‘Scotland’s ripe for change’ was the clarion call at a seminar and workshop ( ‘Water into Wine: creating business positivity and productivity”) held on Tuesday, October 17 at 18:00hrs in The Point Conference Centre, Edinburgh.

Hosted by Mike Stevenson, managing director of Edinburgh communications agency, Design Links and founder of Talking UP for Change (www.talkingupchange.co.uk), the event attracted a large number of people from across Scotland, as well as businesses and organisations from as far afield as Leeds and London looking for innovative approaches to creating a positive working environment.

Mike Stevenson, the founder of Talking Up for a Change (www.talkingupchange.co.uk), outlined the challenges from around the world that now faced Scottish businesses and communities: from competition from abroad and international online retailing; to global warming and the changes it was already driving in businesses and communities; to changes in consumer expectations and the welcome influx of talented migrant labour from Eastern Europe. Change was, according to Mike, now something that had become unavoidable – more than that it was essential to embrace it if Scotland were to continue to be a leading commercial player.

A practical example of just how well Scotland could respond was showcased by Steve White of Pinnacle, the management consultancy company, brought in by Mark Turley, the director of services for communities for the City of Edinburgh Council, to work with staff from the City of Edinburgh Council’s Building Services Division to transform the organisation from within, working in partnership with staff. Now radically transformed whilst retaining its original staff, the Division is now competing and winning against major private sector contractors. It’s a complete change of outlook on so many levels.