#ndevon magazine – NDBA awards winners

December 2013 | Issue 5

#ndevon @northdevon business news

NDBA awards

winners

magazine production for

North Devon Business Alliance ➤ ndba.org.uk ➤ 0333 044 2038 ➤ @northdevon

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December 2013 2013 awards winners

The winners are . . .

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elcome to our 2013 awards winners special issue of #ndevon magazine.

This year our awards attracted more entrants in more categories.

While Facebook and Twitter appear to remain the most widely used social media services, the entries in our new LinkedIn and Google+ categories reflect their growing importance.

Social media, blogging and online marketing are all becoming more important for businesses, especially in North Devon where we often have to work harder to reach out to engage with customers.

Stacey Pledge B My Office @staceybmyoffice

Support from sponsors Once again, thank you to all our sponsors for supporting the awards.

Without their backing we would have been unable to run them.

And now the winners Thank you to everyone who entered the awards.

Judging them was tougher with more entries and the judges voted in secret ballots to come up with the winners.

We think the winners reflect some of the best practice in using the internet for business. Turn the page to see who they are . . .

Kevin Woodward Multiheat & Energy Systems @infraredheating

Robert Zarywacz pressme @pressmenow

#ndevon magazine #ndevon is edited, designed and produced by pressme, a Zarywacz brand, on behalf of the NDBA. t: 0333 0444 354 e: news@pressme.co.uk w: pressme.co.uk The views expressed by contributors to this magazine are not necessarily those of the North Devon Business Alliance or Zarywacz. Readers are strongly recommended to seek the advice of an appropriate professional before taking any action on any topic discussed in the magazine. Š 2013 North Devon Business Alliance and Zarywacz.

➤ NDBA magazine produced by

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Winner of Winners xxx December 2013

Winner of Winners Main awards sponsor

Winner

Calvert Trust Exmoor

At Calvert Trust Exmoor, it’s what you CAN do that counts.

Award winning, residential, outdoor activity centre for people of all ages and all disabilities. calvert-trust.org.uk/exmoor Social media played a large part in the online awards and the judges felt that being ‘social’ was an important aspect when deciding on the Winner of Winners.

All winners demonstrated capability, expertise and responsibility in their category and it was a tough decision to choose from them.

Calvert Trust Exmoor impressed with its consistent approach across all media, from video to Twitter.

It’s video stood out as the most powerful use of online tools of all awards entries.

Yet Calvert Trust Exmoor is also a generous online community member and retweets, shares and likes to help others.

For these reasons, the judges were unanimous in their selection of Calvert Trust Exmoor as 2013 NDBA Online Awards Winner of Winners.

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➤ ndba.org.uk ➤ 0333 044 2038 ➤ @northdevon

December 2013 Twitter

Twitter Award sponsored by

t: 0800 3081 334 w: coversure.co.uk/ilfracombe Tweet: @CoverIlfracombe

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@Taxi_Anne

Taxi-Anne Barnstaple Reliable, Helpful & Friendly, Family Run Taxi Service. Look for The Purple Taxi Sign TaxiAnneBarnstaple.co.uk

For the second year running @Taxi_Anne came top in a secret ballot of our judges. Always generous and helpful and with a unique style, @Taxi_Anne demonstrates the best way to tweet.

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@LeeHouseLynton Caroline Blakey

Tweets from a 4 Star Silver Award winning Guest House. Lovely Victorian property and super location for discovering Exmoor coast and country. leehouse-lynton.co.uk

@stowfordcamping StowfordFarmMeadows

Award winning camping and caravan holiday site in the heart of the North Devon countryside. We sell touring caravans, awnings and accessories. Open all year. stowford.co.uk

➤ NDBA magazine produced by

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Facebook December 2013

Facebook Award sponsored by

t: 0845 527 7221 w: convallissoftware.co.uk Facebook: convallissoftware

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RaspberryRings

Raspberry Rings, Lampwork Beads & Jewellery Jennie Lamb specialises in handmade glass beads crafted from rods of soda lime glass melted over an Oxygen and Propane mix torch raspberryrings.etsy.com

For the second year running the Raspberry Rings page stood out with the quality and frequency of its posts, photographs and engagement with followers.

