{"data":[{"id":678,"attributes":{"title":"Blog","slug":"blog","createdAt":"2024-04-15T09:59:42.754Z","updatedAt":"2024-04-17T11:16:26.343Z","publishedAt":"2024-04-15T09:59:44.370Z","locale":"en","showTitle":null,"event":{"data":{"id":89,"attributes":{"name":"UK Business Awards 2024","acronym":"UKBA24","year":"2019-12-31","group":"UKBA","GAcode":null,"salesiq":"siqe8da9a2816573503cf02d3325eac90425429c0d0426c408a17a6c161c07735d6","pagesense":null,"zoho_desk_id":null,"GTMcode":"GTM-WN477XK","whatsup_phone_id":null,"hotjar":null,"zoho_campaign_id":null,"createdAt":"2024-04-11T12:55:41.033Z","updatedAt":"2024-10-02T10:47:52.200Z","publishedAt":"2024-04-11T12:55:50.447Z","locale":"en","Tagline":null,"user_event_profiles":{"data":[]},"menus":{"data":[{"id":54,"attributes":{"description":"UKBA24 Main Menu","slug":"UKBA24-main-menu","MenuType":"Main","HeaderMessage":null,"createdAt":"2024-04-11T12:59:23.982Z","updatedAt":"2024-12-10T11:14:36.303Z","publishedAt":"2024-04-11T12:59:25.540Z","locale":"en","Item":[{"id":1505,"item":"Home","url":null,"type":"Relative","active":true},{"id":1506,"item":"Enter now","url":"enter-now","type":"Relative","active":true},{"id":1507,"item":"Awards Categories","url":"categories","type":"Relative","active":true},{"id":1508,"item":"Resources","url":"resources","type":"Relative","active":true},{"id":1509,"item":"Frequently Asked Questions","url":"faq","type":"Relative","active":true},{"id":1511,"item":"Apply to Judge","url":"apply-to-judge","type":"Relative","active":true},{"id":1515,"item":"Meet the Judges","url":"meet-the-judges","type":"Relative","active":true},{"id":1510,"item":"Sponsors and Partners","url":"sponsors-and-partners","type":"Relative","active":true},{"id":1512,"item":"Book Tickets","url":"book-now","type":"Relative","active":true},{"id":1513,"item":"Steering Council","url":"steering-council","type":"Relative","active":true},{"id":1514,"item":"Hall of Fame","url":"hall-of-fame","type":"Relative","active":true}],"event":{"data":{"id":89,"attributes":{"name":"UK Business Awards 2024","acronym":"UKBA24","year":"2019-12-31","group":"UKBA","GAcode":null,"salesiq":"siqe8da9a2816573503cf02d3325eac90425429c0d0426c408a17a6c161c07735d6","pagesense":null,"zoho_desk_id":null,"GTMcode":"GTM-WN477XK","whatsup_phone_id":null,"hotjar":null,"zoho_campaign_id":null,"createdAt":"2024-04-11T12:55:41.033Z","updatedAt":"2024-10-02T10:47:52.200Z","publishedAt":"2024-04-11T12:55:50.447Z","locale":"en","Tagline":null,"logo":{"data":{"id":5266,"attributes":{"name":"UKBA_24_logo_white1_858e0b5b74.svg","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":480,"height":160,"formats":null,"hash":"UKBA_24_logo_white1_858e0b5b74_472d7ee699","ext":".svg","mime":"image/svg+xml","size":7.38,"url":"/uploads/UKBA_24_logo_white1_858e0b5b74_472d7ee699.svg","previewUrl":null,"provider":"local","provider_metadata":null,"createdAt":"2024-04-17T10:57:05.174Z","updatedAt":"2024-04-17T10:57:05.174Z"}}},"footer":{"data":{"id":27,"attributes":{"ContactInfo":"Neena Miskelly
\nneena@awardsinternational.com
\nPhone: 07441 425 073","CompanyInfo":"

