business

Edinburgh Glamour Nights

Posted on by vince1970

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The Golden Era of Edinburgh’s most glamorous Business Networking nights seems like a distant memoir.  Classy venues such as Bonhams, The Royal Society of Edinburgh, Divino Enotica, Gusti, Hotel Du Vin, The Old Waverley are to name just a few of the night spots where Edinburgh’s most stylish clientele did the Business.

Two ladies ran the glamour roost in my opinion – Fiona and Gordana.  I did some of the photos for their events to help promote what they were doing and I even managed to gain some clients myself.

Taking the photographs didn’t feel like work, more fun and a chance to socialise with a variety of people from diverse business’s and backgrounds.  With these events there was no entry fee, you just payed for your drinks and the networking was up to you.  At many of these events drinks and nibbles were provided free of charge by the venue hosts.

Fond memories indeed.  These events happened in the  early millennial era and now that it’s 2019, they seem so distant.  I now network in rural Kinross-shire – early mornings!!  A different networking experience altogether – our venue is Loch Leven’s Larder and once the sun is above the horizon, you’ll hear cocks crowing, tractors happily plough the fields while your doing your 60 second elevator pitch.

The business breakfast networking is organised by the Kinross-shire  Partnership and for a small fee you receive a hearty cooked breakfast with tea coffee and orange juice.  I of course supply photos for the business section of the Kinross Newsletter glossy magazine.

Event’s photography is one of my favourite types of job, there’s usually a positive atmosphere in the room.  Edinburgh is a cosmopolitan city  and so you get to meet such interesting people from all different parts of the globe.  Kinross is central Scotland and you never know who you’ll bump into in this secret beauty spot.

But what of the golden era of Edinburgh’s Classy Business Networking Night scene? Who knows, maybe a revival is in the pipleline?! Maybe glamour Networking will be resurrected!!

Mine’s a Martini on the rocks, shaken not stirred…..

Community Spirit

Posted on by vince1970

When I first moved to Kinross last year, I had the immediate impression that this was a place where I could be a Community Worker, perhaps a place where I could contribute to the local business economy.  Kinross is a thriving town with regeneration of the old town centre currently being carried out.  The old library and council offices are being renovated into luxury retirement flats and perhaps it’s only a matter of time before the old high school building (which is an eye sore) gets converted to serve the  much needed housing crisis demand.

My first thoughts were to create an Animation Workshop, but this will require funding which will require a fair bit of my time which I don’t have just now.  Since graduating from the University of Highlands & Islands this year, I have now started developing my media business.  The new flyers and cards have arrived and I have been delighted to discover that Kinross has a very glossy looking newsletter which is more of a magazine and this is accompanied by a sister website run by the Kinross Business Partnership Association.where local business’s can advertise for free – yes free.  I have yet to come across other towns that offer so much help to local small business’s.

I now have my wee ad online and I hope in the not too distant future I will be working with clients in Kinross as well as my clients in other parts of Fife, Falkirk and the Lothians.  My hope is that I’ll be able to help local business grow through the use of increased Visual Communications platforms that they may not have even considered or been aware of.

The local website is kinross.cc

Back to Skool

Posted on by vince1970

After recently graduating from the University of Highlands & Islands I was in a positive mood, feeling a rare confidence I have not felt in such a long time.  I had thought about applying for jobs and did manage to get one interview – however, I decided that after much internal debating for weeks, that the way forward for me was to stick with being self employed.  I wanted to work only 16 hours a week and earn a respectable income.  Easier said than done.

However, I am finding to my delight that I currently do 16 hours a week working for two clients, in the here and now.  I would not be able to cope with taking on any more work.  For hundreds of years, it has been in the collective consciousness that a successful person is the one who works hard and long hours – I disagree completely – to me the successful person works less hours for more money and has more time to spend with friends and family.  I am finding that I really enjoy helping people solve their Communications and Information Technology problems so it’s more of a fun challenge than working.

Perhaps I can only claim this after having just spent almost 3 years in full time education, studying subjects and courses I would not really feel comfortable studying, sometimes feeling a bit out of my comfort zone.  I’ve studied Metallurgy Theory, dark room photography theory and Art & Design Concepts – all subjects I’d rather not delve into too deeply.  However I feel that this time has not been wasted – in fact, these subjects I believe, have activated part of my brain that’s been dormant for decades – that part that allows you to grasp a problem and find a solution almost immediately.

I feel like I am living with an extra new dimension to life that I’ve been searching for.  So, for anyone reading this who may be ‘stuck in a rut’ of some sort – perhaps they could consider going back to school, and learning new subjects – even if the subjects seem irrelevant or unnecessary.  Full time courses and night / day classes should start in your local area round about September, and your local council will most likely put a flyer or news pamphlet through the door with information about courses.  I think for me, I’d like to try an evening class in Gaelic or Italian – but this time only a leisure class – my full-time studies are finally over!

Business Growth

Posted on by vince1970

Today I had an enjoyable and very educational video shoot in the Falkirk and Bathgate areas, recording client testimonials for a business coach Ewan Menzies of Castle Strategy, whom I have known for many years in the Edinburgh Networking scene.

Today I have met some new entrepreneurs and business people that I wouldn’t have otherwise been introduced to, and have realised just chatting with Ewan en route to the locations, that I will have to change some fundamental aspects of the business I wasn’t aware of.

Business Coaching is more valuable to your business than you could possibly imagine.  Ewan is very inspiring and I hope one day to use Ewan’s services for my own production company.

Next job – get the footage edited as soon as possible.

Digital Marketing

Posted on by vince1970

Well continuing with the flow of positivity an enquiry has come in from a West Lothian based Digital Marketing company who require help with some video editing and possibly re shooting of a previous media project.  The owner is an old colleague of mine so am looking forward to working with him again.  One of my most valued business treasures  is loyalty and trust from fellow entrepreneurs and clients.

Business Networking

Posted on by vince1970

Business Networking events are a way of forging new connections and getting help with leads to more business. However the true essence of business networking is to help others.  If you can recommend a colleague to other business’s – that’s what good networking is all about – giving and not expecting anything in return.  So this morning I attended an informal event in Perth.  I made sure I was there early before 9am to set out my flyers, and grab a cup of tea while I had the chance, as I usually engage intently, so much so that, I don’t have time to drink.  The event was well attended and I didn’t even manage to speak to a quarter of the attendees.  I always try to remember the words of Eckhart Tolle and try to really listen to the other person, give them my full attention without thinking about what I want to ask them next.  I try to avoid losing eye contact, I try not to stare across the room at other potential people I could be speaking with.   I look forward to the next event, perhaps in Dundee or in Fife.