The National GO Awards are the most coveted within public procurement, with entries received from all areas of the public sector.  A record number of individuals and organisations entered this year.

We were ecstatic to discover our first-time entry for the Best Small Business Award, supported by the London Borough of Bexley, was one of only six chosen to reach the national final.

The glamorous awards event was held on 4th June 2009 at The Institute of Civil Engineers, One Great George Street, London. Keynote Speakers were Michael O’Higgins, Chairman of the Audit Commission and Nigel Smith, Chief Executive of the Office of Government Commerce.

Congratulations to KiddiVouchers Ltd who were winners of the Best Small Business Award.

Maps announced as a finalist in the National GO Awards for Excellence in Public Procurement – Best Small Business Award.

A record number of submissions entered into the GO Awards, from a broad cross-section of the UK public and private sectors. This makes the achievement of a finalist place even more significant, as the level of competition for these coveted Awards intensifies.

The awards ceremony is being held on 4th June 2009 in London.

MAPS were sponsors of this years Sefton’s Shining Stars Awards. We are proud to support and be associated with such a worthy event which celebrates the achievement and contribution made by children in our local community. We sponsored the “Changing Attitudes” award.

Award Winners: 1st: Eve Cheetham, 2nd: Jacqui Dickinson, 3rd: Charlotte Gant.

MAPS was one of four finalists in the Orange Sponsored “Best Use of Technology in Business Category” at the North West National Business Awards finalists ball held at the Liverpool Echo Arena on 17th July 2008. The winner was iknow-uk.

A National Business Award is the UK’s most sought after business accolade – providing finalists and winners with real recognition of their achievements.

The MAPS team were not too disappointed to be runners-up as reaching the finals was a major achievement for any business.

We were winners of the ‘Green Award’ at the North West’s Sefton Business Awards 2007/08. Sponsored by the National environmental charity Groundwork, judges described MAPS as “role models” and were impressed by our “comprehensive and robust environmental policy”.

All businesses can benefit by operating in an environmentally friendly way. Though some initiatives may be more expensive, others prove far cheaper and so your business bottom-line will be improved.

Even options which, on the face of it, seem more expensive can turn out to be otherwise by looking into them a little further. When we switched to green electricity sourced from wind farms initially, when doing the maths, it appeared to be more expensive. We then saw, however, that the climate change levy is waived when the monthly unit threshold is exceeded. We worked out that we could in fact make a substantial saving. It sometimes pays to do your homework!

For all things green try search engine www.greenmaven.com

Judges of the 2008 National Business Awards have placed MAPS into the finals for a regional entry in ‘The Best Use of Technology in Business Award’.

Sponsored by Orange, the award is for organisations that can best demonstrate how business technology has created a competitive and operational advantage.

James Tattersall, Managing Director, says, “Technology is core to our organisation and we have always invested in its development. To operate successfully in our industry, technology is essential. We customarily go one step further when creating our systems, not only to stay leaders but because we enjoy working on these projects.”

MAPS used the Online System, which allows clients to report and track claims, and their Customer Management System, a behind-the-scenes system that guarantees efficient service by controlling complex daily processes, as a basis for the award entry.

James adds, “We have received really positive feedback from our clients on our Online System especially, and it is fantastic to receive additional recognition from the judges. It comes at a time where we are making exciting developments to the Online System as part of our 2008 programme.”

MAPS join three other finalists to present their case to judges in person. The winner is to be announced in July.

We have scooped our eighth business award this year by winning the ‘Green Award’ at the North West’s Sefton Business Awards 2007/08.

Sponsored by the National environmental charity Groundwork, the award was aimed at businesses who could demonstrate environmental best practise in the workplace that extends to their customers and suppliers, and to the local community.

James Tattersall, Managing Director, said, “Being green is fundamental to our approach to business. Growth through technological innovation started from operating a paperless office. We also recycle and use environmentally friendly products. Recent expansion into our own larger premises saw us renovate and refurbish to include energy efficient heating, lighting and insulation.”

Judges said, “We were impressed by the strong evidence of a comprehensive and robust environmental policy. MAPS are very much seen as role models.”

We have set a precedent by being the first in our industry to be awarded a major standard that recognises excellence in customer service.

‘Putting the Customer First’ is achieved through a lengthy and rigorous assessment, with just over 400 businesses enjoying the status nationwide and only 27% successful in their first attempt.

What does it mean for you?
James Tattersall, Managing Director, says, “We have always followed the strictest measures and the accolade recognises this. It reinforces our reputation that customers shall enjoy a very high quality, professional and efficient service. We go out of our way to ensure each customer receives a service tailored to their individual needs. That is why we are able to enjoy meaningful long-term relationships and that is what sets us apart.”

Judges of the Orange-sponsored National Business Awards singled out the MAPS entry for “special praise” and a coveted Highly Commended ranking in the Cable & Wireless Award for Customer Focus category in the North West.

MAPS Legal Assistance won three of the ten awards presented at the Sefton Chamber of Commerce & Industry Prestige Ball. A record 438 business people filled the Southport Floral Hall to capacity at Sefton’s most prestigious annual black tie ball.

Managing Director of MAPS Legal Assistance, James Tattersall, is pictured receiving the main award of the evening “Business of the Year”. MAPS were also winners of the awards for: “Best Small Business” and “Excellence in Information Communication Technology”.