem at the heart of the data work up.

The next area he addressed was the rise of Artificial Intelligence (most relevant for business is the area of machine learning) and suggested we need to think about the opportunity for more thinking jobs than manual labour and how this affects the world of commerce.  They work on giving executive education around how to get the most out of the data work that is available.  He reminded us that we keep the human overlay on top of any algorythmic modelling we do.  He gave an example of the New York Ambulance Service.  They positioned ambulances out in the City having analysed where most people have requirement for them.  However it was found that much of the time the crew would not be in those places.  When asked why – they explained there was no where to buy coffee or find a restroom!  So then the map was redrawn and waiting points were found that satisfied the human need as well!   Stirling Council had done a similar route map and had found drivers were not sticking to it as it wasn’t near to a sausage roll bakery!

In wrapping up he emphasised that scoping the real problem is crucial in data science.  Question and Answer session was engaging and I think we are all getting more educated about this fascinating new era of big data and how to keep using it for improving profitable revenue growth.

The Datalab can be contacted via info@thedatalab.com or by calling +44 (0) 1316514905.

Macmillan LogoMacmillan Cancer Support is appealing for brave volunteers to abseil from the Forth Rail Bridge on Sunday 7 June.

The cancer charity is one of the lead charities for the Forth Rail Bridge abseil, which is organised by the Rotary Club of South Queensferry.  Participants will have the chance to abseil 165ft SAS style, (ie freefall) from the Forth Rail Bridge onto the beach below.

Fundraising Manager for Edinburgh, Jayne Forbes, said “The Forth Rail Bridge challenge is a real adrenaline rush for the daring and the ultimate challenge for the rest of us!  No previous experience is necessary and it’s suitable for everyone over the age of fourteen.  All of the funds raised for Macmillan from the event will support our vital services for people affected by cancer.  We help people in many ways, from specialist nurses and doctors, to help and advice for people who have financial worries as a result of their cancer diagnosis. So why not sign up today and help us ensure no one in Edinburgh faces cancer alone?”

The registration fee for the event is £25 and participants pledge to raise a further £125.  To sign up, contact Macmillan on 0300 1000 200 or email fundraising@macmillan.org.uk
Macmillan - OSNI Abseil Julie Murray

Julie Murray abseiling down the Forth Rail Bridge

Edinburgh Rugby LogoGet behind Edinburgh Rugby this Friday as they take on Bordeaux-Begles in the final round of the group stages of the European Cup –  they need to win this game to nail that quarter-final place!  It’s their biggest game since their European semi final appearance in Dublin in 2012.

Your support in this game would mean a massive amount to the whole team and each and every one of us knows how much you cheering us on can do for the performance on the night.  Be there with us, making that huge push, and cheering Edinburgh Rugby!

Simply log on http://bit.ly/15lp2Rw

Call our ticket centre – 0131 346 5180

Or in person at the Edinburgh Rugby ticket centre, off Roseburn Street

We hope you will be able to make it along this Friday

Twitter : @edinburghrugbyEdinburgh Rugby v Bordeaux-Begles - 23rd January

Capital Document SolutionsEdinburgh-based professionals can learn how to win more business by attending an exclusive event organised by Capital Document Solutions.

The company, which is headquartered on the city’s McDonald Road, is welcoming “Mr LinkedIn” Miles Duncan to deliver an expert presentation focusing on the online social media platform.

Miles – the creator of the LinkedIn Success Blueprint – will teach delegates how to discover and win new clients, secure more referrals and become a LinkedIn expert.

The free event takes place on Thursday, February 5, between 5:30pm and 7pm and will include refreshments and an informal networking session.

Limited places are available so early booking is advised. Anyone interested in attending should visit http://bit.ly/17DBlJC to register.

Mark Harvie, area sales director at Capital, said:I have used LinkedIn many times to help me get an understanding of my clients and prospects to help me open new doors. I would strongly encourage all businesspeople to get involved in the forthcoming LinkedIn Seminar – to help you achieve your business goals.”

Calum MacInnes, database and marketing manager at Capital, said: “As a company, we have been building up our presence on social media over the past few years. However, we were aware that we were not exploiting LinkedIn to its full potential. For example, many staff had created their own profiles and there was a need to align them all together and pool our efforts in order to make the most of this powerful professional networking tool.”

Established in 1979, Capital provides a range of office document and print solutions including copiers, printers, scanners and software with comprehensive national maintenance and training support.

The company specialises in advising public and private sector organisations on how to rationalise their mixed fleet of copiers, printers, scanners and faxes as well as control and reduce copy/print volumes through significant improvements in document processes.

Capital Document Solutions has 205 staff at operations in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Aberdeen, Inverness and Shetland. For further information visit www.capital-solutions.co.uk

Learn all about Fixed Interest Investor Opportunities! At LendingCrowd, Scotland’s first Crowdlending provider.

On Dec 9th at 5.30pm at our 23 Manor Place, West End, Edinburgh.

Investors are excited about Crowdlending returns. And so are we. Come and learn how Crowdlending is enabling investors to directly fund loans to small businesses at our exclusive Seminar. Many UK small businesses are turning to Crowdlending to fund their growth, experiencing difficulties in accessing loan funds via traditional channels.

