DAVID RICHARDSON: Competition is a chance to stand out from the crowd
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If you run a business in the Highlands, you might like to know that the Federation of Small Businesses’ FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards 2023 are open for applications.
You also have a much better than average chance of winning something big at the event.
Why?
Well, Highland businesses consistently punch above their weights when it comes to the FSB Scotland Awards.
Two of the four winners of the top prize, the overall FSB UK Small Business of the Year, have come from the Highlands – Cruise Loch Ness and Woodlands Glencoe.
Given that the Highland region is home to only 0.4 per cent of the UK’s business population, two in four winners cannot be down to coincidence alone, can it?
No, it can’t!
Remoteness, challenging geography, population sparsity, issues of climate and seasonality are just a few of the challenges that face Highland business owners, and this region has the most interesting and diverse business community in the UK as a direct result of all of that.
It’s all down to the people who set up and run our businesses, of course.
And people who run businesses here really do want to live and work in the Highlands, despite the many challenges that brings, and they have to be hard-working, entrepreneurial and innovative, with can-do attitudes – people determined to succeed – as a result.
And succeed they do.
A surprising number of operators have more than one business.
But if you are one of the many frantically busy people working all the hours to stand still, why should you enter our awards?
Well, the process isn’t arduous and it is very instructive, requiring you to take a step back from the hurly-burly and focus on what you do, why you do it, what works, what doesn’t, and so on.
Even if you don’t win, this self-analysis can lead your business down exciting new avenues.
But people who enter awards are in it to win it, and for those that do go on to lift the top titles the results are great.
Winning really makes your business stand out from the crowd – it’s something to flag up to your customers and potential customers on your website and other marketing collateral.
It’s also great for morale – both yours and your hard-working team’s.
Judges will be looking for well organised, well managed and well marketed businesses.
Their owners will be energetic, fresh, innovative and creative, always looking for new and interesting ways of doing things – and they and their staff will put customers first and be passionate when it comes to delivering great customer service.
So, don’t delay, apply today at www.fsbawards.co.uk!
David Richardson is Highlands and Islands development manager with the Federation of Small Businesses.
