Based three years in the past by Sarah Austin, Empowered Occasions, has swiftly risen to prominence on the planet of large-scale occasion administration.
Their firm’s flagship challenge, the British Enterprise Excellence Awards—sponsored by Lloyds Financial institution—has change into the UK’s largest and most revered annual enterprise awards programme. But behind the scenes, Empowered Occasions confronted a big problem: the best way to improve the judging course of to fulfill the excessive requirements of each judges and entrants.
The Problem of Excellence
Behind the scenes organising an occasion of the scale of the British Enterprise Excellence Awards is not any small feat. Over a three-week interval, greater than 50 judges convene in London to evaluate lots of of submissions from the nation’s prime companies. The judging course of is rigorous, demanding meticulous consideration to element and thorough analysis.
In earlier years, judges relied on laptops and tablets to evaluation entry submissions. Whereas digital gadgets provided comfort, suggestions from judges highlighted vital drawbacks. The sterile nature of screens couldn’t replicate the tactile expertise of paper. Judges missed the power to flip forwards and backwards between pages effortlessly, make handwritten notes within the margins, and evaluate paperwork aspect by aspect.
“Digital just wasn’t cutting it,” recollects Sarah Austin. “Our judges felt disconnected from the material. They wanted to engage with the submissions in a more tangible way.”
Looking for a Answer
The choice to revert to printed paperwork offered new challenges. Printing lots of of multi-page submissions required a dependable, high-capacity answer that might deal with the quantity with out compromising on high quality or effectivity. Outsourcing was thought-about however shortly dismissed resulting from considerations over value, management, and confidentiality.
“We needed a solution that was in-house, secure, and could deliver high-quality prints at scale,” says Austin. “That’s when we began exploring our options.”
After in depth analysis and session, Empowered Occasions selected the HP LaserJet 3000 coupled with HP EliteBook Extremely AI laptops. The selection wasn’t made calmly; it was the results of cautious consideration of the merchandise’ capabilities, reliability, and alignment with the corporate’s particular wants.
Why HP?
A number of elements influenced Empowered Occasions’ choice to associate with HP. The HP LaserJet 3000 stood out for its distinctive velocity, high-resolution output, and strong dealing with of huge print jobs and for a corporation nonetheless in its infancy each inexpensive and one which might not take up an excessive amount of workplace area.
“The LaserJet 3000 offered features that other printers in the market simply didn’t,” explains Austin. “Its ability to produce high-quality prints quickly and efficiently was unmatched. Plus, the ease of maintenance and HP’s customer support were significant advantages.”
The HP EliteBook Extremely AI laptops complemented the printers by enhancing the workforce’s productiveness and streamlining operations. Outfitted with cutting-edge AI capabilities, these laptops offered superior information administration, safety features, and seamless communication instruments.
“The EliteBook Ultra AI transformed how our team collaborated,” notes Austin. “From real-time document editing to secure data handling, it integrated perfectly with our workflow.”
Implementing the Know-how
Whereas transitioning to the brand new expertise required planning it required little or no by the use of coaching. Empowered Occasions invested time in familiarising their workers with the HP techniques to make sure a clean integration.
“Our team undertook the online training tutorial provided by HP,” says Operations Supervisor Laura Clarke. “The support we received was excellent. Within a short period, we were fully operational and reaping the benefits.”
The HP LaserJet 3000 printers have been set as much as deal with the large print volumes required for the judging course of. With options like computerized duplex printing, high-capacity paper trays, and energy-saving modes, the printers operated effectively across the clock.
“We printed over 18,000 pages during the judging period,” Clarke reveals. “The printers performed flawlessly, with no downtime. This reliability was crucial for meeting our tight deadlines.”
Enhancing Productiveness and Effectivity
The influence of HP’s expertise on Empowered Occasions’ productiveness was vital. The HP LaserJet 3000’s velocity diminished printing occasions by 40% in comparison with earlier strategies. The EliteBook Extremely AI laptops enabled workers to handle duties extra successfully, with AI-powered scheduling, activity automation, and enhanced safety protocols.
“Routine tasks that used to take hours were automated,” says Occasion Coordinator Jessica Carter. “The AI features helped us prioritise workloads, detect potential issues before they became problems, and communicate more effectively with the judges and entrants.”
The mixture of high-quality printed supplies and superior computing energy elevated the general high quality of the judging course of. Judges acquired neatly organised, professional-looking paperwork, enhancing their capacity to concentrate on the content material somewhat than logistical distractions.
Judges’ Expertise
Suggestions from the judges was overwhelmingly constructive. The return to printed submissions was universally welcomed, enriching their analysis expertise.
“Having the physical documents was a breath of fresh air,” says Decide Andy Webb, founding father of Connectopia. “I could annotate, highlight, and compare submissions with ease. The print quality was excellent, which made reading and analysing charts and diagrams within the entries much more engaging.”
The improved course of additionally fostered higher collaboration amongst judges. Bodily paperwork allowed for extra interactive discussions throughout their throughout panel classes, resulting in extra knowledgeable and balanced choices.
