Celebrating ingenuity, innovation and grit has never been more important

The 23rd Growing Business Awards will once again recognise the very best SME success stories – at a time when good news is in perilously short supply

Celebrating ingenuity

The
23rd Growing Business Awards will once again recognise the very best
SME success stories – at a time when good news is in perilously short supply

The Coronavirus pandemic has wreaked human and economic devastation around the world. Even as we begin to take tentative steps out of lockdown, news of second wave outbreaks and fresh hot spots, mean we remain a long way from business as usual here in the UK.

This has, of course, had overwhelming implications for business, and particularly for smaller, high growth enterprises that don’t have the luxury of deep cash buffers.

Indeed, just two days after the government implemented unprecedented restrictions on our way of life on March 23, the British Chamber of Commerce’s debut Coronavirus Business Impact Tracker, revealed that two thirds of companies had just three months of reserves in place – or less. Weeks later, the ONS announced that a quarter of British businesses had temporarily closed their doors.

It is a harsh reality, that some of those companies will sadly never resume trading. But it is equally true that the current crisis has inspired incredible depths of ingenuity, innovation and good old-fashioned grit.

Many organisations have managed the transition to home schooling, remote-working and prolific teleconferencing with admirable alacrity. Others have switched their entire delivery model on its head, or else have transformed their product focus over night to serve the demands of the NHS.

This kind of resilience, creativity and flare are just some of the attributes that the Growing Business Awards have been celebrating since they were first launched in 1998.

In the intervening decades, the high growth enterprises and entrepreneurial forces behind them that we have recognised, have navigated their way through meteoric technological and societal change; a dotcom bubble; global financial crisis and – are still navigating their way – through Brexit.

These SMEs are the backbone of Britain. It is they that will ultimately deliver our economic revival. As these businesses arguably face their biggest challenge of all, it is more important than ever, therefore, that we tell their stories and honour their triumphs.

This year, the Growing Business Awards will once again laud the very best companies in 22 different categories, amongst them Best New Product; Innovator of the Year; Online Business of the Year; Turnaround Business of the Year and many more.

The positive PR and investor interest that surrounds the Growing Business Awards has helped previous winners go on to dominate their sectors, with past victors including Bulldog Skincare, Go Ape, Flight Club Darts and Zoopla.

To join this impressive roster of champions and to help support and celebrate British Business’s fighting spirit, simply enter the awards and take part.

All entries must be completed by June 26. Judging panels, overseen by an unrivalled line up of industry leaders and former winners will take place on September 18. The glittering ceremony itself, meanwhile, will be held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London on November 25. We very much hope to see you there!

Now
in their 22nd year, the Growing Business Awards are the most
credible and highly valued recognition of exceptional SMEs. The deadline for
entries is June 26. Entries usually cost £199 plus VAT per category but Elite
Business readers are being offered a 2 for 1 deal. Simply cite the offer code
ELITE241.

This article comes
courtesy of the Growing Business Awards, which honours the UK’s most
outstanding entrepreneurs and high-growth businesses.

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