Terms and Conditions
Privacy Policy
Terms of Payment

\n\n

Awards International

\n\nAcacia Farm, Lower Road, Royston, SG8 0EE, UNITED KINGDOM\n\n\n© Awards International. All rights reserved.","createdAt":"2024-04-11T12:58:20.092Z","updatedAt":"2025-03-26T13:34:22.461Z","publishedAt":"2024-04-11T12:58:22.447Z","locale":"en"}}},"Forms":[{"id":241,"type":"register_interest","name":"Register Interest","action":"https://forms.zohopublic.com/awardsinternational/form/UKBA22RegisterInterest/formperma/Iqn-kj4BXZgP-y2C4jYBZgd_dkmkj0R43DikWj_PuQ8/htmlRecords/submit","Description":null,"slug":"register-interest"},{"id":242,"type":"cx_ebook_three_lessons","name":"Entry Resources Pack","action":"https://forms.zohopublic.com/awardsinternational/form/UKBusinessAwards2023EntryResourcesPack/formperma/HU6UcjroOZfN2IieAYd2sTKdjUbtBReVOHLKRGE3ZxM/htmlRecords/submit","Description":"This resources pack contains all the information you need to understand the scoring criteria, format and requirements for the written submissions:\n\n- Plan2win brochure\n- Scoring of Entries guide\n- Sample Entry Form\n- Sample Benchmark Report","slug":"entry-resources-pack"},{"id":243,"type":"become_a_sponsor","name":"Enquire for Full Details ","action":"https://forms.zohopublic.com/awardsinternational/form/UKBA22Sponsorship/formperma/orh--qMG85Lc67YeKUfrdbqDZFzdZ9Dmtoxzh5VWBaI/htmlRecords/submit","Description":null,"slug":"become-a-sponsor"},{"id":244,"type":"white_paper","name":"Plan2Judge","action":"https://forms.zohopublic.com/awardsinternational/form/UKBusinessAwards2023Plan2Win/formperma/flHg9vXoCGWHcfj2tJRp18b9kKVqC3kx11FostMCWIM/htmlRecords/submit","Description":"The Plan2Judge brochure is your essential guide to the Awards. It will take you through the judging process, give you tips on how to apply and make the most of your judging experience, and point out various benefits of becoming an awards judge.","slug":"plan2judge"},{"id":245,"type":"apply_to_judge","name":"Apply to Judge","action":"https://forms.zohopublic.com/awardsinternational/form/UKBusinessAwards2023ApplytoJudge/formperma/RN1aeoLwHfxPljj6HWL5js7vouvVU1-urK4jrUvdobk/htmlRecords/submit","Description":null,"slug":"apply-to-judge"},{"id":246,"type":"subscribe","name":"UK Business Awards","action":"https://forms.zohopublic.com/awardsinternational/form/UKBASubscriptionform/formperma/J838HuvNK-KDN3XspCcvgA3PCqESXhEFw45N77S8Keg/htmlRecords/submit","Description":null,"slug":"subscribe"},{"id":254,"type":"cx_ebook","name":"Winning Case Studies","action":"https://forms.zohopublic.com/awardsinternational/form/UKBAeBook/formperma/k5XKuq8ZKCyNeHvmvnjCeHQhu5QTYyJtiZr1_Kelc08/htmlRecords/submit","Description":"Examine these 2 outstanding case studies and discover effective ways to leave a lasting impression on the judges and receive top scores for your project.\n\n- Beyondly\n- ServiceMaster AAA","slug":"winning-case-studies"}],"KeydatesList":{"id":27},"logoMark":{"data":null},"localizations":{"data":[]}}}},"MenuItemGroup":[{"id":141,"Title":"Awards","MenuItem":[{"id":1854,"item":"Winners 2024","url":"winners-and-finalists-2024","type":"Relative","active":true},{"id":1865,"item":"Gallery 2024","url":"gallery-2024","type":"Relative","active":true},{"id":1521,"item":"The Awards","url":"the-awards","type":"Relative","active":true},{"id":1518,"item":"How to Enter","url":"how-to-enter","type":"Relative","active":false},{"id":1519,"item":"Plan2Win®","url":"resources","type":"Relative","active":true},{"id":1520,"item":"Awards Categories","url":"categories","type":"Relative","active":false},{"id":1523,"item":"Attend the Finals and Ceremony","url":"book-now","type":"Relative","active":false},{"id":1857,"item":"Build up to the Awards Ceremony","url":"build-up-to-the-awards","type":"Relative","active":false},{"id":1526,"item":"Events & Webinars","url":"events-and-webinars","type":"Relative","active":true},{"id":1553,"item":"Ignite Your Business Growth","url":"ignite-your-business-growth","type":"Relative","active":true},{"id":1517,"item":"Hall of Fame","url":"hall-of-fame","type":"Relative","active":true},{"id":1524,"item":"Gallery 2023","url":"gallery-2023","type":"Relative","active":false},{"id":1863,"item":"Highlights Video","url":"ukba24-highlights-video","type":"Relative","active":true}]},{"id":142,"Title":"Judges","MenuItem":[{"id":1528,"item":"Meet the Judges","url":"meet-the-judges","type":"Relative","active":true},{"id":1529,"item":"Apply to Judge","url":"apply-to-judge","type":"Relative","active":true},{"id":1552,"item":"Previous Judges","url":"previous-judges","type":"Relative","active":true}]},{"id":143,"Title":"Partners","MenuItem":[{"id":1536,"item":"Sponsorship Opportunities","url":"sponsorship-opportunities","type":"Relative","active":true},{"id":1535,"item":"Sponsors and Partners","url":"sponsors-and-partners","type":"Relative","active":true},{"id":1537,"item":"Professional Awards Writers","url":"awards-writers","type":"Relative","active":true}]},{"id":145,"Title":null,"MenuItem":[{"id":1534,"item":"FAQ","url":"faq","type":"Relative","active":true},{"id":1533,"item":"About Us","url":"about-us","type":"Relative","active":true},{"id":1527,"item":"Blog","url":"blog","type":"Relative","active":true}]},{"id":144,"Title":"Awards Manager™","MenuItem":[{"id":1530,"item":"Login","url":"https://awintern.com/","type":"Absolute","active":true},{"id":1531,"item":"Start your registration","url":"https://awintern.com/registration?program=55&type=ENTRANT","type":"Absolute","active":true},{"id":1532,"item":"Powered by AwardMost","url":"https://awardmost.com/","type":"Absolute","active":true}]}],"localizations":{"data":[]}}},{"id":55,"attributes":{"description":"UKBA24 Header Menu","slug":"UKBA24-header-menu","MenuType":"Header","HeaderMessage":"","createdAt":"2024-04-11T13:00:11.346Z","updatedAt":"2024-12-10T11:13:40.967Z","publishedAt":"2024-04-11T13:00:13.087Z","locale":"en","Item":[{"id":1538,"item":"Winners 2024","url":"winners-and-finalists-2024","type":"Relative","active":true},{"id":1632,"item":"Register for 2025","url":"resource/register-interest","type":"Relative","active":true},{"id":1864,"item":"Gallery 2024","url":"gallery-2024","type":"Relative","active":true}],"event":{"data":{"id":89,"attributes":{"name":"UK Business Awards 2024","acronym":"UKBA24","year":"2019-12-31","group":"UKBA","GAcode":null,"salesiq":"siqe8da9a2816573503cf02d3325eac90425429c0d0426c408a17a6c161c07735d6","pagesense":null,"zoho_desk_id":null,"GTMcode":"GTM-WN477XK","whatsup_phone_id":null,"hotjar":null,"zoho_campaign_id":null,"createdAt":"2024-04-11T12:55:41.033Z","updatedAt":"2024-10-02T10:47:52.200Z","publishedAt":"2024-04-11T12:55:50.447Z","locale":"en","Tagline":null,"logo":{"data":{"id":5266,"attributes":{"name":"UKBA_24_logo_white1_858e0b5b74.svg","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":480,"height":160,"formats":null,"hash":"UKBA_24_logo_white1_858e0b5b74_472d7ee699","ext":".svg","mime":"image/svg+xml","size":7.38,"url":"/uploads/UKBA_24_logo_white1_858e0b5b74_472d7ee699.svg","previewUrl":null,"provider":"local","provider_metadata":null,"createdAt":"2024-04-17T10:57:05.174Z","updatedAt":"2024-04-17T10:57:05.174Z"}}},"footer":{"data":{"id":27,"attributes":{"ContactInfo":"Neena Miskelly
\nneena@awardsinternational.com
\nPhone: 07441 425 073","CompanyInfo":"

Terms and Conditions
Privacy Policy
Terms of Payment

\n\n

Awards International

Terms and Conditions
Privacy Policy
Terms of Payment

\n\n

Awards International

Terms and Conditions
Privacy Policy
Terms of Payment

\n\n

Awards International

We are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy, and we’ll only use your personal information to administer your account and to provide the products and services you requested from us, as well as other content that may be of interest to you. If you consent to us contacting you for this purpose, please tick below:

"},{"id":2352,"tag":"checkbox","type":null,"name":"DecisionBox","placeholder":"DecisionBox","label":"DecisionBox","value":"I agree to receive news from the UK Business Awards."}]},{"id":242,"type":"cx_ebook_three_lessons","name":"Entry Resources Pack","action":"https://forms.zohopublic.com/awardsinternational/form/UKBusinessAwards2023EntryResourcesPack/formperma/HU6UcjroOZfN2IieAYd2sTKdjUbtBReVOHLKRGE3ZxM/htmlRecords/submit","Description":"This resources pack contains all the information you need to understand the scoring criteria, format and requirements for the written submissions:\n\n- Plan2win brochure\n- Scoring of Entries guide\n- Sample Entry Form\n- Sample Benchmark Report","slug":"entry-resources-pack","FormField":[{"id":2353,"tag":"input","type":"hidden","name":"zf_referrer_name","placeholder":null,"label":null,"value":null},{"id":2354,"tag":"input","type":"hidden","name":"zf_redirect_url","placeholder":null,"label":null,"value":null},{"id":2355,"tag":"input","type":"hidden","name":"zc_gad","placeholder":null,"label":null,"value":null},{"id":2356,"tag":"input","type":"text","name":"Name_First","placeholder":"First Name","label":"First Name","value":null},{"id":2357,"tag":"input","type":"text","name":"Name_Last","placeholder":"Last Name","label":"Last Name","value":null},{"id":2358,"tag":"input","type":"text","name":"SingleLine","placeholder":"Please enter full company name","label":"Company","value":null},{"id":2359,"tag":"input","type":"text","name":"SingleLine1","placeholder":"Job Title","label":"Title","value":null},{"id":2360,"tag":"input","type":"text","name":"PhoneNumber_countrycode","placeholder":"Phone","label":"Phone","value":null},{"id":2361,"tag":"input","type":"text","name":"Email","placeholder":"Email","label":"Email","value":null},{"id":2362,"tag":"html","type":null,"name":null,"placeholder":null,"label":null,"value":"

