Yvonne McAulay, Author at St Andrews Business Club

Internship Vacancies

3rd October 20223rd October 2022 Yvonne McAulay

St Andrews Business Club is looking to appoint two new Marketing Communications Interns.

This is a great opportunity to work for a local, long-established networking club where you will gain excellent business experience and communication skills.
While this is not a paid position, any out-of-pocket expenses incurred on Club duties will be reimbursed and the successful candidate will have the opportunity to enjoy the following benefits:

BENEFITS

Training and mentoring from the business club committee members.
Practical experience in real-life marketing communications to add to your CV.
LinkedIn Recommendations from Committee members – https://standrewsbusinessclub.co.uk/about-us/committee/ – if overall job performance has met an agreed standard.
Introductions to useful career contacts
Opportunity to network and make useful career and personal connections at Club events, free of charge.
Enjoy the full benefits of being a member of the St Andrews Business Club, such as member discounts at Luvians.
Attend relevant educational talks by the business community.
Experience working on a professional committee and the duties it entails, as well as gaining knowledge of issues such as advertising/GDPR/club finances.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The interns will assist the business club committee in advertising and running events.
Attend the events, take photos, and produce post-event comms.
Attend Committee meetings with the main business club committee – approximately once every 2 months in the evening 5.30-7 pm.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Schedule social media Business page posts to promote each event using Hootsuite.
Promote member businesses by creating social posts – Opportunity for interns to devise creative, original content that drives more engagement.
Create content for post event comms.
Take photographs of the event (with a club camera).

WEBSITE

Edit content on Club’s WordPress site – Training will be provided.

STUDENT CLUB

Evaluate the need for a student club and act on results which may include re-establishing the student club post-Covid.

DESIRED MARKETING TASKS

Eventbrite – event creation & management – Training and content will be provided.
Attend Club events – to assist with running each event – roughly one per month. See the schedule at https://standrewsbusinessclub.co.uk/events-st-andrews-business-club/

REQUIREMENTS

Interest in marketing communications
Facebook – you must have your own account – Admin permissions for the Club page will be granted.
Twitter – some prior experience would be useful, but training will be provided
LinkedIn – you must have a profile on this platform
Excellent communication skills
Proficient in a wide variety of IT applications
Must be professional and flexible in the way tasks are completed
Good time management skills
Desire to learn and be guided by experienced professionals

HOURS REQUIRED

Approximately 2 hours per week.

START DATE & LENGTH OF INTERNSHIP

The start date and length of the internship will be agreed with the successful candidates.

SUPERVISION

The interns will be supervised and trained directly by the Committee member with primary responsibility for Club communications, but also by other members of the Committee.

HOW TO APPLY

The application should be made by sending your CV via email to standrewsbusinessclubinterns@gmail.com with:

Subject Line “Marketing Communications Intern Application”
In the body of the email, you should describe why you are applying and why you feel you would be suitable for the role.

CLOSING DATE: 21^st October 2022

A shortlist of candidates will be selected for an interview in St Andrews or online.
QUERIES: Any queries about this role should be emailed to standrewsbusinessclubinterns@gmail.com

2021 AGM – Guest Speaker Jamie Andrew

3rd June 2021 Yvonne McAulay

Remaining online for the Club’s 2021 AGM, the conference celebrated this season’s committee and members for hosting a share of memorable virtual events throughout these exceptional times.

Immediate Past President Marie Paterson acknowledged the resilience and dedication of the club’s members in continuing to focus on business development despite the difficult challenges posed the past year. Despite membership dropping from its all-time high of 130, approximately being cut in half as a result of the pandemic, the organisation’s bank balance is in good shape as the club looks to start the new season with face to face meetings.

Marie praised the outgoing Committee for creating engaging and productive zoom sessions combining the likes of food, wine, networking and education. Events covered a range of pressing topics including ‘leading change; podcasting; embracing diversity; and the impact of Brexit.’ Similarly, the club’s first partnering with the Home Start St Andrews charity at Christmas proves a new annual means of support to the community.

2021-2022 Committee

The 2021-2022 elected committee are:

65th President Christopher Trotter
Vice President – Heather Stuart
Secretary – Emma-Jane Kerr
Treasurer – Alasdair Kyle
Immediate Past President – Marie Paterson
Committee members – Reseda Muir, Edward Obi, Andrew Stewart.

