COMFORT SLEEP has done it again!  This time, the local company has been conferred with what is considered the world’s most important business award, “THE BIZZ”, effectively becoming an ‘Elite Member’ of the World Confederation of Businesses (WORLDCOB) family.

The prestigious award was conferred on Managing-Director of Comfort Sleep, Mr. Dennis Charran at a gala ceremony on July 27 in St. Thomas U.S. Virgin Islands, at the Frenchman’s Reef and Morning Star Marriott Beach.

THE BIZZ Award Ceremony is an important international celebration, which brings together leading businesses from around the world to be recognised for their outstanding business performance. The BIZZ is WORLDCOB’s highest award and  includes the participation of companies  that have managed to stand out for their high standards in business leadership.

WORLDCOB is a Worldwide Chamber of Commerce that has been contributing to global business for the past 12 years, with more than 3,000 members in over 120 countries worldwide.  It recognises good business practices on a global scale by giving out the award which is offered every year. This year’s award was held under the theme: “The Power of Recognition,”  with Guyana and Jamaica being the only two Caribbean countries to have received the award.

Selection process
In order to be awarded The BIZZ, companies have to undergo a rigid selection process. WORLDCOB has a research team that compiles data from around the world on businesses, using highly credible sources and references.

The review of the evaluation committee is based on a 100-point scale and includes the following considerations:

* Market Research companies are hired to compile statistical data on business growth and outstanding companies from around the world.

* Public Relations companies which provide references through their media and network sources.* Data from more than 100 different Chambers of Commerce from around the world, including the American Chamber of Commerce as well as

* References from its own members, which amount to over 3,000 companies in 100 countries.   The research team forwards the data to WORLDCOB’s Evaluation Committee, which then screens the data and matches it against a Business Excellence Questionnaire.    The evaluation committee uses the following business-excellence criteria to determine award eligibility:

*  Managerial leadership
*  Management systems
*  Quality of goods and/services
*  Managerial creativity and innovation
*  Social Responsibility
*  Business results, certification and other recognition. Companies that receive 90 points or more are considered to have achieved Business Excellence and are thus selected to receive the award.

At the function, awardees had the opportunity of meeting the other Elite Members and their companies.   Accompanying  Charran to The BIZZ Americas 2017 Awards Ceremony, was his supportive wife, Sabita Charran. Asked how he felt about receiving the award, Charran told the Pepperpot Magazine:

“I felt on top of the world!  It was truly an honour and a privilege – indeed a great moment for me – receiving the most important business award in the world.   And for this I am truly proud and would like to express profound gratitude to Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Jesus J. Moran and the World Federation of Business (WORLDBOB) for making this possible.” He also thanked his hard-working and dedicated employees as well as his wife and family  for their love and support.

“Looking at the bigger picture, I’d say that every success achieved and award scored by Comfort Sleep is a plus for Guyana and so I feel proud that Guyana has won again…I must say I was taken by surprise when, a few weeks ago, I was contacted by WORLDCOB, informing me of another major success.  I am truly delighted and would like to congratulate all those other businesses that won the Award in their respective categories,” Mr. Charran concluded.

This  is the second international award to have been received by Comfort Sleep, Guyana’s leading manufacturer of foam mattresses and pillows for outstanding business practices. Apart from quality products, Comfort Sleep has been credited for exemplary performance in the areas outlined.

Particularly in the area of social responsibility, Charran has distinguished himself as a good corporate citizen, taking responsibility for the nutritional needs of less fortunate children through his School Feeding Programmes at more than five schools around coastal Guyana; his annual school parties and distribution of Christmas gifts; his contributions to the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre; distribution of beds complete with mattresses and bed frames to Children’s Homes, Day Care Centres and other deserving cases – all being consistently done for the last 13 years.

Over the last few years, his business went up in flames twice, with the second fire consuming the entire factory and offices, but resilient as he is, Charran, never once suspended the children’s hot meals programme. The exercise continued throughout the school terms at its usual time three times weekly.

Meanwhile, in recognition of his production of superior quality mattresses and pillows, his management style and for being a good corporate citizen, among other things, on September 25, 2015, Charran was honoured with the International Star for Quality Award, conferred by Business Initiative Development (BID) in Geneva, Switzerland. On that occasion, he was the only manufacturer from the Caribbean to have received that award.