For the past few weeks, we here at Service Dealer have been encouraging you, our dealer readers, to make sure you are in the running for a prestigious industry award - and lo and behold, our magazine now finds itself in that exact position!
 
You may have read already today that Service Dealer has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Best Business Publication Of The Year category at the Independent Publishers Awards run by the PPA. This is genuinely quite a big deal in the publishing field and the whole team is honoured to be singled-out alongside some incredibly well-established business-to-business titles.
 
Service Dealer owner Duncan Murray-Clarke says today, "It is a huge achievement being a finalist, as the PPA awards are hotly contested and the publishing benchmark in the UK." 
 
I must say it's all jolly exciting to be in the mix for such an accolade - but most importantly it's a real pat on the back and acknowledgement of the efforts of the whole team who put the magazine together.
 
It isn't often such recognition comes the way of a business when the priority is simply getting on with the tasks at hand. When it does present itself, it's rather delightful and it feels special being told by your peers that you're doing something right.
 
And I can tell you right now - because I've spent this week working my way through all the entries to the Service Dealer Awards - that our readers are doing tons of things right! It is apparent that extraordinary work has been undertaken out there in the network these past 18 months - under what can generously be described as trying circumstances!
 
The judging panel has the unenviable task of considering which companies or individuals stand out as worthy of winning an award. There are some awfully difficult decisions to be made and those choices will not be taken lightly.
 
I have been privy to some remarkable accounts of endeavours that have taken place at dealerships around the country. I've seen reports by the dealership teams, from suppliers and by local customers - all of which explain just how smart our readers have been with running and adapting their businesses.
 
Customer testimonials for example, contain a plethora of phrases such as, "Outstanding customer service;" "The personal service and advice these guys give is amazing;" "I will never buy elsewhere;" and "More companies should follow your lead." It has genuinely been a pleasure to read so many glowing endorsements.
 
In many ways, working my way through all the entries has confirmed what we've always known, that dealers in our sector are a resourceful, innovating, and resilient bunch. Entrepreneurs in the truest sense of the word.
 
But that's not to say that we haven't been surprised too. We're discovering reports of new methods of working, unique charitable endeavours and envelope-pushing embracement of new technologies. Truly inspiring stuff.
 
I know as a breed we're not really into trumpet blowing or self-aggrandisement. But I think on those rare occasions where five minutes can be taken to consider what your business is achieving; it is worth doing so. It seems entirely legitimate to navel-gaze once in a while and acknowledge that yes, we’re doing OK.
 
For one thing, it’s so important for group morale that your team know they are doing a good job. So, tell them today! Give them a big well-done. They deserve it.