Take your first step to becoming a winner

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Take your first step to becoming a winner"

Teresa May
5 years ago
Views:

1 Closing date for entries 17 May 2019 Take your first step to becoming a winner Rewarding Business Excellence

2 BUSINESS AWARDS 2019 Completing an application for the Chamber Business Awards puts you one step away from countywide recognition, two steps from regional glory and three from national acclaim. Everything about the annual Business Awards is elite-level. Brought to you by the British Chambers of Commerce s (BCC) Chamber of the Year, sponsored by some of the country s most celebrated and respected businesses and the only avenue to entry of the BCC s nationally-renowned awards, the Nottinghamshire Business Awards are the awards to enter. Long-established and business-led, the Nottinghamshire Business Awards continue to acknowledge and reward the very best our region s thriving business community has to offer. For more information, and to enter the Nottinghamshire Business Awards 2019, visit or call the Chamber on option 2. The Chamber can also help you with the application process to make it as easy as possible for you.

3 HOW TO ENTER T HE BUSINESS AWARDS 2019 This year, following feedback from past applicants, we ve made it even easier to enter the awards by making the entry process 100% online. You can sign up at to start your application. Once you have completed the sign up process, you can begin your application and submit your form or save your progress and come back to update your answers before the closing date. Award nominations are open to East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire) members. If you are not a member, visit for more details. The awards will be given to business/individuals that in the opinion of the judges best meet the criteria for each award. The judges decision is final.

4 THREE REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD ENTER T HE BUSINESS AWARDS The benefits of entering the Business Awards can go far beyond winning an award. Many previous applicants have found that the Awards can make a significant difference to their business for years to come. 1 Raising your profile Entering the Business Awards is a fantastic way to raise the profile of your business among the business community. The Chamber is the largest business support organisation in the region and through its marketing channels the Awards provide finalists with increased standing and brand recognition. 2 Networking There are numerous chances to network with fellow applicants, sponsors, Chamber patrons, strategic partners and staff as part of the Business Awards process. The Awards calendar is a great way to build relationships with other organisations and explore new opportunities. 3 Recognition Becoming a finalist is a great achievement and recognition for the work staff put in every day. Having a finalist or winner badge is also a great conversation starter and a way to set your business apart from your competitors.

The credibility gained from being nominated has given the business additional confidence: it s great to know that what we think and believe internally is

5 HOW IS BEING A BUSINESS AWARDS WINNER BENEFITING YOUR BUSINESS? The Chamber s Nottinghamshire Business Awards have provided great PR for Recart and has helped us network with successful companies in the East Midlands. The credibility gained from being nominated has given the business additional confidence: it s great to know that what we think and believe internally is being recognised outside of our four walls. The highlight of 2017 was winning the Nottinghamshire Excellence in Customer Service Award and it has been, and still is, a big boost for our reputation, marketing and branding. Lee Bown Managing Director Recart

6 DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH Business Improvement Through Technology This award recognises organisations that have integrated technology to help them grow their business. Entrants for this award must demonstrate how they have used the power of technology to work more effectively and increase their ability to meet customers needs. Community Impact Award This award recognises businesses, charities and social enterprises that have implemented Corporate Social Responsibility as part of their business planning. Entrants will showcase how they identified, and made a positive impact on issues within their local community. Outstanding Growth Award This award is open to businesses of all sizes and rewards those that have experienced exceptional growth in sales, profit, market share, jobs or international trade with a strong plan for sustainable financial performance. Business Venue of the Year NEW This new category will showcase a venue which has had a significant impact on the business community. The winning venue will demonstrate a clear plan for being at the heart of local development.

The Business Awards evening event is spectacular, and we have now attended for two years running coming out with a win on both occasions!

7 HOW IS BEING A BUSINESS AWARDS WINNER BENEFITING YOUR BUSINESS? As a member of the Chamber network, attending the Chamber Business Awards and keeping up with other local businesses in Nottinghamshire is something we really enjoy. The Business Awards evening event is spectacular, and we have now attended for two years running coming out with a win on both occasions! The awards have given us recognition across a number of categories and have been a really positive talking point with our customers and with candidates we interview for roles with Forsyth Barnes. We d highly recommend getting involved to anyone across the East Midlands region. Victoria Hickman Head of HR and Talent Forsyth Barnes

8 C ELEBRATING PEOPLE Commitment to People Development The winner of this award will showcase a commitment to the development of staff through the promotion of a learning and development culture and employee wellbeing. Apprentice of the Year This award recognises rising stars of business who have made an outstanding contribution to the organisation they work in. Entrepreneur of the Year This award recognises a dynamic and creative business leader. The winner will showcase drive, ambition, vision, tenacity and an ability to provide inspirational leadership. Education and Business Partnership Award Aimed at schools, colleges and further education providers that engage effectively with business, this award recognises those which can demonstrate partnership working with local businesses and how they help pupils develop crucial employability skills valued by employers.

