Member Article

Last chance to nominate your company Superstar

It’s the last chance for businesses in the North East to show their ‘behind the scenes’ staff how much they appreciate them by nominating them for a sparkling new awards ceremony.

Entries for the Superstar Awards are open until 8pm on Friday 25 October and are your chance to honour the cream of the region’s office managers, PAs, secretaries, receptionists, accounting technicians and customer service staff, by paying tribute to the work they do to keep your business running smoothly.

Run by Newcastle-based business and enterprise support agency Entrust and Pitman Training Newcastle, which became part of the Entrust family over the summer, Superstar is the new name for The Best Secretary on Tyneside awards previously organised by the training specialist.

The competition is due to culminate with a fun and informal awards ceremony at As You Like it in Jesmond, on Wednesday 20 November.

The awards categories include Number Cruncher, PA Extraordinaire, Virtual-ly the Best, Most Studious One, Customer Service Star, Jack or Jill of All Trades, and the overall 2013 Superstar.

North East recruiter GEM Commercial is sponsoring the PA Extraordinaire award. Anthony Antoniou, head of GEM’s commercial division, said: “At GEM we recognise the vital role support functions play within successful organisations and are genuinely inspired by some of the success stories we hear every day from our clients.

“The opportunity to recognise the hard work and dedication of the North East’s office managers, PAs, secretaries, receptionists, accounting technicians and customer service staff was one we jumped at and we are delighted to lend our expertise as part of the judging panel.”

Jill Duffy, centre manager of Pitman Training Newcastle, said: “We’ve had a great response so far from North East businesses to the inaugural Superstar Awards and we’re enjoying reading the fantastic stories of the behind the scenes stars that keep the region’s businesses on the go.

“Time is ticking however so anyone who wants to nominate their Superstar should act quickly. We want to know who your behind the scenes stars are, why they’re so important to your business and why you consider them to be worth the recognition.”

Pitman Training Newcastle, named after the inventor of shorthand, provides high quality office, book-keeping and IT training. The brand became a Business Superbrand this year in recognition of its impact.

Nominations for the Superstar Awards close at 8pm on Friday 25 October and nomination forms can be downloaded from the website at www.superstarawards.co.uk, where you’ll also find more information. Tickets for the awards ceremony at As You Like it on November 20 cost £12 + VAT.

The Superstar Awards categories, from which the overall Superstar will be chosen, are:

The Number Cruncher Sponsored by RMT - Recognising those with a good head for figures, whether working in a support role within an accountants firm, or in the finance department of an organisation, the accounting technician will be practised at handling a varied workload that may include supporting with tasks such as staff payroll, accounts, bookkeeping, invoicing and credit control, staff expenses, budgets and report writing.

Virtual-ly the Best Assistant Sponsored by Newcastle Business Village, Clavering House – Honouring the best Virtual Assistants (VA), many of whom work from home or remotely for more than one client, to provide professional, administrative, technical, or creative (social) assistance to clients providing that much needed support as and when required.

PA Extraordinaire Sponsored by GEM Partnership – Highlighting the role of PAs - sometimes known as an executive secretary or private secretary – who work closely with senior managerial or directorial staff to provide administrative support, usually on a one-to-one basis.

Customer Service Star Supported by event partner Sage Gateshead – Giving a pat on the back to those whogo the extra mile to really look after their customers, whether that’s over the phone, face to face or by email.

Jack or Jill of All Trades – Recognising the person who does anything and everything in their role, who never says: ’‘That’s not my job!’ and happily gets on with any task they are faced with – and with a smile!

Most Studious One Sponsored by Pitman Training Newcastle – Honouring the best Pitman Training Newcastle student studying for a professional qualification.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Astute.Work .