If you’re proud of your firm, tell the world
Nov 5 2008 by Iain Laing, The Journal
INNOVATION in business is vital to the success of the North East in these demanding times.
Every company, regardless of size, location or sector, needs to come up with bright ideas to differentiate itself from the competition and hold on to customers.
The North East has a tradition of innovation, from Victorian industrialists such as Lord Armstrong and inventors such as Joseph Swan to the leaders in digital technology and engineering who have succeeded in recent decades.
To reward the greatest innovations in business there is a special award at the nebusiness awards, which are run by The Journal and Evening Gazette in association with Business Link in the North East.
The judges are looking for ideas which have proved successful, or have shown the potential to be.
Last year technology company Durham Scientific Crystals, now renamed Kromek, was given the prize for developing scanning devices with uses ranging from detecting flaws in factory production lines to detecting explosives in luggage at airports.
The Sedgefield group, valued at nearly £50m, has repeatedly won funding to improve its technology and start manufacturing. Kromek chief executive Dr Arnab Basu, pictured, said: “Winning this award gives the company such a positive feeling, both within the company and among its customers.
“It gives us a great image, especially when you think of the competition and that we are being peer-reviewed. It is fantastic for the workforce and is a great recognition of our success which impresses customers, shareholders and investors.”
There will also be new awards to mark the revamped nebusiness awards. These awards are already the biggest and best in the UK, but we believe that after consulting business leaders we have made them even better by more closely reflecting the changing nature of the region’s economy. We will champion promising young businesses with a Newcomer of the Year Award. We will celebrate achievements in helping communities and the environment with the Corporate Responsibility and Environment Award.
We will recognise the efforts of firms to look after and reward staff with the Employer of the Year Award and will reflect professional achievements outside the private sector with the Public Sector Organisation of the Year Award.
The awards ceremonies, which are highlights of the region’s corporate calendar, have also been given an exciting makeover with all heats and the final hosted by renowned humorist, writer and business guru Guy Browning.
It has been a tough year for every company, large and small, but though the slowdown has claimed some notable corporate casualties, it has also given an opportunity for many others to show they have what it takes to flourish in the most testing conditions.
The competition will as usual have heats to find the foremost businesses from the three sub-regions.
The judges are looking for entries from Tees Valley to the Borders, with competitions for Tyneside and Northumberland, Durham and Wearside and Tees Valley before the regional final.
The 12 categories mean there is something for everyone. If you’ve achieved something you’re proud of, there will be a category you can enter, with the best of the best competing for the title of North East Company of the Year.