"},{"id":2363,"tag":"checkbox","type":null,"name":"DecisionBox","placeholder":"DecisionBox","label":"DecisionBox","value":"I agree to receive news from the UK Business Awards."}]},{"id":243,"type":"become_a_sponsor","name":"Enquire for Full Details ","action":"https://forms.zohopublic.com/awardsinternational/form/UKBA22Sponsorship/formperma/orh--qMG85Lc67YeKUfrdbqDZFzdZ9Dmtoxzh5VWBaI/htmlRecords/submit","Description":null,"slug":"become-a-sponsor","FormField":[{"id":2368,"tag":"input","type":"hidden","name":"zf_referrer_name","placeholder":null,"label":null,"value":null},{"id":2365,"tag":"input","type":"hidden","name":"zf_redirect_url","placeholder":null,"label":null,"value":null},{"id":2366,"tag":"input","type":"hidden","name":"zc_gad","placeholder":null,"label":null,"value":null},{"id":2364,"tag":"input","type":"text","name":"Name_First","placeholder":"First Name","label":"First Name","value":null},{"id":2367,"tag":"input","type":"text","name":"Name_Last","placeholder":"Last Name","label":"Last Name","value":null},{"id":2369,"tag":"input","type":"text","name":"SingleLine","placeholder":"Please enter full company name","label":"Company","value":null},{"id":2370,"tag":"input","type":"text","name":"SingleLine1","placeholder":"Job Title","label":"Title","value":null},{"id":2371,"tag":"input","type":"text","name":"PhoneNumber_countrycode","placeholder":"Phone","label":"Phone","value":null},{"id":2372,"tag":"input","type":"text","name":"Email","placeholder":"Email","label":"Email","value":null},{"id":2373,"tag":"html","type":null,"name":null,"placeholder":null,"label":null,"value":"

"},{"id":2374,"tag":"checkbox","type":null,"name":"DecisionBox","placeholder":"DecisionBox","label":"DecisionBox","value":"I agree to receive news from the UK Business Awards."}]},{"id":244,"type":"white_paper","name":"Plan2Judge","action":"https://forms.zohopublic.com/awardsinternational/form/UKBusinessAwards2023Plan2Win/formperma/flHg9vXoCGWHcfj2tJRp18b9kKVqC3kx11FostMCWIM/htmlRecords/submit","Description":"The Plan2Judge brochure is your essential guide to the Awards. It will take you through the judging process, give you tips on how to apply and make the most of your judging experience, and point out various benefits of becoming an awards judge.","slug":"plan2judge","FormField":[{"id":2375,"tag":"input","type":"hidden","name":"zf_referrer_name","placeholder":null,"label":null,"value":null},{"id":2378,"tag":"input","type":"hidden","name":"zf_redirect_url","placeholder":null,"label":null,"value":null},{"id":2376,"tag":"input","type":"hidden","name":"zc_gad","placeholder":null,"label":null,"value":null},{"id":2377,"tag":"input","type":"text","name":"Name_First","placeholder":"First Name","label":"First Name","value":null},{"id":2379,"tag":"input","type":"text","name":"Name_Last","placeholder":"Last Name","label":"Last Name","value":null},{"id":2380,"tag":"input","type":"text","name":"SingleLine","placeholder":"Please enter full company name","label":"Company","value":null},{"id":2381,"tag":"input","type":"text","name":"SingleLine1","placeholder":"Job Title","label":"Title","value":null},{"id":2382,"tag":"input","type":"text","name":"PhoneNumber_countrycode","placeholder":"Phone","label":"Phone","value":null},{"id":2383,"tag":"input","type":"text","name":"Email","placeholder":"Email","label":"Email","value":null},{"id":2384,"tag":"html","type":null,"name":null,"placeholder":null,"label":null,"value":"

"},{"id":2385,"tag":"checkbox","type":null,"name":"DecisionBox","placeholder":"DecisionBox","label":"DecisionBox","value":"I agree to receive news from the UK Business Awards."}]},{"id":245,"type":"apply_to_judge","name":"Apply to Judge","action":"https://forms.zohopublic.com/awardsinternational/form/UKBusinessAwards2023ApplytoJudge/formperma/RN1aeoLwHfxPljj6HWL5js7vouvVU1-urK4jrUvdobk/htmlRecords/submit","Description":null,"slug":"apply-to-judge","FormField":[{"id":2387,"tag":"input","type":"hidden","name":"zf_referrer_name","placeholder":null,"label":null,"value":null},{"id":2386,"tag":"input","type":"hidden","name":"zf_redirect_url","placeholder":null,"label":null,"value":null},{"id":2388,"tag":"input","type":"hidden","name":"zc_gad","placeholder":null,"label":null,"value":null},{"id":2389,"tag":"input","type":"text","name":"Name_First","placeholder":"First Name","label":"First Name","value":null},{"id":2390,"tag":"input","type":"text","name":"Name_Last","placeholder":"Last Name","label":"Last Name","value":null},{"id":2391,"tag":"input","type":"text","name":"SingleLine","placeholder":"Please enter full company name","label":"Company","value":null},{"id":2392,"tag":"input","type":"text","name":"SingleLine1","placeholder":"Job Title","label":"Title","value":null},{"id":2394,"tag":"input","type":"text","name":"PhoneNumber_countrycode","placeholder":"Phone","label":"Phone","value":null},{"id":2393,"tag":"input","type":"text","name":"Email","placeholder":"Email","label":"Email","value":null},{"id":2395,"tag":"html","type":null,"name":null,"placeholder":null,"label":null,"value":"

