Supplier of the Year Award Winners
Current Holder
2010: Wildy & Sons Ltd
The first BIALL Supplier of the Year Award has been presented to Wildy & Sons Ltd.
John Sinkins, Managing Director and his colleagues received the award from the President, Daniella King, at the BIALL Annual Dinner which took place at the De Vere Grand Hotel, Brighton.
2010 is the first year for this new award, made to the supplier rated the best in a survey of the BIALL membership. 144 people responded to the survey, a sizeable proportion of the membership. Suppliers were rated on their advertising and marketing techniques, their pricing and negotiations, their after-sale service, and the quality of their products and services, as well as given an overall rating.
Wildy’s was one of the more widely used of those assessed, with nearly half of respondents rating them. They achieved an average rating, across this large number of people, of over 4 out of 5 in all the categories assessed, with special mention for an average score of 4.73 in the customer service category. 35 respondents nominated the company as their favourite supplier, about 30% of the people who made such a nomination.
They were described as having an excellent product, with good pricing and outstanding customer service, nothing ever seeming to be too much trouble. They really understand the needs of the business, and of individual customers. They respond promptly and helpfully to communications, and resolve the few problems that occur quickly and efficiently
Many respondents singled out the Wildy’s website for praise. It was described as easy to use with all relevant information provided at the touch of a button, and particularly complimented on its accuracy and detail. However, several people also mentioned the monthly printed current awareness newsletter, showing that Wildy’s continues to use traditional methods alongside modern ones, and manages to do both well.
Previous winners
2008: Institute of Advanced Legal Studies
The BIALL Customer Relations Initiative Award for 2008 was been awarded to the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies – Document Supply Service.
Jules Winterton, Associate Director and Librarian received the award
amid much acclaim, from the BIALL President Barbara Tearle, at the BIALL
Annual Dinner which took place at the Mansion House, Trinity College,
Dublin.
Reflecting the thoughts and deliberations of the Adjudication Panel for
this award, Barbara Tearle spoke of the IALS Document Supply Service as,
“ established to promote, facilitate and disseminate the results of
study and research not only to academics but also practitioners. The
service has a customer-driven approach with well-trained and
knowledgeable staff (otherwise known as Librarians!) and is always
looking at ways to adapt the service and resources to meet customer
needs.
The service aims to introduce the most effective ways of meeting
customer needs and is currently trialling new technologies.
Staff enjoy working within the service and will willingly spend time and
considerable effort to find resources, even when only a partial or
inaccurate citation is provided. Although academics do not always need
an immediate service, staff recognise the pressures and deadlines from
practitioners and try to meet urgent demands whenever possible.
The service is consistently reliable, clearly and reasonably priced and
changes to services are announced well in advance
2007: 7Side
The BIALL Customer Relations Initiative Award (CRIA) was awarded to 7Side Limited from Cardiff.
7Side were praised for their consistently high level of service, knowledgeable and helpful staff who respond quickly to requests and their flexibility in providing training as and when required. Sides flagship product Companies House Direct was also praised as providing a front end to the Companies House website which enables easy access by fee-earners and library staff.
Mary Lovell, 7Side’s Business Development Director, was on hand to collect the award from Barbara Tearle, President of BIALL, at the BIALL Annual Dinner held at Cutler’s Hall, Sheffield, on 15 June 2007.
2006: Legal Library Services
BIALL’s Customer Relations Initiative Award went to Legal Library Services from Yeovil.
Legal Library Services were praised for their customer-orientation, experienced, knowledgeable and friendly staff (especially John Evans), fast and efficient service, flexibility, lack of bureaucracy and reasonable pricing.
The award was presented to Brian Murray from Legal Library Services by BIALL president Barbara Tearle.
