VWS business development director, Graham McMonigle, has scored a new success for the company after being awarded the accolade of “best presentation” at the conclusion of a prestigious business development course organised by hub South West.

A public-private partnership funded by Scotland’s business development agencies and a clutch of Tier One contractors including Morisons, Graham, Morgan Sindall and Keir, Hub South West’s development programme is aimed at ambitious companies in construction and related sectors based in Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway. It runs over 8 half-day sessions (10-2) over a period of 12 weeks.

Hub South West’s fifth Building for Growth programme got under way in September this year with members of the VWS team, led by Graham, in consistent attendance.

The programme is open to any business looking to grow in a sustainable manner by building the skills and internal capacity to take on increasing volumes of business. A golden rule of the programme is ‘no competitors’, leaving participants free to discuss any business issues, challenges and opportunities in a safe and supportive environment with a like-minded group of business people. 34 locally based companies, including VWS, have now ‘graduated’ from the programme.

Said Graham: “Each representative of the eight companies participating in the programme is required to make a presentation at the conclusion of the course which covers the benefits they have derived from it and the lessons they will take forward to improve the chances of their company winning work from some of the Tier One contractors.

“The programme goes into lots of critical issues: you as a leader in your business, building a team to achieve your goals; developing your business strategy and objectives and business planning.

“We examined then VWS’s target markets, branding, our promotional mix and marketing planning, digital and email marketing, PR and social media and information modelling.

“Finally, we tackled smart tendering, maximising opportunities with public Contracts Scotland, Constructionline, Quick Quotes and managing financial risk before pitching for business.

“I told my audience that I had taken lots of knowledge and understanding from the programme whose lessons I believe I can put into practice by helping take VWS to bigger and better contracts. The judges were kind enough to say my presentation was best on the day.

“I have to admit that nothing in my experience had prepared me for this ordeal. I was very wound-up about the presentation and practiced any number of times in front of my girlfriend and our two boys, none of whom, I have to say, were prepared, even once, to take me seriously!

A full list of delegates on the Building for Growth Autumn 2016 programme can be found here: http://www.hubsouthwestscotland.co.uk/news/147-building-for-growth-autumn-2016-concludes.

For more information about Hub South West Scotland then visit www.hubsouthwestscotland.co.uk.