"},{"id":2396,"tag":"checkbox","type":null,"name":"DecisionBox","placeholder":"DecisionBox","label":"DecisionBox","value":"I agree to receive news from the UK Business Awards."}]},{"id":246,"type":"subscribe","name":"UK Business Awards","action":"https://forms.zohopublic.com/awardsinternational/form/UKBASubscriptionform/formperma/J838HuvNK-KDN3XspCcvgA3PCqESXhEFw45N77S8Keg/htmlRecords/submit","Description":null,"slug":"subscribe","FormField":[{"id":2397,"tag":"input","type":"hidden","name":"zf_referrer_name","placeholder":null,"label":null,"value":null},{"id":2398,"tag":"input","type":"hidden","name":"zf_redirect_url","placeholder":null,"label":null,"value":null},{"id":2399,"tag":"input","type":"hidden","name":"zc_gad","placeholder":null,"label":null,"value":null},{"id":2400,"tag":"html","type":null,"name":null,"placeholder":null,"label":null,"value":"## Get instant updates, every time we share some new information about the awards."},{"id":2401,"tag":"input","type":"text","name":"Name_First","placeholder":"First Name","label":"First Name","value":null},{"id":2402,"tag":"input","type":"text","name":"Name_Last","placeholder":"Last Name","label":"Last Name","value":null},{"id":2403,"tag":"input","type":"text","name":"Email","placeholder":"Email","label":"Email","value":null},{"id":2404,"tag":"html","type":null,"name":null,"placeholder":null,"label":null,"value":"

"},{"id":2405,"tag":"checkbox","type":null,"name":"DecisionBox","placeholder":"DecisionBox","label":"DecisionBox","value":"I agree to receive news from the UK Business Awards."}]},{"id":254,"type":"cx_ebook","name":"Winning Case Studies","action":"https://forms.zohopublic.com/awardsinternational/form/UKBAeBook/formperma/k5XKuq8ZKCyNeHvmvnjCeHQhu5QTYyJtiZr1_Kelc08/htmlRecords/submit","Description":"Examine these 2 outstanding case studies and discover effective ways to leave a lasting impression on the judges and receive top scores for your project.\n\n- Beyondly\n- ServiceMaster AAA","slug":"winning-case-studies","FormField":[{"id":2483,"tag":"input","type":"hidden","name":"zf_referrer_name","placeholder":null,"label":null,"value":null},{"id":2482,"tag":"input","type":"hidden","name":"zf_redirect_url","placeholder":null,"label":null,"value":null},{"id":2484,"tag":"input","type":"hidden","name":"zc_gad","placeholder":null,"label":null,"value":null},{"id":2485,"tag":"input","type":"text","name":"Name_First","placeholder":"First Name","label":"First Name","value":null},{"id":2486,"tag":"input","type":"text","name":"Name_Last","placeholder":"Last Name","label":"Last Name","value":null},{"id":2487,"tag":"input","type":"text","name":"SingleLine","placeholder":"Please enter full company name","label":"Company","value":null},{"id":2488,"tag":"input","type":"text","name":"SingleLine1","placeholder":"Job Title","label":"Title","value":null},{"id":2489,"tag":"input","type":"text","name":"PhoneNumber_countrycode","placeholder":"Phone","label":"Phone","value":null},{"id":2490,"tag":"input","type":"text","name":"Email","placeholder":"Email","label":"Email","value":null},{"id":2491,"tag":"html","type":null,"name":null,"placeholder":null,"label":null,"value":"

