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Celerating the firms which have shown a big growth in sales ; Business editor Robin Johnson profiles some of the companies that have registered for... [Derby Evening Telegraph (England)](Derby Evening Telegraph (England) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Celerating the firms which have shown a big growth in sales ; Business editor Robin Johnson profiles some of the companies that have registered for the Derby Sales and Marketing Award category, sponsored by Vision Express. A TRUE measure of success for any business is sales. If this figure is growing - and you are making a profit at the same time - then you're doing something right. In some cases, there may be a genuine demand for the product. However, some companies can create that demand through a clever marketing strategy. They also use marketing to help make sure that, when a customer wants a particular product or service, their name is the first one they turn to. Growing sales and ingenious marketing strategies are things that the Derby Telegraph Business Awards intends to celebrate through its Derby Sales and Marketing Award. This award is open to companies in the region which have demonstrated sales and marketing excellence over the year. As part of the judging criteria for this award, judges will examine the innovation and creativity of the business, as well as its ability to find solutions for sales and marketing challenges. One company that has seen its sales rocket over the past 12 months or so is estate agent Hannells. The independent Derbybased firm has ridden the crest of the house sales boom ever since the Government's Help to Buy scheme, which provides low-interest loans to home buyers, kick-started the market. Earlier this year, the firm reported a major upsurge in demand for homes across Derby. In November, the firm reported that it had seen a big upturn in sales during 2013 - something which has carried on into this year. And, at the start of this year, the firm opened a new branch in Allestree. In January last year, Hannells sold 39 properties. In January this year it trebled that number, selling about 120 houses in the month for the first time in six years. Another firm which has been growing sales is chemicals firm Lubrizol. The company, which is owned by Warren Buffet's Berkshire Hathaway investment company, develops and tests additives for fuel that help extend the life of engines and enable them to run more efficiently. In Hazelwood, the company has a large number of test cells where engines run constantly, collecting data on fuel burn and mechanical wear and tear. Other companies that registered for the Derby Sales and Marketing Award are Docuflow, Xuper, Dellner, MX Display Solutions, Graham Penny Auctions, Scribble Mail, IMS Lettings, The Bookcafe, Equip Outdoor Technologies, Masala, ph9 Web Solutions, the Chartwell Practice, Huub, Cedar and Co, Foot Fall Advertising, Glossop Cartons and Mirage Machines. The finalists and winner for this award will be decided by the category sponsor, Vision Express. Neil McGowan, operations director at Vision Express, said: "With two stores now in Derby, Vision Express is delighted to support the Derby Telegraph Business Awards and help celebrate the success and achievements of retailers from this region. "In a challenging climate for retail businesses, it has never been more important to acknowledge those who are showing resilience and managing to thrive." "Vision Express is delighted to support the Derby Telegraph Business Awards." NEIL MCGOWAN (c) 2014 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved. |