One Night In Liverpool – Our Head of Network Services Wins Award
Another year, another award for our network services
A year or so ago I had a the pleasure of meeting the executive producer of ‘One Night In Istanbul’ – a film based on the hit play about a group of Liverpool Football Club fans at the UEFA Champions League 2005 final in Istanbul. It doesn’t seem like a year ago but on Tuesday we had our own special night in the home city of Liverpool FC when we attended the TGI Friday’s Business Partner Conference where for the second year in succession, one of our team picked up an award. As we approached our hotel after the event I looked up and saw the Liver Birds and recalled the interesting conversation I had about the making of the film, hence the title.
The 2015 Business Partner Conference was at the same spectacular venue as last year, The Rum Warehouse & Titanic Hotel in Liverpool, just a short distance along the Mersey from the famous Liver Birds. Last year our Operations Manager was recognised for his excellent customer service. This year we won the prestigious Business Partner of the Year Award with our Head of Network Services being specifically named for his outstanding customer service. A fantastic achievement.
“If it’s real… you’ll feel it.”
Earlier this year a combined TGI Friday’s and Astro team moved the entire TGI Friday’s estate onto a new wide area network. Due to some technical issues with the outgoing WAN provider time was running out with no margin for error and no option to delay the move. Dean worked around the clock, leading our team from the front to ensure the move was a success. No mean feat given the circumstances and timescale. Astro were awarded the contract based on our existing relationship with TGI Friday’s supplying and supporting their wireless networks and store Wi-Fi installations.
Karen Forrester, Fridays CEO and extremely impressive and inspirational business leader said, “If it looks good, you’ll see it. If it sounds good, you’ll hear it. But… If it’s real… you’ll feel it.” Karen always refers to the TGI Friday’s team as family and it certainly feels like a big family and that extends to key suppliers sharing in their success.
“…in reality the award was for a team effort for everyone who has worked so very hard to deliver these projects in line with expectations set in the project plan.”
Immediately after the business conference we all moved down to the main venue to join the Fridays Bartenders as they were preparing to compete to become the UK Bartender of the Year for 2015. This is a fantastic event as the bartenders demonstrate their skills comprising cocktail making, comedy, juggling and even some magic. Fridays bartenders are exceptional entertainers and we were privileged to see demonstrations from the UKs finest.
Steve Hodges, Astro MD, who was also at the awards evening relayed the news to the team and added that in reality the award was for a team effort for everyone who has worked so very hard to deliver these projects in line with expectations set in the project plan. However, Jeremy and his team specifically selected Dean to receive the award on our behalf because of his continuous levels of focus, availability, communication and diligence throughout the transition process and into business as usual.
“…a massive thank you to the Fridays family from all at Astro”
Steve, Dean and I were honoured to be invited to share in Fridays success at their Business Partner Conference on behalf of the Astro team. Adam should have been with us but operational requirements meant he was unable to join us. Hearing our name called out at the awards presentation for the second year running was amazing, especially as this is such a prestigious award with competition from some industry giants.
I just want to finish on a massive thank you to the Fridays family from all at Astro for allowing us to be part of their extended family and for being such a great business partner. Thank you.
