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Connecting | Advocating | Influencing

Autumn 2010

Sponsored by

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CONTENTS

4 New Members

6 News Leisure & Retail Special

8 The Overgate: Celebrating ten years in fashion

10 Energy News

12 Michelin: When Good Isn’t Good Enough

15 Tayside Police

17 Employment News

19 James Keiller Estates

22 Chamber News

23 Ask the Coach

Dundee & AngusChamber of Commerce

enquiries@dundeeandanguschamber.co.ukwww.dundeeandanguschamber.co.ukt: 01382 228545

Cover photograph: ‘Arbroath Harbour’ courtesy of Scottish Viewpoint.

Designed by Kall Kwik Dundee.Proofed by Pat Baxter Language Services.

Dundee & Angus Chamber of Commerce is proud to acknowledge its Platinum Partners

A word from the PresidentThe last quarter has seen continued turbulence, and many local businesses have become risk averse, opting to reduce borrowings and overheads, as opposed to investing in people, marketing, products or services. While this approach may be necessary in the short term, it can have long-term consequences. The VAT rise in January 2011 isn’t good news for anyone. Add that to rising fuel and energy costs, and it is no wonder there is a lot of uncertainty locally. Cuts in public sector spending will have an impact on the local economy, as so many local companies have come to rely on public sector contracts. Those who can negotiate on price or be more creative on what they can offer in terms of value will have an advantage. But, painful as these cuts may be for some of us, we are all taxpayers, and I for one expect and demand public sector procurement to deliver the best possible value. The DACC event programme will be full until the end of the year, with some high-profile events scheduled and the next series of Master Classes starting. Lady Susan Rice of Lloyds Banking Group, one of the most prominent female business executive to smash through the ‘glass ceiling,’ is just one of the international business leaders that Chamber members will be able to learn from. I intend to be at as many of the Master Classes as possible and I hope to see many of you there, because in these uncertain times, the one thing that I am sure of is that if we join together and share ideas, we have a better chance of overcoming our common challenges.

Best regards

Chris LundieDACC President

Chamber Advert Sept 10 PRINT 23/8/10 10:46 Page 1 C M Y CM MY CY CMY K

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Tag GamesTag Games is a video game developer and publisher. It is based in Dundee, but distributes games to a global market via digital platforms such as the Apple App Store. Formed in 2006, Tag has focused upon creating games for mobile and handheld platforms, but is now extending capacity to a wider range of technologies including Nintendo Wii, Sony PSP and Facebook. Successfully

mixing the development of original content and work for a range of global clients, including BBC, Virgin Atlantic, Channel 4, Namco Bandai and Square/Enix, Tag is a fast-growing and ambitious company, already earning a reputation for excellence and creativity. www.tag-games.com

Shaftesbury HotelThe Shaftesbury Hotel is a well established small hotel located in the west end of Dundee, just off the Perth Road. The hotel has recently been purchased by Heather Langlands and Martin Fouracre, who have 12 years’ experience in the hospitality sector. They will concentrate on providing excellent accommodation for both business and leisure guests, visiting and/or working

in Dundee. The Shaftesbury offers a mix of 11 bedrooms and a lounge bar, and is an ideal venue for small group meetings, christenings and funeral teas. Future plans include the opening of a restaurant.www.shaftesburyhotel.net

Murray TaylorEstablished in 1990, Murray Taylor is a firm of chartered certified accountants and business advisers, providing a full range of accountancy services to limited companies, partnerships, sole traders and private clients throughout Scotland and beyond, including overseas ‘ex-pat’ clients worldwide. The firm provides traditional compliance services and helps its clients to meet the necessary

statutory and legislative requirements, but also works with its customers to develop their business and improve their profitability. It also suggests strategies for improving personal wealth. Its wide-ranging mix of clients helps it to blend its experience and provide positive and proactive solutions, while its interpersonal skills enables it to forge enduring partnerships with clients. www.murray-taylor.com

Change is in the air at DACC, with Karolina going back home to Poland. Her energy, creativity and hard work have played a major role in building DACC and she will be sorely missed. But we aren’t standing still and Lori has already joined the team as our new administrator. Change is the only constant, and the best way to face its challenges is with the support of others. Support from the rest of the team and the members will help Lori develop at DACC. It is the same for businesses. All members face common challenges and we will all be more successful in addressing them if we learn from each other and support each other. So, make sure that you are engaged with your Chamber and your fellow Chamber members: it is the best value support network money can buy.

Alison McAllanAlison McAllan has 40 years’ experience working with older people in Angus, and has often observed how they can become isolated and lonely. She visits prospective clients to discuss what could be done do to make them feel part of society again. It may be a friendly visit or outings. When their family are on holiday, Alison can be ‘on call’ 24 hours a day for emergencies: stepping into a

son or daughters role. Alison’s client base covers Forfar, Kirriemuir and Brechin. alison@tannadice13.plus.com

Companies DirectCompanies Direct are registered providers of company formation and business support services, and offer services to established businesses, professional intermediaries, and ‘new starts’. From the provision of a wide range of back-office support services, online accounting, bookkeeping and online company formation,

Companies Direct also provides company secretarial, director and nominee services to individuals and businesses, locally and nationally. Offices in Perth, Edinburgh and central London, mean it is well placed to provide cost-effective registered, correspondence and virtual offices to clients, along with call handling and mail processing. www.companiesdirect.co.uk

Hit ReachHit Reach is a web design and development agency based in Arbroath. It specialises in ‘WordPress’-based websites, search engine optimisation, web reporting and analysis, and online marketing, including Google Adwords & Social Media. Hit Reach is less than two years old, but the team can offer ten years’ experience producing work for the likes of IBM, Oxford University

