Quite often you see competitions or give-away's advertised online. It will be something like "follow company x and RT this message for a chance to win _____", or "tell us in 120 characters why_____". I've entered a few of them and even won one once - Meridian Foods sent me a box full of nut products after a "follow and RT" type of competition.
These type of things are random and from what I can see people enter them just to try and win. They might not be interested in the product but free stuff is free stuff! Contrast this with the invitation to submit an entry to be a Brand Ambassador and it's very different. I saw the advert on Facebook that Ashmei were looking for Brand Ambassadors. Clicked the link, completed the form and hit send. I never expected it to go any further.
Imagine my surprise then when barely a week later I received an email invitation to an Ashmei Brand Ambassadors Day on 14th March at their HQ in Tring.
To say I was excited was an understatement so I accepted the invitation. Actually the first thing I did was look up where Tring was as I'd never actually heard of it before, it's close enough so then I accepted the invitation.
When you look at the Ashmei website and product set it is clear that they are a quality outfit. Everything oozes with that quality and style. Reading reviews of the products online and they are not merely for show, the products work, the quality of the presentation being matched by the products themselves. While it seems obvious to say you cannot have one without the other that's very clearly not always the case.
This week I have been very excited as the day approaches, even finding myself saying yesterday that it was two more sleeps! They day is structured with arrivals and photo's between 10-1045. Then there's a presentation and Q&A before two groups head out for an hours run or bike ride. I liked how in the invitation it stressed that this was not a race!
It would be completely beyond my imagination if I were to be selected as one of the four athletes they pick for the role of Brand Ambassador - I am going as I definitely want to be in the mix but more importantly as it will be an interesting and, for me, a unique experience. I will also get to meet like-minded motivated people passionate about their sport. That's what I think it is I can offer, I am so passionate about my running and what it gives to me that I try to share it. I have done, and continue to do, a bit of coaching and want to build on that. Not because I want it to be my job but because I want other people to get out of this sport what I and so many other people do. That sense of self-confidence, mental equilibrium and a fantastic feeling of well-being.
I am sure I could offer something valuable in the role and would love to be a Brand Ambassador for Ashmei but if I don't make it I am sure it will have been a fantastic day.
