I am absolutely thrilled to bits, I have won the award for Best Web Designer in the Southwest Prestige Business Awards.
All through my career, accolade has been the main driver for me. I have always worked so hard to ensure my clients are happy, whether in this career or my previous one and when that is recognised, however it is recognised, it is the best feeling.
When I first started in Sales at Talkland International (latterly Vodafone) I remember going to my first ever sales conference. It was in London at a big posh hotel and there were so many people there. I had never been to an event like it, loads of tables with white table cloths, white napkins, sparkling glasses and cutlery and huge chandeliers! We had a delicious lunch and I still remember that we had duck paté, poached salmon and crème brûlée. After lunch two of the directors stood up and gave talks on where we were as a business and plans for the next twelve months, I hung on to every word.
Then it was time for the awards. Sales people were winning awards for their outstanding performance, I remember a lady called Michelle won a Rolex watch and as she stood on the stage, shaking hands with the directors and accepting her award I thought … one day that is very definitely going to be!
It was then that I recognised that accolade was my principle driver and nothing has changed.
About a year later I closed a contract for 30 mobile phones with West Midlands Police. This is not many mobiles by todays standards but it was a big contract at the time. The trust escalated as more police forces got in touch with me to talk about their mobile requirements. I won a trip to Jamaica! That was my first big win.
As Talkland merged into Vodafone the opportunities just got bigger for me. Over the years I went on to win many more awards including holidays to Antigua, a trip on the Orient Express, Dinner and a Show and an incredible weekend in Scotland.
I found myself managing some of the largest blue chip companies in London and all of the gloss and glamour that went with that. There was of course lots of stress too, it was not all sunshine and roses but I was happy because I was recognised and rewarded for my success and the success that I brought to Vodafone.
My final accolade was the biggest, I won the award for deal of the year in Vodafone Corporate and I certainly went out on a high.
The watch was mine!
When I started out as a website designer and I began to get some amazing feedback from my clients this inspired me and drove me.
Starting your own business is hard and there can be lots of negatives that are easy to cling to; doing your best work and holding onto the positives, including testimonials and feedback that you receive can really keep you going.
Every time I get a wonderful review from a client it feels like I’m back on that stage receiving one of those Vodafone awards.
It’s the way that pat on the back makes me feel that means the world; it might not be a trip to Antigua but it is worth absolutely as much. Mainly because it is my own business, I built it myself and I have worked my socks off to please my clients.
So you can imagine what it means to me to win this latest award, it’s the best feeling.
Onwards and upwards!
Quick Wins Every Day
I love that good things happen every day, from a dream client following me on Instagram, to someone commenting on Facebook; a calm day in business to a huge thank you from a client. They are all pats on the back and recognition of the effort I put in. When you spend time being grateful for all of these great things there really is no time for the negatives!