Press and Gartner. If you need a new website or help in deciding where your business needs to focus most online, then Hit Reach would like to hear from you to see if you think they would be a good fit for your business. www.hitreach.com

McGillMcGill is a specialist services provider serving clients in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors, as well as homeowners. With more than 29 years’ experience, and branches in Dundee, Glasgow and Dalgety Bay, McGill covers the whole of Scotland, providing a complete service from design to installation and maintenance. Its services include electrical,

mechanical, heating, plumbing, property refurbishment, design and build, fire and security, fire sprinklers, electrical preventive maintenance and testing, renewables, energy monitoring, and planned and reactive maintenance, all delivered by skilled and experienced teams. Its aim is to provide a quality service with innovative solutions.www.mcgill.co.uk

Moda Interiors Moda Interiors is a stylish, contemporary, family-run kitchen studio located in the heart of the City Quay development in Dundee. Its showroom is home to one of the world’s largest kitchen brands – ALNO – and it showcases the very latest in German kitchen design and innovation. With more than 30 years’ combined experience in the kitchen industry, the Moda team offers

a personal, friendly and professional service, project managing each job from concept to completion. The firm prides itself on its inspirational designs that meet the very individual requirements of every client’s home and lifestyle.www.modainteriors.co.uk

PeninsulaEstablished in 1983, Peninsula is the UK’s largest employment law and health and safety consultancy, providing fast and practical 24-hour advice to 25,000 employers. It leaves nothing to chance, providing insurance indemnity, ‘TaxWise’ – a tax-free protection service against investigation – and ‘BusinessWise’ – the complete HR management tool to ease the burden on

employers. The firm informs and aids clients every step of the way, giving them a more certain future. The firm aims to take care of all of its clients’ employment law and health & safety issues, leaving clients to focus on growing their business.www.peninsula-uk.com

MEMBERSNew

Other new membersAM Forbeswww.amforbes.com

Coffee Exchangewww.capstoneprojects.org.uk

Dundee Nitrogen Companywww.dundeenitrogen.co.uk

Ecosse Globalwww.ecosseglobaluk.com

Figure 8 Consultancy Service Ltdwww.F8C.co.uk

450450 Taxiswww.tay-taxis.co.uk

Guild Homeswww.guild-homes.co.uk

Louise Beattie Photographywww.louisebeattie.com

Metoc Plcwww.metoc.co.uk

Oracle Corporation UK Ltdwww.oracle.com

Port of Dundeewww.forthports.co.uk

Premier Inn Northwww.premierinn.com

Proshop Approachmrbiondi@hotmail.com

Stirling Toner & Cowww.stirlingtoner.co.uk

The Mortgage Doctorswww.themortgagedoctors.biz

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News ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

Alistair FlemingNew marque arrives æSporty Seat SetS SightS on DunDee following the opening of a new SEAT dealership in the city by motor group Alistair Fleming. The opening of the new dealership, which joins forces with its existing Citroën franchise, represents a significant development for the family-run business. Alistair Fleming’s Dealer Principal, Tony Samuel, said: ‘We are absolutely thrilled to bring the SEAT brand to Dundee and Perth. It is one of the most exciting marques on the market.’www.alistairfleming.com

Dundee Science CentreDSC is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year æDSC FirSt openeD itS DoorS on 1 July 2000 under the name Sensation. The Centre, an independent educational charity, was Tayside’s Millennium project and like many Millennium projects, it experienced difficult times in the early years. But at a time when many other projects failed, DSC achieved stability and pursued ambitions to become an integrated learning resource for the local community. Now DSC offers a wide range of experiences to local people, schools, companies, universities and more. It is recognised as a high-quality learning resource, with programmes for teachers and school pupils to help inspire curiosity and confidence in today’s learners and the scientists of tomorrow. Adult programmes, such as ‘Reclaim’ and ‘Café Science Extra’, offer interesting and innovative ways for adults to enjoy the science centre and hear about Dundee’s cutting-edge science research. Professional development programmes provide research scientists with skills and confidence to engage with the public. The Centre’s ‘birthday’ is being celebrated with a range of events leading up to the launch of the DSC Science Learning

Institute: the next step in realising DSC’s aspirations to serve the Tayside community. www.sensation.org.uk

Forbes of KingennieLuxury house of the year æForbeS oF Kingennie CelebrateD SuCCeSS at the Scottish Home Awards when it won the Luxury House of the Year prize for its development at Kingennie Fields. ‘Eagle-eyed’ readers will have noticed that Gail and the team at Forbes of Kingennie are having a great year, having also enjoyed success in the Best Bar None Angus Awards. All we can say is: ‘keep up the good work’. www.forbesofkingennie.com

PiperdamPiperdam gets active æin 2011 a nuMber oF hoSeaSonS’ FlagShip parks around the country will be launching ‘Go-Active Breaks’. Piperdam will be leading the way and heading up Hoseasons’ new programme, which is capitalising on the growing ‘staycation’ trend, and building up to the 2012 Olympic Games. ‘Go-Active Breaks’ have been designed to provide customers with a range of outdoor and indoor active experiences for all ages and types. They will provide holidaymakers with a big selection of mainstream sporting activities, including quad biking, professional coaching in archery and fencing, horse riding and mountain biking.

