All the world’s a stage

The best way out is always through.

There are times when the world seems to be very precariously balanced on its axis. A big nudge one way or the other and it could all go spiralling off course, heading to the oblivion, metaphorically speaking, of the nearest black hole.

The last week seems like one of those times.

We are two-and-a-bit years into the horrific war in Ukraine, brought on by the Russian president’s totally unjustified invasion, a war in which I am sorry to say the balance of power seems to have shifted slightly, and which will only get harder for Ukraine to win if the big orange baby gets voted back onto the White House.

We are six months post the appalling events of October 7th, when Hamas attacked a kibbutz and a music festival in Israel, the barbarity of which still takes my breath away. As does the aftermath of the Israeli response in Gaza. It’s always the innocents that suffer the most.

A massive drone attack on Israel by Iran was thwarted by a joint effort by a number of countries, including some of our own RAF fighters. The attack might have been for show, to demonstrate that Iran can and will fight back, it might have been a serious attempt to escalate the conflict into outright war. Whichever it was, it’s scary and has sent the world that bit more wobbly on its axis.

In the midst of all this, the rest of us just have to get on with life, with making sure our spheres of influence operate the way we want them to. Keep calm and carry on, as it were.

What better way to take out mnds of the mess that politicians have got us into than to celebrate what we do best. And yes, I am shamelessly using the horrors of the world around me to shoe-horn in something of my own agenda. So far so normal. #Sorrynotsorry.  My particular agenda for this week is to encourage anyone who hasn’t already – and if not why not – to get their whatsists in gear and nominate or enter for the BMJ Industry Awards 2024.

It’s the easiest thing  to do: decide who you think is the best in your sector, get their names down at the nomination site, then wait for the voting portal to open , cast your vote, book your tickets for the celebration lunch and wait to find out if your choice has won. Simples.

This is the only industry awards programme that is voted for by the people who do really understand what good looks like. Who are the best people to decide what good really looks like in this industry? The people who work in it day-in, day-out, who chose to spend their hard-earned money because of the levels of customer service they receive, or who decide to take on a particular supplier because they know that great customer service can only be given out if it’s received.

There are some amazing merchants and suppliers out there, there are some incredible bathroom showrooms, landscaping displays – I know, I’ve seen them – and some extraordinarily talented individuals. They all deserve to be recognised and celebrated. So come on, enter, vote, book tickets, have fun, celebrate. You know you want to.

Can you think of someone who epitomises all the good things about this amazing sector, who has it running through their blood, their bones, their very soul? Do you have an apprentice or a trainee that you think should be celebrated? Is there someone in your organisation that is heading for great things – are they a real Rising Star of the sector? Do you believe that you are the best merchant in your area? Do you know that your landscaping display, your bathroom showroom, your latest marketing campaign, stand head and shoulders above those of your competitors? Do you believe that your plasterboard/insulation/cement/landscaping/paint/roof tile/bathroom suppliers are the best in the business? Is there someone there who will go out of their way to get you out of a hole if necessary?

You know you do, so why not let the rest of us know, and give us all a chance to really celebrate  all that good and great about this fabulous industry.

The gala lunch, when we will reveal the ultimate winners, is on Friday September 27th, and we are heading back to the art-deco splendour of the Connaught Rooms, Covent Garden.

Be there. You know you want to.

www.bmjindustrywards.co.uk/enter