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Testimonials
What it’s like working with
us:
Testimonials
Working with Fiona Gavine:
Hewlett Packard PLC
I worked
with Fiona for a number of years in both Compaq and Hewlett Packard.
Fiona has
always been a go getter, she is very driven and motivated not only to get the
right results but also get the right results the right way. By using her skills
and experience Fiona has always been able to get that bit more out of the
people she works with. Fiona has always delivered outstanding results.
When I worked closest with Fiona was when I was the Vice President
of Materials and Logistics for EMEA and Fiona was the Director of
Channels Development. What made Fiona different was that she convinced people
that what she needed was good for the company so the teams wanted to be
part of the success. That type of creativity made Fiona stand out in
the company.
Danny Knox EMEA Vice President of Materials and Logistics
Spectratox limited
We asked
Fiona Gavine at Quest if she would manage the early stage development of a new
company. She quickly established rapport with our staff, provided added
value in a number of areas, including accountancy and marketing aspects.
She delivered what she said she would deliver on time and contributed creative
solutions to problems as they arose. I would be happy to recommend
Fiona.
Professor
James Ferguson, Department of Dermatology, Ninewells Hospital
and Director of Spectratox ltd.
Alcohol Focus Scotland
Alcohol Focus Scotland is Scotland’s only national organisation
addressing alcohol Issues with a national
policy and development perspective. Most of its funding is generated through grants
from the Scottish Government and other funding bodies, with a small proportion
coming from its selling services. As part of its business development it needed to consider ways
of improving its own abilities to self-generate income.
The organisation engaged Quest Business Solutions to provide it
with options as to how this could be achieved. The challenge was twofold; not
only to assist it discover potential new markets, but also to influence a
change in organisational culture to develop a more commercially conscious
approach while maintaining a charitable ethos.
In the organisation’s view this challenge was met extremely well.
We now have a set of recommendations many of which we are absorbing into our
business. The report also provided us with ideas of how to develop the capacity
of the organisation through a marketing strategy and of course the training for
staff which will ensure the approach can be sustained.
In
particular we found the experience of working with Fiona Gavine to be
helpful and stimulating. She is a good listener and brought challenging and
stimulating ideas to the organisation.
Quest Business Solutions has provided us with the framework we
needed to move more confidently into the future.
Jack Law, Chief Eecutive
Snedden Campbell ltd.
Snedden Campbell had achieved
growth following incorporation in 2004 however it was clear that we were
capable of achieving much more. To help expand the business we decided to
develop a “road map” to identify key strategies.
We were introduced to Fiona in
early 2006 and with her help we not only put in place a viable strategy but
also identified and resolved a number of issues that were acting as a serious
brake on our growth.
As a result of Fiona’s help our
turnover for the 12 months following her arrival on the scene was roughly
double what it had been in the preceding year and we anticipate that this rapid
pace of enlargement will continue.
In the long term Fiona will prove
to have contributed significantly to the creation of lasting value in Snedden
Campbell.
Ivor Campbell, Managing Director
Mitchells and Butler ltd
The Commodore & Innkeepers lodge Helensburgh had just
received a major investment and image change. The company had plans in place on
what was expected from the transformation. However what I wanted was to have a
local and clear strategy for the business.
Strategy planning and writing was something new to me.
Inviting Fiona Gavine to mentor this process was clearly the most important
step I had taken in achieving this goal.
Her business knowledge and ability to make you find your own
solutions is clearly the measure of a skilled business manager.
The strategy is in place, incorporating not only sales, but
also profit ratio, people and standards.
As a result, I have found real measurable benefits on our
profit and loss accounts this year. This has come from knowing what I want to
achieve and where the Commodore is going in the future. This is a great
business liberating feeling.
I you are looking for strategy, then I would commend Fiona
to you.
Robert W Kay, General Manager
Compaq PLC
I worked with Fiona for several years during a time of significant change
and improvement for the Operation and the Organisation. Fiona always
demonstrated very strong leadership and focus through this time, and
delivered sustainable results on time. She is creative and flexible in her
thinking, and takes the team along with her. She is a strong communicator
who works very effectively with all stakeholders.
Jim Kennedy, Finance Director, Compaq Manufacturing ltd.
House of Sheer Design ltd
Fiona was
initially recommended to me as someone who could help me gain a better overall
business perspective and effective strategy to ensure profitable growth in my
soft furnishings company. Fiona helped in many areas overall, however I would
specifically mention helping me understand cost analysis and structuring a
marketing campaign to reach my intended customers.
I found
Fiona to be very easy to work with and in particular the way in which she was
able to come down to my basic level of business understanding! She showed much tolerance
and patience and I would like to thank her for helping my business to succeed.
Vicky Sheeky, Creative Director. House of
Sheer Design
Inverclyde Community Development Trust
Before I attended Fiona’s training
session for “Finance for Non Financial Managers”, I can, without embarrassment,
admit to having a bad relationship with numbers and all things financial.
During Fiona’s session, I learned about processes and procedures and found that
I could actually have a basic understanding of finance without switching off
half way through due to total lack of interest or boredom.
In summary, I would say that I found
Fiona’s training to be both interesting and informative which I know will help
me in my role to be more aware and productive.
Kathleen McCaig. ICDT
I felt the
course was particularly useful in putting finance into a context which is
meaningful to non-financial managers. Everyone was encouraged to
contribute their thoughts and views throughout the day and this helped
those present to come to a clearer understanding of how finance
relates to their role. All in all I think those fearing finance were
pleasantly surprised.
Tracy
Elliott. Service Manager-Finance
Herborial limited
When I needed some clear and practical advice on starting a
new business based on the commercialisation of Phytochemicals for R&D,
Andrew McNair then director of Connect Scotland suggested I meet up
with Fiona Gavine. The challenge was; I was from an academic background and
needed someone with a good business mind to help me tune mine into a business
mode. Fiona came every month to my office at the university and we had a series
of very helpful workshops sessions. We ended all of them with me having massive
lists of work to do for the next time. After just few month of being
incorporated, the company is growing; we are now attracting investors and have
full time staff working in our laboratory.
Thank you Fiona.
Dr Romain
Viguier. Director of Herborial ltd.
Birds of Paradise Theatre Co.
in process
Morven Gregor, Artistic Director
Working with Agnes Hendry:
Working with Shona Struthers:
Other Associates:
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