Recruitment business Remote Employment, an online website dedicated to remote working and flexible home working options, was announced as the winner of not one, but two business prizes this week and so becomes an award-winning website.
The first prize was awarded by BT Business, in partnership with environmental charity Global Action Plan, to mark this years Small Business Week 2008. From a national search, selecting 10 businesses across the UK, Remote Employment impressed judges with their passion and determination to understand and reduce their current impact on both the environment and society.
Paula Wynne said: Our business strongly advocates a healthy work life balance for employees through remote working. This practice provides a much more efficient, productive and greener way of working. The BT Business Responsible Business prize will definitely help us to practice what we preach and help us promote greener working to other employers as well as employees.
This award comes as new BT Business research shows that 39% of small businesses in the South East say cutting back on energy use is the main thing they are doing to help the environment. This compares with 42% of businesses nationally.
Bill Murphy, managing director, BT Business said: BT Business is proud to be awarding, Remote Employment this prize. Its vital that small businesses tackle climate change and BT has partnered with GAP to offer this much needed support. We hope that Remote Employment will set a good example for other businesses in Berkshire and demonstrate that often whats good for the environment is also a win for business.
In addition to environmental management training and support from Global Action Plan, the prize includes a month of audio conferencing and a 12 month BT Tradespace Premium subscription from BT Business. It is designed to help support, Remote Employment in their efforts to reduce their energy consumption and reduce costs through greater efficiency.
The second prize was awarded to Remote Employment after ten aspiring business women were selected to be mentored by the best women in business. The prestigious event took place at an Oscars-style awards ceremony at BT Tower in the revolving restaurant 34 stories above Londons night-life.
Eager entrepreneurs entered their business ideas to the competition, run by FreshIdeas Events, and they met with their allocated Make A Difference (MAD) Woman for the first time in the stunning surroundings of the Tower. The panel of MAD women will be guiding the aspiring businesswomen to success over the next six months.
Innovative ideas ranging from an ethical image consultancy encouraging clients to dress more eco-friendly, an online information business for those passionate about socialising and dining out in London, and a new sustainable, community-run hotel were among the winning ideas.
One of the winners, Paula Wynne, Director of Remote Employment got her wish and was awarded Karen Darby as her mentor for the next six months. Inspirational entrepreneur and founder of SimplySwitch, Karen Darby, sold her company to the Daily Mail in 2006 for 22m.
Paula says: "This competition is excellent for a businesswoman like myself to get access to the skill, experience and wealth of knowledge that the mentors will provide. I am excited to have the opportunity to work with Karen, who has so much enthusiasm and energy for the concept of remote working. With Karens help and guidance, we look forward to taking Remote Employment to the next level of growth."
Inspirational entrepreneur and founder of SimplySwitch, Karen Darby, who sold her company to the Daily Mail in 2006 for 22m, says: I am delighted to be working with Paula and Remote Employment. This is a fabulous idea that can make a real difference to the employment culture in the UK. It is a concept that can help employers recruit talented job seekers and help job seekers improve their quality of life while maintaining a career path at the same time. I look forward to helping Remote Employment grow and achieve their vision.
Track their progress by visiting FreshIdeas Events, www.freshideasevents.com or view the award-winning details on Remote Employment. For more information on Remote Employment see www.remoteemployment.com or call 0844 800 8355.
