New Business Award – Sponsored by Humphries Kirk Solicitors
As a major Dorset-based provider of legal solutions to both individual and business clients, we see our sponsorship of the South & West Dorset Open4Business 2011 New Business Award category as an integral part of our business strategy.
Humphries Kirk has been involved in Open4Business in some capacity since its inception and with the formation of a new Community Interest Company to run this year’s, and future years events, it is clear that this business to business festival has become, and will continue to be, an essential date in the Dorset Business Calendar.
In the current difficult economic climate, existing businesses are seeking new opportunities and individuals with an entrepreneurial streak are setting up new businesses at a rate that has not been seen since the last (some say, current) recession took hold. And, all this with little or no financial backing!
Humphries Kirk, with our dedicated business team, is in a prime position to advise on setting up these businesses on a firm footing; to comply with current legislation; to support their growth and help them reach their goals in a structured manner.
Tourism & Hospitality Award – Sponsored by Resort 2012
Resort 2012 will be the 21st edition of the annual Resort tourist magazine. Rather than bake a cake and light candles the publisher, Resort Marketing Ltd, has decided to celebrate in another way.
Resort Marketing began as a partnership in 1991 with the aim of improving tourism marketing for businesses in Weymouth. Since then the Resort magazine has grown and now reaches millions of visitors via four county-wide annual editions that cover Cornwall, Devon, South Hants and, of course Dorset.
Distributed through more than 4,000 venues each year, the Resort series has certainly made its mark on the South West Tourist industry.
The company also has a very talented creative team, capable of all aspects of design, graphics for print or display, websites and, most recently, mobile phone apps.
The studio has worked with businesses of all shapes and sizes including Electrolux, New Look and the Covent Garden Area Trust. The design brand, now known as Full Picture, started life as 1st Resort Media and amongst the first jobs it undertook was to create the ‘Open 4 Business’ logo, indeed the very name ‘Open 4 Business’ came from within Resort Marketing as a part of a marketing brief to help offset the effects of the Royal Navy departing the area.
It is therefore very apt that in the company’s 21st year of business, it chooses to celebrate by being a sponsor of O4B, and the Tourism and Hospitality Award is clearly most obvious. It’s where we came from and who we serve.
Retailer & Customer Service Award – Sponsored by Lloyds TSB
LloydsTSB Commercial Weymouth & Portland is proud to sponsor an award that is so central to our business. We pride ourselves on giving great customer service to all business and personal customers and it is great that we can help in recognising great customer service locally via this award.
We aim to help all businesses achieve their dreams and aspirations. LloydsTSB Commercial is very much Open for Business, helping customers through every stage of their business and work hard to make businesses’ lending propositions bankable, credit balances work for them and keep the financial wheels turning. Our Commercial vision is to be the Bank that is best for UK Businesses and a force for good in the UK economy and we acknowledge the role that our SME’s play in this. For all your banking needs make us your first call – Anna- Maria Geare 07921548583, Jeremy Weekes 07921548582 for a no obligation chat.
Open 4 business is a great opportunity for businesses to be recognised for their role in the economy. It gives us all a chance to be proud of what locally we can achieve and take time to reflect on how we could improve our own businesses. At LLoydsTSB Commercial we feel that in this area retail and customer service is central to business and we are proud to be the award’s sponsor.
Anna-Maria Geare, Commercial Manager, Weymouth & Portland
Technology & Innovation Award – Sponsored by DJ Property
In recent years Open4Business has established itself as the leading business event in south Dorset. As the leading provider of commercial property in this region and as a supporter of enterprise generally, DJ Property is a regular sponsor of the very popular Open4Business Awards. The Awards have helped many local businesses focus their efforts and clearly define their strategy. The entry process demands that businesses document and structure their operating procedures. This coupled with an enhanced media profile during the judging processes has lead to many local businesses benefitting tremendously
We are excited about not only this year’s Open4Business events, but also the potential of what is achievable in years to come. We are expecting another successful event this year and wish all entrants to the Awards every success.
Mickey Jones www.djproperty.com 01305 77 88 96
Small Business Award – Sponsored by Hive Beach Café
The Hive Beach Cafe has been part of the Open4Business Awards for the last few years and now uses it as a core element of its Sales & Marketing strategy to ensure our public profile.
Having been an entrant, a finalist and a winner of the awards and having turned this success into a tangible increase in business, we felt it was time to take the next logical step and encourage others to do the same.