Clare McNally, Product Development Manager at Piperdam, said: ‘Piperdam Golf & Leisure Resort is committed to providing opportunities for our holidaymakers to have a healthier holiday. The exciting, new Go-Active Breaks programme will offer our customers the perfect environment in which to enjoy their favourite sport, kick off a new interest, or simply have fun and get active whilst on holiday.’ www.piperdam.com

Dundee CollegeDundee FC fashion show hook up æDunDee College iS teaMing up with DunDee Football Club to offer new opportunities to students in the city. The goal of this partnership is to see students from a wide range of disciplines gain valuable experience across many aspects of Dundee FC’s operation. College staff visited the club and the resulting discussions identified a number of target areas where students could gain experience. For example, media students can become involved with DFC TV, conducting interviews and filming Dundee FC players; while plans for a DFC fashion show offers an ideal opportunity for students on the fashion programmes at the college to become involved. Other areas identified as ideal for a collaborative effort include Dundee FC’s nascent plans for a landscaping project behind the South Enclosure of Dens Park, where college horticulture students could play an important role; and opportunities for hospitality and tourism students to become involved with the club’s catered events. College staff are looking forward to working closely with a further nine local firms thanks to the launch of the Innovation Voucher Scheme, a Scottish Funding Council (SFC) initiative designed to support SMEs through increased collaboration with colleges. The leisure industry is one of the areas so far covered by the scheme, as culture and tourism are high on its agenda. www.dundeecollege.ac.uk www.dundeefc.co.uk

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Platinum Partner

Celebrating ten years in fashionfashion fix and offer an exciting array of fashion features, news and competitions, as well as interactive elements, such as a style-spotted gallery and style selector tool. Visit www.fashionista.co.uk and check it out.

Opportunities to grow your business at Overgate

Set in the heart of Dundee’s City Centre, Overgate is a unique shopping experience, with over 60 of the best high street retailers on two floors in a stunning architectural setting.

But it also houses several floors of city centre office space, offering a number of areas that provide space for both national and local businesses to rent office space on a short-term or permanent basis. High quality, modernised open-plan office space is currently available at competitive rates. Car parking and lift access is available.

Available space:Level 3 – 315 square metres (3,390 sq ft)Level 4 – 320 square metres (3,444 sq ft)Level 5 – 85 square metres (910 sq ft)* Each floor is available separately

For more information contact Jonathan Reid at J&E Shepherd Chartered Surveyors, 13 Albert Square, Dundee, 01382 878005.Email: j.redi@shepherd.co.uk

Overgate also offers a number of areas on the mall that provide space for companies to sell their services and products to the Dundee catchment on a temporary basis. There are several promotional spaces and free-standing units to rent within the busy lower and upper malls, providing companies with flexibility for promoting and selling products and services to a captive audience.

For commercialisation enquiries please contact Susie Fisher on 01382 314233 or email Susie.fisher@lendlease.co.uk

Since opening ten years ago, Overgate has been a catalyst for change in helping to promote Dundee as a major retail and leisure destination. It has almost doubled the amount of prime, city centre, retail space in the city, and has been credited with moving Dundee’s retail position in Scotland from 8th to 4th, attracting 40 new retailers and drawing over 13 million visitors ever year.

The 420,000 sq ft centre has more than 60 retail units. It hosts some of the UK’s most famous high street brands, including its flagship Debenhams, River Island, Next, New Look, H&M, French Connection, La Senza, Gap, Oasis and Primark.

After 10 years at the heart of Dundee, Overgate is still a fashion ‘mecca’, and 2010 has seen it expand its already impressive retail mix with a new 13,668 sq ft Topshop and Topman, offering even more choice for fashion conscious shoppers. Arcadia-owned Topshop and Topman are the ultimate shopping destinations, and have been credited with re-invigorating the great British high street in recent years. Designer collaborations with fashion icons, such as Kate Moss, and affordable, trend-driven collections ensure popularity with a wide range of fashion savvy shoppers.

Overgate is now also able to offer shoppers a designer retail experience with the opening of a Cruise boutique. The store has long been established in Glasgow and Edinburgh, and is renowned for its wide selection of designer labels and luxury brands. Tayside shoppers can now pick up pieces from designers such as Dolce & Gabanna, Gucci and Burberry, which have never previously been available in Dundee.

Overgate shoppers have an undeniable passion for fashion, and with this in mind the centre is about to launch it’s first ever fashion microsite: ‘Fashionista’. This new consumer website will provide the ultimate

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biomass generation has a role to play in this. Biomass is as reliable as coal or gas, but has a lower environmental impact and affords the potential to supply renewable heat locally.

Forth Energy is a joint venture between Forth Ports and Scottish & Southern Energy, and the company has submitted an application for consent to build the plant to the Scottish Government. Its application for consent includes a detailed environmental statement and a statement explaining the sustainability of the proposals. It follows intensive activity to engage with the local community over the past year, during which time the company has sought local views on its proposal, undertaken a series of public exhibitions, met with the community councils within the area and established a community liaison group. A statement setting out peoples’ comments has been included in the application. Forth Energy will also be submitting applications for plants in Grangemouth, Rosyth and Leith in the coming months. www.forthenergy.co.uk

