Press Release
Time to turn up the volume on UK business achievements
Just 4 weeks left to enter The National Business Awards 2008
With the closing date for 2008 entries looming around the corner, The National Business Awards, sponsored by Orange, urges business leaders and entrepreneurs to vote with their feet and enter the UK’s leading business recognition Awards programme today.
The Tenon Award for Entrepreneurial Spirit, is open for entries until the 31st July alongside sixteen further categories including customer focus, marketing, business leader of the year and growth strategy of the year.
Entries for this Award category have been buoyant despite the recent research findings from the Tenon Forum, the entrepreneur think tank, revealing that just 61 per cent of entrepreneurs are feeling upbeat about the year ahead. This is in stark contrast to 86 per cent of owner-managers 12 months ago and 78 per cent in 2006.
Despite this three-year low in business confidence, many entrepreneurs are remaining upbeat in the face of a potential downturn, with close to half (47 per cent) believing the looming recession will present opportunities for their company.
Entrepreneurs in London see the most potential opportunities in the downturn (53 per cent), closely followed by those in the East of England (47 per cent), the East Midlands (46 per cent) and the South West (46 per cent).
Andy Raynor, Tenon’s CEO, commented:
"With so much talk of recession in the media, it’s not surprising that entrepreneurs are feeling relatively downbeat, compared to the last two years. It is, however, very encouraging to see that entrepreneurs are aware of the opportunities for their businesses and a significant proportion are actively seeking opportunities during the downturn."
The current economic climate has spurred additional challenges for UK businesses across the country making it imperative to turn up the volume on business achievements across all industries.
Mike Faulkner, Group Programme Director, The National Business Awards, said:
"Taking part in our highly commended National Business Awards programme is an excellent opportunity for organisations in to make some noise about their outstanding achievements and measure their performance against industry peers. So for those who have still to submit their entries, hopefully, this will come as a timely reminder that the 31st July deadline is fast approaching.
The entry process itself is a swift affair where businesses can either register online www.thenationalbusinessawards.co.uk or call the entries team on 0207 234 8713. Once organisations have submitted their entry forms the shortlisted finalists across the 17 categories which make up the 2008 Awards will be announced on 27th August.
The companies that make the cut will then make presentations, in person, before an independent, expert judging panel. Winners will be unveiled at a gala awards ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London on 18 November.”
The National Business Awards recognises and rewards excellence, innovation and success. Uniquely open to organisations of all sizes and from any industry sector – public or private, companies from across the country are now being invited to take part in this year’s competition.
Visit www.thenationalbusinessawards.co.uk to register today or contact the entries team on 0207 234 8713
Ends.
For more information, please contact:
Henriette Svensen
PR Manager, The National Business Awards
Email: hsvensen@cmpi.biz
Tel: 0207 234 8753
Phillip Ward 020 7419 7323
National Marketing & PR Manager, Tenon Group PLC
Email: phillip.ward@tenongroup.com
Tel: 07800 617069
Notes to editors
National Business Awards categories 2008
- > The Tenon Entrepreneurial Spirit Award
- > The 3i Growth Strategy of the Year Award
- > The Badenoch & Clark Business of the Year Award
- > The Better Regulation Award
- > The City & Guilds Employer of the Year Award
- > The Credit Suisse Award for the Outstanding Woman in Business
- > The Credit Suisse Entrepreneur of the Year Award
- > The ICM Customer Focus Award
- > The Daily Telegraph Award for a Decade of Business Excellence
- > The Health Work & Wellbeing Award
- > The Health Work & Wellbeing Award for Small Business
- > The ICAEW Corporate Responsibility Award
- > The IMechE Business Innovation of the Year Award
- > The Marketing Strategy of the Year Award
- > The Orange Best Use of Technology in Business Award
- > The Orange Business Leader of the Year Award
- > The Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award
