Just why are we so good?

Just why are we so good?. Check it out:
(Sunday Mail Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) John Stewart

Managing Director & Group Chief Executive, National Australia Bank.

John was appointed MD and Group CEO in February 2004. He was previously Deputy Group CEO of Barclays and was responsible for the merger of Barclays and Woolwich. John's three points are:

Scotland has a great education system which is recognised internationally. This is the future of the country.

Scotland is starting to throw off the victim mentality and subsidy mentality. It is realise it can create wealth.

Scotland now has a government that understands it. The First Minister realises that when you are creating wealth there is more to distribute.

Mark Bamforth Senior Vice President Corporate Operations, Genzyme Corporation.

Mark joined Genzyme in 1988 after spells in the oil and whisky industries. He runs the corporation's operations in the UK and Ireland, and two in U.S. His three:

Scotland's position at the forefront of developing new medical technology means it can attract an array of talent. This brings international attention.

The Scottish education system has long been admired and does the country proud. The introduction of a Biotech Standard Grade, for example, shows foresight. It could give young people an advantage over those in other countries.

The oil industry was a fantastic boon for Scotland. There is now an expertise here which can be used to develop new technologies, e.g. wind and wave power.

Don Macleod

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, National Semiconductor Corp.

He is responsible for the performance of all the world-wide businesses of the $2billion corporation. He joined National Semiconductor in 1978 at its Greenock site. Born in Lewis. Don's three points:

The involvement of the universities in developing new business is rightly one of the First Minister's top priorities.

Many globalscots are products of Scotland's excellent education system.

Scottish Enterprise is giving Scotland a great exposure with this conference.

Gordon Hewitt

Professor of International Business & Corporate Strategy, University of Michigan.

He advises the Sony Corporation, Diageo, Citigroup, IBM, Motorola, Zurich Financial Services and Harley Davidson. He started his career at Glasgow University. His world-beater points:

Scottish attitudes have changed and the business community thinks of the world as a marketplace.

There is a new generation of younger, confident business people with a go-get-it attitude.

A lot of people no longer see being small as a disadvantage. It gives you an ability to change, which is an advantage.

Bob McDowell

Corporate Vice President World-wide Services, Microsoft Corporation.

Joined Microsoft in 1990 to establish its Consulting Services. In 1995 he took responsibility for sales and marketing. He traces his family back to Scotland generations ago. His world-beaters are:

A much better job is being made of marketing Scotland abroad. Measures like the globalscots events help.

Good progress is being made linking the country's academic strength to the requirements of business.

Scotland is now focusing on its strengths. It is not enough to say you are in information technology, you have to decide if its games or something else.

Copyright 2006 . Scottish Record & Sunday Mail Ltd.
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