“There’s something about gathering around a table with papers in hand,” provides Decide Alison Stewart-Allen. “It encourages dialogue and a deeper level of engagement.”
Measurable Enterprise Enhancements
“After deciding to introduce printed submissions to the judging panels, we looked at the various options available to us, and by bringing printing in-house, we saved on external costs and gained greater control over the process,” notes Sarah Austin. “The efficiency gains meant we could allocate resources to other areas, such as marketing and customer service.”
Buyer satisfaction ranges elevated, evidenced by constructive suggestions from each judges and entrants. The professionalism and clean execution of the judging strategy of the awards programme strengthened Empowered Occasions’ status within the business.
“Our judges, partners and sponsors noticed the difference,” says Empowered Occasions PR Supervisor Megan Gibbs. “We received numerous compliments on how well-organised and seamless the judging process was this year. With paper you don’t have to worry about wi-fi passwords, access to power sockets, or judges being distracted by unplanned popups”
Entrant Advantages
Entrants to the awards programme additionally benefited from the improved processes. “As an entrant, I was impressed by how our submission was handled,” says Phil Parkinson, managing director of the Evergreen Group. “Knowing that the judges were engaging with our material in a meaningful way gave us confidence in the fairness of the process.”
Empowered Occasions’ dedication to excellence prolonged past their instant operations, positively impacting the broader enterprise group concerned within the awards.
Future Plans and Business Influence
Empowered Occasions just isn’t resting on its laurels. The success of this new expertise into their judging course of has spurred plans to additional improve and develop their use of those merchandise.
“We are exploring the latest HP innovations to see how we can continue to enhance our operations,” shares Sarah Austin. “The technology landscape is ever-evolving, and we want to stay at the forefront.”
Austin believes that different companies within the occasion administration business can profit from comparable options.
“The challenges we faced are common in our industry,” she observes. “High-volume printing, efficient data management, and secure communication are critical. HP’s products offer reliable solutions that can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance client satisfaction.”
Particular Success Tales
One notable success story includes the introduction of AI-driven scheduling by way of the EliteBook Extremely AI. Through the judging interval, coordinating the provision of over 50 judges and eight separate finalist companies for his or her 45 minutes presentation and Q&A was a logistical nightmare in earlier years. The EliteBook’s AI capabilities analysed judges’ schedules and optimised assembly occasions, lowering scheduling conflicts by 70%.
“Scheduling used to be a major headache,” admits awards co-ordinator Carter. “The AI took over the heavy lifting, and suddenly, everything fell into place smoothly.”
One other success was the improved safety features of the EliteBook Extremely AI, which safeguarded delicate info. With confidential enterprise information circulating through the awards, safety was paramount.
“Data breaches are a significant concern, entrants are providing us with highly commercially sensitive information about their business under NDAs” notes Clarke. “The EliteBook’s advanced encryption and biometric security features gave us and our finalists peace of mind.”
Empowering the Future
Empowered Occasions’ journey illustrates how embracing the correct expertise can remodel a enterprise. By addressing particular challenges with tailor-made options, they’ve not solely improved their operations but in addition set a brand new benchmark within the business.
“Our experience shows that technology is not just about gadgets; it’s about finding tools that align with your business goals,” says Sarah Austin. “HP understood our vision and provided solutions that empowered us to achieve it.”
Recommendation for the Business
For companies contemplating comparable upgrades, Austin gives this recommendation: “Identify your core challenges and look for technology that addresses them directly. Don’t be afraid to invest in quality products that offer long-term benefits. And choose partners who provide excellent support and understand your industry’s nuances.”
Empowered Occasions’ partnership with HP exemplifies how expertise will be leveraged to beat operational challenges and drive enterprise success. By thoughtfully integrating the HP LaserJet 3000 and EliteBook Extremely AI into their processes, they not solely addressed instant wants but in addition set a brand new normal for excellence in occasion administration.
“The key takeaway is that technology should serve our goals, not dictate them,” displays Sarah Austin. “By choosing the right tools, we’ve empowered our team, satisfied our judges and clients, and positioned ourselves for future growth.”
The success of Empowered Occasions with HP’s merchandise highlights a broader implication for the occasion administration business, and companies at giant. Excessive-quality, dependable printing options just like the LaserJet 3000 and the EliteBook Extremely AI’s superior options supply value efficient options that may streamline operations, improve safety, and enhance workforce collaboration. For evolving companies, these instruments supply tangible advantages and scalable flexibility; HP options are a associate for enterprise improvement and progress.
In an period the place digital options usually overshadow conventional strategies, Empowered Occasions’ expertise demonstrates the worth of balancing each. By listening to their stakeholders and adapting accordingly, they’ve crafted a course of that honours the preferences of their judges whereas leveraging trendy expertise to boost effectivity and high quality.
As companies throughout industries grapple with comparable challenges, Empowered Occasions’ method serves as an inspiring mannequin. By selecting options that align with their mission and values, they’ve not solely improved their operations but in addition strengthened their place as leaders of their subject.
