Share

February 2012

What are you doing to get yourself fit in the year of the Olympics?

Lynne Holburn, Sales Director of Huntly-based Deveron Homes

It will be an Olympic Year for the team at Deveron Homes on both a business and personal level.
While six colleagues have already signed up for the ‘Deveron Diet’ as part of their new-year fitness regime, others have begun training for events including the Race For Life, the Baker-Hughes 10k and the Berlin Marathon.
Being fit in mind and body is very important. Our team is encouraged to enjoy a healthy lifestyle and the company is a very generous supporter when colleagues undertake sponsored activities.
We believe a healthy staff means a healthy business and the results back that because last year our turnover rose 6.6% to £4.2m.
As our staff streamline their bodies throughout 2012 we will be streamlining our business priorities for Olympic year to bolster revenue performance.  We will be focussing on improving our gross margin while developing new sites in Keith, Perthshire and Fife.

David Greenlees, Sales Director, Encode Software Solutions

It’s February, 31 days into my keep fit New Year’s Resolution.  Eh no, I’m still drinking too much and eating too much.  My new multi-gym is looking fantastic in my spare room, all shiny and new….totally untouched.  The rest of the team at Encode HQ aren’t fairing much better to be honest.  The Olympics opening ceremony was meant to be the target date for a weigh-in competition - ‘Who’s lost the most weight’ – with £50 to the winner as well.  Apparently we are all too busy to diet and exercise these days.  Are we wonderfully successful as a company or just wildly under-resourced? Probably the former with a touch of laziness thrown in.
Looks like we’ll all just be watching the Games from our comfy couches with a king-size box of popcorn.  Ach well, it was the thought that counts.

Michael Spence, Property Partner, Bond Pearce, Aberdeen

Working for such a dynamic company helps keep the Aberdeen office staff in perfect physical condition – although none of us will actually be competing in the Olympics.
However we will be displaying our physical prowess at a number of events throughout the year in which, to avoid disappointment, it will be the taking part rather than the winning which will be important.
We are ramping up our CSR activities following the appointment of a number of new employees and we are currently discussing a programme of challenges, some physical, to raise funds for charitable organisations.
I and several colleagues are already committed to competing in the City Of Aberdeen Baker Hughes 10K and a number of staff members are preparing for these other challenges by attending Jazzercise classes. Following a recent successful  beginners evening of curling several staff members now also have aspirations to compete in the Winter Olympics.

Penny McIntosh , Director of Fitnut Ltd

For this Olympic year I’m loving TRX (suspension training) to tone and shape and improve my strength and energy – it takes only 30 minutes a day and I take the kit in my travel case so I never have to miss a day. Many of our clients in the Energy Industry are sponsoring Olympic athletes so we are very fortunate to have access to them as part of our physical activity promotions this year.  All Fitnut staff have to walk the talk so to kickstart our own training programmes we take part in the Fitnut Charity Challenge which runs throughout the year. This means getting fitness tested for stamina, strength and flexibility and working to improve scores over time.