Entries are welcomed from Somerset businesses that excel in their activities and who believe would be worthy winners of a Somerset Business Award 2011. Winning companies are innovative, progressive and most importantly profitable.
Businesses can enter more than one category of award, but will have to make multiple applications on-line, making sure that they differentiate between the criteria of each award that can be found below.
Please find below further information on what this must include:
- Background on your business an a brief history
- Why your company should win
- How you are better than your competitors
- How your business has improved based on the category requirements
- An indication of how the business has benefited financially as a result of improvements in this category (turnover, profit/loss figures will be treated in confidence)
The Albert Goodman Family Business of the Year Award
The winning company will demonstrate that the family have significant influence over the company, such that one or more family members are involved in the management of the business and will have traded for at least 2 generations.
The company will be financially successful, show clear vision for the future that has been mapped out by the family, and planned succession for the long term future of the business.
Environmental Award
The winning company will prove that it has developed and used good practice in managing waste, reducing energy use or other environmental initiative that balances profitability, with environmental awareness .
New Business of the Year
For businesses that have been trading for less than 3 complete financial years. Judges will be looking for the “X Factor” of a new idea or a new business concept.
Best Export
The winning business will have demonstrated significant increase in exports and/or in finding new export markets.
Service Excellence
The judges are looking for not just “good” customer service, but a level of service over and above normal industry expectations and clear strategies for maintaining such a level of service.
Marketing & Promotion
Innovative and imaginative marketing is the key to standing out in a crowded market place, so the winning company will demonstrate these characteristics either in a one-off campaign or as part of sustained marketing.
E Business
The winning company will demonstrate how ICT is embedded in the culture of the business and be able to demonstrate that investment in ICT has made a significant contribution to increased profitability
New to Somerset
The winner will be an individual or company that has invested in Somerset during the last 3 years and has made, or is likely to make a significant contribution to the Somerset economy.
Collaborative Innovation Award
Two or more companies collaborating innovatively and demonstrating mutual benefits of the following nature:
- One or more of the firms introducing innovation (new/different way of working for them)
- Financial (increased revenue and/or reduced costs)
- Future potential (A clear indication that this is not a one off – collaboration is now part of the way of doing business)
- Other (other benefits you would like to bring to the attention of the judges)
Charity of Year
The winning Somerset-based Charity will need to demonstrate not just how much money it raises or spends, but also how by using fundraising and the contribution of volunteers it makes a significant benefit to the most vulnerable within our community.
Business of the Year Awards
All the winners of the “Business of the Year Awards” will have demonstrated how they stand out from the crowd in their category including ambition, profitability, growth, sound business planning, customer satisfaction and management of people – they will have a “Wow Factor” that is worth celebrating
- 0-1 Employees
- 2-5 employees
- 6-50 Employees
- 51 and over employees
The Business of the Year in each category will have demonstrated to the judges clear business plans that include profitability, future growth, people development and innovation within their sector.
If you think that your company meets one or more of the criteria mentioned above then why not enter?