Marie gave great acknowledgement to secretary Emma-Jane Kerr for her major role in improving the club’s operation. She also thanked Immediate Past President Caroline and past Treasurer Michael for their longtime service as they stood down from their respective positions. Similarly, Marie thanked her Vice President Reseda and the rest of the committee who are continuing their roles in the upcoming season. Last but not least she thanked Marketing-communications interns Sanaa and Stanley for all they have done in promoting the club the past two years. Stating, “I am especially delighted to be handing over to a really strong group of office bearers who I know will see us through the next year, whatever life throws at us.”

Lastly, Marie enthusiastically introduced the newly elected committee before ‘passing the medal’ on to Newly-elected President Christopher Trotter. Trotter, a longtime member and St Andrews native, thanked Marie for her unwavering service and saluted his Committee, marketing communications interns and members for a much-anticipated return in-person events.

Christopher’s first order as President was to encourage each member to invite a colleague to the club’s future events, a sure way to increase membership numbers for the coming season.

Closing the AGM, Christopher introduced the long-awaited guest speaker for the evening’s inspiring presentation, which was given by Jamie Andrew, OBE. Jamie detailed his experience of losing all of his limbs after being trapped by a storm atop a mountain in the French Alps. Following this, Jamie’s inspiring story shows his recovery from his injuries and him going on to be the first quadruple amputee to climb the Matterhorn, as well as other mountains, alongside completing marathons and Iron Man triathlons. Jamie’s story, recounted with honesty and passion, is nothing short of incredible.

Podcasts, Vlogs and Talking Media

3rd May 20214th May 2021 Yvonne McAulay

At our recent event on Podcasts, Vlogs and talking media, Kerr Mathieson of Audio Outsource discussed the power of audio and how podcasts can be used to grow and promote businesses.

Kerr runs a production company in Dundee and has 30 years of experience in music and audio production. He helps businesses to utilise podcasting and audio branding to expand their business.

Kerr explained many aspects of podcasts, for example distinguishing between business and leisure podcasts; the construction of branding through audio and the process of monetisation and promotion. He finished with a Q&A session to answer the guest’s questions on the topics covered.

NEXT EVENT: AGM + Jamie Andrew OBE

INTERNSHIP VACANCY – Marketing Communications Interns

25th January 2021 Yvonne McAulay

St Andrews Business Club is looking to appoint two new Marketing Communications Interns.

This is a really good opportunity to work for a local, long-established networking club where you will gain excellent business experience and communication skills.

While this is not a paid position, any out-of-pocket expenses incurred on Club duties will be reimbursed and the successful candidate will have the opportunity to enjoy the following benefits:

BENEFITS

Training and mentoring from experienced professionals.
Practical experience of real-life marketing communications with measurable results to add to your CV.
LinkedIn Recommendations from Committee members – https://standrewsbusinessclub.co.uk/about-us/committee/ – if overall job performance has met an agreed standard.
Introductions to useful career contacts and potential employers.
Opportunity to network and make useful career and personal connections at Club events, free of charge.
Enjoy the full benefits of being a member of the St Andrews Business Club, such as member discounts at Luvians, J&G Innes, etc.
Attend relevant educational talks by the business community.
Experience of working on a professional committee and the duties it entails, as well as gaining knowledge of issues such as data protection/GDPR/club finances.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The interns will assist the business club committee in certain tasks as well as organize events for the St Andrews Business Club for Students.
Attend Committee meetings with the main business club committee – once every 2 months in the evening 5.30-7 pm.

Facebook

Schedule Facebook Business page posts to promote each event
Promote member businesses by creating social posts – Opportunity for interns to devise creative original content that drives more engagement.
Create and add content to a Facebook Album for each event.
Take photographs of the event (with a club camera).

Twitter

Schedule tweets in Hootsuite – https://hootsuite.com – to promote each event using Eventbrite links and photos supplied by main Comms person/Event speaker contact.
Promote member businesses by creating social posts – Opportunity for interns to devise creative original content that drives more engagement
Optional – Retweet Members tweets and tweets by Local Fife groups we have links with and have created Twitter Lists

Website

Edit content on Club’s WordPress site – Training will be provided.