Dundee RenewablesRenewable energy boost æthe port oF DunDee’S renewable energy credentials have been boosted with the publication of the latest SE/HIE report on future offshore renewable energy developments. The National Renewables Infrastructure Plan Stage 2 Report (NRIP2) has confirmed that Scotland has a unique opportunity to become home to much of the UK’s offshore renewable industry, from design through manufacturing, to pioneering new approaches to installation and operations and maintenance. The report says that Scotland has a stock of suitable sites that could potentially meet industry needs for a broad range of renewable uses, and that investment of around £225m would create a set of clustered port sites that could support an offshore wind sector manufacturing 750 complete offshore wind units a year. This would support over 5,000 jobs. NRIP2 recommends grouping the potential development sites into three regional sites, or ‘clusters’, with Dundee in the Forth/Tay ‘cluster’. Crucially, the report has confirmed what DACC and many others have been saying for some time: the Port of Dundee has all the characteristics required to be a key offshore wind hub and needs relatively little extra development work to get it ready for manufacturing operations to commence. NRIP2 suggests that Dundee only needs £5m additional investment, which is less than all but one of the other potential sites across Scotland. To find out if your organisation could be part of Dundee and Angus’s bright, renewables future, visit www.dundeerenewables.com

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Brunton DesignNever standing still æbrunton DeSign StuDio’S ‘taSManian Devil’ continues to innovate, while still delivering projects on time and within budget. The ‘Devil’ in question is Rodger Brunton, of Brunton Design Studio, a man whose talent, enthusiasm and direct approach are well recognised in the local construction industry. He has built a reputation for imaginative concepts, allied to a pragmatic, no-nonsense approach to the building process: an approach that has won the firm a trophy cabinet of awards and prizes. In his spare time, Rodger keeps busy with what can only be called a ‘wide’ range of activities. DACC was fortunate to see one of these talents earlier this year at the annual Dundee College Vocal Showcase, where Rodger was singing his heart out alongside the college’s many talented students. Bravo! www.bruntondesignstudio.co.uk

Forth Energy£360 million investment æForth energy iS propoSing a £360 Million investment in Dundee through a renewable energy plant it wants to build at the Port of Dundee. The proposed combined heat and power plant could produce 86% of Dundee’s electricity needs and reduce its carbon footprint through the provision of low carbon electricity and heat. Scotland has ambitious renewable energy targets for 50% of electricity and 11% of heat to be generated from renewable sources by 2020, and this development could make a significant contribution to meeting both targets. The plant would create over 300 construction jobs, 40 permanent, operational jobs and up to 20 Port jobs. The Port of Dundee offers unique opportunities to the renewables sector, and

Bank of ScotlandSupporting local businesses æbanK oF SCotlanD iS booSting Support For local businesses with two key appointments. Grant McBay has been appointed as senior business development manager in Tayside, while Alastair Byers will rejoin the team in Dundee as a relationship director. Matt Strachan, senior manager commercial for the Bank - a DACC Platinum partner - said: ‘We’re committed to supporting local firms and these appointments will further strengthen our team in Dundee. Grant is well known in the business community and will focus his support on the real estate and healthcare sectors. Alastair has worked closely with SMEs for many years and is rejoining the team after undertaking a similar role in Perth.’ www.bankofscotland.co.uk

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On 3 January this year I realised a long standing ambition and had

the great pleasure of taking over as Factory Manager for the Michelin

Tyre plant in Dundee.

are needed. It also means they feel the pressure when we have problems. This has particularly been the case over the last four years, and it’s fair to say that this sustained pressure has had a negative impact on their confidence and morale.

The great news though is that we are still here. We have survived probably the most challenging period in the factory’s history. We still employ around 800 people in good, well paid jobs. We live to fight another day.

Our next clear challenge is performance and speed of progress. With the level of competition we face internally from Michelin sister plants, externally from our competitors and globally from low-cost countries, the reality we face is that there will be no place for good factories in the future, only excellent ones, and we need to transform Dundee from good to excellent. The start of this transformation is to make people believe they can do it. We need to build their confidence and self-belief. We have to reassure them that they have the skills and ability to achieve what is needed, and that the company, my senior team and I all believe in them.

This campaign was launched at all-hands meetings, during which we also laid out clear and simple tactics that they could see would deal with our issues and, if we implemented them well, they would work. Within these tactics, we have made commitments to transform the site in physical and performance terms. Our management style has been deliberately relaxed to give people space to breathe and the confidence and support to take decisions to make things happen. We have focused on a small number of priorities that simplify the daily business and offer opportunities to be successful. As they say, ‘success breeds success’ and ‘a winning team is a confident team’. We will be confident and aggressive. Our aim is success, not survival. This change in mind-set from defensive to offensive alters every thought we have and every decision we take.

In terms of basic performance, our determination is that when we commit to a target we deliver it. Our priority focus is on first-aid accidents, monthly production volume and scrap. By attacking these priorities, we better assure that we meet our fundamental target of producing high quality tyres safely, and we drag with them most of the other targets we have.

We have also started to accelerate our progress by adding resource in critical areas

and accepting that we need to spend money on the working environment. Our start was to build the ‘Workshop of the Future’ to try out and showcase all our new ideas. It is a show house that people can visit to get a feel for what we will be delivering right across the factory over the next three years. It helps them to calibrate their understanding of what an excellent standard looks like. We also started to tackle other standards across the site with the admin buildings and security lodge, both brown in the past, being painted white and detailed with professional signage. This is the front door to the plant and Michelin and the first standard we want our people to see at the start of every day is an excellent one.

The other key approach we have launched is people development. We have high expectations of our people, so we must prepare them for these expectations. Our people development plan promotes high levels of motivation throughout the site, ensures we achieve our results by investing in skills and competence and ensures we attract and retain high calibre future employees whilst retaining our current staff. People development is absolutely fundamental to our success in the future.

TransformationWe intend to transform our factory physically and in terms of performance with this blend of tactics and actions, and we will do it in a positive and confident manner.

