Past Participants

Here are examples of the remarkable results the programme is helping business owners to achieve. It doesn't matter whether you are a service business, a manufacturer or a retailer, The Business Map will help you drive your business forward.

These are just some of The companies that have participated in The Business Map:

55 Degrees, Audio Visual Services • A&E Russell, Work Wear Suppliers • A & I Accessory, Aerospace Engineers • Aaask Ltd, Flag Manufacture • A I B Electrical Wholesale, Electrical Distributors • Academy Class, I.T. Training • ACS Physical Risk Controls Ltd, Environmental Consultancy • Advanced Data Services, Document Management • akp Group, Building Contractor • Albion Fencing, Industrial Fencing Contractor • Allan Water plc, Nursing Homes • Anderson Maguire, Funeral Directors • Archibald McKellar & Co Ltd, Office Furnishers • Ark Architects, Architects • Amethyst Management Consulting Ltd, Human Resource management • ARC Facilities, TV production • ATCO, Building Services Engineers • Axiom Business Computers, Software Solutions • Axis Media Group, Public Relations Consultancy • Bradford Robertson, Architects • Brunel International (UK) Ltd, Recruitment Consultancy • Burn Stewart Distillers, Whisky Producer • Business Insurance Bureau, Commercial & Business Insurers • Caledonian Cleaning, Cleaning Services • Callander Security, Security Products & Services • Cameron Presentations, AV Contractor • Charles Scott and Partners, Consulting Engineers • Chisholm Hunter, Jewellers • Claire Clifford Office Products, Office Supplies • Claremont Office Furniture Ltd, Office Furniture • Clear Telecoms, Mobile Telecommunications • Craig Corporate Management, Management Consultants • D & H Businesses Ltd, Photo Processing • DAB Handling, Forklift Truck & Materials Handling • Defreeze, Website Design • Earlshill Construction, Construction • Envirocentre, Environmental Consultancy • Everest Nursing Home, Nursing Home • Fitzpatricks, Patent & Trade Mark Attorneys • Frank Irvine Solicitors, Solicitors • Fraser Brown Newman, Architects • French Duncan, Chartered Accountants • Geoffrey Reid Associates, Architects • George Street Research, Market Research Agency • Gold Seal, Window & Conservatory Manufacture • GRP, Advertising Agency • H & F Drilling, Drilling Equipment Manufacturers • H1 Design Ltd, Graphic Design • Hall Marketing, Advertising Contractors • Harmony Recruitment, Recruitment • Holmes Partnership, Architect • HR Consultancy, Recruitment • Hyphen Design, Graphic Designers • iCafe, Internet Café • ICM Computer Group, Computer Consultancy • Identification Technologies Scotland Ltd, Industrial Ink Jet Suppliers • Impact Arts, Community Arts • Initiative Software, Software Developers • Insurepair (Glasgow) Ltd, Insurance Property Repair • Integria Solutions, Computer Services • Intellis, Data Management & Telesales • J. Kane Fireplaces, Fireplace Manufacturers • James G Carrick, Container Manufacturer • JMP Consultants, Civil Engineering Consultancy • Lambhill Court, Nursing Homes • Langs Hotel, Hotel • Loganair, Airline • Macdet Hygiene Services, Industrial Cleaning Contractor • Marshall Wilson Packaging, Food Packaging • Martin Robertson Associates Ltd, Accountants • Muirbank, Aggregates • New Media Partners, Management Consultants • Northcote Surgery, Doctor Surgery • Northern Forklifts (Scotland) Ltd, Forklift Truck Suppliers • Online Computer Developments, IT Support Consultants • P & I Supplies, Electrical Wholesalers • Paper Fusion, Paper Procurement • Pointer Ltd, Burglar Alarms & Security Systems • Print 4 property, Property Print Specialist • Professional Recruitment Group, Recruitment Consultancy • Ramage Young Partnership, Civil and Structural Engineers • Real Maintenance, Building Maintenance & Repairs • REL Group, Supply Chain Management • R.G. Bespoke Joinery, Building Restoration & Joinery • Routes to Work South, Employment Regeneration • Runaway Productions, Film & DVD Production • Scottish Youth Theatre, Theatre • Scotwide Antenna Systems, Industrial Communication Masts • Seymour Harris, Architects • SHINE, Advertising Design Agency • Solution Canvas Software, Software Consultancy • Supaseal Glass Ltd, Glass Manufacture • Tait Components, Electronic Computer Components • TDI, Wholesale Jewellery • The Design Corporation, Advertising and Graphic Designers • The Donaldson Group, Building Maintenance and Repairs • Triage Central Ltd, Employment Regeneration • Warren Consultants, Property Planning Consultants • Wild in Scotland, Tourism

