With the judging of the inaugural South Wales Argus Business Awards set to take place this week, we meet some of the companies and organisations which have stepped up as sponsors.

Small Business of the Year Award: Kymin Financial Planners

LEADING financial planning and advice firm Kymin Financial Services who are celebrating 25 years in business this year, are supporting the inaugural South Wales Argus Business Awards.

Founded in 1993 in Monmouth and based in Bridge Street, Newport since 2002, Kymin employs a team of nine financial planners along with five para planners and support staff.

Kymin is the sponsor of the Small Business of the Year award.

Kymin managing director Robin Hall (pictured) said: "We are proud to be a sponsor in this year's South Wales Argus Business Awards.

"It is extremely important to encourage and help small businesses to thrive as they are the backbone of the UK economy.

"Being a small business ourselves we recognise the hard work, commitment and determination it takes to build a business into a successful one.

“We have more than 25 years of experience dealing with small business owners and entrepreneurs and over this time we have seen many of these companies grow with us.

“It is important for businesses and individuals to enter awards such as this. Obviously it can be seen as a celebration of what you and your business has achieved but not only that it can raise your profile and provide great publicity for the firm.

"This can help set your business against your competitors. Every type of business is extremely competitive these days and in order to thrive is to try and differentiate yourself against the competition.

“Kymin constantly strives to support the local economy but employing local people and using as many local suppliers as we can in the day to day running of the company. We get involved in the local community and charitable events as often as we can. We felt by supporting these awards we are again putting something back into the city of Newport.

“We look forward to seeing and judging all the entrants. We wish everyone who has entered the very best of luck and to meeting all of those involved at the awards ceremony in September."

Customer Service of the Year Award: Kingsway Centre (joint sponsor)

FIRST class customer service is one of the key foundations to building great relationships with our customers, says Susannah Bulpin, of Newport’s Kingsway centre.

Susannah, tenant liaison manager at Kingsway Centre, works with the marketing team and operational manager acting as a link between the Kingsway Centre managers and owners.

Her role also ensures that opportunities to maximise visitor opportunities are not missed.

The Kingsway Centre is a joint sponsor of the Customer Service Award in the South Wales Argus Business Awards 2018.

Susannah, who is based at the Kingsway Centre, said: “ Face to face interaction, smooth and prompt service, an offer to go that extra mile,all create a positive impact on visitors to Kingsway Centre while building upon the reputation of Newport as a welcoming place to visit.

"This particular award recognises the value of this and demonstrates how important people are as ambassadors of a business.

"From evening gym users, lunchtime commuters popping in for essentials and a quick coffee through to young, mid week family groups, Kingsway Centre aims to deliver a welcoming and pleasant visitor experience for all.

“Based in Kingsway Centre, in the heart of Newport, I feel very blessed to be surrounded by some great facilities including The Riverfront Theatre and Dolman as well as a fantastic river walkway which takes you from urban to rural in a matter of minutes.

“Kingsway Centre directly employs more than 15 staff from cleaners, security, administration and management.

"The centre itself supports the employment of more than 300 people in the local area via its tenants such as Wilco’s, Peacocks, Starbucks and Principality Building Society as well as contractual partners from marketing, print, entertainers, builders, electricians to name but a few!

“Building up a reputation can take a lot of time and effort; the South Wales Argus Awards can help profile both a given organisation as well as an individual. It’s also an opportunity for Managers to praise and recognise the value of an employee or even a team of staff in an official capacity. The awards evening promises to celebrate the best of business in a fun and inspirational event."

Customer Service of the Year Award: Friars Walk (joint sponsors)

EXCELLENT customer care is at the forefront of everything everyone strives to deliver at Newport’s Friars Walk.

None more so than Friars Walk managing director Simon Pullen who is based on site at in the management offices in Friars Walk.

It’s because of this single-minded dedication to customer service that Friars Walk decided to back the South Wales Argus Business Awards and sponsor the extremely apt Customer Service Award

Simon said: “We employ a team of 25 to manage Friars Walk, five in the management team and the rest is made up of cleaning staff, security staff, maintenance operatives and environmental operatives.

“In today’s challenging and very competitive retail and leisure market, customers and visitors are looking for that point of difference and that little piece of excellence when choosing where to spend their hard earned and limited disposable income.

“When they shop or visit a restaurant they want to be treated with extra care and to be made to feel special and that’s where excellence in customer service comes in and is a reason people will continue to return to a particular shop or venue. Therefore I believe it is imperative to award and reward people that go above and beyond what is expected.

“These awards are a motivating factor for staff in that they can get recognition for good performance in their daily working life and more than that, if they win they will be recognised in front of their friends, colleagues and peers. It’s also a great night out with a chance to meet new people.

“For the business, recognition at prestigious awards such as these is something they can shout about in the local media and be a point of difference when a customer is making a choice of where to shop, eat or spend their spare time and money.

"It’s good for the store as it gives other staff members something to aim for and attain. For the wider business benefits, it’s something again they can shout about within the company/industry that their customer service training is one of the best!

“I have always been a big believer that business awards are a great way for all businesses to achieve success. Regardless of the size or type of business, everyone has an equal chance of winning as the judging panel and criteria are looking for excellence and not necessarily the size, profile or prominence of a business.

"Business and individuals should enter awards as it gives them a chance to tell people about their business and also shout about some of the specifics they do really well. Being shortlisted is a great achievement in itself and people feel a sense of pride and practically, the PR and awareness is huge. Then for the winner, this is magnified a hundred times.

“In my time, a number of companies I have worked for have won a number of local, regional and national awards and they mean a great deal. They give everyone a boost and a feel good factor that you have “beaten” sometimes friends and competitors to the prize. It also allows you to promote this and is a differentiator when people are choosing a company to use.”