Student Club

Re-establishing the student club following a gap due to the pandemic.
Organizing committee meetings for the student club.
Increase new memberships and membership renewals

DESIRED MARKETING TASKS

Eventbrite – event creation & management – Training and content will be provided.
Campaign Monitor – marketing email creation & scheduling – Training will be provided.
Attend Club events – to assist with the running of each event – roughly one per month. See schedule at https://standrewsbusinessclub.co.uk/events-st-andrews-business-club/

REQUIREMENTS

Interest in marketing communications
Facebook – you must have your own account – Admin permissions for Club page will be granted.
Twitter – some prior experience would be useful, but training will be provided
LinkedIn – you must have a profile on this platform
Excellent communication skills
Proficient in a wide variety of IT applications
Must be professional and flexible in the way tasks are completed
Good time management skills
Desire to learn and be guided by experienced professionals

HOURS REQUIRED

See above, but once a season is launched – approximately two hours every week.

START DATE & LENGTH OF INTERNSHIP

The start date and length of the internship will be agreed upon with the successful candidates.

SUPERVISION

The interns will be supervised and trained directly by the Committee member with primary responsibility for Club communications, but also by other members of the Committee.

HOW TO APPLY

The application should be made by sending your CV via email to standrewsbusinessclubinterns@gmail.com with:

Subject Line “Marketing Communications Intern Application”
In the body of the email, you should describe why you are applying and why you feel you would be suitable for the role.

CLOSING DATE: Sunday 05/02/21, 23:59

A shortlist of candidates will be selected for a brief online interview in St Andrews.

QUERIES: Any queries about this role should be emailed to standrewsbusinessclubinterns@gmail.com

If you would like to get in touch with our current interns, please contact Sanaa Sachdev or Stanley Parker at standrewsbusinessclubinterns@gmail.com

Member News – Portable desktop screen enabling vital face-to-face community support to continue mask-free

19th November 2020 Yvonne McAulay

Gail Penman and Andy Simpson with the portable screen they co-designed. Picture: ASM Media & PR.

A portable desktop screen co-designed by an Angus therapist and Business Club member Andy Simpson is enabling community support workers to continue vital face-to-face sessions in a Covid-secure way.

The 60cm-square polycarbonate screen can be removed from its travelling case, assembled quickly and sit on a desktop thanks to removable feet – allowing support workers to talk face-to-face with their clients on the other side of the screen without the need to wear face coverings.

This enables better support than is possible via video calls through being more able to read clients’ non-verbal communication, allowing greater facial recognition and avoiding the distraction of masks or visors. It also allows children, or the therapist, to draw on it using whiteboard markers.

Supporting organisations

The screen is already being used by Angus community support organisations to continue vital face-to-face support sessions with the vulnerable people they serve. It’s hoped other groups in the county and elsewhere will use the screen to deliver the same benefits.

The idea and initial design for the screen came from Gail Penman, a director of North East Wellbeing Solutions CIC (known as NEW Solutions CIC), who provides a mental health and wellbeing support service to pupils, parents and staff in schools in Angus and Dundee from her Montrose base as well as bespoke mental health training programmes for workplaces.

During Lockdown she realised the limitations of working with clients over video calls – they don’t allow her to see what’s going on off-screen – such as the person fidgeting or the anxiety of a parent. Masks also have their limitations: “In therapy, wearing masks reduces the ability to see what’s going on. You need to see all communication – as you use a lot of observation to assess how best to identify and adapt the need and direction for intervention,” explains Gail.

Idea

So as plans were being made for reopening schools she came up with the idea of a portable screen which she and other support workers can carry with them – to enable mask-free face-to-face support sessions without screens having to be permanently installed at each location.

Gail took her initial prototypes and the challenge of making the screen freestanding to CeeD member Andy Simpson, managing director of Brechin-based Angus 3D Solutions. He designed the detachable polycarbonate feet and revised the screen so they can just slot in before making the new design for Gail.

She then had Montrose Rope & Sail create a custom padded shoulder bag to carry the screen in. Financial support for the project came from the Scottish Government’s Wellbeing Fund.

Bought screens

After she started using the portable screen for school visits, together with Covid security measures such as wiping surfaces and the screen, Gail mentioned the project at a meeting of an Angus third-sector collaborative group. As a result, Angus Women’s Aid, Angus Carers Centre and Deaf Links – the Tayside Deaf Hub service – have all bought screens for their support workers from Angus 3D Solutions at a price of £95 each.

So far 12 have been made and Andy expects more orders as word spreads among groups for whom it can re-enable face-to-face contact within the relevant Covid security rules. He hopes the price per screen can reduce if the volume of orders increases greatly and the cost of materials allows it.

Speaking about the project, Gail said: “While I now have to use Zoom again for ‘home visits’, the portable screen has enabled me to provide the face-to-face support sessions in schools vital for those who need them, particularly with the extra pressures the Covid-19 pandemic has placed on peoples’ mental health. Andy’s design and manufacturing expertise has been vital in bringing my idea to fruition.”

