Join us on Linked in
Friend us on FacebookIt’s tough enough surviving day-to-day as a business in the current economic climate, let alone looking for new ways to set yourself apart from your competitors. Of course, hard work and a good service or product are vital but they’re not the only route to success.
Business awards give all companies from SMEs to multinationals the opportunity to raise their profile, and they come with several added bonuses. On top of the clear marketing and commercial benefits, winning competitive awards can spur on a proud workforce to even greater heights. They also set your company apart from competitors and enhance your credibility in front of new and existing customers alike.
But does the prospect of opening your business to the scrutiny of judges fill you with fear? Or are you uncertain where to start when it comes to putting together a winning entry?
Martin Stiven and Damian Reece discuss how to make winning awards work for your company.
For more information visit www.nationalbusinessawards.co.uk
In recent years, the UK‘s strength in science, technology and innovation has been the unsung hero of the British economy. According to a survey commissioned by the Department of Business Innovation and Skills, the majority of business leaders across the UK agree that working together with Government to promote the development of such skills in Britain will help get the nation out of recession. Nearly half (43 per cent) also believe that UK organisations are good at supporting innovative business areas and ideas.
But how do you encourage innovation in your company? Does encouraging ‘open communication’ between employees at all levels work? Should you offer a cash or stock incentive? And how do you recognise theses unsung heroes for their contribution to your business?
Personal recognition for achievement is one of the most powerful drivers of innovation – that’s why the Government are calling on businesses to enter the inaugural ‘iawards’ which recognise and celebrate the best British achievements in science, technology and innovation. Open to all organisations, the 13 award categories reflect the greatest challenges we face as a country – from addressing the healthcare needs of an aging society to minimising the threat of terrorism or climate change.
Behind-the-scenes footage of each winning entrepreneur who took part in the recent BT Essence of The Entrepreneur competition.
Young Entrepreneur – Fruit for the Office - Daniel Ox
Female Entrepreneur – Buddi - Sara Murray
Male Entrepreneur – Chemist Direct - Mitesh Soma
Original Business Concept – Bompass and Parr - Sam Bompass and Harry Parr
The remaining winners in alphabetical order:
Samantha Hale – Advance Performance
Paul Gilbriath – Banner Bags
Eddie Czestochowski - CellPack Solutions
Sanchita Saha – City Socialising
Sam Wahid – Gift Republic
Alaistair Mitchell and Andy McGloughlin – Huddle
Shane Lake and Tony Charles – Hungry House
Marcus Simmons – I know UK
Ben Rosen – Inspiring Interns
Paul Lorram and Henry Bennet – Island Wall
Lawrence Mallinson – James White Drinks Ltd
Susan Cropper – Loop Knitting
Ben Black – My Family Care
Bradley McGloughlin – Trading 4U
Emmanual Addy and Huw Jenkins – Send Money Home
It could be a plot from one of his feelgood movies. Against a snowy London backdrop, something perennially ignored and unloved finds the attention it craves against all odds. Only this time, director Richard Curtis is hoping to sprinkle his stardust on an arcane bank tax rather than a lovelorn English fop.
Britain's most successful comedy writer is aiming to tap into the public's fury at how bankers are scooping huge bonuses while the rest of us suffer pay freezes by spearheading the launch of a campaign demanding the introduction of a "Robin Hood tax" on financial institutions.
Harnessing YouTube, Facebook and celebrity endorsements, Curtis has taken what was once regarded as a naive pipedream to tax a slice of every financial trade and given it a makeover. The Tobin Tax, named after the American economist who first suggested the idea, is now rebranded the Robin Hood tax.
The powerful new coalition of domestic and overseas charities, unions and church groups argue that a Robin Hood tax could generate $700bn (£450bn) worldwide. The tax would see 0.05% levied on each bank trade ranging from shares to foreign exchange and derivatives, creating a cash pile to be spent on measures to combat domestic and international poverty as well as fight climate change.A slick advertising campaign by Empire Design features slogans such as: "This is the first tax you'll be in favour of" and "Small change for the banks, huge changes for the world".
The campaign has already lived up to its outlaw image. In the early hours of Tuesday morning, the question "Do you want to be part of the world's biggest bank job?" was projected onto the Bank of England. From tomorrow, campaigners will ask Facebook networkers to don green Robin Hood style facemasks as a show of support.
www.robinhoodtax.org/