"},{"id":2492,"tag":"checkbox","type":null,"name":"DecisionBox","placeholder":"DecisionBox","label":"DecisionBox","value":"I agree to receive news from the UK Business Awards."}]}],"KeydatesList":{"id":27,"Keydate":[{"id":473,"Description":"Open for Entries","Keydate":"2024-05-13","Active":true},{"id":475,"Description":"Super Early Bird Entry Deadline","Keydate":"2024-06-28","Active":true},{"id":476,"Description":"Early Bird Entry Deadline","Keydate":"2024-08-16","Active":true},{"id":478,"Description":"Entry Deadline","Keydate":"2024-10-11","Active":true},{"id":479,"Description":"Finalists Announcement","Keydate":"2024-10-25","Active":true},{"id":477,"Description":"Early Bird Booking Deadline","Keydate":"2024-11-08","Active":true},{"id":480,"Description":"Booking Deadline","Keydate":"2024-11-22","Active":true},{"id":481,"Description":"Awards Finals","Keydate":"2024-11-27","Active":true},{"id":482,"Description":"Awards Ceremony","Keydate":"2024-12-05","Active":true}]},"logoMark":{"data":null},"localizations":{"data":[]}}}},"blocks":[{"id":25,"__component":"content.blog","Title":"UKBA 24","articles":{"data":[{"id":68,"attributes":{"Title":"Interview With Ivana Kircanski","slug":"interview-with-ivana-kircanski","Content":"For the start of this awards cycle, we had the pleasure of interviewing Ivana Kircanski, COO at Awards International, asking her about improvements and upgrades for the upcoming programme. Find out what you can expect from the brand-new format and why you should take part and seek recognition for your business results.\n\n**It's been six years since the first edition of this programme. What has changed in the meantime? How would you reflect on the journey so far?**\n\nFirst, I would like to mention the \"hard numbers\". Over the years, we've had hundreds of business initiatives, judges, partners and sponsors at the awards. Compared to the programme's humble beginnings, it's a significant milestone. We emerged as one of the leading business awards programmes in the UK, with great acclaim from numerous top professionals and organisations in the country. \n\nWhat's different is that in recent years (with the onset of the pandemic and everything that followed it), the awards had a slight change of focus. We noticed an influx of slightly different initiatives, more leaning towards innovation and business transformation, which is normal with all the global changes, from economic challenges to technological advancements. This is why we incorporated the innovation aspect, making it an integral part of the awards.\n\nThe journey has been an exciting one, but one thing - if I might add - hasn't changed. These awards continue attracting top business initiatives in the country, and for that I'm happy and honoured. Winning a trophy in this programme is seen as a marque of achievement and business prestige, and more and more each year. That's a strong wind in our sails.\n\n**How does the new edition differ from all the previous ones? What improvements and upgrades can the entrants expect?**\n\nFrom the start, we've been all about rewarding the best business practices, achievements and results in the UK. But as I mentioned, more focus has been put on innovation in recent years, and that's why we now recognise a broad range of business and innovation initiatives. And on that note, we wanted to introduce a few innovations and upgrade the whole awards experience.\n \nWe've introduced the Smart Awards format. This will significantly simplify and speed up the process from entry submission to announcing finalists and winners. There won't be a dedicated consultant; instead, you will have our vast knowledge base and upgraded chatbot for full support. The new format is designed to give you clear pointers and precise information for applying. \n\nThe awards website is revamped and is more intuitive than ever to facilitate the application. Also, we have a new and upgraded Awards Manager app to make the awards experience even smoother. As you can tell, we're also constantly innovating and improving our processes, for an enjoyable, hassle-free experience! \n\n**Over the years, hundreds of submitted initiatives for the awards have been submitted. In your opinion, what is special and unique about businesses in the UK? What are their strong points?**\n\nWhat amazes me the most, programme after programme, is the sheer ability of UK businesses to turn obstacles into opportunities. A sense of entrepreneurship and success has always been present. I'm fascinated with how UK businesses manage to continually find ways of overcoming the odds. \n \nAt all of our awards programmes, event after event (and UKBA is no exception), we have the privilege and the pleasure of watching numerous examples of excellent business practices. These past couple of years have been, well - rough - to say the least, for companies around the world and in Brittain, and it's still a time of crisis. However, businesses are finding new and new ways to work around those challenges and not only stay in the game - but also improve, develop and strengthen their position in the market. \n \nWhether they're small companies, family-owned, with a couple of people on board, or big enterprises, they all share a positive outlook on the future, a vision for helping the economy - and determination to succeed. You can sense a spirit of togetherness and unity, that all of them work together towards a common goal to help the whole market bounce back. That's truly inspirational.\n\n**What do you value the most in business? How should a company weather the storms of the ever-changing market?**\n\nLike in any aspect of life, finding the right balance is essential. For me, the balance is between successfully maintaining your current day-to-day activities and development and planning for the future. You cannot focus only on one of the two because both are critical for ensuring a company's long-term results, stability and wellbeing. It is a prerequisite for success.\n \nAs for the changing market, I think a readiness to adapt quickly can significantly help a business. Sometimes (or should I say - most of the time), it's hard to predict what's going to happen in the market, when a crisis will occur, how certain events will roll out, etc. That's why a company must always be ready to adapt to a new situation, sometimes literally overnight. The more prepared you are for these things, the better you will overcome a challenge. \n\nThere is a famous saying: a plan is nothing, but planning is everything. I strongly subscribe to this mindset. You cannot know everything in advance, but that's no excuse for not having a solid plan, or several plans, for that matter. And as another famous line says: the more I prepare, the luckier I seem to get. It's a good reminder because you can always do a little better than last time to improve and develop.\n\n\n**What advice do you have for new entrants? Anything in particular they should focus on?**\n\nThe most important thing is to align your initiative with the category (or categories) you want to apply for. I know this may sound basic for many people, but it's essential; picking the right category for your initiative will 1) save you valuable time in applying and 2) help present your initiative much better. \n\nAlso, I would like to stress the importance of telling a good story in your entry. This can help you impress the judges and get the highest percentage across all the criteria. So, craft your entry well, with a beginning, middle and end - backed by hard numbers and images- to present your results and show why you should be awarded as the best. \n \n**In wrapping up - why would you recommend entering the UKBA and competing?**\n\nDuring the previous six years, we've built a community of successful companies and established business professionals, many of whom keep returning to the awards. Some return as new entrants, some as judges, but the community is strong and keeps expanding to our great delight. \n\nParticipating in the awards gives you a chance to get validated - by seasoned business professionals, adding credibility to your results. You also get an opportunity to broaden your market reach, find new clients and partners, and give your brand a boost. UKB&IA is where top companies and organisations meet to benchmark and get recognised. \n \nMoreover, if you triumph, it will be an excellent source of motivation and inspiration for your employees to stay and for your customers to keep returning. Getting an award for your initiative is a fantastic way to appreciate what you've done so far and lay the foundation for your future success. ","Date":"2022-10-06T17:00:00.000Z","Author":null,"createdAt":"2022-10-06T17:09:16.589Z","updatedAt":"2022-10-07T11:40:39.812Z","publishedAt":"2022-10-07T11:40:39.799Z","Images":{"data":[{"id":1323,"attributes":{"name":"UKBA Launching a new edition","alternativeText":"UKBA Launching a new edition","caption":"","width":1000,"height":330,"formats":{"small":{"ext":".png","url":"/uploads/small_1000x329_6f84330fc9.png","hash":"small_1000x329_6f84330fc9","mime":"image/png","name":"small_1000x329.png","path":null,"size":107.35,"width":500,"height":165},"medium":{"ext":".png","url":"/uploads/medium_1000x329_6f84330fc9.png","hash":"medium_1000x329_6f84330fc9","mime":"image/png","name":"medium_1000x329.png","path":null,"size":206.31,"width":750,"height":248},"thumbnail":{"ext":".png","url":"/uploads/thumbnail_1000x329_6f84330fc9.png","hash":"thumbnail_1000x329_6f84330fc9","mime":"image/png","name":"thumbnail_1000x329.png","path":null,"size":35.04,"width":245,"height":81}},"hash":"1000x329_6f84330fc9","ext":".png","mime":"image/png","size":186.51,"url":"/uploads/1000x329_6f84330fc9.png","previewUrl":null,"provider":"local","provider_metadata":null,"createdAt":"2022-10-06T17:08:38.456Z","updatedAt":"2022-10-06T17:09:11.083Z"}}]}}},{"id":77,"attributes":{"Title":" What it really means to put customers first and why this is a winning business strategy","slug":"what-it-really-means-to-put-customers-first-and-why-this-is-a-winning-business-strategy","Content":"Winning the Best Customer Experience Award and beating 17 other category winners to be crowned the Overall Winner of the UK Business Awards '22 is a special achievement.\n\nThat's exactly what Mediate UK has achieved.\n\nWhat's even more remarkable is that Mediate UK lost over 80% of its turnover as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and was within 6 months of going out of business altogether.\n\nJust two years later, Mediate UK has nearly doubled its pre-pandemic revenues and recorded industry leading levels of customer satisfaction.\n\nMoreover, Mediate UK has not only transformed its business by truly putting the customer first but also disrupted an entire industry in the process.\n\nI had the pleasure to be on the judging panel that rated Mediate UK so highly and I am keen to share their story.\n\n

From Adversity to Accolades by Reimagining the Customer Journey

\n\nMediate UK provides mediation services to help families separate or divorce fairly, cost-effectively, and amicably.\n\nSince founding the business back in 2012, Managing Director Ali Carter and his team have been obsessed by this single question.\n\n***“How can we make the experience of going through a divorce or separation better for our clients?”***\n\nInitially, the focus was squarely on making the mediation process itself as customer friendly as possible.\n\nFor example, by:\n\n

Providing free information upfront
Making sure that the mediation room is a 'safe place' to hold productive discussions
Empowering couples and families to amicably resolve issues, put their children first and look to their own futures in a positive way

\n\nBy making the mediation process as smooth as possible, Mediate UK was able to help families reach agreements more quickly and with less stress.\n\nThis was already a differentiator because mediators and also the solicitors that legally formalised agreements tended to operate on a pay by the minute business model that rewarded them for taking longer to reach settlements.\n\nHowever, the real-game changer for Mediate UK was the Covid crisis that put 'business as usual' on hold.\n\nAs Ali explained to me, suddenly to survive he was faced with three options:\n\n

1. “Hibernate” – Wait for the crisis to pass and then resume activity

2. “Convert” – From a face-to-face business to an online business

3. “Reinvent” – Go against the norms and completely reimagine the business model

\n\nSo often in business, fortune favours the brave and so Ali chose to confront head-on the pain points that were preventing mediation clients from quickly reaching legally binding settlements and moving on with their lives.\n\n

