What it Takes to be the Best

 

The annual Best of Business Kansas City Awards edition is always one of our favorites, but inevitably, it is one of the most difficult to produce. The old adage that “if it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right” is a consistent theme not only among our winning companies, but also among our team here at Ingram’s.

The Best of Business voting process always keeps us on our toes. Remember Florida 2000? That was a piece of cake by comparison. We accept only original ballots but inevitably will receive copies including close color reproductions. Needless to say, those ballots aren’t acceptable, and when ballot stuffing is detected, we sometimes have to eliminate a category altogether. We understand that Tom Pendergast used to keep an office in our Freight House district. It’s just that he hasn’t counted votes down here in the last seventy years and isn’t about to start any time soon. Still, the enthusiasm and the interest behind these efforts is noted and almost appreciated.

That much said, we work hard to make sure that the winners deserve to win. This does not make the losers a whole lot happier, but we urge them to push their own workers a little harder and spare the messenger. The traits among our winners, particularly those who repeat or rank high in their respected categories each year, are quite consistent. These firms are committed to their profession, their clients and their staff. They are market and marketing savvy.

They are committed to good customer service, abide by ethical standards, and, most importantly perhaps, they’re passionate about their profession and dedicated to their mission.

As you probably know Ingram’s operates and reports on a number of award competitions and industry rankings. This puts us in the business of being both judge and jury. Rest assured that this jury deliberates long and hard and is forever asking for clarifications. Research is at the heart of it all. It’s our business to know which companies and industries are doing well, and which are not. This is not easy as we cover an awfully broad waterfront.

I would like to congratulate the winners of the 2005 Best of Business Kansas City competition and particularly applaud the long-time winners of this exciting initiative. This is the 17th year of this competition and the 8th year since significantly expanding the categories well beyond the eating and drinking establishments.

We know that there are many good concerns in Kansas City not on our lists, but those that are we vouch for. They don’t win without withstanding a lot of intense competition. I encourage you to get out there and enjoy the many exceptional products, services, dining and entertainment venues this town has to offer.

Thanks once again for those who helped to name this year’s class of our Best of Business winners.

 

Regards,

Editor-In-Chief & Publisher

jsweeney@ingramsonline.com