‘Extra safety’

A spokesperson for Angus Carers Centre said: “The screens are practical, easy to carry around and assemble and have been used within our counselling services to adult carers, and within school settings with young carers, providing carers and staff with the extra dimension of safety.”

Andy Simpson said: “We’re delighted to have been able to use our R&D experience to help Gail create a viable product and manufacture more for other community support groups whose work is essential. We’re sure there are lots of other groups and companies for whom this would also enable Covid-secure face-to-face sessions and we’d be happy to make more for them.

“It also feels good to use our expertise to enable important support services to continue in a Covid-secure way. We also made custom screens for Angus Council vehicles – so workers can share them safely.”

To enquire about screens, email Andy Simpson on andy@angus3dsolutions.co.uk

Member News – Fife vintage specialist goes global with 1st HBO/Sky TV role

16th September 202015th September 2020 Yvonne McAulay

Jude Law stars in The Third Day as a man drawn to a mysterious island.

While most UK retailers are announcing bad news, Fife vintage specialist Scaramanga is celebrating its products being seen for the first time on a global network TV drama.

Innovative new show, The Third Day, starring Jude Law, Emily Watson and Naomie Harris, premiered on HBO on Monday and Sky Atlantic and NOW TV last night. It “chronicles the individual journeys of a man and woman who arrive on a mysterious island at different times” and will allow viewers to follow the events of a single day in real time.

The show is unique in that, as well as pre-recorded, scripted episodes, it will include a live broadcast of a theatrical event on Sky Arts and online planned for October 3. It’s also the first original drama co-production between Sky’s new production house, Sky Studios, Brad Pitt’s production company Plan B Entertainment, world-renowned immersive theatre company Punchdrunk and writer Dennis Kelly.

Cupar-based vintage interiors and leather bags firm Scaramanga supplied an extra-large iron antique padlock and a large iron one to the show’s props buyer in August last year for filming, which took place in the UK. They’re now being seen by a global audience with up to 5 million subscribers in the US alone as well as up to 19 million on Sky Atlantic and NOW TV in the UK.

Reputation

Speaking about the firm’s first global network TV supply role, Scaramanga founder and Managing Director Carl Morenikeji said: “While our reputation as vintage specialists has seen our products used in 12 Hollywood and major UK movies to date, as well many UK network TV shows, this is the first time they’ve been aired on TV around the globe. We’re natural delighted.

“Better still, another three US network-made shows have bought Scaramanga products for props use and these will air next year as most are still being filmed. We’re hoping this will drive interest in our brand Stateside and in other places the shows are aired.”

The company, which also sells its bags, vintage furniture and homewares online and in its Cupar store, has previously been used as a supplier of vintage and antique props for UK TV shows including Strictly Come Dancing, Peaky Blinders, The Crystal Maze, Celebrity Big Brother, Hollyoaks, The Greatest Dancer, 60 Minute Makeover and Jericho.

Movie supply roles include Mama Mia! Here We Go Again, Paddington 2, Maleficent and Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, Dumbo, The Hobbit and Dark Shadows.

Vintage fans can find the full range of Scaramanga trunks, chests, homewares and bags on their website at www.scaramangashop.co.uk

Member blog – Horisk Leslie Development

5th August 20205th August 2020 Yvonne McAulay

Fife software firm’s new platform for Scottish Procurement helping public bodies kickstart Covid-19 economy response

A new platform developed by Fife software consultancy Horisk Leslie Development for Scottish Procurement is helping Scotland’s public bodies embed sustainability requirements in their procurements, kickstarting the national economic recovery post-Covid-19.

The Sustainable Procurement Tools platform brings together three tools designed to help Scotland’s public sector organisations identify and address how they can optimise the economic, social and environmental outcomes of their procurement. It makes them easier to access, reference and use – with a similar look and feel to each. It also enables better sharing of knowledge and experience within and beyond the organisations and makes them more likely to be used and deliver their benefits to the organisations, businesses and the public.

The Flexible Framework Assessment Tool is used to assess the current level of performance and actions required to embed good procurement practice to realise intended sustainable outcomes. The Prioritisation Tool assists early-stage strategic planning and brings a standard, structured approach to the assessment of spend categories. The Sustainability Test helps embed relevant and proportionate sustainability requirements in the development of frameworks and contracts. It can be used on its own or on the results of prioritisation assessment, where done.

