Dell Small Business Excellence Award History

Dell and the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) - a leading advocacy organization of small and independent businesses - founded the Dell/NFIB Small Business Excellence Award in 2004. It was inspired by Michael Dell's experience starting a small business 25 years ago. Now in its sixth year in the United States, the award program has                        expanded to 13 countries worldwide. See Award News for details.

"Almost 25 years ago, as a small business, we introduced the direct model with a singular focus on listening to customers and working hard to get them exactly what they need. Listening and delivering on behalf of customers has been instrumental in our growth. Our partnerships give us an opportunity to highlight the successes of today's small businesses around the world."

-Michael Dell, Dell Chairman and CEO

Wiggly Wigglers, a rural, England-based natural gardening company, was awarded for its innovation and leadership in social media (Award News). Using tools like Facebook®, podcasting and blogging, Wiggly Wigglers has grown to serve 90,000 customers worldwide while cutting their advertising budget by 80%.

"We are thrilled to receive this award and can't wait to start blogging and podcasting with our customers all over the world to let them know," Wiggly Wigglers founder and director Heather Gorringe said.

See the Award News to read more about Wiggly Wigglers and all our past winners and finalists. Visit Dell's Small Business Flickr^®  page for downloadable award winner photos.

Galmarley Ltd - BullionVault, London,opened London's gold bullion market to the world's private investors, now controlling more gold than most of the world's central banks. iComplete Limited, Swindon,run an online business services suite aimed at micro to small business, combining applications (such as CRM) with telecommunications and virtual PA services, all built from the ground up using web 2.0. A Suit That Fits.com, London,the world's first online hand-tailored suit-making company. Customers can use unique web technology to individually design suits and buy them at off-the-peg prices. Sure Languages, Exeter, provides translations, interpreting and multi-lingual creative services such as web content and technical specifications. A network of professional linguists from around the world enable these services in over 100 languages. Cruise 118, Manchester, an independent cruise retail business that prides itself on offering unparalleled customer service and supplier relations by making innovative use of their IT systems. Europa Technologies Limited, Cobham, Surrey, a digital mapping business that works with Global Fortune 500 companies and the United Nations. Their products help companies better understand customers and markets in a geographical context. Significan't (UK) Limited, London, operates a video contact centre that provides online video sign language interpreters. The company also provides video-conferencing facilities for local businesses and individuals. Postcode Anywhere, Worcesta location-based services software provider, which includes route optimisation, UK and international contact address management, demographic profiling and geographic data (i.e. "Where's my nearest...?"). Labels4Kids Limited, Stirling, sells a wide choice of personalised labels and stickers for children in every shape and variety. As well as iron-on labels, they offer dishwasher- and microwave-proof. Available internationally online or by mail order. Eastern Storage Equipment, Norwich, started out as a traditional storage equipment supply and installation business in 1975. After developing into mail order, the company now has a fully integrated IT system to improve customer service and reduce workloads.

Pat Clarke Total Training, Lincoln, England - providing training, support and consultancy to healthcare and social service businesses Sandmere Practice, London, England - offering primary healthcare services to its patients Mantle Panel Ltd, Walton-On-Thames, England - developing energy-efficient, environmentally-friendly building solutions for UK homes 9-20 Recruitment, Glasgow, Scotland - delivering a highly specialised IT recruitment service across all business sectors Eurotech Monitoring Services, London, England - providing security devices, alarms, patrols and services Wiggly Wigglers, Hereford, England - creating gardens of the future through combining natural beauty and environmental sustainability Kids Review, Kent, England - offering a website which enables children to add, edit and share their own reviews of books they have read, within a safe and managed environment Crown Fitness Club, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales - providing fitness equipment in a friendly surrounding for its members Labels4Kids, Stirling, Scotland - offering personalised labels for children to attach to a range of clothing and accessories Masters Traditional Games, St Albans, England - offering high quality traditional board and table games