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.
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.
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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.
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Success Through People
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.
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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.
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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.
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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 2003) 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.
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Leicestershire Business of the Year Award
To celebrate the brightest stars of the county and to showcase Leicestershire companies who excel in all aspects of their business activity.
Winners of the Award demonstrate:-
- Proven financial stability.
- Active encouragement of people development.
- Dedicated involvement in the community.
- Winning strategies for future success.
- A role of inspiration for business achievers.
The Award praises the company that exceeds the criteria laid down in all of the seven categories. Seen as a guiding light in Leicestershire, the Business of the Year winner is a proven benchmark of success and deservedly merits the respect and recognition of its peers.
The winners display a tremendous diversity of sizes and sectors with the only common factors being their outstanding success and the county they proudly call home.
Leicestershire Business of The Year Award – this title is awarded by the judging panel and cannot be applied for. Each finalist (with the exception of Entrepreneur of the Year and New Business applicants) can put themselves forward for the Leicestershire Business of the Year Award at the judges' discretion.
Companies cannot apply for this Award. Each finalist will automatically be
put forward for the Leicestershire Business of the Year. |
