"Invaluable access to experienced individuals who have been incredibly generous with their time. Access to some fantastic events, particularly focus dinners & conference. Reassurance & support that there are no shortcuts, you're doing the right thing!"
"Exposure to so many great business minds and the ability to contact them through the exchange allows you to ask advice or use the resource as a "yellow pages". I've used a number of members companies and would rather use members than look elsewhere."
"A far greater insight into the challeges and successes that a good business can offer."
"In some many ways! It's also not just the business but me as a person & entrepreneur!"
"Having access to individuals who can give you advice and support, you are never alone, so, when negotiating with banks (new territory) or trying to get the best out of the team there are always ideas available through the exchange."
"The motivation gained from events is fantastic and it helps to know others are in the same boat who can offer advice. I'm keen to gain experience from an ambassador and am sure this will help me develop my business."
"There's always room to learn and I particularly use the Focus Dinners to expand my understanding. I enjoy hearing how others tackle things in a way that I wouldn't have. Taking you out of your comfort zone is a major upside to membership."
"I always found the Exchange helpful in widening my horizons but became disillusioned when it appeared to be dominated by a small cabal, however; I detect that in the last year that cabal has become less influential which to my mind is a healthy change."
"The exchange has had a massive impact on myself and my business. Business can be a lonely place and being able to spend time with like minded people is fantastic. When the business has been challenging it has helped me keep my sanity. It's like therapy!"
"I have learned two things 1. I need to think bigger and I get that from almost every focus dinner I attend; and 2. High profile members are very generous with their time and it has made me so with other members - A friend in need is a friend indeed"
"Being able to share ideas & find out what did and didn't work. Learning from others mistakes. I've taken comfort knowing that when things haven't gone so well, that this happens to us all. Great support during the recent recession."
"The exchange has allowed me time away from the business to reflect. I enjoy hearing the stories of success and failure by top entrepreneurs. The benefit to the business is that I can throw the bad ideas in the bin and follow the successful ones."
"I have really enjoyed the interaction at the annual conferences that I have attended. Every year I think I should attend more events but simply have not made the time. I am sure that I could get a lot more benefit from doing more."
"I'm a fairly new member but have enjoyed and benefited from the events I have attended. I've received interest in potential business and have awarded business to fellow members. Already I have benefited from some great one to one business advice."
"It has made the business think "bigger" and believe in its capabilities. It provides a regular injection of business adrenalin via the events and is a great opportunity to gain experience from others...especially the "been there and done it" crew."
"It has raised my profile and hopefully that of my company. I have established a great network of mentors and advisors, all of whom appear to have a sense of day to day reality, irrespective of their own company size."
"With a limited number of entrepreneurs in my sector, having the opportunity to talk to successful people in a close environment like the Exchange has brought huge benefit - particularly in encouraging me to continue."
"Being part of the Exchange has been incredibly important to me and my business. I've developed so much as a result of hearing speeches from amazing individuals. Attending events has also given me confidence to do things that were unknown to me before."
"We've had huge help and support on how to run our business. Every single event whether 'supper club, dinner, evening with' or conference has had a unique and different way of looking at the same problem and if not already used, is stored until needed."
"A chance to lift your business & strategic head and think a little. Personal development and an "Anything is possible" message. Competitor benchmarking and introductions & learnings on other business sectors."
"Architecture can be quite insular and I feel that things are done in a certain way because that is how it is done. Meeting entrepreneurs from other types of businesses is opening my eyes to other ways of doing business and widening my client base."
"Attending the conference has provided me with an annual injection of inspiration and energy, and I have met some very interesting and inspiring people through membership of the Exchange, thus expanding my network on a Scotland wide basis and beyond."
"The exchange has been a remarkable benefit to me and to my business development over the past decade. The contacts, relationships and knowledge sharing that I have experienced as been invaluable to my development within Scottish Business."
"On a personal note I have found the Annual Conference and many of the events inspirational and tremendously motivating which has benefiited my business. Great to meet fellow travellers and hear their interesting and diverse stories."
