In common with most of the 2009 Fellows, I’ve been a passive follower of our Fellows blog of late – relishing reading the blogs of the current cohort, while not contributing myself. I spent the bulk of 2010 helping Global Energy Group grow both internationally and in existing markets. It was an exciting year for the group and is best summarised by three significant awards for privately owned businesses: the Virgin Fast Track Revenue Growth Award (#1 in Scotland); the PWC Profit Growth Award (#1 in Scotland) and the HSBC International Sales Growth Award (#1 in Scotland and the UK). In addition Iain MacGregor, who many of us met at the Burns Supper in Boston in 2009, was named IoD Scotland’s Young Director of the Year.
2010 also brought a day out at Hampden Park for Global Energy’s staff and their families courtesy of the Chairman, Roy MacGregor; who leads Ross County Football Club with the same passion and commitment that he displays at Global Energy. One of Roy’s quotes from the match programme sticks in my mind “If people just believe in themselves in the Highlands, anything can happen”. A maxim for business as well as sport. Although Ross County lost on the day, beating Celtic and Hibs on route to the final provided fine examples of what one of Babson’s most effervescent Professors might describe as a monkey usurping gorillas.
Continuing the sporting theme - a sporting/business crossover that’s worth checking out if you haven’t already done so is the Winning Scotland Foundation “an independent business-led charity which is working to create a positive winning attitude throughout Scotland.” It was founded by Bill Gammell, CEO of Cairn Energy and an ex Scotland rugby internationalist. He explains the rationale behind the charity in this IoD article:
http://www.inthewinningzone.com/wz/media/docs/IOD_driving_to_win.pdf
At its core, the WinningScotland philosophy is that talent/intelligence is third in order of importance behind warrior skills (motivation and commitment) and thinking skills (the ability to think correctly under pressure).
Thanks for the update Martyn - great to hear that life post Saltire has brought success with Global Energy. Cohort 2 are in the process of selecting Externship B and looking beyond that, and so it is very encouraging.
Interesting coincidence that you mention Winning Scotland, as one of our cohort, Claire, worked there for a while.
Hi Martyn- per Mark's comment yes I was the first employee at WSF and the reference to warriors is from an Israeli called Yehuda Shinar whom we worked with for a while with SRU and SHU players in mens squads. I think there are huge cross overs with sport and business. Glad you're doing so well post SF!