Just a thought

I was working in Scottish Enterprise's Dundee office yesterday. Sitting in a different

location with a stunning view of the Tay was a great way to break up the working week and shake up my routine.

On my borrowed desk for the day I found this list:

Five Global Consumer Megatrends

1) The Inmates Have Taken Over the Asylum
How have you given your customers more control over your brand?

2) Know Your Sausage
What's the most potentially dangerous ingredient in your sausage?

3) Send Lawyers, Guns and Money
Who will be the public face of your business if there's a crisis?

4) Strange Bedfellows
Say hi to the person sitting next to you. Discuss what opportunities you have for collaboration.

5) All Hands on Deck
What's the problem? How can you make your customers part of the solution?

At first glance I just thought it was just a funny list. But the more I considered it, I realised it's great advice for all organisations regardless of size or sector. 

So, that's my thought for the week. Despite, or maybe because of, the amusing titles I think it's powerful stuff.

My question for you is: what would you add to this list? 

Note: I'm not sure where this list originates so I'm unable to properly give credit. If anyone knows please let me know: elizabeth.mcneil@scotent.co.uk.

March blows in

March gets off to a windy start with a funding opportunity in the offshore wind sector. But be quick the deadline is just around the corner!

Offshore wind funding call

The large-scale development of offshore wind represents one of the biggest opportunities for sustained economic growth in Scotland for a generation. 

Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise have launched a research and development funding call to support project ideas with the potential to reduce the cost of producing energy from offshore wind.

Under this call Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise are primarily looking to support project ideas that develop novel offshore operation and maintenance approaches including:

• higher wind speeds, and minimising the corrosive effect of saltwater which makes structural and component failure more common offshore, especially where off-the-shelf components designed for onshore applications are transferred offshore
• the most frequent outages are due to sensor, wiring and control system faults
• gearboxes, generators and blades are the source of highest unplanned maintenance costs

Whilst these ideas form the core of near term priorities, they also welcome any project idea that meets the objectives and addresses wider industry challenges.  

Who can apply?

Assistance is available to businesses of all sizes located within the Scotland and those planning to establish a base here.  

How to apply 

Interested companies should express interest by completing the online form.

The closing date for expressions of interest under this call is Friday, 29 March 2013.

More information

Please visit the Scottish Enterprise website for full details or call 0845 607 8787 or offshorewind@scotent.co.uk with any questions.

Interested in business partnering opportunities in Renewable Energy? Join us on 18-19 March for a Business Partnering Event at the Scottish Renewables Annual Conference.

Electrifying partner opportunities at Scottish Renewables Annual Conference

The Enterprise Europe Network Scotland is hosting a Business Partnering Event at the Scottish Renewables’ Annual Conference – an industry event focused on the development of renewable energy in Scotland.

We’re bringing together companies from across the sector looking for collaborative partners on 18-19 March 2013 at the EICC in Edinburgh.

What’s the opportunity?

The Scottish Renewables Annual Conference is a two day event exploring the “Big Issues” for the industry and introduces four conferences under one roof: Electricity Market Reform, Grid, Planning and Skills. With some 600+ participants across two days, the event will offer various networking and meeting opportunities including an exhibition area, quick-fire showcase sessions and drinks reception.

With so many people across all sectors in the industry coming to the Conference, there is a wealth of experience for you to access.

Business Partnering aims to link participants through 20 minute pre-scheduled meetings to exchange information and experience on topics of interest across the Scottish supply chain.

Please visit the Business Partnering website to register and book your meetings.

How does it work?

The Enterprise Europe Network has a track record for organising Business Partnering at Europe’s largest conferences and trade fairs: 

• You register, outlining your organisation's key areas of expertise and the types of business contacts you'd like to meet.
• Your profile is published in our online catalogue, giving you increased visibility.
• You select other organisations you would like to meet, and can accept/decline meeting invitations from others.
• We pre-arrange meetings for you in advance of the event, so you have a schedule.
• At the event, you meet and share views with others, present, discuss and develop new projects.
• After the event, we are on hand to help you follow up contacts.

Costs
You must register for the Scottish Renewables Annual Conference to take part and there is no additional fee for the Business Partnering.

Working in the offshore wind industry? A funding call has been launched around research and development to support project ideas with the potential to reduce the cost of producing energy from offshore wind.