Over the last 3 years we have seen our public profile increase, not only across Dorset, but nationally, with coverage on TV and Press. We have seen an increase in visitors to our café resulting in a significant increase in turnover. We have increase the number of seats both internally and externally to accommodate this increase in visitor numbers and a knock-on effect is that we are now employing more local people than ever before.
The café is now involved with many local and wider issues including sustainable fishing, local sourcing, food miles and has recently opened its Social Networking sites to join in the Big Fish Fight amongst other related subjects.
The Hive encourages all other local businesses to take this opportunity to tell Dorset how good they are by taking part in the Open4Busines Awards 2011 and achieve the same level of success that we have.
Learning in the Workplace Award – Sponsored by Weymouth College
With over 7,000 students from across Dorset, the South West of England and the rest of the UK, as well as overseas, Weymouth College offers a diverse range of courses across all vocational areas, excellent facilities and a team of highly dedicated and experienced staff who provide guidance and support as well as quality teaching. The College specialises in industry-relevant vocational courses from Foundation Level to Level 4 including BTECs, Diplomas, NVQs, Apprenticeships, and Foundation Degrees.
We are proud of our students’ achievements with many of our courses gaining a 100% pass rate. 94% of those who applied to university from a Level 3 vocational course in 2009/10 were offered a place.
The campus is just a stone’s throw from Weymouth beach, and is home to industry-standard facilities such as a professional kitchen and restaurant, hair and beauty salons, 250-seat theatre and, opening in September 2011, a state-of-the-art media facility The Hive. There is also a campus dedicated to construction, engineering, and stonemasonry (for which Weymouth College is internationally renowned) in nearby Poundbury.
Weymouth College operates two sports centres with a wide range of sporting activities available to students. An extended library and learning gateway is an excellent learning resource for students and the whole community. The College also offers the biggest contribution towards student travelling costs in Dorset with the majority of students having annual bus passes.
Weymouth College prides itself on the support that it gives to students, and there is also a dedicated Learning Support and Guidance Team who can provide students with advice on careers, mobility, additional learning needs and personal support. Our students will tell you that this is a caring and supportive college with a friendly atmosphere.
Entrepreneur Award – Sponsored by Equation Accounting
“Award Winning, UK based, cloud accountants who provide easy-to-understand, online financial reports and pay-monthly accounts packages to SME’s, from £20 per month”
With a mix of modern technology, a vibrant company image and burning desire to deliver outstanding customer service, award winning, next generation accounting firm Equation harness the power of ‘cloud’ technology and use it to improve their client’s financial performance.
Specialising in small Limited Companies, Equation work with SME’s all over the world, via secure online portals. Using web-based accounting programmes, they provide clients with accessible, affordable and understandable online financial reports, which measure and analyse business performance, in an easy to understand way.
Equation ensure their clients have a clear understanding of their current financial position and 24-7 access to their financial information. They save their clients money and improve efficiency through tax savings, cost cutting and increased financial awareness.
Equation pride themselves on their professional, yet personal service. They recognise that every business is unique, which is why every client receives a dedicated personal account manager, who knows about their business.
Their systems were designed with precision and efficiency so that they can deliver your accounts, (from core-data to the polished final-product), in less than thirty days.
Equation operate a transparent pricing structure and pay monthly accounts packages and continually innovate to reduce costs, so these savings can be passed on to their clients.
Equation understand that fast paced, next generation businesses need to perform at internet speed, access financial information in ‘real time’ from mobile devices and leverage the increasing capability of virtual environments. Their recently launched franchise and newly opened second office in Poole is a testament to their ‘cloud vision’ and innovative approach to business.
Equation are proud sponsors of the 2011 ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ category after their success as ‘E-Business of the Year’ and being nominated one of Dorset’s top three entrepreneurial companies in November 2010.
Business Engagement in the Community Award – Sponsored by Basepoint
Basepoint Centres Ltd as a provider of business space for SME’s recognises the importance of marketing and promotion and sees Open 4 Business and the annual awards as a golden opportunity for companies to take advantage of the benefits that Open 4 Business achieves in Dorset.
Open 4 Business not only showcases individual companies but sends a clear message that Dorset is a place to base your business.
