International Dance Supplies Ltd.
Company: International Dance Supplies Ltd, Newton Abbot, Devon, England
Company Description: In 1978 Anne Walker started making leotards in an attic bedroom for her dance pupils. Fellow dance teachers asked her to make some for their shows also, and IDS was born! The company still manufactures a few dancewear lines, but the business model is now primarily mail-order, supplying a range of over 8,500 different dance garments and accessories to dance teachers and retailers around the world.
Nomination Category: Individual Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Best Entrepreneur in EMEA
Nomination Title: Anne Walker MBE
Describe for the judges the activities and accomplishments of the nominated entrepreneur during the eligibility period (up to 500 words):
After 31 years of steady growth and UK market leadership, it would be easy for
Anne Walker, founder of International Dance Supplies, to let things just tick
along. However the past year has actually realised some of her greatest
achievements to date.
CRACKING AMERICA
No non-US dance supplies company has EVER cracked America. However,
following their first foray in August-2009 (into Las Vegas), IDS now boasts
customers in 32 states.
Critical here were:
• Attention grabbing appearances at all seven major US dance
exhibitions.
• A partnership with United Dance Merchants of America.
• Extensive research with UK Trade and Investments.
• Faster delivery times (just $15 flat-rate Fedex delivery in 3-4 days,
compared to 14-84 days for US competitors).
• Our 24/7 toll-free call centre is answered by UK-based experts, with our
all important “quaint” accents (when a US call centre was used, people
complained at the lack of English accent!).
BEATING THE RECESSION
Despite being in the middle of a global consumer recession, with competitors
experiencing an estimated 25% average decline in business; we have continued
growing, achieving
• 7% turnover increase.
• 10% profit increase.
RAISING LEVELS OF CUSTOMER SERVICE
Word-of-mouth referrals are the lifeblood of our sector.
Anne, working closely with the Institute of Customer Service, led an increase in
customer service and product training. We can proudly say 88.5% of customers
have recommended us and, consequently, 49.6% of new business is via word of
mouth referrals.
One recent example of what outstanding service means in practice: A Greek
customer panicked when the costumes for a show had not arrived in time, but was
amazed and delighted when an IDS employee arrived by plane the following
morning with the goods, and even helped with the show.
RAISING THE BAR FOR E-COMMERCE
Our website has always offered the most advanced e-commerce in our sector, with
features like real-time stock levels. In the past year, we have introduced a major
innovation which allows dance teachers to offer a tailored version of our store to
their pupils to ensure they choose the correct products. This increases our
margins and reduces risk for independent instructors.
SUPPORTING OTHER ENTERPRENEURS
During the past year Anne has undertaken:
• A business seminar called Points to Profit to help dance schools
succeed.
• Organising an international event to refresh, motivate and stimulate
dance teachers with the latest innovations in dance and to teach dance school
start-ups how to run a business.
• Extensive support for Exeter University, providing training to budding
entrepreneurs.
• Work with local schools to help school-leavers into careers.
• More than 20 tours of the office to help other businesses learn from our
example.
• Sponsoring the national Wayne Sleep Workshops, where Wayne gives
children lessons in ballet, jazz and tap
IMPROVED CULTURE
In the past year, under Anne’s people-centric and consultative approach to
leadership:
• We gained Beacon Company status as an employer.
• We maintained our Investors in People accreditation.
• 24% of our staff gained qualifications with our support.
• No staff at all left.
ROYAL RECOGNITION
In June-2010, Anne received a Member of the British Empire medal (MBE) from
the Queen for her contribution to British business.
List the URLs (web addresses) of any online news stories, press releases, or other documents that you would like the judges to see that support your entry. IMPORTANT: List each URL on a separate line, begin each URL with http://, and enclose each URL in square brackets. For example, [http://www.yourcompany.com/pressrelease.html]:
To read the supporting document for the Anne Walker MBE application for a Stevie
Award, please click here
http://www.ids.co.uk/downloads/ids-supporting-material.pdf:
Provide a brief biography of the nominated entrepreneur (up to 100 words):
Anne Walker MBE, started International Dance Supplies 32 years ago. Originally
a dance teacher, Anne started making leotards in her bedroom for her students
that were more fashionable and flattering than the mass market could provide.
Other teachers asked for costumes to be made for their pupils and IDS was born!
Finally hanging up her dance shoes in 1985 and concentrating on growing her
business, Anne’s home-grown business has gone from strength to strength.
Now, with a £7m-plus turnover and 60 staff, IDS is firmly established as the UK’s
market leading dance supplies company, supplying customers all over the world.