Seven months in, where are we? The factory feels different: people tell me they feel more positive and happier. We have consistently delivered and beaten the targets on our priorities of accidents, volume and scrap. We have started the transformation of the site and the people development plan is being implemented. All these things have vastly improved our standing with our Michelin central teams, and we have started to see positive changes in the way they see our future. Crucially, the investment we need to achieve our goals is now being considered.

We have a long way to go but we have started well. We know how to make our factory excellent and we are starting to believe we can make it happen. In the meantime we intend to enjoy ourselves.

Platinum Partner

WHENGOODISN’TGOODENOUGH

John ReidMichelin Tyre plc Dundee

Factory Manager

My career, since graduating from Strathclyde University in 1988 with an MEng in Manufacturing Sciences and Engineering, has all been with Michelin. It has covered three years in Stoke-on-Trent, a year in France and 18 years in Dundee. In Dundee I’ve held a number of positions, from first-line Production Manager, through Production Workshop Manager to Head of Personnel for the site; then three years as Head of Production or Head of Operations and finally my current role of Factory Manager.

Two consequences of my long stay in Dundee are: firstly, I am extremely passionate about the factory and its people – it really is in my blood; and secondly, I have now lived in Dundee longer than any other place and I am extremely proud to regard Dundee as my home town. So, despite having been born in Glasgow and raised in Ayr, I would like to think that I might have achieved some kind of honorary Dundonian status… maybe one day.

In taking on this job I got my wish, or should I say had my bluff called, giving me the unusual opportunity to right all the wrongs and implement all those brilliant ideas I’ve had over the last 18 years. I guess now we’ll find out if I really did know better.

So what challenges face our factory and what are we doing about them?

The first and most important challenge is to deal with the lack of confidence and poor morale on the site. The factory and its workforce have just come through an extremely difficult period. We all know about the challenges of the last two years from the global crisis, but we’ve also had to contend with the structural reduction from five teams of operators covering seven days per week to four teams covering six days. In addition, we have had the ongoing pressure of a series of Michelin Europe restructurings, leading to the closure of a number of our sister plants on the continent. All were good plants with similar sized workforces to our own and all had long and successful track records like our own.

Our policy in Dundee has always been to communicate openly, honestly and consistently about the good, the bad and everything in between to our workforce and our trades unions. Building a relationship of trust with our people and improving their understanding of the business challenges we face has been key to our success over the years. It means they understand the context when difficult decisions or changes

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It is very important that all staff within my organisation show that they care and deliver a quality of service and I encourage Chamber members to utilise my staff, invite officers into their premises and have a conversation with them or ask for advice about local matters affecting them.

Transforming Tayside – Fit for the FutureTayside Police, as with the rest of the public sector, is facing an unprecedented funding challenge. The most informed estimate is that we will be required to make 12% to 15% savings between 2011 and 2014. This could equate to a reduction in our budget of up to £10 million. Tayside Police has met this challenge head on and has opted to redesign the service to try to improve rather than diminish services. I have created a small team to look at ways in which Tayside Police can meet the new demands being faced. This is the Transforming Tayside (fit for the future) Team, and it will be in place for a six-month period.

The team will identify opportunities to cut costs and identify efficiencies in a way which minimises the impact on service delivery. Whilst our budget will be reduced, the public will still expect us to maintain our high standards; to respond to their calls and concerns; and to meet the enormous challenges that we face every day.

Celebrating Success – Force AwardsDespite our challenges, it is vital that we continue to celebrate success, recognise achievement and show how we value our people. We have just completed an award process for the each of our Divisions and are delighted to have been able to celebrate our successes at our Force Excellence Awards. There are partnership awards and it would be great to see the private sector getting involved in community partnerships and perhaps appearing on the nominee lists in the future.

Tayside Police New chief, new era æJustine Curran is the recently appointed Chief Constable of Tayside Police and here she offers her thoughts on the partnership between her force and the local community to make Tayside a safe, enjoyable and exciting place for people to work, live and visit.

Making a DifferenceTayside Police covers the 889 square miles of Dundee and Angus, and I am delighted that my organisation is a member of Dundee & Angus Chamber of Commerce.

My vision is making a difference for the people in this area, and that includes businesses – their property, staff and customers. Greater understanding comes from greater communication, so regular contact and feedback is very important to me and to my organisation. This is why the force has become a member of the Chamber, and I urge you to tell Alan and his team what challenges you face and what successes you have had, so that we can learn and improve.

Members of Tayside Police put communities at the heart of everything that they do. They strive to maintain a safe environment where people can flourish, and where commerce can operate without fear of abuse, damage or criminality. This is a huge challenge but already we are seeing some great successes, with a remarkable reduction in crime and an increase in performance. It is not a challenge we face alone but one we face shoulder to shoulder with our many partners.

Although we have recorded the lowest crime figures in years, there will be no room for complacency and we will continue to fight crime, bring criminals to justice and protect the vulnerable. Public perception is a measure which I like to use as there is little point in the Force performing well if people do not feel that we are making a difference. Surveys are carried out with the general public and the results are recorded, assessed, actioned and published. I would be very interested to hear how commercial proprietors perceive the situation and how they formulate the risk that crime, vandalism and antisocial behaviour poses to their businesses.

