Closing date for entries 17 May 2019 Take your first step to becoming a winner Rewarding Business Excellence
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 Derbyshire Business Awards are the awards to enter. Long-established and business-led, the Derbyshire 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 Derbyshire Business Awards 2019, visit www.emc-dnl.co.uk/businessawards or call the Chamber on 0333 320 0333 option 2. The Chamber can also help you with the application process to make it as easy as possible for you.
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 www.emc-dnl.co.uk/businessawards 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 www.emc-dnl.co.uk/join 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.
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.
HOW DID BEING A BUSINESS AWARDS FINALIST BENEFIT YOUR BUSINESS? We regard the Business Awards to be very important in showing recognition of the excellent work done by the museum and the team, but also to showcase its achievements to a wider and perhaps, different audience. To be nominated is fantastic and winning is just the cherry on top. The exposure we get from the Awards is really great, as is the chance to network with other nominees and showcase the museum in front of other successful businesses. We are pleased to support the Chamber and hope to take part in future awards. Mo Suleman fcca Director of Resources Derby Museums
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.
HOW IS BEING A BUSINESS AWARDS WINNER BENEFITING YOUR BUSINESS? We are so proud of everything we have achieved at R.E.A.L. the Outstanding Growth award in a time of uncertainty in the education sector shows the impact we are having locally both in creating jobs and educating young people in need of specialist support. Success at the Business Awards was a very proud moment for us all. Recognition goes to the R.E.A.L. team for their continued efforts in raising aspirations of young people in the East Midlands. Richard Smith Co-founder R.E.A.L. Education
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.
WHAT EFFECT DID BEING A CATEGORY WINNER BRING TO YOUR ORGANISATION? Being a finalist for five categories through the Derbyshire Business Awards provided tremendous gravitas for Tidyco. Going through to win the Excellence in International Trade category gave positive kudos for the business regarding a highly topical subject matter. Becoming both regional winner as well as national finalist further supported brand awareness, placing the company firmly on the map as being a specialist within its overall scope of supply. Barry Aldridge Marketing Manager Tidyco
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.
SMALL BUSINESS OF T HE YEAR 2018 WINNER Winning the Small Business of the Year Award was an amazing experience for us. The prestige associated with the award has brought a huge amount of profile for Mercia Image and a considerable amount of new and returning clients. The surge of interest in us was instantaneous. We found the whole experience very worthwhile and it was not only very good for moral but it also focused our belief in the planning and strategic decisions we have made. Being presented with the award by sponsors which understood the category, and the difficulties it can bring, was also very refreshing and incredibly rewarding. Amanda Strong Managing Director Mercia Image Print
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
BUSINESS OF T HE YEAR 2018 WINNER It was an absolute honour to be named Business of the Year and to pick up the Excellence in Customer Service Award. Winning these awards was a proud achievement for all of our team members, each striving every day to create a really positive experience for our customers. We received great coverage in both local and industry media publications following our success, and it was a terrific feeling to be independently judged as being the best from a selection of some very good local competition. Jeff Counsell Managing Director trentbarton
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: www.chamberbusinessawards.co.uk
T HE BUSINESS AWARDS TEAM WE RE HERE TO HELP Take your first step to becoming a winner... Visit www.emc-dnl.co.uk/businessawards or call 0333 320 0333 option 2 Email business-awards@emc-dnl.co.uk Deadline for applications: 17 May 2019
Thank you to all of our sponsors for their support