Comment by Gillian McKenzie
IT will come as no surprise that business rates has dominated almost every conversation I’ve had with operators since the start of this year.
But the next most talked about subject is undoubtedly the Diageo Learning for Life Saltire Fellowship.
Described by Diageo’s Mark Baird as a “once in a lifetime opportunity to take your career and business to a new level”, the initiative is giving one ambitious entrepreneur in the Scottish trade the chance to secure a fully-funded place on the leadership development programme, which includes eight weeks at the prestigious Babson College in Boston and time spent with US companies.
It is an incredible opportunity.
And, having spoken to two people who have previously completed the Saltire Fellowship programme and gone on to launch successful businesses, it is a genuine game-changer.
Not only did it give them access to what is considered the most prestigious entrepreneurship college in the United States, they each experienced different business models in different sectors, and established a network of contacts they remain in touch with today.
The chance to step back and look at things in a different way was, they say, invaluable.
Entrepreneurialism is the absolute heartbeat of the Scottish trade, and this initiative will only serve to nurture and encourage that.
The trade mustn’t miss out on this amazing opportunity.
