CASE STUDY - Don McLean, McLean Architects Ltd

Glasgow architect Don McLean came to the Action Learning Set - a forerunner of the Positive Action Club - to resolve the issue of how to grow his12-strong practice.

At the time, two of his directors were members of an English company that used McLean Architects as an affiliated company in Scotland. However, Don was frustrated that sometimes their interference was hampering the business.

"I didn't approach this particularly feeling we had issues, but as you go through the process of talking about your business and being questioned by fellow business people, it really opens your eyes to things you knew were not quite right but hadn't put them in the right perspective before," said Don.

"We were growing, but on a couple of occasions the company in England influenced what we were trying to do and I knew that had to change."

As a result of the discussions with the group, Don resolved to buy out the two English directors and redistribute their shares among existing members of staff. The company then flourished, and during the following year continued to develop and grow in size to 20 members of staff.

"Putting the re-structuring in place and clarifying my thoughts was a direct result of the discussions I had with the club," said Don. "These discussions not only focussed my thoughts on the real issues the company had to address, but they made me follow though as well."

Don returned to the Positive Action Club last year where the group helped him resolve the question of a necessary re-structure to respond to recessionary pressures and ensure the most cohesive team was taken forward.

Don added: "The benefits of the Positive Action Club are clear in assisting business leaders arrive at their own well-crafted strategic solutions based on experience-based questioning by their peers."