How to walk in your customers' shoes

\n\nWalking in your customers' shoes requires you to do three things:\n\n

1. Understand the complete journey from beginning to end

2. Identify the obstacles along the way

3. Remove those obstacles

\n\n\nAlthough Mediate UK had been providing an outstanding mediation service, Ali realised that the complete customer journey comprised of three separate steps:\n\n

1. Learning about the legal processes surrounding separation and divorce

2. Mediating to find an amicable separation agreement

3. Consulting a solicitor to draw up a legally binding agreement

\n\nStep one required full and impartial information. \n\nThe starting point for the customer journey was, therefore, more often than not an internet search that led to a free 15- or 30-minute consultation with a solicitor. \n\nThis consultation was designed to sign up the client who then typically paid the solicitor for information and advice over an indeterminate period of time that ultimately culminated in mediation and a legally binding agreement (or expensive court action).\n\nIn effect, the solicitor controlled all three steps of the customer journey. The longer the journey and the less certain its outcome, the more expensive it became.\n\nAs a result, the customer pain points were lack of transparency, high fees, and sometimes even an adversarial approach that stood in the way of an amicable settlement.\n\nThe only way to overcome these pain points was for Mediate UK to manage the complete journey and actively guide clients at every step along the way. \n\n

How Mediate UK succeeded by putting customers first

\n\nCustomer-centricity is first and foremost a mindset.\n\nAs Ali says:\n\n*“We understand that separation or divorce may be one of the most difficult events people will ever face.* \n\n*Our clients often ask these two questions:*\n\n***How long will it take? How much will it cost?***\n\n*Working together with partners, we can now confidently answer these questions.*\n\n*And then guide clients through the process so that they can reset and move on.*\n\n*We’re in the business of helping people to find their future”*\n\nHelping people find their future begins with the provision of free information.\n\nMediate has published over 400,000 words of free content, videos, and infographics. \n\nAs a result, its website has become a one-stop shop for couples going through a divorce or separation. \n\nWhatever stage they've reached on their journey, they can find useful information and advice through Mediate UK.\n\nAs Ali puts it:\n\n*“We’re delighted if people take our information for free and it helps them, regardless of whether they go on to pay for any of our services or not”*\n\nClearly, there is a business cost to such an extensive content marketing program. \n\nHowever, the pay-off comes in terms of increased awareness, additional clients, and referrals.\n\nPotential clients who've found value in the free information that Mediate UK provide can then take the next step, which is low-cost initial consultation.\n\nThese give 1-2-1 advice calls to enable potential clients to explore their options for free.\n\nOne of the options available is a fixed fee mediation and divorce service.\n\nMediate UK is the only business in the UK offering this service that enables clients for the first time ever to know in advance the time and cost of reaching an amicable out of court divorce settlement.\n\n

The Benefits of Mediate UK's Customer First Approach

\n\n

1. 588 customer reviews with 96% of clients rating Mediate UK as outstanding

2. Time in mediation reduced from 5 hours on average to 3 hours

3. 90% of clients reached an agreement using Mediate UK versus an industry average of 72%

4. 133 fixed legal fee packages sold in 2021 from a standing start

5. Over 450 referrals provided in 2021 to experts partners in every area of divorce from counselling to divorce coaches to pension experts

6. Turnover increased by 184% 2021 versus 2019 with 2022 forecast to be 300% higher than the pre-pandemic baseline

7. Won a number of business awards including Best Customer Experience, Best Crisis Recovery Initiative, and Overall Winner at The UK Business Awards 2022

\n\n

The Key Take-Away from Mediate UK's Success

\n\nA key lesson from Mediate UK's success is that a sudden change in market conditions represents not only an existential threat but an unparalleled opportunity to reinvent your business model and rapidly scale your operations.\n\nIn normal times, it's often deemed too risky to go against the prevailing norms.\n\nIt takes courage to reset your ways of working and fundamentally reimage the way you deliver value for your customers.\n\nHowever, as Mediate UK's story demonstrates fixing a broken market by putting customers first and developing value-added partnerships is always a winning business strategy.\n\n

\n
\n\n*If you have outstanding results and would like to join our winners, present your initiative and get a chance to win a trophy and crown your achievement.* \n\n

