Aberdeen & Grampian Workforce Survey - December 2011

The British Chambers of Commerce commissioned Research by Design (RbD) to undertake a national survey with business members of the Accredited Chamber Network including Aberdeen & Grampian to: understand businesses’ attitudes to recruitment; flexible working arrangements; migrant workers employed; what encourages employers to take on staff; and what skills employers need to grow their business. The national survey secured over 7,000 responses, of which 185 were in the Aberdeen & Grampian region.

Not many people know that! - November 2011

This region is full of surprises - and potential

Some of you will be aware that the Chamber has been developing a series of fact cards about the region – called ‘Business Bullets’ – which contain key facts about our economy. So far there are business bullets for: Oil and Gas, Renewables, Food and Drink, Tourism, the Creative industries and Transport. You can view them all on our website at www.agcc.co.uk/business-bullets

Trump or Wind? - October 2011

Let me start this piece by saying that I am not a golfer, and that I am not easily impressed. It follows that I am not easily impressed by golf courses. But I was impressed by what Donald Trump has achieved in the ‘Great Dunes of Scotland’. Let me explain.

Business confidence still shaky - September 2011

‘Business Confidence’ is a delicate flower. Economic growth depends on the trust that individual businesses have in each other and in the general economy. The role of Government is critical in this regard, and it is essential that they send the right messages to commerce – especially at this stage of the economic cycle.

Showing what we can do - August 2011

George Yule, newly elected President of Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, shares some of his thoughts as he begins his two-year term of office.

Granite City Futures - June 2011

Members of the Chamber regularly raise the issue of “the state of the city centre” and the “condition of Union Street” in particular as a key concern. When Chamber member Leo Koot of TAQA spoke about these matters in the Chamber Business Bulletin the story made front page news in November 2010. Like many other members of the Chamber, Leo wants to see improvements, and is prepared to give freely of his time to achieve these.

Government not politics please - May 2011

The army has a phrase that “ preparation prevents poor performance”. Another familiar phrase is “time spent in preparation is rarely wasted”. “Practice makes perfect” may be a further variation on a theme. National vocational qualifications are based on this principle of learning through implementation. Which golfer was it, who when accused of being lucky said, “the more I practise, the luckier I get?”

A manifesto for growth

On the 5th May 2011, we go to the polls for the fourth Scottish Parliament election and all of the political parties in Scotland will be chasing our votes.