Everyone is special enough to take part
THE North East Cheshire Business Awards celebrate the best in business across Macclesfield and East Cheshire, and take place for the sixth time in November.
This year there are 11 categories open to the region’s businesses, with entries welcome from all businesses regardless of size – you just have to get your nominations in before the deadline of September 30.
As part of our coverage of the area’s biggest celebration of local enterprise, the Express is introducing the category sponsors each week to see why they are supporting the event.
This week Ed Williams, managing director of Williams and Crosby design and marketing.
Ed started the business straight from university 30 years ago and is still loving the daily challenges.
He has a degree in design and marketing and says he decided to drop himself in the fast lane by starting in business “with a whole load of enthusiasm and an equal measure of business naivety”. Since then, the company has won a number of design awards, British Design Council approval and 30 years of experience. Ed says: “It’s been a great journey.”
Which award are you sponsoring?
Best Design/Creative.
Why have you involved with business awards?
We inherited the opportunity when taking over another business but strongly believe it’s important for business owners and their teams to be recognised and hopefully rewarded for their hard work. Most businesses are so busy doing that they don’t get the chance to step back and recognise the great work they do.
The awards are a great way for businesses to pause and reflect and hopefully be rewarded for these efforts.
Why did you choose to sponsor this particular award?
Creativity and design are obviously areas we are very passionate about. We’ve proven time and time again over the last 30 years that excellent, well executed creative work can make a real difference to any business. There is a saying that when all products or services are equal, great design will create the differential between com- got the petitors. You only need to look at Apple products and packaging to see this is true. Therefore it’s important to showcase the wealth of creativity in North East Cheshire to local businesses.
Why is East Cheshire such a great place to do business?
There is such diversity of business in the region, from dynamic start-ups to leaders in their field. We’ve been lucky to work with many of these and we truly believe this diversity and vibrance makes East Cheshire a great place to do business.
What is your best piece of business advice?
It’s difficult to suggest we’re in a position to give advise to other business owners other than in our field of expertise, but I guess after 30 years of being in business I would say keep the passion, treat other people’s businesses the way you would like to be treated. Business isn’t all about the buck, it should be about great and consistent delivery.
Anything else would like to add?
While talking to businesses about them possibly entering the awards I hear “Are we big enough?” “I’m not sure if we are that special?” “Would we really have a chance?”.
Well the simple answers are: “It’s not about size, there’s been 1-2 man teams and businesses of 200-plus as winners”, “If you are in business then you are doing something right”, “You have no chance if you don’t enter”.
There are many categories and you can enter as many as you feel appropriate. You can enter these categories as many years as you like.
Businesses have won awards in more than one category and many winners haven’t won gold first time around, but used their earlier experience to come back stronger and win in a following year, so why not give it a go?
It’s free and can deliver real recognition and benefits to the business and your team. you