Last year’s main Ely Standard Business Awards winner Steve Crook told a networking event of the surprise and delight of his success.
Mr Crook was speaking to an audience at The Maltings, Ely, to encourage firms and businesses to enter these prestigious awards.
The event was hosted by the Ely Standard to promote entries to this year’s awards which culminate in a sumptuous gala dinner and prize giving at Ely Cathedral.
Mr Crook, managing director of Ellgia Recycling, began by outlining his business background and the decision to launch the company in 2011 and the early days of trading in 2012.
He described how attention to detail and the value of customer engagement were critical to ensuring the company – named after his daughters Ella and Georgia- made a difference. His aim, he said, was to come up with the best waste recycling business.
His decision, he said, to enter the 2015 Ely Standard Business Awards, was to allow his firm’s success to be compared to other businesses locally,
He told guests that entering the awards “was a great opportunity to market Ellgia. “When you are starting a new business – and with a funny name- unless you are out there people don’t know about you”.
He said it was “amazing” how supportive his staff were “particularly when they heard we had made it to the finals. The enthusiasm was fantastic.”
He would, he said, have been happy to win one award but was delighted with the success that netted him three individual awards and overall business of the year winner.
Participating in the awards, he said, had helped at many levels not only with the coverage in the Ely Standard – and all its other social media and on line platforms- but the success had featured in other business publications. Trade magazines had reported it and “when staff heard of our success they were all walking three inches taller”.
Mr Crook said inquiries had come as a direct result of the awards and overall “it was a fantastic experience that I recommend. It’s well managed and a fantastic venue and if you’re thinking of entering then do it”.
Ely Standard events manager Sarah Scott-Foster explained the entry process, how firms or individuals can enter for up to three categories and, unlike some awards, entry is free.
She said taking part was good for businesses, produced effective marketing, promotes good working practices, and aids recruitment.
“It also boosts staff morale,” she said. “To have people shouting about fact you are successful is a great encouragement.”
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