Somerset Chamber give small business a boost

Somerset Business Awards 2010 were given a kick

start  in Taunton

 by Somerset Chamber of Commerce

with the launch of their new website at a gathering in the Long Room at the County

Cricket Club. Newly refurbished and fresh, it was an appropriate setting for a

positive outlook of the world of commerce after so much doom and gloom on the

economic front.

The main plug of the event was to emphasise why these awards were started and

the importance they have for SMEs (small and medium enterprises), rewarding the

staff with an official pat on the back for all their hard work and boosting

morale.The award ceremony itself giving a real feel good factor.

Sandra Wilson,Chair of the Somerset Chamber of Commerce commented :" We

need to educate people about the importance of business,they don't understand

or appreciate that in this economic climate these businesses are where the

money comes from. I think here in the south west it takes longer to hit and we

have weathered the storm really well."

It was summed up rather well by Helen Lacey from Red Berry Recruitment of Shepton Mallet,which won

Mendip new business of the year 2009, she said : " Entering for awards is

not just an eye-opener, it helps you look back at what you have achieved and

give the staff the thank you they deserve. Now when we introduce ourselves we

can say we are not just a recruitment agency but an award winning recruitment

agency. You must tell people you have won and as the old saying goes you have

to be in it to win it."

Chief Executive of Somerset Chamber of Commerce, Rupert Cox said: "We hope

we have something for everybody,we have added some new categories this year and

are very conscious that the green elements of business need to be promoted. All

short listed companies will have videos made of them by Bridgwater

College.

I believe it is a greater opportunity than ever for businesses to say we

are here and we are doing well."

So come on Localpeople business folk, don’t hide your light under a bushel, be

proud of what you have achieved and put some positive energy back into the

news.

Entry

levels for these awards are expected to be higher than ever before, as more and

more businesses recognise the enormous benefits of winning a Somerset Business

Award, so visit www.somersetbusinessawards.org.uk

and start planning your entry now.

The awards were created in partnership with the Federation

of Small Businesses and sponsored by Albert Goodman closing date for

entries is Wednesday September 1st.   

This year the Somerset Business Awards Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony will be

held on 22nd October 2010 at Somerset County Cricket Club, Taunton.