Video Reflections

Click images below to watch video reflections from past participants.

Umer Ashraf, Founder, iCafe

Photo of Umer Ashraf, Founder, iCafe Before participating in The Business Map, Umer was preoccupied with the daily grind. He didn't realise what he was doing well or even where his profit was really coming from. And although Umer had staff working in both his stores, basically his business was still a one man operation: he was working, driving, operating... and sometimes even stalling the business! Things had to change. Umer completed The Business Map in February 2008, and he's now 'let go', allowing his staff to do the day-to-day running of each store. Today, iCafe is a well structured business, with a managing director running the operation on Umer's behalf. A third iCafe store will open soon, with the franchise set to launch in 2009. "I am now very much working ON my business rather than IN it," says Umer.

Ian McEwan, Managing Director, AKP

Photo of Ian McEwan, Managing Director, AKP Ian had taken AKP, a healthcare and interior refurbishment company, to a healthy stage in its development. He now had to decide whether or not to grow and expand the business, or consolidate and maintain its current size. The latter was never really an option to Ian who knew the opportunity was there to double turnover over the next five years. So, Ian turned to The Business Map, for clarity and assurance on his plans for the strategic development of AKP. In particular, he sought the confidence to make his vision a reality. "We're now consistently winning £1m plus contracts and that's not something we were doing a short time ago", says Ian. What's more, since completing The Business Map, AKP has increased its head count from 60 to 100 people, and the rapid growth continues. Ian also decided to send his Operations Manager on the most recent programme.

Bob Hannah, Proprietor, The Business Insurance Bureau

Photo of Bob Hannah, Proprietor, The Business Insurance Bureau Bob Hannah is proprietor of The Business Insurance Bureau. An independent insurance underwriting and brokering business, employing 10 staff. His business was doing reasonably well... decent turnover, decent customer base, and making a profit. However, Bob wanted much more from his business (and lifestyle). He turned to The Business Map. As it happened, Bob went through a transformational experience. The program really changed his business and his entire outlook on life. "I've done lots of business courses over the years but I can't remember anything that made such a deep impression... Life changing things are happening here. I'm humbled and grateful to everyone involved.", says Bob.

These are just a few examples of the power of The Business Map to help key business people from a range of circumstances take their operation to the next level. And that's what makes this programme so amazing. If you put what you learn into practice with input and direction from our 5 experts along the way, you will build a more profitable business.

It doesn't matter whether you are a service business, a manufacturer or a retailer, The Business Map will help you drive your business forward.

More Case Studies

Charles Scott & Partners – Steven Hughes

Charles Scott & Partners are an independent firm of consulting engineers with around 30 staff, providing engineering services in a wide range of disciplines including Civil, Structural, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering.

P & I Supplies and Repairs Ltd – Lynne Arbuckle

P & I Supplies and Repairs is an independent, family owned, business established in 1984 by the current directors’ parents. Some twenty years on, from their base in Glasgow’s Port Dundas Trading Estate, the company has developed considerably and now provides a vast range of supplies.

