TheBestOf Wins Innovative Business of the Year

thebestof, a national network of local marketing websites, run by local people, that champion the best businesses in their area, has been voted the top Innovative Business of the Year at the Fast Growth Business Awards 2008. Hundreds of companies vied for the top slots at the Awards with thebestof beating off new innovative stars, 'Broadbean Technology' and 'Challs International' to achieve winning status.

thebestof has come a very long-way in just over the 2 1/2 years since it was set-up, and we have many more exciting ideas planned for the next few months. In the fast-paced environment that we operate in, it's important to stay ahead of the game - innovation is key to this, and is why we have become so successful in such a short space of time.

(PRWEB) March 21, 2008 -- thebestof, a national network of local marketing websites, run by local people, that champion the best businesses in their area, has been voted the top Innovative Business of the Year at the Fast Growth Business Awards 2008. Hundreds of companies vied for the top slots at the Awards with thebestof beating off new innovative stars, 'Broadbean Technology' and 'Challs International' to achieve winning status.

The Awards, which were presented at a prestigious black tie dinner in London on March 12th, have become recognised by many as a spotlight for entrepreneurial excellence. They are designed to bring together the UK's most dynamic and innovative businesses.

A leading panel of entrepreneurs, investors and experts judged the awards. These included Peter Jones, entrepreneur and star of BBC's Dragons' Den; Simon Kossoff, MD of Carluccios and Rene Carayol, business guru and TV presenter.

When looking at the short list of finalists for the innovative business category, the judges were looking specifically for companies who have been truly innovative, where innovations have transformed their product or service offering.

thebestof's Chief Executive, Nigel Botterill commented: "It was fantastic to be shortlisted for this highly competitive category and tremendous to have won it! Our franchising model and thebestof brand in particular has evolved tremendously over the last year. We are not just an online community website, we are much much more than that.

"Through innovative schemes, such as introducing review pages to our site, launching thebestof monthly awards and thebestof network groups we have revolutionised word of mouth and online marketing, and it's great to be applauded for this, especially from a selection of such highly regarded entrepreneurs and businessmen as those that sat on the FGBA panel."

The company's meteoric rise together with its forward thinking business vision all attracted the judges' attention. It has over 350 sites featuring 65,000 SMEs covering most of the UK, from Aberdeen in the north, to Plymouth in the south, from Llandudno in the west and Norwich in the East. Run by local franchisees, it features details of local businesses (from plumbers to accountants, tree surgeons to designers), information, news, events, places to go and things to do.

Nigel Botterill adds: "thebestof has come a very long-way in just over the 2 1/2 years since it was set-up, and we have many more exciting ideas planned for the next few months. In the fast-paced environment that we operate in, it's important to stay ahead of the game - innovation is key to this, and is why we have become so successful in such a short space of time."

The Fast Growth Awards comes hot on the heels of a raft of other triumphs. Since September last year, when thebestof was announced leading Midlands technology company, and ranked No.3 in Britain in the Sunday Times Microsoft Tech Track 100 annual league table, thebestof have gone on to win the BT Business Essence of the Entrepreneur Award, as well as being highly commended for 'Entrepreneur of the Year' in the most recent National Business Awards.

For more information visit www.thebestof.co.uk.

Notes to Editors
About thebestof

- http://www.thebestof.co.uk is a national network of local websites, run by local people, that champion the best businesses in their area
- http://www.thebestof.co.uk has established widespread coverage in virtually all the major centres in the UK. From Aberdeen in the north, to Plymouth in the south, from Llandudno in the west and Norwich in the East - and pretty much everywhere in between
- Based in Solihull, thebestof is the brainchild of Nigel and Sue Botterill. It was set up over 2 and a half years ago and now has well over 350 franchisees who feature over 65,000 businesses between them.
- It is the fastest growing UK franchise - ever! And was ranked 3rd in last year's Sunday Times Tech Track 100

The Fast Growth Business Awards 2008

The 2008 Fast Growth Business Awards are organised by Crimson Business. Crimson Business specializes in publishing information for small and medium size businesses. Crimson has established more relationships with entrepreneurs than any other B2B publisher resulting in its favourable position as market leader. For more info visit www.crimsonbusiness.co.uk.

Specifically, Crimson have provided practical and inspirational information for growing businesses for over 6 years via its flagship brand Growing Business.

For more information contact:
David Barrett, Louise Findlay-Wilson or Hannah Aspey at Energy PR on 01993 823011

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