Shetland business managers were put through their paces this week in what is the culmination of a successful initiative by Shetland Enterprise.

The Local Enterprise Company has been working with eight managers over the past year as part of the Shetland Director Development Network which is run in conjunction with the Institute of Directors Scotland (IOD).

The event held at Busta House Hotel, Brae, saw the managers take part in a presentation similar to that which people with business ideas are subjected to when they try to secure the backing of entrepreneurs in the television programme Dragons' Den.

The interview panel was made up of staff from Shetland Enterprise, the Institute of Directors and participants who have taken part on the year long initiative. With just 15 minutes at their disposal, each person had to give a presentation about their strategic direction and the progress their business has made since starting on the Shetland Director Development Network.  

The initiative which is built on the concept of building business networks as an effective development forum helped chair meetings, provide one-to-one personal development meetings and coach businesses according to their particular sector. Those taking part can also look forward to improving practices and procedures, more effective human resource management and dealing confidently with staff.

Gillian Ramsay from the Shetland Fudge Company was one of the participants. She said: "My own personal development from the course has been the way forward for my business. Without the things I have learned and understood about myself, the business would never grow and develop. It's the connection between my personality, behaviour and interaction with others that is intrinsic to how the business operates and grows."

Businesses were also encouraged to network and communicate to share best practice and develop effective relationships with each other in order to increase the profile and value each business provides for the Shetland economy.

Rachel Hunter, development manager from Shetland Enterprise said: "We followed a successful model that was previously developed in Orkney where businesses taking part reported improvements right across their various operations.

"These ranged from taking a more strategic, long term view including the development of opportunities in new product development, internationalisation, succession planning, marketing and managing customers.

"The IOD training providers also brought a wealth of experience from having worked with businesses outwith Shetland. This meant local companies got a valuable insight into how other successful businesses solve problems and grow."

Those taking part in the Shetland Director Development Network include Brian Johnston, Shetland Litho; Gillian Ramsay, Shetland Fudge; John Henderson, Ocean Kinetics; Mark Fuller, Tay-CAD; Mark Hinton, Kildrummy Technologies; Steve Laidlaw, John Fleming & Co; Veronica Rocks, Busta House Hotel; and Victor Sandison, Lerwick Port Authority.