Impact Arts – Mairi Sanders, Operations Manager

Impact arts are a UK community arts company, committed to involving people of all ages and abilities in innovative arts-based activities. Established in 1994, they work in partnership with a variety of community groups, schools, housing associations and funding agencies.

ark architecture + design – Brian Taylor - Director

Brian Taylor and Tom Walker set up ark architecture + design in September 2000 after 13 years working together in another architectural practice. In 2004 the business went through some fairly radical changes.

H & F Drilling – Kevin Mallin

In 1986 H&F Drilling Supplies was formed to supply and service the onshore drilling industry in Scotland. H&F are now the largest independent manufacturer, stockist and supplier of drilling equipment in the UK. Supplying to all the different sectors of the market-place H&F describe themselves as the original 'One Stop Drill Shop'.

Testimonials

In The Business Map you will find how to improve your business using proven methods being used by the most successful small businesses around.

‘The Business Map covers all the key areas which, managed well, will lead to a successful business. Each day moves at a good pace and there is ample time between the sessions to digest the theory and apply to your own business. The networking also gives the opportunity to understand other businesses as well as bouncing ideas off each other’.

Stephen Telford, Managing Director, High Voltage Instruments Ltd

‘As soon as I met Mark and he explained the benefits of the course, I knew it was for me. The Business Map has been very well delivered from the sessions, the materials supplied and the updates through phone contact and emails and I’ve also met some great contacts’.

Andrew Malcolm, Director, Allseasons Ayrshire

‘It is a truly unique and powerful programme that will literally transform the way you run your business - The Business Map does exactly what it says on the tin’

Mark Docherty, General Manager, Clare Clifford Office Products Ltd

‘Taking part in the Business Map has made an extremely positive impact on my business. I have taken a great deal from the programme and plan to make some big changes to the way I operate - both at work and in my personal life. The Business Map has been a great experience. ’

Steve Craven, Business Owner, Craven Publishing

‘Does what it says on the tin! The course allowed me to draw up a map for my business. Now I know where we’re going and how to get there’

Mark Young, Managing Director, Academy Class

‘The Business Map has given me the confidence and knowledge to enable me to direct my business where I want it to go.’

Michael Parker, Director, Earlshill Construction Ltd

‘The business map was an enjoyable process, providing practical insight and theory that will make a difference to the way you run your business. I came onto the Map with no real expectations but 5 months later, I believe I have got the platform to go on and develop within my business’

David Borthwick, national account manager, Burn Stewart Distillers Ltd

‘Since I started the Business Map six months ago I have been on a steep learning curve and I am delighted to be able to say that during the course I was promoted to Director at TGP Landscape Architects. For me, this was the real reward. Business Map has given me the tools to take control of my career and the lessons I have learned will make a real difference to the business.’

Matthew Benians, Director, TGP Landscape Architects

‘In my view this is an essential course for any company that wants to secure its long term success’

Paul Murricane, Director, Axis Media Group

‘The Business Map really did exceed my expectations’.

Rob Rushbrook, Manager, Brunel International UK Ltd

‘It’s the best money I’ve ever spent on my business – I just wish I’d done it years ago’

Martin Robertson, Proprietor, Martin Robertson Associates (Accountants)

‘I’ve learned loads and feel prepared for the challenge of being a partner and contributing fully to the ongoing success of our business.’

Steven Hughes, Partner, Charles Scott & Partners

‘Taking part in the Business Map has given me increased focus and a better understanding of how to grow and develop my business. I have put plans in place for the long-term development of my business and am confident that these plans are strategic and well formed.’

Martin Jack, Business Owner, Think Different Events

‘I highly recommend The Business Map - it has something for the majority of business owners, whether you are in the early years or have a mature business. It provides an objective framework to step back and re-evaluate what you're doing and has the practical focus to drive you to implement the right changes to achieve your goals.’

Graham Rowan, Business Owner, Select Appointments

‘A great opportunity to stand back and look at the business from a fresh perspective, gather my thoughts and be clear about the way forward’

Emma Willey, Director, ACS Environmental Services