There are seven awards categories, with all finalists automatically nominated for the highly acclaimed Leicestershire Business of the Year Award.
Applying is easy, just register your interest today to receive all the information you need and we’ll remind you of any deadlines and give you any help you need along the way.
New Business Award
To encourage and reward the establishment of successful new businesses.
Open to businesses established within the last five years (operating
since November 2002) that have continued to progress against their
plans and have developed a clear commercial understanding of their
products, competitors and markets.
The judges will be looking to identify a business that has set and
achieved objectives within business plans whilst establishing a
position of sustainable future profitability and success. The judges
will also look at obstacles that have been overcome in managing the
business including:
- Managerial and financial performance.
- Potential for growth.
Sales & Marketing Award
Open to companies that have achieved significant growth relative to
their size from a well developed sales and marketing strategy and its
successful implementation.
The judges will be looking to identify a business that has a clear
understanding of its market place and has developed a marketing mix
appropriate to the market(s) it serves. The judges will also look to
see how the marketing strategy has led to the satisfaction of marketing
objectives and the success of each element of the marketing mix.
Investing in Leicestershire Award
To recognise high quality investment projects by businesses in
Leicestershire which have directly or indirectly created new jobs and
prosperity within the County during the past three years.
The judges will be looking for:
- Businesses that have exceeded original plans and targets through investment within Leicestershire.
- The perceived risk and rewards of such an investment.
- The introduction of new businesses, or business sectors in the industrial County.
- If appropriate, evidence of an environmentally responsible approach to the general management of the business.
- A successful completion of a management buy-out or buy-in, which has produced improved business results.
- Investment that demonstrates long term commitment to Leicestershire.
- Neither the total value of the investment nor the number of jobs created will by themselves be determining factors.
Success Through People Award
To reward businesses of any size where there is evidence of significant
business improvement and success through effective and efficient
development of people.
Judging Criteria:
- An overall commitment to train and develop people at all levels within the business.
- Effective investment in skills that have produced measurable business benefits.
- Systems introduced to support customer care resulting in significantly improved customer relationships.
- Organisational changes that can be proven to have been managed effectively.
- Clear and effective communication throughout the organisation to all employees.
Enterprise Through Innovation Award
To reward and encourage innovation. Open to businesses that are
achieving significant growth in turnover and profits relative to their
size through innovation of products or services. This can also be
achieved through an innovative approach to customers or business ethos.
The judging panel will be looking for companies that have demonstrated
the development or exploitation of novel technology or innovative
processes, either to a product or service or in their approach to the
market place. Particular attention will be paid to:
- Evidence of existing commercial success or researched potential.
- The development of new technologies which have increased output and efficiency resulting in decreased lead times.
- The use of innovative ideas, systems or processes in either transferring a service/ product to the market place or in customer contact.
- The continued innovation of products and processes to advance the business in the future.
- If appropriate, evidence of an environmentally responsible approach to the general management of the business.
Contribution to the Community Award
To encourage and recognise businesses which consistently make positive
contributions to the communities they serve through a clear Corporate
Social Responsibility strategy. For social enterprises and voluntary
organisations, the activity should be outside their core purpose.
The judges will pay attention to evidence of imagination, commitment
and impact, particularly targeted at the Leicestershire community. The
cash value of the contributions will not be the determining factor.
Particular emphasis will be placed upon the proportionate investment by
your business in terms of time and effort as opposed to pure cash
contributions.
Entrepreneur of the Year Award
An Award to be given to an individual whom the judges consider can best
demonstrate exceptional vision and leadership in the establishment and
development of a successful business. The judges will look for clear
identification of a market opportunity, innovation, growth and evidence
of strong financial performance in terms of sales and profit growth.
The judges will be looking for an outstanding individual who can demonstrate:
- A track record in starting and running a business or businesses.
- The performance of the current business including sales and profit growth.
- Strategic vision for the business.
- Commercial acumen and the ability to motivate utilising leadership skills, enterprise and integrity.
Leicestershire Business of the Year Award
Companies cannot apply for this Award. Each finalist will automatically
be put forward for the Leicestershire Business of the Year.
