Have you entered the WMN Business Awards?

“We all know that the peninsula is in the unique position of being a fantastic place to live and a fantastic place to do business, and the awards represent a fantastic opportunity to recognise this. Trading conditions are tough, and doing business in the South West has probably never been harder. This makes it even more important that we shout about those who are doing well, and those who are making their mark in the Westcountry,” says Bill Martin, editor of the Western Morning News.

CATEGORIES

Customer Service Award
Sponsored by First Great Western
This award will be made to the company that demonstrates a commitment to continuously improving its standards of customer service. The judges will expect to see a clear, well-implemented customer care policy and examples of service exceeding customer expectations. They will also wish to hear how customer care initiatives contribute to the overall success of the business.

Best Business Support Through Mentoring and Education
Sponsored by KPMG
This award seeks to recognise those who are giving their time and expertise to help to build successful Westcountry businesses. Whether those who provide informal mentoring to owner/managers or those who work for business support or educational organisations, judges want to hear about those individuals who go the extra mile to help. Being approachable, informative, non judgemental, flexible and generous with energy and expertise are all qualities that judges will be looking for.

Small Business of the Year (30 employees and less)
Open to all organisations with no more than 30 employees, this award will recognise the small business that has maintained consistent growth and strong financial performance, understands its customers and has full buy in from staff. The judges would like to know more about the “personality” of the business and the unique selling points which make it a success.

Business of the Year
Sponsored by Source
This will be awarded to a profitable, growing business that has a positive impact on the Westcountry’s economy as a whole. The size and age of the business will be considered against its financial performance. The judges will be interested in innovative products, services and processes as well as expansion into new markets and different areas of business activity.

Excellence in Marketing
This award will recognise a specific marketing campaign in the period of June 2010 to June 2012 that has achieved high levels of success for the featured products or services across any medium. Judges will want to see clear evidence of the strategic objectives of the campaign and how it achieved measurable commercial success.

Best Hospitality and Tourism Business
Sponsored by Brewin Dolphin
A key sector for the Westcountry’s economy, this award will reward the business that the judges feel adds something truly special to the area and makes the region an even better place to visit. Judges will want to hear about businesses that have demonstrated a clear commitment to building the area as a tourist destination, to increasing visitor numbers and enhancing the visitor experience.

Best Green Achievement
Judges are looking for organisations – whether public or private sector – with excellent green credentials. Whether you have been practising a green philosophy for a long time or have recently made changes in the way you operate that have had a positive effect on the environment, employees and profitability we want to hear from you. Judges will be interested in hearing about your environmental policies, employee engagement in green initiatives as well as carbon reduction and energy efficiency with clear evidence of what has been achieved.

Best Creative Business
Sponsored by Bond Pearce
Open to businesses from the creative industry sector including film, TV, digital media, music and design who can demonstrate their skill and creativity. Judges will be looking for sector leaders of all sizes with weight given to businesses that combine innovation with profitability.

Innovation of the Year Award
Sponsored by Plymouth University
Whether it’s a new idea, product, method, technology, process or application this award will go to the organisation with an innovation that has transformed the business and made a positive difference to their industry. Judges will want to know why the innovation is so unique and to have a clear understanding of how the business plans to realise its commercial potential. Judges will consider all aspects of the innovation process from research and design, strategy, launch activity and the degree of commercial success achieved by the product or service.

Lifetime Achievement Award
Sponsored by Brittany Ferries
This award will go to the businessman or woman who, in the opinion of the judges has made a considerable, profitable and lasting contribution to a business – and the region – over a period of at least 20 years. This may be awarded to a business owner/manager or a member of a business organisation who has achieved something extraordinary over a prolonged period of time.

Best Young Businessperson
Sponsored by RBS
This award is open to young entrepreneurs aged 30 and under (as of June 1 2012) who have shown flair, resilience and wisdom beyond their years in building their own business. Judges will be looking for evidence of commercial success, ambition, energy, skill and vision.

Best Not for Profit Enterprise
This award is open to charities and social enterprises who have achieved business success but whose primary aims are non-profit making. Judges will want to see clear evidence of commercial awareness and innovative strategies that complement the altruistic aims of the organisation. Profitability will be a factor as will measurable success in achieving its goals and in building strong links to businesses and the local community.

Employer of the Year Award
Sponsored by Foot Anstey
This award will recognise businesses that have understand that the key to success is a happy, motivated workforce which understands and is working towards the business’ core strategy. Training initiatives, incentive schemes and examples of companies who use staff development to improve performance will be relevant to this category. Judges will also be looking for testimonials from employees as well as case studies to demonstrate how their approach makes a difference.

Best Start Up Business
Sponsored by Plymouth University
This accolade will be awarded to a business that has been set up between June 2010 and June 2012. Judges will be interested in the ethos and background to the business, its profitability as well as what difference it has made in its sector since it started trading and how it has overcome any challenges it has encountered. They will also be looking at future projections and plans for the company.

Find out more about the Awards judges here.

HOW TO ENTER
Step 1 – First you will need to register online in order to enter. This can be done by clicking here or the register link in the navigation. You will be asked for a username and email address. Upon supplying these you will be sent a password.

Step 2 – Once you have gained access to the system, select a category from the list you wish to enter.

Step 3 – On the page which contains information about the category there is an entry form below. Simply fill in the fields and click the Save or Submit button – this will either save your entry, which will allow you to edit at a later stage or to submit your final entry.

Step 4 – Once you are happy with your entry select the yes option for making your award final and click the Save or Submit button. Doing so will prevent further editing and you will recieve an email confirming that your entry has been received.

Entries must be submitted by Friday 14th September 2012.

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