ISSUE 5 MARCH 2011THE MIDLOTHIAN AND EAST LOTHIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

Who else has won a local Business Award?

Find out inside this issue.

Having such a strong recommendation from the

Business Partnership and the opportunity to meet and speak to such a variety of businesses has

been invaluable.Bryony Day, from the award winning Green Banana

Forrest ConsultingEstimating Solutions

Estimating Services for the Construction Industry.

All sizes of projects professionally priced on an All-trades basis.

Esti-mate Estimating Software Agent.

New Build Houses and Extension Budget Costs.

General Surveys and Advice on Repairs.

Tom Forrest Estimating Consultant

42/3 Hardengreen Business Park, Dalhousie Road, Dalkeith, Midlothian,

EH22 3NU.

T. 0333 990 0103 M. 07949273456

Email: tomforrest@forrestconsulting.biz

website: www.forrestconsulting.biz

The construction industry is fraught with the highest levels of business failures jn the United Kingdom. When you look at the reasons for this there are numerous to mention. However, the primary problem is often traced back to poorestimating or indeed margins that are often so close to the break even point that when problems on site become apparent the resultant recipe for disaster has been initiated. Losses are often incurred and then the pressure mounts to try and claw monies back which is not always possible. This leaves the contractor or builder with a loss making situation which affects the business cash flow and often it all ends in tears with the bankers pulling the plug on the business.

This theory could of course be applied to any business. So what can be done to avoid similar situations ? Firstly good management , knowing your limitations, and getting your costs right and profit margins to acceptable levels above the business overheads.

A good estimating function is crucial for the business to achieve any real success on a long term basis.

Forrest Consulting provide estimates for all sizes of projects small works to major works. This service can be provided on a one off basis or as an ongoing commitment. Estimates are priced on a professional basis from drawings or descriptions of works.

Estimating SoftwareForrest Consulting provide Estimating Software specially designed for the construction industry . Advice and training can also be provided.

Esti-mate is a range of products for the Construction Industry. The software has been designed to be simple to use and includes facilities for Estimating, Quotations, Bill of Quantities, Materials Enquiries, Subcontractor Enquiries and Comparisons and Contract Valuations.

Esti-mates development team, with over 20 years experience, has previously been responsible for producing other industry-leading estimating systems, and now brings their expertise to this highly functional, easy to use, software.

Esti-mate is realistically priced. The powerful, yet affordable, features available within our product range are usually only found in systems costing thousands of pounds more.

Why not download a fully-working system and test-drive it today by clicking this link: www.estimate.co.uk

Substantial Discounts available if you trade in your existing estimating system:

For more information or a brief chat contact : Tom Forrest Estimating Consultant, 42/3 Hardengreen Business Park, Dalhousie Road, Midlothian, EH22 3NU tel: 0333 990 0103 mobile: 07949 273456 email: tomforrest@forrestconsulting.biz website: www.forrestconsulting.biz

Estimating Services and Estimating Software

3MIDLOTHIAN & EAST LOTHIANCHAMBER OF COMMERCE MAGAZINE MARCH 11

WELCOME

In this issue we look at a new way to highlight your environmental achievements with the Green Business Network three tick system. Good environmental management can save money for a business and help find new customers. Promoting that success can have great benefits too, for example in customer and supplier relations and in the way that your employees feel about the business they work for. The green tick system is designed to do just all that.

We also have in this issue success and achievement in the shape of our Award winners. Congratulations to them! They are examples of how to do well even in challenging times. And they are also examples of how to promote achievement to build upon success and bring more.

I hope the year ahead brings many successes for you to promote.

