Hillier Consulting client Ballinger Equine is announced as a finalist for the Hertfordshire SME Business awards 2019. The practice is a finalist is two categories: Best New Business and Website of The Year. The Hertfordshire SME Awards are open to SMEs from all business sectors across Hertfordshire and competition is notoriously tough.

Finalist in two important categories

The shortlisting as a finalist in two categories in the Hertfordshire SME Business Awards follows the start-up’s win and Highly Commended in two categories at the national Veterinary Marketing Awards and this year’s nominations for Dr Susanna Ballinger and Dr Eleanor Kigozi for Petplan Vet-of-the-Year and Ballinger Equine for Practice-of-the-Year.

Andrew Hillier remarked: “The practice started business in September 2017 and to achieve so much recognition in such a short space of time is very rewarding. We set out with a focus on excellence. It isn’t a marketing strapline, its the ethos upon which our business is based – clinical excellence and excellence in customer service.

“Everybody at Ballinger Equine gets a boost when they see their hard work being recognised. And I am particularly pleased that we’re being acknowledged for excellence outside the veterinary and animal health sectors.

Communications, PR and engagement central to business plan

From the earliest business planning stages, communications, marketing, branding, online presence and PR have all been at the core of the business development strategy. No element is considered a ‘bolt-on’, everything is designed to work seamlessly, driving messaging, client engagement and market presence. The Ballinger Equine website has been singled out for particular praise with recognition of its coherent design, clarity and ease of navigation.

“If this is what we can achieve in less than two years, we have a bright future ahead of us. The business is continuing to grow and we are recruiting some outstanding new talent. Certainly, communications, marketing and PR will remain central to the business development strategy.”

Hillier Consulting devised the business plan and business development strategy. With the veterinary focus on clinical excellence, excellence also extends throughout all that the business does. Andrew added:

“Focusing on the big picture and looking over the horizon is important, but not at the expense of attention to detail on the smallest and seemingly routine matter. Compromising on detail means weakening the foundation of the whole.”