74 | Tees Business
TEES TALK
In this issue , we ’ re asking our panellists : Now that the business awards season is almost upon us , how important do you think it is for businesses to enter these competitions and to celebrate their achievements ?
Matt McGough , managing director , Ithica Films “ Business awards have a double edge to them , in that they mean everything and nothing at the same time . We ’ ve always had the opinion that they ’ re nice to haves , they can honour the work that has gone on previously and it ’ s always nice to get that from outside your organisation . What it doesn ’ t mean is that the hard work is done – when we ’ ve won I always find myself back at my desk early the next morning making the next chapter of the business happen . I enjoy it , it ’ s nice to celebrate but it ’ s important to focus on the bigger picture .”
Tori Gill , managing director , tgi Media “ My experience of business awards is not positive . Yes , I have won one – but I was told in no uncertain terms that I had to attend on the evening and buy a table to be in with a chance of winning . I ’ m now very sceptical about them and never take it further if someone says my company has been nominated . I ’ m not saying I don ’ t attend any award events but the truth is that anyone can arrange one . Do your research first and make sure it ’ s a recognised award . Ask how you were nominated and what happens if you can ’ t attend on the night .”
Andy Price , head of enterprise development and education , Teesside University “ Business awards are a really useful thing to help businesses think about what they are really good at and get recognition in sectors that are often either very specialised or not in the public eye . Certainly being part of an organisation that wins an award is a very positive thing . It energises staff to achieve even more and has an excellent effect on team spirit .”
Nazia Aftab , employment lawyer , Endeavour Partnership “ I think it ’ s important for businesses to put themselves forward for awards as it gives them the opportunity to shout about their accomplishments , not only those of the whole firm but of its individuals . After recently winning an award for professional support at the AB Connexions dinner , I think celebrating such achievements is an important and positive thing , not only as it gives the business a platform to have their hard work acknowledged , but to also highlight the achievements of their employees , as it truly reflects their hard work .”
Ian Stark , CEO , Chemoxy Novacap Group “ Business awards have a place to celebrate the success and achievement of the region ’ s businesses . I like awards that reward tangible achievements such as export growth , health and safety , performance and giving back to the community . Awards that celebrate the success of apprentices , young people and employees who raise large sums for charity can be highly motivational for the whole company team . Chemoxy has won many awards over the years and these have given an uplift to our employees . We have some great businesses in the Tees Valley , so let ’ s shout about their successes .”
Dean Benson , CEO , Visualsoft “ I think it ’ s great that businesses enter competitions and awards to celebrate and recognise their achievements . It seems that in North East in general we are a little shy and reserved when it comes to recognition and praise . They absolutely are worth doing and help put the North East firmly on the map with the great people and companies that are about . At Visualsoft , we ’ ve had some great exposure in this , both winning awards and by being involved in the sponsorship and judging more recently , too .”
Ken Devereux , managing director , Devereux Developments “ It ’ s very difficult to generalise , but from our perspective we have never considered them . That said , the National Pallet Network , which we ’ re members of , has an annual awards ceremony and all of its members vote in different categories . For the last three years our company has been voted Depot of the Year , which is a very rewarding experience as it ’ s the fellow members who are voting . It ’ s testament to our staff and the great work they do – so it can be rewarding .”
Lou Murray , director , In The Fast Lane Events “ Can there be such a thing as too many award ceremonies ? They ’ re a great opportunity to come together with other businesses , especially if it ’ s industry-specific , to recognise the achievements of our peers and highlight individual company successes . We in the North East , especially in the Tees Valley , don ’ t normally shout about our achievements , so to be recognised for a job well done should be celebrated and used as positive PR for a business .”