The Dream Doors Christmas Conference provided the franchise with the perfect platform to celebrate its 2011 growth of almost 20 per cent.
The most outstanding Dream Doors franchise owners this year were Oxford-based couple, Mike and Elaine Hurley (pictured), who walked away with an unprecedented triple trophy haul that included the coveted ‘Franchisee of the Year’ award for the showroom with the highest annual turnover.
This was the first time the Hurleys were presented with the top award, which they gained for sales of £745,000. The couple also received the most ‘Outstanding Monthly Performance’ award for one stand out day in September when they secured £69,000 in sales. The prizes of holiday vouchers and luxury hampers that went with the awards were warmly received, but it is the ‘Player’s Player’ trophy that the couple will cherish the most, as it was voted for by all 40 Dream Doors franchise owners.
Elaine Hurley said: “We knew about the ‘Franchisee of the Year’ award because everyone’s figures are published for the whole network to see, but we really didn’t expect the other ones, particularly the ‘Player’s Player’ award. That one really meant a lot. It was quite an emotional moment for us since we were chosen as winners by our peers, and not just as a result of our financial performance.
“This does make it all worthwhile. We’ve been under pressure lately, managing the logistics and installations that follow such high sales. And with Christmas coming and a holiday planned we’ve not had much time to reflect on our achievements. This is real reward for all that effort, and we’ll be enjoying all three hampers well into the New Year.”
Among the other prizes handed out during the black-tie ceremony were the ‘Checkatrade Award’ for the branch that demonstrated the best in customer care, the ‘Head Office Award’ for the franchise owner that had given the most support back to the brand and the ‘Most Improved Franchisee’ won by Dream Doors Bath’s Ivor McKeown.
McKeown said: “I’m totally shocked. The award was a real surprise for us, but it’s an accurate reflection of the year we’ve had. The first half of 2011 was pretty poor, and May was the worst month we’ve had in three years of trading. But since then things have just got better and better. The head office directed online marketing has helped by generating lots more internet-based enquiries. But more importantly I have total belief in Dream Doors and the products and the services we provide. Customers want to see that and respond to enthusiasm and belief. Plus I couldn’t do this if I didn’t enjoy it, and I really love what I do.”
Published: 21 December 2011
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