2 nd Business in the Parliament Conference
Feedback Session
Iain McMillan CBI Scotland
Innovating businesses and encouraging private sector R&D spend
Sales skills key to success R&D, innovation, demand pull importance Better targeted public procurement – problem not input driven Do entrepreneurship, do it early
Liz Cameron Scottish Chamber of Commerce
Growing a business and access to capital for growth
Funding gap – Particularly with middle range companies and access to funds for start-up Business needs to develop a business model & inform executive of their needs to implement Procurement – both as policy instrument & process Infrastructure / Innovation
David Watt Institute of Directors
Connecting Scotland for economic growth
Centrality of the importance of infrastructure is essential to productivity Welcome progress made to date to address transport issues Need for coordination and understanding between all parties involved Recognise the potential of Broadband and the flexibility it can offer – cultural change
Shonaig Macpherson SCDI
Creating a skilled and flexible workforce
There is not a skills shortage, there is a people shortage Re-fresh talent Investors in our people Education, education, education
Andy Willox Federation of Small Businesses
The regulatory framework for business
Meaningful engagement & consultation Frustration: dismantling dysfunctional legislation Frustration at inflexibility, e.g. public sector procurement Level playing field / competitiveness / inconsistency
Peter Lederer VisitScotland
Promoting Scotland and trading internationally
A single growth target not realistic Scotland brand strong but not associated with business Information brokerage for SME’s – information on sectors/markets etc SSS focuses on high value jobs – transport infrastructure underpins attractiveness
Emerging themes of the Enterprise and Culture Committee Inquiry on Business Growth
Question Time
Kevin Sneader Director & Senior Partner McKinsey & Company
2 nd Business in the Parliament Conference