News archive 2008
Scottish Women's Aid website
November 2008
We were delighted to be asked by Scottish Women's Aid to help them create a new website which allows for greater co-operation between member groups while also promoting their services more effectively.
The site launched in September and has been getting great feedback so far.
It's fully accessible and aims to be a comprehensive resource for member groups, women and children affected by domestic abuse.
Introducing...
November 2008
Barry Dewar joined us in August as Web Projects and Communications Manager.
He replaces founding member of The Graphics Company Alison who left last month after 19 years of service. The good news is that she left Steve behind.
Barry says "There's quite a legacy to live up to in Alison's wake but I'm sure I'm up to the challenge. I'm excited to join a company with ethics as strong as TGC but I wish they'd told me I would have to use a Mac when they interviewed me."
Barry's varied CV includes project management and copywriting but on occasion he likes to call himself a screenwriter having completed an MA in that subject last year.
He also wanted to point out that he doesn't always look as smug as he does in that picture.
A new Chris...
November 2008
Chris has positively metamorphosised over the last couple of months.
First of all, he's moved into a full-time marketing role with The Graphics Company. Don't worry though, he'll still be on hand to help out with enquiries about recycled papers and printing on strange materials.
On top of that, he's also been elected onto the board of Community Enterprise - a social enterprise body focussed on supporting the sector across Scotland.
Roller banner winner
August 2008
We offered the chance to win a roller banner (like those behind Ross in the picture) at The Gathering in June.
We recently put the names of the thirty entrants into the hat and drew the winner...
Congratulations to George Lang of Carr-Gomm Scotland, your organisation will soon be in receipt of a beautiful free roller banner, designed to your specification.
Ch-ch-changes
July 2008
A founder member of our co-op, Alison Neathey, will be leaving us in September. After nearly two decades with The Graphics Company, Alison is moving on to become a freelance website content editor, but we don't think it will be long before she starts up another co-op.
We can't begin to describe Alison's contribution to The Graphics Company over the years, but it's truly massive and we will really miss her. We'll be keeping in touch, particularly since Alison's partner Steve is still with us and shows no signs of budging.
A new full-time Web Projects Manager is joining us to replace Alison. He will be able to devote more hours to our clients' websites, futher expanding our web capabilities.
Co-op Village at The Gathering
19-20 June, Glasgow
If you missed us at S2S, you have another opportunity to catch up with us at The Gathering. We'll be there as part of the Co-op Village which will feature a whole host of co-operative businesses and organisations.
Steve, our IT and web guru, will be there to demonstrate the basics of website accessibility. We can give your website an on-the-spot accessibility MOT.
Chris, our print production manager, will also be on-hand to offer you advice about the latest in environmentally-friendly printing processes and papers.
Hope to see you at The Gathering next month.
Job vacancy
May 2008
Do you want to work in a co-operative? Are you nuts about website accessibility? Are you a good project manager who also knows a thing or two about marketing?
Well, our website business is expanding and we need a new co-op member to join the team. See details of the job vacancy on our jobs page.
500 years of printing
April 2008
This year marks the 500th anniversary of Scotland's first printing press.
Andrew Myllar and Walter Chepman set up their press in Edinburgh's Blackfriars Wynd (now Blackfriars Street) and produced Scotland's first known printed book in 1508. They had been granted a royal license by James IV the previous year.
There are a host of events and exhibitions to mark the anniversary, see the website www.500yearsofprinting.org for details.
S2S trade fair, Dundee
April 2008
Chris and Yie took our trade stand to S2S, the Social Enterprise Trade Fair, on 23 April. Social enterprises and worker co-operatives (like us) have a lot in common: both are about running a business with a social purpose (not-just-for-profit).
S2S was a great success with an excellent turn-out. There was a visit and speech by Jim Mather (Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism) to show his support for the sector.
Yie, our photographer, was on duty and covered the event on behalf of the the organisers - the Scottish Social Enterprise Coalition (see a couple of the photos on the SSEC website).
Chris had some very useful discussions and made new contacts: “Really enjoyed the day. Great venue and good to see so many faces, old and new. It felt like there was a real positive energy to this year's event with a great variety of social enterprises on display”
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Social Enterprise: Good buy or goodbye?
February 2008
We joined in the 'Social Enterprise: Good buy or goodbye?' debate and trade fair on 20 February. Organised by Social Enterprise Edinburgh (SEE), the event was held at Out of the Blue in Edinburgh. It brought together public sector staff and social entrepreneurs for an open debate on the benefits and challenges of social enterprise involvement in public service delivery.
However, for all the talk of social and environmental criteria in procurement decisions, it seems to us that everything still ultimately comes down to price. Procurement officers might want to consider the 'added value' that social enterprises offer, but the purchasing professionals on the ground just have to go for the cheapest quote.
We think that the public sector should 'walk-the-walk' and not just 'talk-the-talk'. After all, the many benefits that social enterprises bring to society ultimately save the taxpayer money.