Made live recently, the bespoke platform developed over five months by the Cupar-based consultancy replaces several offline Excel-based tools and is already being used by just under 100 procurement officials. Horisk, which specialises in bespoke software systems to simplify using organisation processes, won the £61,000 contract through a competitive tender in one of the Scottish Government’s national frameworks designed to ensure best value and quality in privately-sourced services and products.

Using the sustainable procurement tools on the new platform to assist early-stage strategic planning can form a helpful part of restarting activities, contributing to Scotland’s four-step economic plan: Response, Reset, Restart and Recover. Using the tools in the new platform can also help embed relevant and proportionate social, economic and environmental requirements in public frameworks and contracts.

Horisk’s public sector projects include work for the Historic Environment Scotland, Scotland’s Charity Regulator (OSCR), the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland (CYPCS), National Museums of Scotland, The Robert Gordon University, University of St Andrews, University of West of Scotland, The London School of Economics with more being created.

Speaking about the new platform, Director Brian Horisk, said: “We’re delighted to have had another large public sector client – a directorate of The Scottish Government – select us to develop a key tool which will be used by many organisations throughout Scotland to help us not only recover from the social, economic and environmental damage done by Covid-19 but also rebuild in a socially-inclusive and environmentally sustainable way so the benefits are enjoyed by all and help Scotland meet its climate goals.

“As someone committed to sustainable development, this has been a very satisfying project to use our specialism in bespoke software systems which simplify using organisation processes. It’s great to see it being adopted so widely already – allowing the benefits to be realised so soon.”

Lorraine Hook, of Scottish Procurement, said: “Horisk’s experience of developing similar tools for other public sector organisations was invaluable and meant they could hit the ground running on our project. They were able to offer innovative solutions to our requirements and, despite the pandemic, continued to work with us to deliver our project on time. As a result, we now have a single platform which provides easier access to our suite of tools and supporting guidance.”

For more about Horisk Leslie Development, go to its website at https://horisk.com/

Summer Food and Wine Social

25th June 202025th June 2020 Yvonne McAulay

Report by Sanaa Sachdev

Marie Paterson, Business Club President and Christopher Trotter, Fife Food Ambassador, and one of the Committee Members hosted the Summer Social

Members and Guests enjoyed the first-ever virtual Summer Food and Wine Social.

The evening was hosted by Marie Paterson, Business Club President and Christopher Trotter, Fife Food Ambassador, and one of the Committee Members. Whilst the event was held virtually, attendees enjoyed 3 specially selected wines and some delicious food. Christopher provided the recipes and everyone prepared the food in advance. Some attendees cooked poached wild sea trout, and green bean and potato salad, while others bought poached trout and served it with mayonnaise. For dessert, Members and Guests had the choice of strawberry tart or strawberries with black pepper and this was followed by Anster cheese. He also shared some information about the wines and local food, and everyone agreed the food and wines were delicious. Whilst it would have been lovely to have been together in person, everyone agreed it was still such great fun.

Members’ Presentations – How to get your business through Covid-19

4th June 20204th June 2020 Yvonne McAulay

Since we started holding our Member Presentation Evenings two years ago, it has been one of our most popular annual events. Club members, talk for five minutes each and answer questions to share some useful knowledge and demonstrate their skills and expertise.

This year, given the challenges presented by Covid-19, we asked them to talk about what will help businesses survive and thrive during and after lockdown.

First to speak was Club President and well-being expert Marie Paterson who provided top tips for maintaining health throughout lockdown, whether it be through a healthy structured diet or a consistent sleeping pattern.

Next to speak was new Club committee member and Director of HRHUB Plus, Edward Obi who offered detailed HR advice to employers during the Covid-19 crisis.

Third to speak was Club Treasurer Michael Stephenson, of EQ Accountants, who offered advice on furloughing employees and accounting throughout lockdown.

Next to speak was Andrew Stewart from A S Wealth Management, who discussed the importance of financial planning during and beyond lockdown.

Fifth to speak was Heather Stuart, Chief Executive of ONFife who talked about opportunity spotting during lockdown.

Last but not least was committee member Jonathan Gibson of Wells Gibson who talked about the importance of purpose driven wealth.

Thanks to Members and guests who took part.

NEXT EVENT: The Club’s next event is June 24: Summer Social with a difference. While we’re unable to meet and taste some wine and food as planned, we will still join together virtually with two specially-selected wines and some delicious food, hosted by Christopher Trotter. Notice of the wineand food which needs to be bought in advance will be available soon!