Enter UKBA '23 and Share Your Success Story

\n\n\n","Date":"2022-12-07T12:00:00.000Z","Author":null,"createdAt":"2022-12-07T12:35:41.197Z","updatedAt":"2022-12-08T11:25:11.551Z","publishedAt":"2022-12-07T13:05:06.988Z","Images":{"data":[{"id":2127,"attributes":{"name":"Chris_Dunn_blog_-2.png","alternativeText":"","caption":"","width":1000,"height":329,"formats":{"small":{"ext":".png","url":"/uploads/small_Chris_Dunn_blog_2_dcd0079837.png","hash":"small_Chris_Dunn_blog_2_dcd0079837","mime":"image/png","name":"small_Chris_Dunn_blog_-2.png","path":null,"size":106.26,"width":500,"height":165},"medium":{"ext":".png","url":"/uploads/medium_Chris_Dunn_blog_2_dcd0079837.png","hash":"medium_Chris_Dunn_blog_2_dcd0079837","mime":"image/png","name":"medium_Chris_Dunn_blog_-2.png","path":null,"size":202.69,"width":750,"height":247},"thumbnail":{"ext":".png","url":"/uploads/thumbnail_Chris_Dunn_blog_2_dcd0079837.png","hash":"thumbnail_Chris_Dunn_blog_2_dcd0079837","mime":"image/png","name":"thumbnail_Chris_Dunn_blog_-2.png","path":null,"size":35.24,"width":245,"height":81}},"hash":"Chris_Dunn_blog_2_dcd0079837","ext":".png","mime":"image/png","size":181.07,"url":"/uploads/Chris_Dunn_blog_2_dcd0079837.png","previewUrl":null,"provider":"local","provider_metadata":null,"createdAt":"2022-12-07T13:04:41.379Z","updatedAt":"2022-12-07T13:04:41.408Z"}}]}}},{"id":89,"attributes":{"Title":"Meet the Chairman for the UK Business Awards 2024","slug":"awards-chairman","Content":"We are delighted to officially announce Andy Alderson as the chairman for the upcoming edition of the UK Business Awards (UKBA). \n\nGet to know Andy Alderson!\n\nAndy is, most notably, the founder and former CEO at Vanarama, and now stands as founder and Managing Partner of Alderway Partnership Capital. He built the business from scratch in a portakabin, and has been running the ship for just shy of twenty years. Despite being in an industry dominated by tech laggards, Andy and his team were able to build the best-in-class business, thanks to their relentless focus on brand building, CX, talent acquisition and development and harnessing innovation and technology at their heart of all they did. \n\nAndy also led his Vanarama team in many of Awards International's programmes, namely the UK Customer Experience Awards. Vanarama most recently participated in the 2021 edition, taking home 7 gold awards and 1 silver award out of all 8 categories they entered! These categories include Customers at the Heart of Everything, and Business Transformation. Not only did they exceed in these awards, but these accomplishments massively helped Vanarama's business progression.\n\nWith his background knowledge to how this works, Andy is well equipped to chair the next edition of this prestigous awards programme. The role of the chairman in these competitions is paramount to upholding integrity, responsibility, fairness, and quality. For this, Andy is the perfect man for the job.\n\nSetting the stage for UKBA'24\n\nWith the main theme for these awards being 'Ignite Your Business Growth', the entire campaign will be focused on this and how to execute it successfully. Investment is one way to do this, and Andy is an expert in this field. He's the man to hear from.\n\nAnd there's no better way to welcome Andy as the chairman than to hear from the man himself in an upcoming LinkedIn live webinar! Seize the opportunity to meet from the chairman who will be overseeing UKBA 2024, and listen to his story, investments and more. He might have a tip or two for you to take away if you wish to see gold in the competition.\n\nTake part in the grand opening of the UK Business Awards with the newly appointed chairman and join the LinkedIn live webinar conversation on Wednesday May 15th at 12 pm GMT. Sign up here and save your seat for the event. \n\nAlso be sure to stay alert and pay attention to Awards International's upcoming communications. There's a new podcast on its way shedding even more light on business growth and investment opportunities. You might be hearing more from Andy Alderson soon...\n\nAbout the UK Business Awards\n\nUKBA has been running since 2016, awarding various companies - SMEs, large enterprises, you name it - for being the best in the business...literally! \n\nThe 2024 edition will begin in the second quarter of the year, and entries are open on May 13th. The finals to announce winners for each category will be held in October of this year. More details soon to come, keep a look out! \n\nFor more details on the UK Business Awards and how to enter, check out the full website here for information. ","Date":null,"Author":null,"createdAt":"2024-04-17T11:15:39.822Z","updatedAt":"2024-04-17T11:15:41.585Z","publishedAt":"2024-04-17T11:15:41.578Z","Images":{"data":[{"id":5267,"attributes":{"name":"UKBA24_Andy.png","alternativeText":null,"caption":null,"width":1280,"height":720,"formats":{"large":{"ext":".png","url":"/uploads/large_UKBA_24_Andy_ad21c1f6c7.png","hash":"large_UKBA_24_Andy_ad21c1f6c7","mime":"image/png","name":"large_UKBA24_Andy.png","path":null,"size":394.76,"width":1000,"height":563},"small":{"ext":".png","url":"/uploads/small_UKBA_24_Andy_ad21c1f6c7.png","hash":"small_UKBA_24_Andy_ad21c1f6c7","mime":"image/png","name":"small_UKBA24_Andy.png","path":null,"size":130.45,"width":500,"height":281},"medium":{"ext":".png","url":"/uploads/medium_UKBA_24_Andy_ad21c1f6c7.png","hash":"medium_UKBA_24_Andy_ad21c1f6c7","mime":"image/png","name":"medium_UKBA24_Andy.png","path":null,"size":245.79,"width":750,"height":422},"thumbnail":{"ext":".png","url":"/uploads/thumbnail_UKBA_24_Andy_ad21c1f6c7.png","hash":"thumbnail_UKBA_24_Andy_ad21c1f6c7","mime":"image/png","name":"thumbnail_UKBA24_Andy.png","path":null,"size":46.34,"width":245,"height":138}},"hash":"UKBA_24_Andy_ad21c1f6c7","ext":".png","mime":"image/png","size":119.63,"url":"/uploads/UKBA_24_Andy_ad21c1f6c7.png","previewUrl":null,"provider":"local","provider_metadata":null,"createdAt":"2024-04-17T11:15:33.744Z","updatedAt":"2024-04-17T11:15:33.744Z"}}]}}},{"id":83,"attributes":{"Title":"Returning to working in the office post - COVID, and the impact it's having on Employee Experience overall","slug":"returning-to-working-in-the-office-post-covid","Content":"-What is it really like in our new hybrid working world for those employees formerly known as “office workers”? \n\nThe 2020/21 COVID-19 pandemic has hugely impacted the way we work and where we work, particularly for office workers and certainly for all service functions. Our paradigm has changed significantly because of this with some benefits arising and some adjustments being made as we now move back from 100% virtual working towards a post pandemic hybrid working model. \n\nPositives arising from this pandemic and forced change to virtual then hybrid working may include: \n\n- A reduction in commute to work time and cost. \n- A widening of the talent pool to select and retain employees who perhaps live more distant from the central office, or have carer, and family responsibilities which previously would have excluded them from being selected for work but can now be accommodated by considerate and open - minded employers - so increased diversity and inclusion.\n- A relocation of people away from the big cities into smaller towns or rural areas.\n\nHowever, the challenge we now face is how to adjust to a new hybrid way of working that encourages collaboration and teamwork and maximises engagement and productivity equity and fairness - but does not enforce a “ one-size-fits-all” solution. Instead, we must continue to recognise the diversity of needs for our individual employees as they manage mental health issues, caring responsibilities extroversion or introversion preferences and concerns about workstations, interruptions, and travel and heating / energy costs.\n\nWe asked these questions to 70 HR leaders from all regions of the world in a post pandemic survey conducted by [SSON Research & Analytics](https://www.sson-analytics.com/) (published December 2022 – report accessible [here](https://www.sson-analytics.com/hr/research-insight-reports/the-challenges-and-complexities-of-running-hr-in-global-hr-services-operations))\n\n**How many days does your team now work in the office?**\n\nThe responses were interesting with a high divergence of answers between small and large organisations and single country and multi country organisations.\n\nOverall, 20% of all respondents have now moved to virtual working five days per week , and this rises to 29% respectively for multi country organisations where their customers are spread internationally. \n\nFor smaller organisations (especially those with under 4,0000 employees) there is a tendency to think more local to their market and for single country organisations the move to complete virtual working is much lower at 5% . Here there is often a smaller scale and a more localised high touch customer service, and this has mobilised them to move to “hybrid working” , and in 25% of cases a complete return to the office 5 days per week. \n\nHowever, for most organisations it's true to say that hybrid working is here to stay, and indeed regular patterns are getting established and embedded: \n\n- 42% of respondents globally are choosing either 2 or 3 days in the office as the most popular hybrid working pattern. \n- Currently 28% of all respondents work in the office 2 days per week and remotely 3 days per week.