"I have been inspired both by the events I have attended and have used a large number of the ideas I have received together the renewed energy and enthusiasm that I gain from each event to positively impact my business"
"- Some important one to one meetings for advice on specific projects - Encouragement and the feeling of not being alone in the process - Motivation - Help in formulating strategic planning and growth aspirations."
"Learning lessons from others, being inspired by others, sharing best practice with others, sharing good contacts, helping make things a habit, having fun leading to extra motivation."
"Initially to give me good advice and access to people who were really taking there businesses places and inspired others.Lately it hasn't due to me not engaging as I have before."
"By making me question myself on certain aspects of the business which I was already aware of needed reviewing, but with the exchange it just makes you move to improve."
"The energy and ambition of the members is infectious, if you're an entrepreneur these are the people you want to be learning from. They've been there and done it."
"The tips on how to cope with the recession were valuable in helping me shape the attitudes of my management team - which worked out very well."
"I have gained friends who might have entirely different businesses but also have a shared set of experiences."
"The exchange has supported me through two start-ups: I was instantly thrown into a network of business minds that I could turn to for advice on any problem or challenge and I'm proud to say these contacts have now become personal friends."
"The exchange gives SME's an opportunity to understand that the issues facing them are also faced by others. It's a major confidence boost to mix with dynamic and positive people."
"Definitely expanded my contacts in the growing business arena - people I would not have met otherwise ... where to turn for growth advice can be bewildering."
"The Exchange has expanded my horizons and given me an opportunity to be inspired and learn from the very best. For me it was the catalyst for a new period of personal development, and has motivated me to aim higher and build something great."
"I've enjoyed hearing from some fantastic speakers over the years. Having now sold one business and started others I feel it is incumbent on me to give something back and focus on sharing my experience and recommending contacts & opportunities to others."
"I've been involved in a number of businesses since being introduced to the Exchange. However, the biggest benefit is the inspiration and motivation that results from engaging with optimistic, positive and successful entrepreneurs throughout the year."
"Every event I attend teaches me more about the way I do business and offers ways to improve. Hearing what other companies have achieved encourages me and when times are hard there have always been other members who have been willing to give their time."
"Membership of the EE has been the best business club membership by far for me. I used to be a member of the Institute of Directors and many other business associations, but when I carried out a simple cost/benefit analysis the EE was the clear winner."
"Access to those who have "seen and done it" is invaluable for learning, defining goals & strategy; generosity of advice is amazing. Making friends in a group with similar challenges is refreshing and differentiates the exchange from "networking groups"."
"Confirmation & reassurance that I am on the right track. In time, as confidence grows, would expect that there would be a greater benefit."
"1. Listening to others stories - gaining perspective on many and varied topics. 2. I have found new suppliers 3. Met new friends"
"I have been able to meet interesting people and shared views with them on business and on synergies between our businesses"
"Meeting highly successful business people has been a great motivator for me and this has directly impacted on my business."
"The "evening with" presentations have proven invaluable to our business. These have been inspirational and rewarding."
"Through the sharing of experiences and problem solving. The discussion of business issues that face one and all."
"Understanding better the challenges faced by diverse businesses and recognising solutions from others experience."
"In innumerable ways. It has developed my biggest and strongest network. The conference is always inspirational."
"The exchange has provided a great deal of inspiration to me as an individual and therefor benefited my business."
"I have found the events, most notably the Conference and Dinners very useful from an education perspective"
"So far it has given me exposure to some different ideas and approaches to dealing with business issues."
"I have made several very good contacts/friends and have recieved some very worthwhile and good advice."
"yes, ideas learned from other people's experiences that I have been able to embrace, adapt and adopt."
"The connections and advice I have had from the Exchange have helped me over the years immeasurably."
"Friends, Advice, Help"
"Is early days but being exposed to the energy and experience of other members has been great."
"I have met some interesting and helpful people generally. This has benefitted my business"
"By meeting like minded people, sharing experiences and knowing that I am not alone"
"Fantastic business knowledge gained and what is now a 'Virtual Board'"
"insight into key issues networking profile"
"Learning Advice Relationships"
Registered in Scotland. Company registration number SC160976.
Registered office: Barncluith Business Centre, Townhead Street, Hamilton, ML3 7DP. Developed by Mercurytide