Edinburgh v Glasgow (and the rest of Scotland)

[Power Lunch Club]

This thread applies as much to other cities, it's just I happen to do business in both of them.
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We do business in Edinburgh and Glasgow, and what has become obvious is that there is a big business divide. (in fact the same comment was made at a meeting I was at this morning with the Univesity of Edinburgh)

The divide does not mean one city or even any other city, is better or worse than any other. I think the perception (for my business...I can't speak for others)....is that we are an Edinburgh business trying to come through to Glasgow. Whereas what I want is to give the impression we are a Scottish business.

Glasgow has been a tougher nut to crack and I don't fully yet know the reasons why...(but I am on the case!!). I have heard this alot. I am sure there are other Edinburgh businesses that do really well in Glasgow too. But I just find it's a different market and requires a different approach.

Do Glasgow businesses find it tough coming across to the East? And vice versa for business further north, Inverness, Aberdeen, Perth, Dundee.....if you live in there citites (or close to them) but want to do business eslewhere, do you find it a different marketing approach you need.

How should we be approaching cities which are out normal "stomping" ground?

What can be done to change attitude/perception?

 

[fantasycouriers]

I loved Frank Skinners wee skit about the Edinburgh's reaction to Glasgow winning the Commonwealth games "Well.....WE'VE got the Diving!!"

I think Glasgow people, and businesses are a bit more Earthy. The biggy is probably that a large business proportion of Edinburgh business people will be of the public/private school background, as opposed to state, and that there are natural networks going back to pre-business. Where as in Glasgow, there are a lot more people that have built their businesses despite some of the worst social and educational standards in the UK. Even now - the broadband access rate in Glasgow is substantially below that of the rest of the UK, and that's got to impact on businesses partic start ups.

My dad's from Gullane, I live in Ayrshire, My husband's from Stranraer, and Scottish natures definitely vary with regions.

 

[stugster]

The perception of "why should we give our business to an Edinburgh company, when we could get someone based in Glasgow, our own town?" comes up quite a lot for me.

 

[Paul McDonald]

Personally I feel the good old east west divide comes into play big time. I would echo the feeling that potential clients say why would I choose an Edinburgh company when there will be a Glasgweigan one that can do the same thing.

During our expansion plans to spread one of the companies i am involved in (Swan Web Solutions) we have found this perception, we also are looking to be seen as a "Scottish" company, although our routes stem from fife, most of our current clients are in Edinburgh but we have expanded into Glasgow more recently, which is where my role comes in for this venture.

We are planning some marketing activities and one of the things we are doing in order to be seen as Scottish is opening a Glasgow office to add to those already in place in Edinburgh and Glenrothes. We're hoping that this will go some way in making winning business in Glasgow and the west easier if we are seen to have a base in Glasgow, but actually are a Scottish wide company.

That being said this seems to be something that has less of an impact down south, we have a number of UK clients and clients in the south east in particular where working with a Scottish based company has had no bearing on our ability to win work....interesting difference there between the attitudes and I have also observed that English companies seem more willing to pay top dollar for work, where as the Scottish clients are looking for much more value for money.

If you are trying to come across as a national Scottish business I would suggest following suit and getting an office, or even just a mailbox in Glasgow. I'm sure you will find it makes a difference, it shouldn't but it does!

 

[Power Lunch Club]

If you are trying to come across as a national Scottish business I would suggest following suit and getting an office, or even just a mailbox in Glasgow. I'm sure you will find it makes a difference, it shouldn't but it does!

Thanks for the posting Paul...and also for the suggestions....I think a mailbox in the short term is a very good idea.

Kind regards

Gordon
PLC

 

[Power Lunch Club]

My dad's from Gullane

I love Gullane, there is a wonderful wee pub there just by the golf course....ah bliss...a pub by a golf course...heavan!

 

[polr]

We've not had any huge problems with Glasgow/Edinburgh (we're based in Glasgow) but I have been told that it's not even worth attempting to sell in Aberdeen for the reasons you said (even being Aberdonian won't save me apparantly!) Yet to test this out for ourselves though....

 

[Neil]

I have done quite a lot of work in both sides of Scotland without issues. When we have done national meetings (Medical) we have chosen Stirling. This is because if we had chosen one, E or G, we would have lost the delegates from the other city.

I'm sorry but I shake my head at this sort small mindedness.

 

[Scottish Business Owner]

The office address in Glasgow is probably a very good idea. I know of two IT companies both Edinburgh based who have used this very technique to get business.

Sandra's points are very interesting. I wonder how many people actually see their businesses as only serving a local market so dont bother looking any further afield. You would have thought that the advent of the internet would have widened their horizons!

What will it take to bring down these barriers? I actually feel quite proud that i've managed to get people from all around Scotland on to these forums

 

[jimbairn]

I have done quite a lot of work in both sides of Scotland without issues. When we have done national meetings (Medical) we have chosen Stirling. This is because if we had chosen one, E or G, we would have lost the delegates from the other city.

I'm sorry but I shake my head at this sort small mindedness.

That's why I like being based in Falkirk - within easy striking distance of Edinburgh, Glasgow and Stirling

 

[fantasycouriers]

If you think cracking Glasgow is hard, try DALRYMPLE!!!!
35 years and you're still an "incomer"