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| Spotlight |
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| Lol Scragg, co-founder and chief executive of Cohort Studios, tells us about his asplanned. |
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spirations? |
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What are your dreams and goals?
An Aston Martin by the time I am 40 has always been one goal. I'm getting closer in age, but further away in vehicles! |
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pare time? |
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What do you do in your spare time?
Spare time? Let me look on Wikipedia to see what that is! With a game development company and a family, I forgot the meaning of spare time many years ago. But seriously, I tend to get beat by my daughter on the Wii, and struggle to keep my bad choice of cars on the road (the current one I have to stall to stop the engine!!!). |
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assions? |
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What are you most passionate about?
Work and family. Work to ensure that our company delivers the most fun, entertaining products that we can, and family to attempt to be the best husband/dad that I can be. I remember being passionate about football once upon a time as well! |
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ikes and dislikes? |
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Likes – beans on toast, classic British cars (that fall apart), manners, countryside, the Wicker Man.
Dislikes – stupidity, idiocy, rudeness, heat, Big Brother, Ferraris. |
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ge? |
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Be truthfull!
Closer to 40 than I would like to be (37, I think!). |
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icknames? |
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Tell us about any nicknames you have?
A couple, but I can't tell you some of them! I used to get called Unclegrump in a previous workplace because I reminded someone of their grumpy uncle. |
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ext big adventure? |
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| Not much planned really. Next little adventure is to put up some decking in my garden - no doubt it will turn into a big adventure like my sink installation was! I suppose the next 'major' adventure will be a return to Florida with the family next year. Oh, and I really want to go to China. |
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nvironment? |
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What does you office space say about you?
I really, really, really don't want to consider. A quick look around my desk shows a phone, an empty cup, empty glass, stupid phone that I can't work, big monitor, new keyboard, mismatching mouse, MacBook, a million post-it notes, a rack of paperwork to get through and a mass of clutter just next to my left wrist. Does that mean I am messy??? |
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ay? |
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Describe your perfect day?
Probably the best day I have ever had was the first day we took my daughter to Disney World at Florida. Seeing her face as all the familiar characters went past and said hello to her (as well as her screaming and laughing face on some of the rides) was wonderful.
Doing that again would be my perfect day, maybe topped off with finding an Aston Martin in my car parking space when we return to the parking lot. |
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| asplanned secures fifth digital media contract |
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 asplanned has successfully secured its fifth project at Dundee’s digital media hub, strengthening its position as one of the leading office design and move management companies in Scotland.
stv is the latest company to commission asplanned to manage its exciting new move to Seabraes House, which is quickly becoming Tayside’s digital media and creative industries centre.
The contract with the television company follows deals with four other companies set to move to Seabraes House – thermal imaging experts IRT Surveys and game development studios Tag Games, Cohort Studios and Proper Games.
Commenting on the latest contract, asplanned managing director Andy Stewart said: “Seabraes House is an important development in the continuing renewal of Dundee’s economic sector, and we are delighted to be working with these five companies as they establish themselves in new homes at Dundee’s excellent digital media centre.
“Our wide range of experience in office design and move management can be adapted to suit the needs of young cutting edge companies such as Tag Games, Proper Games and Cohort Studios, right through to established mainstream broadcasters such as Scottish Television.
“These recent successes are recognition of the value and expertise we bring to companies involved in the often fraught operations of uprooting and moving to new premises, and lays the foundations for further expansion for asplanned throughout Scotland.”
For more information visit www.asplanned.co.uk or call us on 01382 669174. |
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| Happy companies make more money – the proof! |
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 Some things in life seem certain – Scotland never quite making major football championships, 'summer' north of the border seeing as much rain as sun – but what about the impact of happy staff on a company's performance?
It might seem obvious that keen, motivated employees make for a successful business, and a recent major study backs this up. Professor Alex Edmans at Pennsylvania University looked at the performance of the hundred happiest US companies, and found their profit margins more than double the country's average.
These firms – who were judged by their employees to be the best workplaces in America – saw returns of 14% a year, compared with just 6% across the whole market. The professor warns that 'industrial age' thinking – "get as much out of them as possible and pay them as little as you can get away with" – just doesn't make business sense.
Andy Stewart, managing director of asplanned, agrees: "Valuing employees and giving them an enjoyable environment to work in are absolute essentials for any successful company.
"We pride ourselves on treating our staff and clients as important individuals, and ensuring they have a professionally designed environment to work in is absolutely key to ensuring employees are happy, well motivated and productive."
So if your office is feeling a little gloomy, give us a quick call to see how we can help brighten your working day – and perhaps put a smile on the face of your staff too! |
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| Creating outstanding offices for Avian |
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 client:: Avian Communications
sector:: marketing design and digital agency
location:: Brook Street, Broughty Ferry
project:: Office interior design for Avian's new home in the old Congregational Church in Broughty Ferry. asplanned helped assist with space planning, utilisation of existing furniture and supply of new furniture, move management, and aided with design advice.
about:: Avian is an integrated marketing agency that provides effective and creative solutions for any medium – whether print, broadcast or digital. Ranked in the top ten digital agencies in Scotland, Avian has designed and delivered over 100 sites in the past five years, including major clients like Lloyds TSB Scotland, Keep Scotland Beautiful, WL Gore and Scottish Enterprise. Avian decided to find a bigger home as the company saw its client base continue to expand and its staffing levels carrying on growing.
clientsbrief:: Ensure planned office move goes smoothly and help create a stimulating new environment for staff.
testimonial:: "When the installation and move happened, it went like clockwork. We closed down on Friday 20 June at 5.00pm and were all working again on Monday 23 June at 9.00am.
"I’d like to say thanks to all at asplanned including Andy, Stewart and the installation team, especially Steve and George.”
Click here to see how your office could look this outstanding www.asplanned.co.uk. |
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| Creating outstanding offices for Double D |
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 client:: Double D Food Engineering
sector:: design and manufacturing
location:: East Mains Industrial Estate, Broxburn, West Lothian
project:: asplanned has recently been working with Double D Food Engineering in designing and supplying new furniture for its reception area.
Providing both a glass coffee table and contemporary chairs to make visitors feel comfortable, asplanned also supplied a new reception unit with pedestal, improved cupboard facilities and brand new lighting to complement the changes made.
about:: Founded in 1978, Double D has a team of around 70 employees, including CAD-CAM designers, engineers and food technology specialists, who design and manufacture a range of custom-built ovens, cookers, char grilling units and smokers which are built to meet exact specifications.
clientsbrief:: Create a new and modern reception area that will welcome visitors.
Click here to see how your office could look this outstanding www.asplanned.co.uk. |
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| Hopeful new office move will go asplanned! |
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 asplanned is putting its own design and installation experience to good use when it moves to its brand new headquarters in Dundee city centre on August 1st.
Formerly a mill, the new building in Exchange Court is set to showcase the company's extensive furniture range and Italian partition systems.
As well as giving asplanned more space to continue expanding, asplanned managing director Andy Stewart said: “The city centre location is ideal for potential clients to come in and personally view some of the wide range of office furniture and partition systems we can offer, and that is something we will be encouraging.
“The extra space also makes it more comfortable for our staff and gives us the facilities to recruit additional members to the asplanned team, which is very much part of the business plan and integral to our goal of doubling turnover to £1.5 million.”
Not satisfied with opening up a new office in Dundee, asplanned is also on the look out for a similar building for the company's growing Aberdeen operation.
Check out asplanned's next newsletter for pictures of the new office and the full story on how the move went... |
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| Most of our new clients are introduced to us by existing clients who have been delighted with our service, if you know of any companies who are moving please let us know! |
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