I entered the Chamber s Business Awards in order to raise awareness of the work I do in schools trying to help children navigate social media use in a

9 WHAT EFFECT DID BEING A CATEGORY WINNER BRING TO YOUR ORGANISATION? Last year I was incredibly fortunate to win the Nottinghamshire Community Impact Award. I entered the Chamber s Business Awards in order to raise awareness of the work I do in schools trying to help children navigate social media use in a responsible way. Although I offer this service free of charge, word spread following the award win with businesses, such as Leicester Tigers, interested in learning more about my work. My profile regionally also increased which is great news for the business long term. John Morley Managing Director i-sourcer

10 EXC ELLENCE IN PERFORMANCE Excellence in Customer Service Recognising organisations with a focus on customer service and care, this award has been designed for businesses which can demonstrate excellence and a commitment to exceeding customer expectations. Excellence in International Trade This award recognises the strength of local businesses which trade internationally. Entrants must demonstrate how their objectives and strategies have generated significant and/or sustained increases in their international activity. Small Business of the Year This award open to organisations employing up to 75 full-time members of staff will go to a company that has achieved consistent growth backed by strong financial performance. Entrants will demonstrate current activity to grow market share and the effect this is having on business performance. Manufacturer of the Year This award recognises manufacturers with a track record of innovation, efficiency, sustainability and profitability. Entrants must be able to demonstrate the success of the products they manufacture, along with the strength of their presence in the UK and/or overseas.

MARKETING CAMPAIGN OF T HE YEAR 2018 WINNER It was fantastic to not only be involved with the Business Awards, but actually win the award for Marketing Campaign of the Year.

11 MARKETING CAMPAIGN OF T HE YEAR 2018 WINNER It was fantastic to not only be involved with the Business Awards, but actually win the award for Marketing Campaign of the Year. These awards gave us a strong online presence surrounding our themed afternoon tea and gave us the opportunity to network with companies that we wouldn t have had the chance to otherwise we have built up some really valuable relationships as a result. We gained traction from multiple press releases throughout the process which got our brand out there. Team morale was high, and we had a platform to do even better as a business going forward. Naomi Tupoulahi Sales and Marketing Director Colwick Hall

12 BUSINESS OF T HE YEAR 2019 BUSINESS OF THE YEAR 2019 The recipient of this award will be chosen from the winners of each of the individual categories and will be presented to the company which the judges feel has demonstrated all-round excellence in business. It will focus on overall financial and business performance, future objectives and growth potential, and any specific strategies which have driven business growth. Business of the Year Sponsor

We knew we had a strong case to be shortlisted for the International Business of the Year category, but had no idea that the judges would also

13 BUSINESS OF T HE YEAR 2018 WINNER Getting involved with the Chamber s Nottinghamshire Business Awards couldn t have been easier the Chamber makes it simple to put your nomination forward. We knew we had a strong case to be shortlisted for the International Business of the Year category, but had no idea that the judges would also award Microlise overall Nottinghamshire Business of the Year. We re of course delighted to have won both categories, giving our business extra exposure and providing external affirmation of our success. Martyn Gettings PR/Content Manager Microlise

14 BRITISH CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE (BCC) BUSINESS AWARDS The winners from selected categories will go on to compete in the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Business Awards with a chance to progress to the BCC s national awards ceremony. The BCC s Business Awards is one of the most contested and prestigious business awards programmes. Each year, from Scotland to Cornwall, organisations of all sizes and from all sectors compete for the coveted titles and the national recognition they bring. East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire) is proud to align itself with the British Chambers of Commerce s Business Awards. During the 2018 Awards, the Chamber was delighted to have four members representing the East Midlands at the national awards as well as being named Chamber of the Year. This year we hope to have even more organisations representing the region. For more information on the BCC s Chamber awards, visit:

15 T HE BUSINESS AWARDS TEAM WE RE HERE TO HELP Take your first step to becoming a winner... Visit or call option 2 business-awards@emc-dnl.co.uk Deadline for applications: 17 May 2019

16 Thank you to all of our sponsors for their support

THE LARGEST CELEBRATION OF RURAL BUSINESS IN THE UK

THE LARGEST CELEBRATION OF RURAL BUSINESS IN THE UK ENTRY GUIDELINES 2018 BACKGROUND INFORMATION This background information will help you to understand more about the Rural Business Awards - it s ethos