Well done Graham!
| Mansfield gets its PR right |
| Monday, 29 November 2010 10:05 |
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Last Thursday I sat with several people I had not met before, dressed in our best Dinner Jackets and Ball Gowns awaiting the presentation of the Chad Enterprise Awards; the now annual business awards presented by the north Nottinghamshire newspaper. The temperature was minus one outside the marquee but quite toasty inside as the hopes and aspirations of over 100 local business people heated the space. As a shortlisted business myself and being up against two substantially sized opponents, I was feeling quite chuffed just to be there. As the awards started to be presented the buzz in the room became tangible, businesses of all sizes were being boosted by the recognition they were being given. I've often advised my clients to seek out awards and enter them for precisely this reason; it gives them a chance to realise and evaluate the quality of work they provide and it can give them a considerable marketing edge - being able to refer to your business as "award winning" really can set you apart. Although the meal as slightly spoilt by the over-cooked lamb, the presentation of the awards really gave me food for thought. I've been to and managed a fair few awards nights now, most of which have been put on by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations and I have to say the CIPR could learn a few PR lessons from this event. Even though, like the CIPR events, nominees had to pay for their own tickets, the contrast was evident. Each business that was called up received its award, certificate and a bottle of Champagne. The speeches from the two hosts referred to what the businesses had done to achieve the award rather than simply telling us one or two comments made by the judges. The whole event was tied very closely to the main reason awards should be presented - to support and recognise businesses that stand above the competition. Compared to the "glamour" and glitz of the CIPR events this one felt real, rooted in its business community and with a real purpose. Business leaders need to take time out to reflect on how well they and their teams have done over time and entering an award allows that to take place. It also sends a great message to the team, reminding them of their value and importance to the business, that without them and their approach to customer satisfaction there would be no business.Mansfield is a relatively small town, with a similarly sized business community. It has struggled in the past in the wake of large scale heavy industry closures and so it needs all the fillips it can muster. Will another round of the Chad Enterprise Awards thrust its economy forward and shift it up the best place to run a business league? Highly unlikely. Will it have a definite positive impact on the 30 or so businesses that were nominated for the various awards? Absolutely it will. My congratulations got out to all those nominated last week, you deserve the credit you were given, as do the organisers for running a smooth event. As for me, well my Champagne is in the fridge, keeping cool till Christmas Day. I went home with a Highly Recommended Award for my contribution to my local community. Was I disappointed not to win? As a sole trader who was up against two multi-million pound turnover companies I don't consider that I didn't win - and that will be my massive fillip for the next 12 months. 
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