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Employment Law Significant changes to be aware of æSigniFiCant eMployMent law ChangeSare due, and they could impact profoundly on Chamber members. The first is the so-called ‘Fit Note’, under which since April 2010 GPs have been given more flexibility in the way they can deal with patients asking if they are fit to work. Workers who are off ill for longer than seven days may now visit their GP and request a ‘fit note’ instead of a sick note. Doctors can still say if someone is not fit to work, but will also be able to spell out aspects of jobs that workers can still perform and advise of other options including a phased return to work, flexible working, changed duties, or adaptations at work. Visit www.westfieldhealth.com

The second development is the recent announcement by the Coalition Government that the ‘default’ retirement age of 65 is being axed. Put in its simplest terms, employers will no longer be able to retire staff at age 65 simply because they have reached that age. The removal of the retirement age will begin in April 2011 and by October 2011 it will be illegal to force employees to retire due to their age without objective justification. The UK Government is carrying out a consultation exercise to understand the concerns of employers and help to plan any transitional arrangements. You can respond to the survey online at www.surveymonkey.com/s/2VWVDND

Thanks to Jeni McCabe at SCR Solutions for bringing the retirement age consultation to our attention.

World Schools Debating ChampionshipPinnacle of achievement for young debaters æthe worlD SChoolS Debating ChaMpionShipis coming to Dundee in 2011. This prestigious event, which was inaugurated in 1988, is the premier international event for schools debating, and was last hosted by Scotland in 1991. It is taking place from 16th to 26th August and will bring 350 debaters, adjudicators and coaches to the city. Teams from 40 countries will participate in eight preliminary rounds, all to be held before audiences of pupils in Dundee secondary schools. The event has already attracted support from the City of Dundee Development Department, the University of Dundee and the University of Abertay Dundee. As the pinnacle of achievement for young debaters, the tournament is covered by national and local media outlets around the world. To find out more about the event and how your organisation can support it, visit www.wsdcdundee.com

University of DundeeCelebrates five years of its Internship Module æthe univerSity oF DunDee iS Celebrating five years of its Internship Module, which was set up in 2005 to allow second year students to gain academic credit for work experience carried out in the local economy. While few of the placements have been as glamorous as the internship that one lucky student secured at 10 Downing Street, there is no doubt that the 200 students who have had placements, and the organisations that were able to make use of their talents, have all benefited greatly from this pioneering initiative. While placements are no longer being sought for this year, perhaps you should be thinking how your business can benefit by signing up in 2011? www.dundee.ac.uk

Master ClassSecrets of business success æDaCC’S popular buSineSS MaSter ClaSSeSare set to resume following agreement from Platinum partner Bank of Scotland to sponsor the third series of leadership lunches and seminars. The new programme, like its predecessors, will feature contributions from some of Scotland’s most successful business leaders, all of whom are willing to share the secrets of their business success with Chamber members. One of the highlights will be a Master Class lunch on October 25 with Lady Susan Rice, Managing Director of Lloyds Banking Group Scotland. Dundee & Angus Chamber of Commerce is delighted to be working in partnership on this lunch with Women Ahead. Susan Rice’s credentials speak for themselves. She was previously Chairman and Chief Executive of Lloyds TSB Scotland, and the first woman to head a UK clearing bank. She has worked at Bank of Scotland and NatWest Bancorp in New York. In her earlier career, she was a dean at Yale and Colgate universities in America. She sits on the Court of the Bank of England, where she chairs the Audit and Risk Committee, and she is Senior Independent Director, and chairs the Remuneration Committee, of Scottish and Southern Energy. She also chairs the Edinburgh International Book Festival and Edinburgh’s Festivals Forum. A frequent speaker on the future of financial services, leadership and corporate responsibility, Susan sits, inter alia, on Scotland’s Futures Forum, Scotland’s 2020 Climate Leadership Group, the Advisory Board of Oxford University’s Said Business School, Scottish Business in the Community and the HMT Financial Inclusion Taskforce. To book your place, visit www.dundeeandanguschamber.co.uk

Dundee Games SectorNew £1m investment æthe DunDee gaMeS SeCtor haS reCeiveD a massive vote of confidence with the news of a new £1m investment. The investment by Channel 4 will fund a series of new projects to convert some of its hit TV shows into digital products. Chamber member Tag Games is one of the main beneficiaries, as it has been chosen to create apps and games around the well-known shows ‘Come Dine with Me’ and ‘Peep Show’. Channel 4 will be spending 10% of its digital budget in Dundee this year, a real demonstration of the sector’s underlying strength and creativity, and

a development which bodes well for the sectors long-term future in the city. www.tag-games.com

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Platinum PartnerAngusWorks

Employability partnership launched æa new initiative to taCKle uneMployMent in Angus has been launched. The Angus Employability Partnership brings together organisations across the public, private and voluntary sector to get people into work, keep people in work and develop the skills of those already in work. The partnership, and the new ‘AngusWorks’ brand, was launched at an event in Carnoustie by Angus Provost Ruth Leslie Melville. A new section on the AngusAhead.com website was unveiled at the launch. This will provide a useful tool for both employability agencies and clients. The new pages contain a wealth of information, including local and national initiatives, success stories and examples of good practice. An employer pack, which acts as a one-stop-shop approach for employers looking to recruit or develop staff, was also introduced at the launch. The pack will connect employers with public sector agencies in Angus who are either working with local individuals to assist them into employment or offering assistance to develop those in employment. www.angusahead.com/angusworks

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Skills DevelopmentTraining opportunities ænew Flexible training opportunitieS FroM Skills Development Scotland give Scottish businesses with between one and 50 employees the opportunity to apply for up to £500 towards employee training costs. A range of training types and levels are eligible for support, including, masterclasses, industry recognised qualifications, first-line supervisory management, workshops and taster sessions. Funding is available for up to ten employees per business. The money is not a loan, so there is no need to pay it back. Skills Development Scotland will refund up to 50% of each episode of employee training, to a maximum of £500. Visit www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk

