A recent report from the World Economic Forum named flexible working as one of their drivers for global business transformation. The trend for flexible work, including working from home, has indeed proven to be a trend on the rise, with research from the TUC similarly suggesting that remote working has increased by a fifth in the last decade. The effects of this trend have a tremendous impact on the individual employee, with home-based staff members reporting higher job satisfaction and lowered stress levels. It’s easy to see why this is the case, as ditching the commute means much more free time for employees. Whether they’re parents, carers or pursuing other activities such as continued ed

The appetite for employee ownership has never been greater. The number of employee–owned businesses in Scotland has trebled in the past five years – and in the past year we have averaged a ‘deal a month’. There are now around 100 employee-owned companies operating in Scotland, with approximately 7,000 employee-owners, generating a combined turnover of around £940million. That’s great news for businesses, for employees and for Scottish communities – and all indications are that the numbers will continue to grow year on year. Employee ownership gives employees a meaningful stake in their company together with a genuine say in how it is run. It also roots businesses and jobs in Scotland, dri

Women’s Enterprise Scotland working in partnership with Fife Council Economic Development to deliver this third women’s leadership development programme at the new Enterprise Hub in Glenrothes. The Lead With WES programme is designed for women business owners wishing to lead their business through growth to become a sustainable, high performing organisation. We will help businesswomen increase their confidence in leadership by enabling them to strategically analyse their business against their vision for the future, develop, implement and evaluate strategies to grow their business using models and tools. We will also help them identify their own leadership style and develop their leadership

Menopause in the workplace - this topic unbelievably remains, even in 2018, one of the most taboo subjects to be addressed within many areas of work. Managers and HR departments remaining reluctant and on occasion resistant to even acknowledge it as a natural transition in a woman’s life that can, for many, have a huge impact. Some women sail through this transitional period of their lives without batting an eyelid, but for some the multiple symptoms they suffer from can be incredibly debilitating affecting their overall health and well being, relationships and their performance at work. It is this vast array of different experiences which makes the menopause such a complex subject to addres

A report highlighting ten key outcomes to ensure a sustainable future for the rural economy in Scotland has been presented to the Scottish Government following one of the biggest consultations in recent years. Rural Economy Secretary, Fergus Ewing, with NCRA Co-Chairs Alison Milne and Lorne Crerar. The consultation, which was coordinated by the National Council of Rural Advisers (NCRA), an independent body providing adviceand recommendations on rural policy to the Scottish Government, took place earlier this year. In addition to feedback from a series of workshops and events across the country, 130 responses and comments were received in response to an initial NCRA discussion document. The N

I was contacted last month by the Director of the RSA in Australia and New Zealand to ask if I was willing to take part in an online panel discussion on gender equality. The RSA (Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce) is a membership organisation of around 29,000 Fellows worldwide. The mission of the RSA is to, ‘...enrich society through ideas and action’, and states that ‘... all human beings have creative capacities that, when understood and supported, can be mobilised to deliver a 21st century enlightenment.’ The Fellows share ideas, carry out research and build networks and opportunities for people to collaborate globally. Alongside me, those taking par

The finalists have been announced! Here is the full list: Best Use of Social Media Kylie Reid – EGG Kirsty Nicholls – Sweet Pea Media Gillian Crawford – WOW (Scotland) Board Member of the Year Ailsa Campbell – Crieff Community Trust Tracey Chrystal – Glasgow Credit Union Gillian Thomson – Inspire (Partnership through Life) Tracy Griffen – Leith Festival Business Woman of the Year Ann Johnson – Blaze Manufacturing Solutions Jillian Anderson – Kilpatrick Blane Services Poonam Gupta OBE – PG Paper Company Becky Woodhouse – PURE Spa & Beauty Change Catalyst of the Year Angie Foreman – Coca-Cola 5by20 Dundee Pamela Stevenson – Fife Council Economic Development Employer of the Year Arnol

Over the last few years, the word ‘sustainable’ has been put alongside ‘organic’ and ‘natural’ across pretty much any product category you can think of. More and more, brands are thinking about the impact their businesses have on the planet (which is so great to see) - but what does sustainability really mean? I guess it helps to remove the ‘ability’ part and talk about the word, sustain. On its own, it doesn’t have the same connections to eco-conscious brands as it normally does and instead simply means to keep something going for a long period of time. That’s essentially what sustainable businesses are trying to do for our planet and economy. Add the ‘ability’ part back in – and it starts