With over 1500 businesses at a Basepoint Centre in the UK, our experience has shown by providing support and a professional business environment as they grow the percentage that are successful is increased. Open 4 Business is a great event for promoting a business both within an existing customer market and beyond bringing the added advantage of potential new markets and contacts. Basepoint believes in this and is happy to be a main sponsor for 2011
By sponsoring the “Business Engagement in the Community” Award we recognise that many Companies take their social and environmental responsibilities seriously providing help and support within the community in which they live and work. Basepoint is a subsidiary of the ACT Foundation, a registered charity providing grants for people with disabilities and sponsoring this award fits well within the company ethos.
Export Award – Sponsored by Old Mill Accountants & Financial Planners
Old Mill is delighted to be involved in sponsoring ‘Open 4 Business’ this year. Supporting local and regional business is right at the hub of the Old Mill ethos and this year with the opening of our new Dorchester office and our expanded activity and service in the Dorset area it is only natural that we want to be involved. We very much look to further the cause for business owners and believe that accountants are not just bookkeepers but should act as advisers and support for business owners.
We have selected the Export category to sponsor. It is an area where many local businesses either shy away or treat it as very periphery to their core business. In the global economy today, we see it as important that all companies look to see what opportunities there are to operate across wider markets. Constructive support for those businesses, who are looking to expand internationally is very much part of the service we offer.
Our first meeting with a business is always free and without obligation so why not invite us along to see how we could work together.
Business of the Year Award – Sponsored by David Upshall Insurance Services
When I was approached by the directors of the new Open4Business Company and invited to be the 2011 main sponsor, I looked into their aims and aspirations. It is evident from the development of Open4Business since inception and under the guidance of the new directors and Stakeholders Committee, that this is an ideal platform for local businesses to work together, exchange ideas and benefit from a working relationship within the festival of events.
My participation in the recent Business4Business Exhibition convinces me further that this concept fills a need for businesses in South and West Dorset. There is strength in numbers!
The awards ceremony is an ideal opportunity for local firms who have been judged the leader in their category, to be recognised for their achievements.
We are honoured to be the 2011 Main Sponsor and assist in the development of Open4Business which, with the current leadership will undoubtedly go from strength to strength.
Flame Award – Female – Sponsored by Pineapple Business Support
We are a team of highly professional bookkeepers and administrators ready to help run your office efficiently. We work with Sage, QuickBooks and Excel spreadsheets at all levels. Our separate Payroll Bureau is always busy and we love Credit Control work.
Our Virtual Office Service means we can take care of all your office needs remotely to enable you to concentrate on running your business. We can work onsite, offsite or purely internet based, from a few hours a month, week or on a daily basis. Please contact us – we’re there to help.
Flame Award – Male – Sponsored by Fiona Penny at Sunflowers Floral Design
Sunflowers Floral Design has been located in Weymouth for over 15 years. Owner Fiona Penny said: Being a previous winner of Open4Business 2009 myself, I really wanted to support the local businesses in this area and theOpen4Business brand by Sponsoring the Open4Business Male Flame Award in 2011
I was able to recognise this sense of achievement and excitement of Open4Business at the recent Business4Business exhibition, and found the support and spirit from everyone who attended really inspiring this was the main reason why I decided to sponsor the Male Flame Award.
Being a part of the Open4Business Festival is fantastic and I get a real buzz from being involved in the event. As an Award Sponsor this year, I am really excited to see the competition for my award category and be a part of the whole judging experience.
I have never sponsored an award before but I can sense it is going to be a very valuable experience for me and for my business as Open4Business has certainly grown in popularity and as a credible business organisation over the past few years .
I would encourage all local businesses to enter as, speaking from experience, you could just win it! It is a great opportunity to be involved with and to celebrate that you were a finalist or a winner, it speaks volumes for your business.
Dinner Sponsor – Enterprising Women Dorset
I was delighted to be given the opportunity to sponsor the Open 4 Business Awards Dinner this year, as Karenlee Knott and Enterprising Women Dorset. Having been involved with the organisation of this festival of business celebration for some years, I wanted to give something back and to be a sponsor was the obvious solution. We have such a great range and diversity of businesses here in West Dorset and to be able to congratulate those who will be lucky enough to win an award at the Awards Dinner Celebration is something I am looking forward to.
Being part of Open4Business helps businesses gain recognition and awareness in the business community for their achievements and skills that perhaps they don’t normally promote very well or even shout about. The more businesses embrace this festival, the greater it will grow – as it has year on year, and being part of its success has proved that businesses do gain that extra awareness in the area. Everyone wants to be part of it now! We have some fantastic events leading up to the Awards Ceremony and the whole festival creates a buzz that I am sure our ‘neighbours’ are envious of!
Karenlee Knott