How can SQA help?SQA’s Business Development and Customer Support Team is the ‘voice’ of the customer within SQA, allowing it to be responsive to employers’ needs. It can provide information on a variety of training options that may be of interest to your organisation, including identifying partnerships with training providers. For more information please get in touch via email at: mycentre@sqa.org.uk or visit www.sqa.org.uk/businessdevelopment

EQGlobal finance conference æeQ ChartereD aCCountantS haS hoSteD a global finance conference that attracted delegates from more than 20 countries. The Tayside firm was host to more than 100 delegates at the Kreston International Conference earlier this year. Kreston International is a global network of independent accounting firms, with members operating in more than 90 countries. EQ is the only Scottish-based member. EQ’s Managing Partner, David Cameron, opened the conference with an impassioned advocacy of Scotland’s strengths as a place in which to do business, and Dundee’s crucial role in life sciences and biotechnology. www.eqaccountants.co.uk

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CornerstoneMoving forward with confidence æCornerStone iS Moving ForwarD with confidence as it continues to grow, despite the implications of the economic downturn and its consequences for the funding of public services. As Cornerstone celebrates its thirtieth year, it continues to see an increase in turnover, with the development of new contracts in Dundee, and Perth and Kinross. Cornerstone has seen many highlights this year: its SVQ Team won an SQA Star Award for commitment to life-long learning; it received silver accreditation when re-awarded IiP status; and also received a bronze award for Healthy Working Lives. Cornerstone has celebrated its 30th anniversary with many events, including birthday parties across the country and the launch of its ‘30 Years of Social Care’ exhibition at the Scottish Parliament, which it is looking forward to welcoming to Dundee. www.cornerstone.org.uk

The DACC website has always been an important tool to serve members with information on events and the latest news. While DACC has grown and evolved since 2007, the website has not kept pace and we knew we had to address that in 2010. So, the launch of the Chamber’s new logo at the beginning of the year was the catalyst for a major revamp of the website: with the goal being to create a site with useful new features and resources, more interactivity and a crisper, clearer look and feel. Chamber member Zen Elements was selected to design the new site, which went ‘live’ in June 2010.

Some of the features of the new site are:• Members’ area & membership directory• Online membership registration and renewal• Online ‘Chamber Champion’ membership referral• Online payments• Events & online booking• Chamber blog & local news (awaiting your comments!)• Documents and resources.

Barnardo’s Works Dundee 1 Dudhope Terrace Dundee DD3 6HG Tel: 01382 221944 Email: sheelagh.scott@barnardos.org.uk www.barnardos.org.uk Charity Reg Nos. 216250 & SCO37605

Servite Celebrating success æServite CelebrateD More SuCCeSSwhen it won an award at the 2010 Scottish Home Awards for Small Affordable Development of the Year, providing Servite with an excellent addition to a memorable year. It has already been recognised in the Best Companies awards, Business to College awards, Healthy Working Lives awards and a top national ‘Ecohomes’ award. And on top of that, the organisation, which employs 150 staff, has more than 1600 properties and has a £6 million annual turnover, is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Describing its latest success, Nicola Harcus, Servite Corporate Services Manager, said ‘The award was the culmination of a lot of hard work. Everyone involved in this development has contributed to this excellent result and we look forward to maintaining or bettering this standard of home provision in future.’www.servite.co.uk

Zen ElementsI am proud to have been a Chamber member for more than three years and, most recently, to have been recognised as a ‘Chamber Champion’. Zen Elements is a passionate, Dundee-based design and web development company, creating unforgettable brands and websites that are engaging, functional and easy-to-use.

I hope you enjoy using the new DACC website as much as I have enjoyed making it!

Alex Mitchellwww.zenelements.com

Dundee & angus Chamber of Commerce

w E b S i t E r E D E S i G nlatest Chamber advancement

The site hasn’t only been designed to allow members to find information; it has been set up to allow members to engage directly with their Chamber and with their fellow members.

We hope you enjoy the new website and, as always, if there is something you would like to see added: let us know. This is YOUR website and YOUR Chamber.

The DACC Team

direct result of strong partnership between the public, private and voluntary sectors. This has been recognised at the SCVO Charity Awards 2010 (finalists), SSSC Care Accolades 2010 (winners) and the Jobcentre Plus Awards 2010 (partner employer Scottish & Southern Energy – winners). Barnardo’s Works offers employers access to a pool of untapped young talent, along with excellent opportunities for publicity and opportunities to engage in corporate social responsibility that supports business and recruitment needs and helps tackle youth unemployment. www.barnardos.org.uk

Barnardo’s Making a difference to local communities æbarnarDo’S worKS MoDel iS a Four-Step programme that partners with employers across Scotland to help young people into work. The services use a mix of mentoring, wage subsidy and employer partnerships to help young people who face a range of barriers to secure and sustain employment. The programme is making a difference to local communities, a

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The burden of musculoskeletal disorders to employers and workplaces is significant. They affect more than one million people each year and cost in excess of £5 billion in the UK. People who work at computers are at equally high risk of aches, pains and strains as those who do heavy manual lifting. Is active or manual work bad for you?‘No’ is the easy answer. The idea that a manual handling or repetitive movement is ‘bad for you’ is a myth. But, if approached incorrectly, manual work can contribute to musculoskeletal problems. Correct posture and transfer of your own body weight in movement is really important for good health and it’s something physiotherapists can work with you to help you achieve. If you adopt the correct postures for the tasks you do at work and at home, you’ll look after your back, neck and other joints.

