Look Who's Singing An Entrepreneurial Tune

It is hard to think of a more mundane, straightforward, unexciting business than oil support services.  All right then, accountancy, but for the purposes of this column, we shall discount the bean counters this once.

That may be why Bob Keiller, the boss of Production Services Network - even the name of the company is a bit dull - felt the need to burst into song.

Keiller was finishing off his excellent presentation at the hugely enjoyable Entrepreneurial Exchange conference at Gleneagles Hotel when he unexpectedly launched into a rather tuneful rendition of American Pie.

When business leaders start to sing in front of 300 people, the result is usually devastating.  It says much for Keiller's confidence and his voice that this witty and brave way of marking the first anniversary of PSN's spin-out from American giant Halliburton went down a storm.  I am sure I even saw Sir Tom Farmer joining in.

Keiller's style and presentation perfectly encapsulates what the Exchange does for Scottish business: advise and help in an accessible way.  This is his first time at the event, but believe me, a star is born.

Where else could a multimillionaire like Charan Gill dress up as an Indian storyteller and cross-examine the woman behind a fake tan phenomenon?

Judy Naake's story of the rags-to-riches journey with St Tropez was riveting and funny, but what struck me most was the similarity between her story and Keiller's.

The products may be miles apart, but the obstacles and challenges are the same, and such insights are what many people get out of the Exchange's events.

I know some still see it as a rich man's club, but it is so much more than that.  Its most recent survey showed that its 400 members are worth £16.6bn and account for 217,000 jobs - much, much more than the Scottish financial sector.

The Exchange has been around for 13 years and is moving into a new phase.  Its best-known members, such as Farmer, Sir Tom Hunter and Jim McColl, have done much to succeed in their own businesses in that time, but are enough of its members doing all they can to match their ambition?

Chief Executive John Anderson has started to add questions about ambition to its surveys.  About 36% of its members are in the £5m plus category, but every member should be aspiring to at least that figure.

It may well be there was some luck in the timing.  Hunter and Co enjoyed their greatest success just as the Exchange was coming to life, but we cannot rely on them forever.

Within that network exist future £1 billion companies such as PSN.  Those who join simply to gain access to what they think is a goldmine of rich members are misguided and Anderson has all ready weeded some out.

There are plenty of business organisations out there.  The Exchange is, and should be, different. If you come away from Gleneagles wanting to emulate impressive characters like Keiller, then it has done its job.  Otherwise, stick to the golf club.

John Penman