Date: 14/11/2017
Herefordshire-based SimpliWiFi had not previously entered any awards, until last year when it had been suggested to the firm to enter the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce Business Awards.
Whilst Ozan Pakyuz, Director of SimpliWiFi, admitted the process was a little daunting at first, he recommends that businesses are aware that you will have to provide a good amount of information to support your application.
SimpliWiFi completed its application within five weeks, however Ozan was completing the form whilst working and fitting it around the firm’s busy work schedule. Ozan said that he was a lot more relaxed once the application was finally sent off, however then came the waiting...
Ozan didn’t inform any of the staff that he had entered the awards, wanting to keep it as a fantastic surprise if SimpliWifi was shortlisted. After being revealed that SimpliWiFi had been shortlisted in two categories, Most Promising New Business and Best Use of Technology, the interview dates were set and the exciting news was shared with all staff. The announcement really did boost morale in the office and it was an incredibly welcome surprise.
The finalist telephone interviews were a little tense at the beginning, but after easing into the conversation Ozan said he believed they went well. After the interviews had finished, businesses had to wait until the awards night itself before finding out whether they had won the award(s).
The awards night is a very glamorous affair with a black tie dress code. On the evening, SimpliWiFi had a table full of staff, friends and clients that it looks after, all waiting to hear the results of the evening. The winner of each category was preceded by a short video clip by the judge explaining exactly why the winner was chosen after the business was announced.
SimpliWiFi was incredibly grateful to win both of the categories it entered, Ozan noted the feeling of going up and accepting an award is a great feeling of achievement, but to then be called up a second time was a little overwhelming, especially when you have an arena full of people cheering you on as a double-winner.
Ozan and the rest of SimpliWifi would highly recommend to businesses to enter the awards if you have the chance, the publicity from the event alone is definitely worth the effort. Good luck to all those applying for the awards next year!