At Integral we want people to know how hard we work, and be recognised for the quality of work we carry out. We do this by entering business competitions - competing with businesses like ours for the kudos of being named “The Best”.
HSBC Start up Stars
During 2008, Integral also entered the 8th annual Start up Stars competition, sponsored by HSBC, Sky News and the Daily Express. The competition recognises fledgling businesses with an inspiring blend of creativity, determination and business acumen and is one of the UK’s most highly-coveted small business awards.
The competition offered a top prize of £50,000 for the most inspirational start-up business and the entrepreneurial brains behind it.
The competition was split geographically into 6 regions, and the 350 Northern entrants were then whittled down to 40 companies who were invited to regional networking evenings where the semi-finalists for each region were announced. The Northern networking event was held in Manchester Art Gallery where Integral Network Solutions was announced as one of just 20 regional finalists.
The judging then started all over again, with 10 of the top 20 companies from each region being named Regional Winners – Integral were lucky enough to be one of these companies.
The top ten companies nationally were invited to the national awards ceremony which took place in London in October. Unfortunately we didn’t make the National finals – but to be named a regional winner in such a massive competition is a huge achievement.
Fingers crossed for this year…!
Rotherham Business Awards
Integral Network Solutions has been named a Highly Commended company in two categories of the Rotherham Business Awards 2008 run by the Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce.
Hosted by the BBC’s Harry Gration, the awards evening took place at Magna on Friday 24th October 2008, where Integrals’ director, Paul Taylor, was presented with 2 certificates.
Being named Highly Commended in the New Start Award sponsored by RiDO has proved us to be a first-class company, which having been established for less than 18 months was a massive achievement. To also be named a Highly Commended company in the Excellence in Business Award sponsored by First was a huge surprise as we are such a young company, still in its developmental stages.
These awards have given Team Integral positive feedback for all the hard work they have put in, and encouraged us to strive to become the best.
Barnsley Business Awards
On Friday November 21st 2008, Integral Network Solutions was named a Highly Commended company in the Barnsley Business Awards 2008 run by the Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce.
The Business Start up Award, sponsored by Business Link, recognises the hard work that goes into starting up a new company. The competition was open to businesses which have been trading for less than 2 years and have established their position within the marketplace through the use of sound business techniques.
Integral were awarded with a commemorative certificate at the glitzy awards ceremony held at Brooklands Hotel in Barnsley.
On receiving the plaque, Director, Paul Taylor, said, “To be recognized for doing something we enjoy is really inspiring – let’s hope for even more successes in the coming years!”