Founder and CEO at BetterYou, Andrew Thomas, talks us through their Queen's Award for Enterprise experience.
How did you hear about the Awards?
The Queen’s Award has always been a goal of mine. Next to a Royal Warrant, it’s what I’ve always considered aspirational for BetterYou.
Why did you apply?
We applied a couple of years ago but with no success. This year we were approached by William Beckett from the International Trade Forum who informed us that there was concern regarding the paucity of winning companies from the Yorkshire region and would we like to apply. I jumped at the chance but knew that if we were to spend time on this again we would do so to win.
How did you find the process?
It’s an amazingly time-consuming process. Rightly so, as the level of information required is vast. Importantly it is a narrative, a story in which you take someone on a journey… often someone who does not know your company and maybe has little understanding of your industry. Our category was innovation, an area at the very essence of the BetterYou brand and I found that it worked better for us if there was a single tone of voice running throughout. Although many of the team contributed in important ways there had to be real consistency of style, theme and tone. I believe it helped the judges follow our story. What’s also essential is a fresh pair of eyes to challenge the text - and the numbers!
How has the Award boosted your business and staff morale?
It’s been an unprecedented year in so many ways but particularly for the team having to work remotely. We are a relatively small company and the creativity and team dynamic is essential for our success and both have really been tested. To share with them all such a prestigious award, that touches every one of them, has meant so much. It also means that we have something very real to celebrate when we all can get back together again this summer.
How do you plan to celebrate your Award? And what benefits do you envision going forward?
Champagne seems appropriate, doesn’t it?! We’ll certainly have a staff celebration as soon as we can get everyone back together. In addition, I’m planning a team plus family get-together at the end of summer, so I hope this will correspond with our receiving the trophy so we can combine the two. Not only have the full team worked incredibly hard and played their part in the company receiving this award, the support of their nearest and dearest is essential and I think it will be wonderful to celebrate together.
Find out more about BetterYou on their website.
Or apply for the next round of Queen's Awards.
https://twitter.com/TheQueensAwards
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