IMS Announce Merchandiser of the Year
An eye for detail, the ability to solve problems, and an unrivalled rapport with store staff has earned Yvonne Would the inaugural title of Merchandiser of the Year in a competition run by field marketing specialists IMS.
Operations Director Steve Radford said: “The competition has proved a perfect vehicle for showcasing the skills and talents of our staff. Yvonne’s work is a credit to IMS and demonstrates the extra dimension we strive to bring to ensure we meet – and beat – client expectations.
“Although all the finalists’ work translated into what really matters for our clients – extra sales – it was Yvonne’s determination to succeed, coupled with her ability to think on her feet, that clinched the top prize.”
Yvonne, who lives in Cheshire, receives a commemorative trophy as well as a day’s wine tasting course for two people. This is in addition to her prize for being named as IMS’ Merchandiser of the Month for October.
She said she was surprised – yet delighted – to be name Merchandiser of the Year. “To be chosen as a monthly award winner was a great thrill, but to be presented with the annual prize as well was a bonus,” she said.
Among Yvonne’s successes which were singled out by the judging panel for specific praise were:
- Constantly demonstrating great determination to complete her visit objectives, overcoming whatever obstacles laid in her way.
- Building an excellent rapport with store staff to obtain real and quantifiable results for IMS clients; as well as adding extra value to clients on each visit.
- Taking time to investigate, identify and fix the root cause of the problem to ensure long term improvement, as opposed to simply looking for the quick fix.
In one promotion for a dental client of IMS, Yvonne’s input helped to trigger a 16-fold increase in sales in just one week.
Notes to Editors
1. IMSFUSION, The Future Generation of Field Marketing
Field Marketing is a flexible tool used by companies to communicate their brands and evaluate their services out in the field. IMS services range from Mystery Shopping (or secret shopping) in bars and restaurants to merchandising confectionery in supermarkets or auditing razors and toiletries in chemists. Utilising a total e-business model IMS provide Field Marketing activities supported by unique industry leading technology that delivers live interactive results within 24 hours to all clients via their own secure website. IMS Field Staff and Head Office Staff also logon to the IMS website to complete daily tasks such as booking assignments, downloading paper work, uploading results or quality checking completed assignments. Having won the National E-Commerce Award for Innovation IMS are changing the face of Field Marketing for the better with their strategic and tactical solutions. IMS have also launched a new mystery shopping service for small to medium businesses by the name of MysteryShopMyBusiness.com.
2. IMS Directors
Laura Holden – Sales & Marketing Director
Steve Radford – Operations Director
Robert Taylor – IT Director
3. Investors in People
Investors in People is the national Standard which sets out a level of good practice for training and development of people to achieve business goals. The Standard was developed during 1990 by the National Training Task Force in partnership with leading national businesses, personnel, professional and employee organisations such as the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), Trades Union Congress (TUC) and the Institute of Personnel and Development (IPD). The work was supported by the Employment Department..
4. The Direct Marketing Association
The Direct Marketing Association UK is the leading voice for the direct marketing industry (direct mail, telemarketing, e-commerce and more), championing best practice and self-regulation, so that DMA members can gain competitive advantage and maximise the value of their businesses in an atmosphere of consumer confidence and trust.
Press enquiries: Richard Ford 0870 701 0866
E-mail:richardford@ukims.co.uk
Website: www.ukims.co.uk