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stowfordfarm

Stowford Farm Meadows Located in the heart of North Devon, a mile from the nearest main road along its own private drive, Stowford Farm Meadows has a superb rural setting. stowford.co.uk

CTExmoor

Calvert Trust Exmoor

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At Calvert Trust Exmoor, it’s what you CAN do that counts. Award winning, residential, outdoor activity centre for people of all ages and all disabilities. calvert-trust.org.uk/exmoor

➤ ndba.org.uk ➤ 0333 044 2038 ➤ @northdevon

December 2013 Google+

Google+ Award sponsored by

t: 01271 889337 w: swofficesupplies.co.uk G+: South West Office Supplies

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Accountancy Edge James Hellyer

Working together to make your business and your world better. accountancy-edge.co.uk

Although a powerful social media service, businesses are slow in taking to Google+. Accountancy Edge has embraced the service fully to take advantage of its potential in promoting its services and providing advice.

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Elaine Isaac Convallis Software

Director of Convallis Software, an IT consultancy and software development company. convallissoftware.co.uk

GeeTee

Easy Computing Adult educator in Devon UK with the ethos that anyone who wants to be able to use a computer should be able to at any time of their life. easycomputinguk.wordpress.com

➤ NDBA magazine produced by

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LinkedIn December 2013

LinkedIn Award sponsored by

t: 01271 813777 w: marsdens.co.uk LinkedIn: Marsdens Cottage Holidays

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James Hellyer Accountancy Edge

Chartered Accountant helping North Devon business owners make more profits and pay less tax. accountancy-edge.co.uk

With its useful groups facility, LinkedIn is the most corporate social media service and James has proved adept at using its features to network and share advice.

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Rick Bond

My Holiday Marketing Ltd The purpose of My Holiday Marketing Ltd is to make day-to-day life easier and more rewarding for holiday property owners. myholidaymarketing.co.uk

Kate Brookes Coach and trainer

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Kate Brookes has been training, coaching and mentoring for many years, enabling others to develop their skills, especially in self confidence, minority progression, and leadership. kbcd.co.uk

➤ ndba.org.uk ➤ 0333 044 2038 ➤ @northdevon

December 2013 Blogging

Blogging Award sponsored by

t: 0333 0444 354 w: pressme.co.uk Tweet: @pressmenow

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How to welcome guests

Rick Bond – My Holiday Marketing Ltd

The purpose of My Holiday Marketing Ltd is to make day-to-day life easier and more rewarding for holiday property owners. myholidaymarketing.co.uk

Rick’s ‘How to welcome your guests’ blog impressed the judges by demonstrating how a blog can discuss an issue, offer suggestions, ask for others’ views and create a conversation through comments and answers.

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Summer at Hartland Dawn Robinson – Visit Hartland

An inside view of life and things to do on the beautiful Hartland Peninsula. hartlandpeninsulasource.blogspot.co.uk

Vicko – Bude’s Citizen of the Year Dawn Robinson – Bude and Beyond

Community web site - local views, news and information. budeandbeyond.co.uk

➤ NDBA magazine produced by

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Online Media December 2013

Online Media Award sponsored by

t: 01271 344545 w: bmyoffice.com

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Calvert Trust Exmoor

At Calvert Trust Exmoor, it’s what you CAN do that counts. Award winning, residential, outdoor activity centre for people of all ages and all disabilities. calvert-trust.org.uk/exmoor

Quite simply, the ‘It’s What You Can Do That Counts’ video made the judges want to visit Calvert Trust Exmoor. Its blend of action shots and interviews used the medium expertly to get its message across successfully.

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James Hellyer Accountancy Edge

Chartered Accountant helping North Devon business owners make more profits and pay less tax. accountancy-edge.co.uk

Paul Clews

Guitar and ukulele teacher

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Paul provides guitar and ukulele and bass guitar lessons in schools and private homes across North Devon. paulclews888.weebly.com

➤ ndba.org.uk ➤ 0333 044 2038 ➤ @northdevon

December 2013 Online Networker

Online Networker sponsored by

accountancyEdge Earn more. Keep more. Enjoy it more.

t: 01237 421342 w: accountancy-edge.co.uk Tweet: @accountancyedge

Winner

Allie Lawson

Soon-to-be graduate. Globetrotter. Philanthropist. Supporter of @mindcharity, Comms consultant at @weltchmedia and brains behind @elsieandarthur elsieandarthur.co.uk The Online Networker category enabled anyone to nominate who they thought demonstrated best online networking practice in North Devon.

Putting the finalists up for a public vote created quite a stir and, after review, judges Robert and Stacey named Allie Lawson the winner.

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