How do I keep fit for active work?Make proper use of any equipment designed to help you with strenuous tasks. Make sure your clothes fit properly so you can move freely and maintain a comfortable temperature (cold muscles don’t move freely). Take regular

micro-breaks. Don’t skip meals and do drink water regularly. Warm up to prepare your body for heavy or repetitive work. You should aim to do this at the beginning of the day and after rest periods. Vary your tasks to give your body a range of postures. Take steps to strengthen your muscles and improve your fitness. Get advice about specific exercises that you need to do. Don’t overstrech to perform a task – move closer! Report pain or any other symptoms promptly to your employer. Follow health and safety procedures – they are there for good reason.

What’s the best way to pick up something?Take care when picking something up. If the load is too heavy or an awkward shape, ask someone to help. Lift correctly. Start with your feet a shoulder width apart. Bend the knees and keep your back straight. Keep the load close to your body, tighten your stomach muscles and clench your bum. This will help maintain good posture and relieve strain on your back.

Am I at risk from computer working?If approached incorrectly, many factors, including prolonged static postures, awkward

Lynne Falconer & Sally Kiddie of Heal Physiotherapy answer your questions on:

Staying Fit at Work

CHAMBERNews

DO yOU HAvE A qUEsTION?Contact alanmitchell@dundeeandanguschamber.co.uk

In the next issue, IiP Scotland answers your questions on ‘how to develop your staff talent.’

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Diary Dates from DACC! Doing more with less æDundee & Angus’s voluntary and social sector continues to go from strength to strength, a testimony to its hard work and great support from local businesses. Fairbridge in Dundee, for example, supports the most disengaged young people in our deprived urban communities. In the past year, more than 170 young people have started their access courses and more than 90% of them went on to achieve at least one positive outcome. The commercial, or social enterprise, side of the ‘third’ sector is also becoming more successful, as voluntary organisations make themselves more financially self-sufficient by developing a range of commercial outlets for their core services. Dundee International Women’s Centre is one example, and in the last year, its two social enterprises – Rise and Shine Childcare and Wooden Spoon Catering – have seen their biggest single-year growth ever.

DACC is delighted to partner the social enterprise sector again. ‘Doing More with Less’, at the Michelin Athletic Club

on St Andrews Day (30 November), will be our third event together. Sponsored by the Covert

positions and posture, poor workstation setup, highly repetitive movements and work technique, can cause aches, pains and strains. If you identify with any of the following factors, you may be at higher risk: you are dependent on your computer and have little choice about using it; you have continuous or near continuous use for a period of one hour or more; you use your computer more or less daily; you need high levels of accuracy, attention and concentration; you use software requiring specialist training or skill; you use a laptop without a separate keyboard or mouse; you are non touch type trained; or have existing musculoskeletal problems.

How can I prevent or minimise aches, pains or strains when using my computer?Suitable and sufficient analysis of workstations should be performed to reduce risks to the lowest extent possible. Re-assessment is important if the workstation changes. Most adjustments are small and inexpensive. The top tips are: learn how your chair works and how to adjust it; learn to touch type and use low level of pressure on keys; change position frequently; make sure the computer screen is in line with your shoulders – not off to the side; ensure your mouse is within easy reach, so it can be used with arm relaxed by side and wrist neutral; take regular breaks – stand tall, hands on hips and stretch backwards. Exercise!

www.healphysiotherapy.co.ukt: 01382 227227

Ask The Coach In our regular “ask the coach” series, we answer your questions to help you grow your business.Group, it will bring together speakers from the private and social

sectors, along with NHS Tayside, to explore the biggest challenge that faces us all: how to maintain or improve the quality of our products and services with the same or fewer resources.

Secretary of State for Scotland at DACC æMichael Moore, the Secretary of State for Scotland, will be the keynote speaker at ‘High Noon 5’, the next Chamber speaker and networking lunch, at the Hilton Hotel on 7 October. This will be his first major speech in the region following his appointment to the UK Cabinet after the last General Election. He will be followed on the speaker’s chair by Geoffrey Podger, the UK head of the Health & Safety Executive, who will be the principal speaker at ‘High Noon 6’, at the Invercarse Hotel on 12 November.

Visit www.dundeeandanguschamber.co.uk for more information on these and other DACC events.

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We offer:

Competitive rates from £50 +VAT per half day•Convenient central Dundee location at City Quay, with ample car parking •Within easy reach of the train & bus station•

The Room:

50" plasma screen with Panasonic speakers•DVD/VHS combi player•Microsoft Office standard software & internet connection•A rail-track system comprising flipcharts and white-boards, which offers extensive •layout configuration flexibilityComfortable capacity allows for 20 boardroom and 30 theatre style•Wi-Fi enabled•

Service:

Support of the friendly and helpful Chamber staff•Coffee and a range of teas available throughout the day•Lunch and breakfast catering is available•Open 8:30am to 17:30pm weekdays •Evenings and weekends available on request •Full reception and registration service if required •

TheSQA SuiteThe perfect venue for your training courses, conferences, group meetings or 1-2-1 meetings

The

For more information:Contact Dundee & Angus Chamber of CommerceTel: 01382 228545Email: info@dundeeandanguschamber.co.uk

‘As someone with

a home office, the one hour’s free

use of the SQA Suite is one of the

best perks of my membership. It

is a first-class venue and perfect

for my business meetings, team

meetings and job interviews.’

Billy Shepherd

Distribution Unlimited

Cornerstone uses the SQA suite on a regular basis for local and national events because of its accessibility and capacity at a very competitive rate. I know that we will always receive a warm welcome and support from Alan and his team to ensure that our organisational needs are met.Kevin ToshneyCornerstone