Gregor Murray Executive Director

COntEnts

Welcome ......................................... 3

Editors Intro .................................. 4

Business Mentoring Scotland ........ 4

Welcome New Members ................ 5

Member Round Up ......................6-7

Business Awards 2010 ..............8-10

Tax Calendar ................................ 13

Tips For Dealing With

Snow Chaos .............................14-15

Are You Fit For Business? ............ 15

Dont Hesitate to

Go International ......................... 17

Green Tick Accreditation.............. 23

Ask the Expert .............................. 24

How to Make the Right Choices

About Your Website .................26-27

New Support For

Entrepreneurs .........................28-29

Capital Gains Tax The Saga

Continues ..................................... 30

Science Parks Worth Over

100million a Year ....................... 32

Benefits of Chamber

Membership ................................. 34

Member to Member

Discounts ................................34-35

31 Low Cost Ways to Promote

a Business ...............................36-37

Upcoming Chamber Events ......... 38

2011 will be a time to make sure you promote any successes and achievements your business has, which is always good marketing.

InCommerce is published by InCommerce Ltd. Unit 14 Birch Road Broadmeadow Ind Est Dumbarton G82 2RE. Telephone 01389 736000. Fax 01389 736002. E-mail: info@dtechuk.com.

Edited by Laura Socha, Chamber Manager, Midlothian & East Lothian Chamber of Commerce, 42/3 Hardengreen Business Park, Dalhousie Road, Dalkeith, Midlothian EH22 3NU Tel : 0131 654 1234. Email: laura.socha@met.org.uk

InCommerce is fully protected by copyright and nothing may be printed wholly or in part without the written permission of the publishers. The proprietors of this magazine are publishers and not agents, or sub-agents of those who advertise therein. They cannot be held liable for any loss suffered as a result of information gained from this publication.

The views expressed by authors of articles published in this magazine are solely those of the author and are not necessarily the views of or shared by the editor, nor the publisher or the directors, shareholders and/or employees of InCommerce Ltd or D-Tech Graphic Design & Print Ltd.

For advertising contact D-Tech on T: 01389 736000 E: sales@incommerce.biz For editorial contact editor: Laura Socha T: 0131 654 1234 E: laura.socha@met.org.ukPublisher: InCommerce LtdDistribution: D-Tech Distribution

Our Corporate Partners

Front cover Graham Riddell Photography, 01896 830915.

4MIDLOTHIAN & EAST LOTHIANCHAMBER OF COMMERCE MAGAZINE MARCH 11

After a very snowy December, thankfully January has been a hive of activity.

Now seems to be the time to think about up-skilling your workforce - so check out our exciting new suite of training opportunities to ensure your business success.

Were also very excited to be able to offer all MELCC Chamber members the opportunity to have their business accredited by the Green Business Networks Green Tick Accreditation scheme. The Green Ticks allows companies to demonstrate their green credentials to both their customers and their suppliers details on page 29.

As always please spend a few moments looking at the current Member to Member promotions there are some great offers to be had!

I hope you enjoy reading this edition and dont forget to send me your articles for the next one.

Laura Socha Chamber Manager

EditOrs intrO

BusinEss MEntOring sCOtLand

Local Case Study Kingsway Management Services Ltd - Paul HayesMentor: Kevin Dorrian

Paul Hayes and his son Andrew have run Kingsway Management Services since 2003 and following a visit from the Mid & East Lothian Chamber of Commerce they learnt about the Business Mentoring programme. Paul said I realised that this was something that was going to help me and my company. He was matched with Kevin Dorrian who has 25 years of PR and Marketing experience and felt that he had Experience and an ability to take an overview of where a company is and so offered his services to the Business Mentoring team at the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce.

Kingsway Management Service specialises in quality control standards and accreditation. Paul explained I was specifically looking for help with marketing and Kevin was an excellent Match with marketing experience, Kevin expanded that Paul had a product he has great confidence in, but he needed to realise that it was a very niche market. I listened to their aims and suggested that they use media which would not cost them, for example a Twitter campaign and Linkedin to target potential business. I also helped them develop press and news stories an area they had not considered before. Paul and Andrew were very easy to work with and soon understood how to maximise their voice and opportunities within the media and make informed decisions.

Paul explained that Kevin had Helped us put a Marketing and Business Plan together and put forward some articles. He was