I've been there and worn the T-shirt!

Do you know where to turn for information on new legislation?

Do you know how to ensure that you are complying with the new legislation?

Do you know if its relevant to your business?

Do you know how disability and age discrimination regulations may affect your business?

How about safety and fire regulations...

Are you maintaining suitable records relating to employment, safety, environmental health and so on...

Do you know if your marketing works?

Do you know how much your marketing is costing you?

About ME!

I have personally been trading for 10 years as a small business providing training and consultancy services through Business Improvement Services. I am delighted to have helped so many businesses across Scotland, yet frustrated by the limits imposed by current support mechanisms. Support mechanisms that fail to address many of the business issues that you face on a day-to-day basis. My business has focused upon helping other businesses over the years. I have thoroughly enjoyed the challenges and have established excellent working relationships and indeed friendships as a result of my dedication to serving my customers. I understand what it means to run a small business both from a personal and professional point of view. It's not easy! This is why I have developed the Scottish Occasions web site as part of our Business Improvement Services portfolio, to offer hands-on daily support to tourism related service providers when you need it most.

About YOU!

I know what it is like to be in your shoes, having to juggle day to day business needs and activities with all the different paperwork associated with managing your business. You have to manage the people within your business while dealing with issues relating to HR, safety, finance and legislative requirements. If that's not enough you also have to consider outside influences and how they may impact upon your business now and in the future. Most importantly you must identify ways to attract customers and keep your business profitable. You need to consider how you market your business to let customers know of your existence and your service provision, and the list continues! All different hats that you have to wear!

My credentials

As a qualified training provider, HR and health & safety advisor, I have achieved approved supplier status, and delivered key projects of national significance through  the Scottish Executive and the Scottish Qualifications Authority, encouraging life long learning within schools and working establishments. I have worked in industry sorting out health and safety problems, employment law issues and supported businesses to develop business strategies. Nevertheless, I recognise that the red tape that exists does little to encourage small businesses to improve or grow. I understand that Scottish Enterprise and partners have developed YET ANOTHER new initiative for tourism. Let me emphasise, I'm not knocking training I think training is a key element in business performance, however, as someone who is fairly long in the tooth, and someone who has actively kept businesses out of trouble with HSE etc., I recognise businesses need hands-on day-to-day support, rather than the odd short course here and there.

The past

Having lived and worked in Edinburgh and Glasgow, in 2001 I was fortunate enough to be able to realise my dream and move back home to the East and chose to settle in St. Andrews. I continued to work as a consultant and soon validated my belief that through existing support mechanisms businesses were not receiving the real support that they wanted and needed. Instead they were being offered opportunities to be taken away from their daily activities, stuck in a room with competitors and provided with basic knowledge. The sticking plaster approach!

The problem

This is where Scottish Occasions comes in. While my business, Business Improvement Services, still exists, I have considered how I can best help small businesses in Scotland. Obviously there is no point in having a business if that business is not promoted, the old story you might be good at what you do but if no one knows about it...? Recently I teamed up with my husband who again has extensive experience in the business world. His background in IT and quality and safety management, means that together we have the knowledge and complimentary skills that can provide small businesses with many solutions.

The solution

We established Scottish Occasions to provide a day-to-day support mechanism for businesses delivering tourism related services. The idea being, while we help your business we also help tourists and visitors to Scotland. This front door of this web site provides tourists/visitors with access to your business. The back door, however, provides you with the support and information that you need to ensure that your customers remain happy and continue to use your services.

The proposal

Our concept is simple, yet unique, you as a business gain access to a wide range of business expertise and up to date information concerning legislative issues, health & safety, IT, etc., as well as on-line help, marketing and hands-on support when you need it for your business. As a result of using our services your business, customers and guests benefit. The tourist/visitor, visiting this site, gains access to information about your business and Scotland, as well as knowing that you are continually improving your service for their benefit through Scottish Occasions.

BE aware

We recognise that there are a number of internet sites operated by internet service providers and large media companies that suggest that through advertising with them they will market your business? These sites only sell advertising space they do not provide internet marketing of your business, they know nothing about your business, the know little about the industry and more often than not they are based in England and have limited knowledge of the geography of Scotland. Very often we will find Fife in Dundee, Angus and Perth! Other internet providers offer free advertising but in reality the free advertising is not for your benefit it is for theirs, as the more links they have to their site the more money they make and the more spam you receive.