\n- 16% work in the office three days per week and remotely 2 days per week.\n\nThe argument for and against hybrid working can be quite polarised and depends a lot on the leadership style, and the purpose and culture of the given organisation. \n\n**1.Leadership style**\n\nServant leadership versus command-and-control \n\nServant leadership is based on trust and enabling and empowering individuals to do their best work (Ken Blanchard). \n\nCommand and control (derived from the military) is where a high level of management and supervision and direction of work is demanded or dictated.\n\n**2. Measurement of work** -- based on **work outcomes or hours** spent **at the desk ?** \n\nThese are the key considerations as organisations now push for or against hybrid working. \n\nProactive, positive, open style organisations who feature in Awards International Gold and Silver Awards winners lists over the past 2 years have found ways to involve their employees in creating workable solutions that are a win - win - win for the organisational goals, team-working and collaboration , and individual needs. \n\nSome employers give their employees a choice about which days to be in the office and operate hot-desking with an additional revenue benefit of reduced real estate or rental costs by reducing office space, and others have proposed **collaboration** and **project days** where the whole team spends some office time together. \n\nWe also asked about **future plans** for hybrid virtual working in the longer term and here we see that: \n\n- 43% of all respondents have already established their hybrid working pattern and clearly communicated it and adjusted their employee handbook and policies and procedures accordingly.\n- 31% of those surveyed are working towards this. \n- 80% of the larger organisations (those with over 4,000 employees) all headed for hybrid / virtual working as an established work pattern. \n- Only 5% of all respondents have no long-term plans for hybrid and virtual working.\n- And 18% of smaller organisations hold the view that hybrid / virtual working is not part of their implementation planning at all. \n\nWhen looking at enhancing employee experience some key factors to consider are: \n\n- The recruitment offers for candidates in a competitive market\n- Diversity equity and inclusion reflecting different needs for different people\n- And how to retain and motivate people and teams\n\nHybrid working for office workers is now part of the employment brand and can be the differentiator for candidates when comparing offers from more than one company.\n\n[Jesse Tinsley of RPO and Recruiters on Demand](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessetinsley?miniProfileUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afs_miniProfile%3AACoAAAiUwO4BlLeq31w_QwoBzIfkShEvKGQguWs) - San Francisco Bay Area, states in his popular LinkedIn post (over 850 likes and 150 re-shares) that “a lot of employees and candidates are complaining about not wanting to go back to an office. Companies should understand this. No one wants to commute 1-2 hours each way to an office to have zoom meetings all day. Or to get home when your kids are already asleep and repeat 5 days a week for the next 30 years. The future of work is to be “employee centric.” \n\n[Jane Vincent](https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincentjane/) who runs Fortem People Limited, a Recruitment company based in Yorkshire, UK, confirms that:\n\n“In 2023 the recruitment market is candidate led, not employer led so those companies who are pushing for a return to working in the office are effectively disadvantaging themselves. She adds that Generation Y and Z (who in the next few years will make up 48% of the workforce) , don’t want to be micro-managed, but want to contribute, have a voice, and be included. Employers who want to sustain their business in the future need to recognise this and to listen. \n\nThe UK Labour market is particularly volatile now as over 1 million European workers went home after Brexit, and there are over 160,000 vacancies in the Nursing Health and Care sector right now. In addition, Covid prompted a lot of people to rethink what they wanted out of life and work . Half a million over 55-year-olds decided to retire early - they had enough of all the stress, and this represents a great loss of knowledge for organisations.” \n\nSo, in the above context employers who are driving their employees back to work with one - size fits all solutions are the losers. 5 Days per week in the office puts people off. \n\nTo attract retain and motivate today’s workforce a different approach is needed one which includes creativity, inclusion, and choices to make up a compelling offer of work. \n\nThis underlines why the proactive initiatives to improve **Employee Experience** deserve the recognition they get . Awards International have seen some great examples of this innovation and creativity by progressive organisations over the past few years , with wellness and mental health support leading the way , free financial advice for employees, green agenda and volunteering and Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives . And even a movement towards the 4-day week, where a recent UK Pilot ended with 92% of organisations involved choosing to extend beyond the trial, and absence rates and staff turnover dropping dramatically. And get this : even productivity output improved by 1.4% , working 4 days instead of 5 !\n\nJane Vincent’s employees work a 4-day week, with one day in the office where they can get a free car valet as thanks for driving in, and one day per month off to do volunteering or charity work.\n\nFinally, if CEO’s and Business Leaders are still not convinced about the value of investing in Employees through proactive Employee Engagement initiatives, it’s worth noting the winning formula for successful businesses according to [**Ian Golding, CCXP**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/iangolding/), a Global Customer Experience Specialist: \n\nEmployee Experience (EX) + Customer Experience (CX) = Total Experience (TX).\n\nAnd finally, as Charles Darwin said: “Only those species who are able to evolve, by adapting and adjusting to change, will survive”. \n\n**Simon Brown**\n\n**Organisational Change Co-leader**\n\n**MCR Organisational Effectiveness and Reward Consultancy**\n\nFollow us on Twitter: @MCRRewardHR \n\nVisit our website: [https://mcr.consulting](https://mcr.consulting/)\n\n![mcr.jpg](https://kontent.awardssystems.co.uk/uploads/mcr_9a3e8c46b0.jpg)\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n","Date":"2023-06-22T12:00:00.000Z","Author":null,"createdAt":"2023-06-19T12:32:24.708Z","updatedAt":"2023-06-29T11:35:53.094Z","publishedAt":"2023-06-22T14:26:33.974Z","Images":{"data":[{"id":3430,"attributes":{"name":"UKBXA23_blog_simon_brown_1000x329.png","alternativeText":"","caption":"","width":1000,"height":329,"formats":{"small":{"ext":".png","url":"/uploads/small_UKBXA_23_blog_simon_brown_1000x329_6d3be07510.png","hash":"small_UKBXA_23_blog_simon_brown_1000x329_6d3be07510","mime":"image/png","name":"small_UKBXA23_blog_simon_brown_1000x329.png","path":null,"size":56.64,"width":500,"height":165},"medium":{"ext":".png","url":"/uploads/medium_UKBXA_23_blog_simon_brown_1000x329_6d3be07510.png","hash":"medium_UKBXA_23_blog_simon_brown_1000x329_6d3be07510","mime":"image/png","name":"medium_UKBXA23_blog_simon_brown_1000x329.png","path":null,"size":100.73,"width":750,"height":247},"thumbnail":{"ext":".png","url":"/uploads/thumbnail_UKBXA_23_blog_simon_brown_1000x329_6d3be07510.png","hash":"thumbnail_UKBXA_23_blog_simon_brown_1000x329_6d3be07510","mime":"image/png","name":"thumbnail_UKBXA23_blog_simon_brown_1000x329.png","path":null,"size":22.19,"width":245,"height":81}},"hash":"UKBXA_23_blog_simon_brown_1000x329_6d3be07510","ext":".png","mime":"image/png","size":81.37,"url":"/uploads/UKBXA_23_blog_simon_brown_1000x329_6d3be07510.png","previewUrl":null,"provider":"local","provider_metadata":null,"createdAt":"2023-06-22T14:25:56.962Z","updatedAt":"2023-06-22T14:25:56.969Z"}}]}}}]}}],"seo":{"id":561,"metaTitle":"Blog | UK Business & Innovation Awards 2024","metaDescription":"Read all about success stories and thought leadership from UKB&IA™ and its partners. Find interviews with previous UK Business & Innovation Awards™ winners, case studies and top business trends.","preventIndexing":null,"structuredData":null,"meta":[],"metaImage":{"data":null}},"Submenu":null,"localizations":{"data":[]}}}],"meta":{"pagination":{"page":1,"pageSize":25,"pageCount":1,"total":1}}}