For investors, attractive returns can range from 5.95% to over 13% (before a 1% annual fee and any losses due to default on the LendingCrowd platform~). And there are further opportunities to suit a greater range of investors on the strength of selecting loans in which they wish to invest based on their risk appetite, industry or regional knowledge…

People can invest as little as £20 into a loan. And, even better, right now we’re running an FounderInvestor programme. This offers investors a 2% bonus on sums invested of £5,000 to £100,000, or a £50 bonus on investments of between £500 and £4,999#

The evening’s event will be hosted by LendingCrowd’s CEO, Stuart Lunn.

Agenda:

  • Introduction to Crowdlending
  • Investing across the LendingCrowd platform
  • Video case studies
  • Q&A

Discover why everyone’s talking about it: Register now with Heather.mackay@lendingcrowd.com

Lending Crowd

Alzheimer Scotland LogoCome along to a Christmas themed shopping evening with a festive 20% off at Austin Reed, 102-104 George Street, Edinburgh, on Thursday 4 December.  Enjoy complimentary refreshments and entertainment, browse Alzheimer Scotland’s selection of Christmas cards and learn more about our work making sure no one goes through dementia alone.  RSVP to fundraising@alzscot.org or call 0131 243 1453.

Alzheimer Scotland & Austin Reed Event 2014

ecoConnectWe would be delighted if you could join us at our next ecoConnect forum on Cleantech: The Key Ingredient for a Sustainable Food & Drink Industry

Key issues will be debated by our Expert Panel, including:

Julie Hesketh-Laird, Director of Operational & Technical Affairs, Scottish Whisky Association
Andrew Lyle, Managing Director, Locogen
Robert Ramsay, Chairman, Kinblethmont Farm & Director, SoilEssentials Ltd
Final speaker tbc shortly.

Topics to be discussed include:

  • Where are the key opportunities for resource efficiency & how can the Cleantech & Food/Drink sectors (including agricultural landowners) partner to create an integrated approach to sustainability across the supply chain?
  • What is the role of renewables in the sector, where are the technology success stories and challenges coming from? What lessons need to be learnt?
  • Where will the drivers for innovation come from? Are regulations & initiatives (eg. the Circular Economy & waste directives) key? What role can & should SMEs play?
  • Where are the carbon emission reduction success stories coming from & where are the challenges?
  • How integrated is the approach to sustainability across the supply chain from the producer at the start of the process to the consumer at the end?
  • How equal is the relationship between the retailers and the producers – where are the costs of improving sustainability being borne? Who holds the balance of power?

For more information please visit:

http://www.cvent.com/events/cleantech-the-key-ingredient-for-a-sustainable-food-drink-industry-edinburgh-/event-summary-543af2a3e1f348aa97b4bbb42953edd7.aspx

 

 

Edinburgh Rugby LogoThe last time Edinburgh Rugby played the welshmen in the Capital, a fast paced game resulted in 7 tries with the home side falling agonisingly short at the death. It will be another hard fought battle, one which Edinburgh Rugby will go all out to WIN!

URL : http://www.edinburghrugby.org/match-report/edinburgh-rugby-vs-cardiff-blues-sun-23112014-1600

er_vBlues

Edinburgh Rugby v Cardiff Blues

One of Scotland’s foremost musical stars will entertain hundreds of Edinburgh music lovers as part of a concert sponsored by Capital Document Solutions.

Conducted by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO), Oundjian and Benedetti takes place at the city’s Usher Hall on Friday, November 14.

Nicola Benedetti, an internationally renowned classical violinist, will be joined by the RSNO’s music director, Peter Oundjian, to perform Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No.4 and Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto No.1.

Originally from West Kilbride, Nicola has performed at some of the world’s most prestigious venues as part of major orchestras. In 2013, she was awarded an MBE for her services to music and charity.

Tom Flockhart, founder and managing director of office equipment specialist Capital Document Solutions, said: “Nicola Benedetti is one of the brightest musical talents this country has to offer so we are delighted for our company to be associated with this concert, which promises to be a fantastic occasion.

“The RSNO does a terrific job in raising the profile of the arts in Scotland and, as a long-standing supporter of the organization, it is an honour to help them continue their fine work.”

Limited tickets for the concert are available to buy via the RSNO’s website: http://www.rsno.org.uk/whatson/?c_id=218&action=Read+More&month=11&year=2014

The Royal Scottish National Orchestra is one of Europe’s leading symphony orchestras. Formed in 1891 as the Scottish Orchestra, the company became the Scottish National Orchestra in 1950, and was awarded Royal Patronage in 1991.

Throughout its proud history, the Orchestra has played an important part in Scotland’s musical life, including performing at the opening ceremony of the Scottish Parliament building in 2004

For further information visit www.rsno.org.uk

Established in 1979, Capital is Scotland’s largest independent supplier of office equipment and document solutions. It provides copiers, printers, scanners and software with comprehensive national maintenance and training support to businesses and organisations in the private and public sectors.

The company employs 205 people across Scotland, including operations in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee, Aberdeen, Inverness and Shetland.

For further information visit www.capital-solutions.co.uk

Nicola BendettiNicola Benedetti