Business Excellence Awards

BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARD

Presented to a local businessperson who has made a notable contribution to the quality of business life in West Lothian.

Awarded to Gordon Dunne, managing director, the Dunne Group Ltd.
Gordon had always planned to have his own business by the time he reached his mid-30s, but even he could not have predicted how quickly he would succeed.

The ability to articulate his vision enabled Gordon to pull together a young, enthusiastic and capable management team and collectively they established the Dunne Group as a leader in the construction and civil engineering sector.

Gordon is heading up a group plan to create a sustainable development strategy that integrates environmental and social considerations into Dunne’s financial and business planning models. Turnover has grown exponentially from £2.5m in 2002 to £16m in 2003 and has almost doubled for 2004, while staff numbers have grown to over 300.

Gordon’s passion, energy, enthusiasm and integrity make him a perfect role model for aspiring business managers. He himself recognises that owning up to and learning from his mistakes is an important part of business development, and he never believes in “asking anybody to do something that I can’t or won’t do myself”.

BEST BUSINESS AWARD

Presented to a business that has demonstrated true business excellence.

Presented to Elite Control – an IT business offering system and software design and support that has demonstrated true business excellence.

Elite Control is a forward-thinking and forward-moving company that recognises it takes a combination of adaptability, innovative thinking and hard work to move its business forward.

The company offers customers its cutting-edge IT services for clients such as Scottish Power, Glenmorangie and Shin-Etsu. Another notable client – BP – has increasingly involved Elite in projects as far afield as Azerbaijan.

Operating under the motto ‘Promoting Performance Through Partnership’, Elite provides experienced advice and service to solve clients’ problems and meet their needs. Elite managed to win over the judges following increased sales, staff growth and profit, as well as new business, client retention and repeat orders.

Shortlisted entrants: Russell Europe, Netherfield, Elite Control Systems, Dunne Group.

ENTREPRENEUR AND BUSINESS START-UP AWARD

Presented to a business start-up of 2002/03 which has shown innovative endeavours in business. In drawing up the shortlist for this award, the judges look for innovative endeavours in business, which includes the successful operation of business and/or success in breaking into new markets. Companies also need to demonstrate the entrepreneurial potential necessary for long-term business success and economic growth.

The winning business in 2004 is West Lothian IT Training & Consultancy, run by Debbie Gourlay and Patricia Gorst.

The company is an accredited Microsoft Trainer that provides clients such as BSkyB, Schuh and Russell-Europe with personalised quality training to meet their individual needs. Using the Microsoft route means that West Lothian IT Training is able to ensure that recognised high standards are consistently met. It constantly analyses its current client base and the external markets to adapt to changes, such as the growth in e-learning and how this reflects on training methods.

Shortlisted entrants: Clarify Solutions, Flowers by Country Craft, Euan’s School of Motoring, West Lothian IT Training & Consultancy, COSAT.

BUSINESS INNNOVATION AWARD

Presented to a business that has demonstrated an innovative approach to business growth, retention or comeback. Businesses in this category are evaluated on their innovative endeavours including success in breaking into new markets, development of innovative or creative business methods and their response to adversity – problems faced by the business and the method used to solve them.

2004 award-winner Star Net Geomatics was formed in 2000 and provides its clients, many of whom are blue-chip companies, with detailed surveys using tools such as aerial and satellite remote sensing imagery, global positioning systems, and computerised geographic information systems.

This combination of technology and innovative employees has enabled Star Net to deliver detailed plans, three-dimensional images, photomontages, digital modelling and fly-through animations to its customers. Originally the company focused on the telecommunication sector but it has now adapted its product offering to target the construction industry.

Shortlisted entrants: Wisdom IT, Star Net Geomatics, Mitsubishi.

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Presented to a business that has demonstrated and delivered community investment.
Evaluated against contribution to community-oriented projects through personal time and resources, business, civic and community involvement and demonstration of volunteer efforts beyond business and professional responsibilities.

This year’s winner, Scotmid, has been a key supporter in the development of a group of businesses who together actively support the West Lothian Community. In the last two years, over £150,000 worth of assistance has been re-invested in the community – both in cash and through assistance in professional services and staff time.

Among the projects are a ground-breaking education scheme supporting young children while encouraging them to believe in their own capabilities – and learning how to run a business.

Shortlisted entrants: West Lothian Courier; West Lothian Youth Theatre and Scotmid – West Lothian.

CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARD

Presented to a business that has demonstrated and delivered continued commitment to customer service. Judges look for a business demonstrating business growth through customer service and a commitment to maintaining that service.

The 2004 winner was Incovo Ltd, a company providing communications solutions to major clients such as Scottish Widows, the National Trust for Scotland and Our Dynamic Earth Edinburgh.

Incovo currently enjoys 98 per cent customer retention levels, due in no small part to a customer service department offering 24-hour support for UK clients. Incovo’s team of consultants all have many years of experience working in communications and are able to offer expert advice and guidance “based on practice, not theory”.

Shortlisted entrants: Almond Valley Heritage Centre, Wisdom IT.

ENTERPRISING SCHOOL AWARD

This award recognises the efforts within West Lothian schools to develop, build and deliver an enterprise culture and is presented to a school that has demonstrated commitment to innovation, creativity and enterprise.

Awarded to Kirkhill Primary School.

Classes P4 and P7 at Kirkhill were involved in two enterprise projects. P4 designed and created a website to ensure information about the school’s activities is easily accessible to teachers, pupils, carers and parents. P7 took the initiative to design and manufacture a shoe storage unit to overcome the problems of shoes left at the classroom door. The class’s real success however – and £600 profit – lay in diversifying to produce tie-dye cushions and pebble door-stops. Both projects developed teamwork, responsibility and a lesson in business for all the pupils and teachers involved.

Shortlisted entrants: Croftmalloch Primary, Blackridge Primary, Inveralmond Community High, Stoneyburn Primary, St Kentigern’s Academy, Kirkhill Primary.