Insights
Unlock the potential of your business with our practical guides, customer stories, and technical industry factsheets.

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A renewable energy masterclass from Mackie's
Find out about Mackie's ‘sky to scoop’ philosophy, green goals, and how we’ve supported its sustainability projects so far.
Published: 09 Oct 20237 minute read -
Manufacturing success: five things to consider
Learn from Nick Shields, Head of Business Services and Advice at Scottish Enterprise, who discusses five factors crucial to sustained success in manufacturing - from focussing internal ambition to building supply chain resilience.
Published: 26 May 2023 -
Five ways to boost workplace innovation
With the cost of doing business rising, workplace innovation can deliver a range of benefits to your organisation. It’s an incredibly effective way to increase efficiency, boost productivity and retain talent.
Published: 16 Mar 2023 -
Financial readiness guides
Watch our financial readiness guides to learn about different types of funding and how we can help you access finance for your business.
Published: 16 Mar 2023 -
How OPEX connected with the GlobalScot network
Learn about the practical advice, support and real-life insights Aberdeen-based AI company OPEX received after connecting with GlobalScot.
Published: 23 Mar 20227 minute read -
Six steps to exporting success
New to exporting? Here's how to get started. We’re here to help navigate the steps your business should take to thrive in the new trading landscape. Lauren Tardito, our Trade Digital Specialist, shares her tips on ecommerce, strategy, documentation requirements and international markets.
Published: 22 Mar 2022 -
Aldomak: using renewable energy to beat running costs
Find out how family-run Scottish confectioner Aldomak is embracing renewable energy to cope with cost-of-doing-business pressures.
Published: 16 Mar 20227 minute read -
How to build a sustainable supply chain
What is a sustainable supply network? Learn about the benefits of supply chain sustainability for your business. Then get 10 tips on how you can work with suppliers to reduce emissions.
Published: 14 Mar 2022 -
How to achieve net zero emissions: checklist for businesses
Scottish businesses are showing a growing interest in reaching net zero carbon emissions. This article explores the trend. Get insights from our team of sustainability specialists on what it takes to reach net zero. Read our 10-step checklist to ensure your strategy is as effective as possible.
Published: 08 Mar 2022 -
How to develop a successful innovation strategy
A strong innovation strategy helps your business get the most out of its new ideas. With the right approach, you can boost resilience and create sustainable growth. Paul Cross is one of our Innovation Team Leaders. In this guide, he discusses the growing need for business innovation and offers five steps to help you succeed.
Published: 25 Feb 2022 -
How to calculate your carbon footprint
Calculating a carbon footprint for your business can help you accurately track and report your progress towards low carbon or net zero. This guide helps you take the first steps. Learn how to choose and collect the right data for your organisational footprint.
Published: 18 Feb 2022 -
Building business resilience
We often hear media commentators talking about building a resilient workforce - but what does the word 'resilience' mean in this context? And how does it apply to your workforce?
Published: 25 Jan 2022 -
How to sell your business to an employee ownership trust (EOT)
Thinking of moving to an employee ownership model? Co-operative Development Scotland (CDS) can provide you with guidance and support throughout the process.
Published: 21 Jan 2022 -
Booth Welsh uses sustainable technology for client profits
Integrated engineering company Booth Welsh is helping its clients adopt digital technologies that protect both profits and the planet. Find out more from the company's Aimee Doole.
Published: 25 Nov 20218 minute read -
Sustainability-driven innovation: how it can help your business
Adopting sustainability-driven innovation practices can bring many benefits to your business. As well as helping the environment, it can reduce your costs, build your resilience and give you a real competitive advantage.
Published: 26 Oct 2021 -
Clean heat: low carbon heat opportunities
Clean heat will play a crucial role in meeting Scotland’s net zero targets. There’s huge growth potential for Scottish businesses too. Find information and support on immediate, large-scale opportunities in the low carbon heat market.
Published: 14 Oct 2021 -
Circular economy for business
Get guidance on circular business models and find five tips for making your business more circular.
Published: 01 Oct 2021 -
Arbikie: the sustainable distillery making a difference
Find out how our support, effective collaboration and a unique field-to-bottle operation has helped Arbikie become a successful global exporter.
Published: 29 Sep 20216 minute read -
Develop a low carbon strategy for your business
Many companies in Scotland are working to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and transition towards being low carbon operations. This guide explores what low carbon and net zero mean, why it’s worth developing a low carbon strategy for your business and how you can do this successfully.
Published: 09 Sep 2021 -
How Granite Care Consortium became a consortium co-operative
Find out how support from Co-operative Development Scotland helped the group to become a consortium co-operative.
Published: 21 Jun 20215 minute read -
Succession planning guide
Our succession experts can give you free advice on ways to exit your business. Alistair Gibb, a succession adviser, explains the main options available to business owners in our series of short videos.
Published: 10 May 2021 -
Online marketplace Faire grows Powder Design’s US sales
Learn more about how we helped Faire, and the range of support to we offer help companies get stated with B2B ecommerce platforms.
Published: 31 Jan 20213 minute read -
How ACS Clothing created a culture of sustainability
Learn more about how ACS has put sustainability at the heart of its business strategy.
Published: 27 Nov 20205 minute read -
5 tips on achieving business sustainability
Developing a sustainable business will ensure your company has the capacity to endure, minimise your environmental impacts and help you take advantage of net zero and climate change opportunities.
Published: 02 Nov 2020 -
Scotland's low carbon future
There are many challenges and opportunities as Scotland transitions to net zero, but it is ideally placed to play a leading role in the journey to a global low-carbon future.
Published: 02 Nov 2020