Heads of the Valleys Innovation Programme: Marketplace & Awards

1. Heads of the Valleys Innovation ProgrammeInnovation Marketplace & Awards28 June 2007 Thank you to our sponsors:

2. HOVIP = opportunities for SMEs to improve: • Profitability • People • Process • Products • Services • Markets

3. Innovation Training Innovation Survey Innovation Strategy & Action Plan Heads of the Valleys Innovation Awards HOVIP: Aug 2006 to Dec 2007

4. Welcome Address Patrick Lewis (Director, Heads of the Valleys Regeneration Programme)

5. HOV Innovation Awards • Sole traders • £500 cash prize + preferential services • Less than 20 employees • £500 cash prize + preferential services • 20 or more employees • £500 cash prize • Social Enterprises • £1000 cash prize + discretionary support

6. Nominations – Social Enterprise • Penderyn Community Centre • Community Hall • Garnsychan Partnership • Wood Wise wood recycling project • Integrated Children’s Centre • Childcare, learning and family support • Kidz R Us • Performing Arts plus in former Chapel • Less Talk Ltd • cross county venture company re: housing

7. WINNER – Garnsychan Partnership • Wood Wise wood recycling project • Idea started 2 years ago when offered 25 headboards from the Parkway Hotel! • Bird boxes, play houses & garden furniture • Recycling that is worth-it rather than worthy • Innovative marketing: ‘Name the Owl’ competition aimed at children • Conduct on-going creative sessions

8. Judges comments “Clear evidence of creativity and innovation in both its product range and approach to business. A sustainable and exciting initiative that also promotes and assists corporate social responsibility. A hugely impressive enterprise!”

9. WINNER Most Innovative Social Enterprise GARNSYCHAN PARTNERSHIP Sponsored by:

10. Nominations – Sole Trader • Regan Construction Services • Hand written leaflet drops + customer feedback • Nocardthanks.com • On-line greetings and charity donation • Alexandra Smith Therapies • Fridge magnet business card • Purple Prose • ‘Leading Ladies’ calendar

11. WINNER – Purple Prose • Leading Ladies calendar to launch business • Involved local businesswomen • Photographed as movie and film-icons • Promoted each business • Proceeds to St. Davids Hospice & GBWN

12. Judges comments “The judges were unanimous in their decision. Their application was supported with strong evidence. An excellent example of team working and involvement of professionals and community with great testimonials from leading figures!”

13. WINNER Most Innovative Sole Trader PURPLE PROSE Sponsored by:

14. Nominations – Less than 20 employees • Royvon Dog Training Schools • CRM system linked to client progress reporting • Celtic Collectives • Merthyr Tydfil College students’ virtual business • International Technical Diving Agency • new world diver training standard • AJ Print Ltd / Harlan Properties • turned an eyesore into 9 uniquely-sized business units

15. JOINT WINNERSRoyvon Dog Training Schools and International Technical Diving Agency • Royvon Dog Training Schools: • CRM system & customer progress reporting • Extensive evidence of customer satisfaction • ITDA (UK) Ltd.: • Rewrote the rules for diving training standards • Puting ‘Brand Wales’ on the global map

16. Judges comments “Royvon is excellently packaged and promoted through its website and the innovative use of CRM software enhances the customer experience. We were also impressed with the extent and nature of customer testimonials for what is a quality service.” “ITDA has impressed with a unique and innovative approach in a specialist industry. Who would have thought that an international diving school responsible for setting standards across the globe could be found in New Tredegar!!”

17. JOINT WINNERS Most Innovative Business Less than 20 employees ROYVON DOG TRAINING SCHOOLS and ITDA (UK) Ltd. Sponsored by:

18. Nominations – More than 20 employees • Dragon Truck and Van • state of the art employee centred repair centre • Engine Training and Consultancy • Turning around the Welsh International Climbing Centre e.g. via the Flow Programme for disaffected youth • Design and Manufacture • ‘blacksmiths of the 21st Century’ • Penn Pharmaceutical Services • cross functional Fast Track Team

19. WINNER – Penn Pharmaceutical Services • New approach to dealing with 140 clients and 300 projects • Set up a cross functional FAST TRACK team • 1 team responsible for project specification through to client dispatch • Contributed to annual growth of 16% • FT team now a unique selling point • Improved skill base & rolling-out more widely

20. Judges comments “A very strong entry, well presented and clearly setting out the achievements against the criteria. Excellent example of team work with a cross divisional team being set up and a Fast Track concept. This is a sustainable approach to ensure customer loyalty by giving employees autonomy and accountability for what they do.”

21. WINNER Most Innovative Business More than 20 employees PENN PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES LTD. Sponsored by:

22. Innovation Training Innovation Survey Innovation Strategy & Action Plan Heads of the Valleys Innovation Awards Post HOVIP HOVIP: Aug 2006 to Dec 2007 Continue to apply innovation techniques to business challenges. Implement 12 month action plan with optional sign-posted support. Annual HOV Innovation Awards etc.

23. ‘The Magic of Marketing • Turning Innovation into Income!’ • Helen Murdoch • (Managing Director, HM Marketing Ltd.)

24. Heads of the Valleys Innovation ProgrammeInnovation Marketplace & Awards28 June 2007 Thank you to our sponsors: