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Bill McFarlan
Bill McFarlan (born May 31, 1958) is a Scottish broadcaster, self-help author, conference speaker and managing director of his own training company, The Broadcasting Business. McFarlan writes and speaks on how to create self-confidence in building relationships, pitching for business and being interviewed on radio and television.

He became known as a journalist and broadcaster first in Scotland, then across the United Kingdom. His journalistic career began in local newspapers from 1976-1979 East Kilbride News], [[Kilmarnock Standard, Johnstone Advertiser, Paisley Daily Express], before embarking on 25 years of broadcasting (1980-2004).

McFarlan started at Radio Clyde and moved to Scottish Television (1982-1985), where he presented news and sport on Scotland Today and Scotsport. At BBC Scotland between 1985 and 1993 he presented Reporting Scotland, Afternoon Sportscene, Grandstand from Scotland and Sportscene. His first BBC network presentation was World's Strongest Man (1989, 1990 and 1991) and he presented sport on BBC Breakfast News from 1991-1995.

His switch to Sky TV to present Scottish football in 1995 was followed by spells back at Scottish Television on Scotland Today and presenting a 13-part golf series, The Golf Club. The Irish Broadcaster, Setanta, launched their coverage of Scottish football in 2002 with McFarlan as their presenter, a role he fulfilled until 2004.

In 1989, McFarlan established The Broadcasting Business, a media consultancy, training and production company, with then fellow-BBC presenter Alan Douglas. The business produced the first Scottish football videos in the late 1980s and early 1990s before specialising in corporate videos for organisations such as The Gleneagles Hotel and The Law Society of Scotland. The majority of the company's work, however, has been in training. McFarlan's best-known technique is to help clients remove what he calls "Pink Elephants"...words that conjure up a clear, unnecessary and negative image that can hinder communication.

Since 1989, McFarlan has presented media training and presentation skills courses to more than 300 clients, across 21 countries including the UK, North America, Western and Eastern Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Australia.

McFarlan bought historic Lochinch House in Pollok Park, Glasgow, in 2003, where The Broadcasting Business now runs more than 100 training courses each year.

Early Life
McFarlan was born William Inglis Maitland McFarlan on May 31, 1958 in Glasgow. He was educated at Holmlea Primary School from 1963-1966 and at Hutchesons Boys Grammar School from 1966-1975. A one-year course in journalism at Napier College, sponsored by Scottish and Universal Newspapers, preceded his entry to journalism through local newspapers. He has always lived within five miles of his birthplace, despite work taking him across the world. Today he lives in Whitecraigs, East Renfrewshire, on the southern outskirts of Glasgow.

Books
McFarlan's first book, "Drop the Pink Elephant," was first published by Wiley Capstone in 2003 and has been in print ever since. It was the WHSmith Business Book of the Month in 2003, coinciding with its launch. The book sets out principles for clear and impactful communication, based on McFarlan's experience as a journalist, broadcaster, media consultant, husband and father.

His second book, "Are You Good Enough?," was co-authored with Dr Alex Yellowlees, a clinical psychiatrist. It concentrated on techniques for building confidence through healthy self-esteem and was also published by Wiley Capstone.

Arbonne International
In February 2008, McFarlan became an Independent Consultant with Arbonne International, a US-based health and wellness company in the network marketing sector, promoting Swiss-formulated, botanically-based skincare and nutrition products. He was promoted to District Manager that year, Area Manager in 2009 and became a Regional Vice President in 2011. McFarlan's daughter, Emma, is a National Vice President with Arbonne and his wife, Caroline, is an Executive National Vice President.

Charities
McFarlan works closely with several charities, including KidsCharitiesUK, Rainbow Valley and Arbonne Angels.

Personal Life
McFarlan married Caroline Scott Brown on August 29, 1981 in Newton Mearns, East Renfrewshire. They have three children: Victoria (born 1982), Emma (born 1986) and Andrew (born 1987).