One of the most prestigious events in the local business calendar, the , is more important than ever after the trials and tribulations of the past year.
Shining the spotlight on the South West's most successful businesses, organisations and entrepreneurs, there are 11 coveted awards to be won by the local people putting our region on the map.
Enter before the deadline on Monday, August 9 to be in with a chance of a top title.
The highly anticipated event will take place live on Thursday, December 2 at the Crowne Plaza, Plymouth. Finally able to reunite and network in person, the night is set to be extra special. For more information about the event, visit the .
Success comes in many forms but it is always gratifying to be appreciated and admired by your peers and predecessors. Plus, a shiny award is always nice to display and a new title is exciting to add to your list of achievements.
The finalists of the local business awards will have been shortlisted for their high standards, potential and triumphs. An independent review from a panel of distinguished judges, against stiff competition, it is a massive boost for company reputation and morale.
Millions online at BusinessLive, , and , alongside the loyal Western Morning News and Plymouth Herald readers, will be able to discover the impressive services and successes of local businesses.
So why not today? You never know, one of those readers might be your next big customer or client.
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There are categories for all different businesses and entrepreneurs to win. The diverse range of awards means that as long as the requirements fit, you could scoop the 2021 title and take home the prestige that comes with it.
Small and large, new and established businesses will all get the chance to be recognised with the various Business of the Year awards. With no restrictions to which industry the company operates in, anyone specialising in ingenuity, sustainability or employee wellbeing will all get their own celebrations.
One category specific to an industry is the Tourism & Hospitality Resilience Award. Brought in to commend those who have been most affected by the pandemic, this award is to show how admirable it is to overcome adversity by not only surviving, but thriving.
The categories for the are:
Start-Up Business of the Year
The Start-Up Business of The Year award will go to an organisation that: has been established within the past two and a half years (since January 2019); demonstrates evidence of entrepreneurship and/or innovation; has defied challenging economic conditions to succeed, grow and thrive; can evidence solid business plans, future growth potential and a determination to succeed.
The judges will take into consideration managerial performance, sales growth, profit achievement, number of people employed and evidence of a satisfied customer base.
SME Business of the Year
This will be awarded to a profitable, growing business, of up to 150 employees, which has had a positive impact on the region's economy.
The judges will be looking at all aspects of a company's performance, paying particular attention to: managerial and financial performance; evidence of success against targets set; potential for growth; long-term plans and company strategy; product and service development; staff training and development.
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Please supply financial performance to support your application.
Large Business of the Year
This will be awarded to a profitable, growing business, with 150 or more employees, which has a positive impact on the region’s economy.
The judges will be looking at all aspects of a company's performance, paying particular attention to: managerial and financial performance; evidence of success against targets set; potential for growth; long-term plans and company strategy; product and service development; staff training and development.
Please supply financial performance to support your application.
Innovation Award
Sponsored by
This award celebrates new ideas, processes, products, services, technologies and applications that have had an impact on an organisation's success over the past 12 months.
Applications will be measured against:
Originality of the innovation, its impact, practicality of its application and the measurable benefits to the business.
All aspects of an innovative new product/service launch, including research and development, launch activity and the actual or likely commercial success of the product/service.
Key success factors will include: degree of innovation, time taken to market, design process/best practice, market edge, USP, potential for growth/competition and profitability.
Other factors might include job creation/safeguarding, environmental sustainability, use of teamwork, project management capability, customer delight/novelty factor and use of market research. Development to prototype stage only is expressly excluded from this award.
Business Person of the Year
Sponsored by
The Business Person of the Year will be an exceptional individual, either a successful entrepreneur or senior manager who has made a significant impact on their business and can demonstrate outstanding achievement whilst inspiring others around them.
Judges will be looking for entrants who have:
Set and achieved objectives which demonstrate commercial success, ambition, energy, skill and vision.
Led the development and implementation of practices to strengthen the organisation.
Provided exceptional and inspirational leadership that creates a sense of directions and momentum for development within the business.
Worked proactively to exceed the expectations of customers and raised the profile of the organisation.
Best Place To Work
This award will go to the company that believes its environment is the best place to work, whether this is through its workplace set up or through a home working system.
The judges will be interested in how the company establishes credibility in terms of vision, communication and coordinating activities; how employees are treated with respect and equality; how a company encourages employees to take pride in their work; how the atmosphere created is conducive to a successful team environment and employees' wellbeing and safety.
Following the challenges and achievements of a national lockdown with many businesses having to move to a home working model, we will also consider entries that can demonstrate how the business successfully handled the lockdown and the move to working remotely; how it kept in contact with teams and any new initiatives put in place to help keep the teams engaged and take pride in their work. The award is also open to those businesses who already used flexible working practices prior to lockdown and how this helped their approach.
Corporate Social Responsibility Award
This award will recognise the business which has demonstrated responsible business practices across the four areas of local community, environment, their people and supply chain.
Judges will look for evidence of a contribution to the overall well-being of the community, its environment and general quality of life. Applicants must demonstrate a working partnership using positive influences to support suppliers and other partners to adopt best environmental, workplace and community practice.
Environmental & Sustainability Award
This category recognises outstanding performance in environmental responsiveness and sustainable activity.
The winner of this award will be a company that: is working towards sustainable development goals and can demonstrate the impact; taking active green steps towards more environmentally-conscious operations and ethics; made improvements in energy-efficiency, carbon reduction or sustainable working; has introduced strategies and policies that show foresight and reflect a well-considered green approach – rather than fractional, ad-hoc actions.
Our judges want to feel inspired by your powerful story and are looking to see where you’ve come from, the obstacles you’ve faced, what motivates you to keep going and what your biggest achievements are.
Tourism & Hospitality Resilience Award
The Tourism & Hospitality Resilience Award will recognise businesses within the tourism and hospitality industry that have demonstrated resilience and innovation and adapted during the Covid-19 pandemic. Judges will be looking for businesses which have overcome adversity whether that is through offering a take out option to survive, creating outdoor seating or switching their entire business model. We also want to hear about how these businesses may have supported their local community and their plans for the future.
Apprentice Of The Year Award
This award is open to an apprentice who has shown outstanding progress and commitment to their own personal development. The apprentice is defined as a person who is learning a trade from a skilled employer, having agreed to work for a fixed period. The nominee must have been employed by their current employer for a minimum of 12 months before the closing date (August 9, 2021).
This award seeks to acknowledge and celebrate an apprentice’s exceptional contribution to their workplace. The successful entrant will be measured against the following criteria:
Passion: shows a true passion for their chosen apprenticeship.
Commitment: demonstrates commitment to your personal development and progression
Contribution: shows outstanding contribution to their workplace - in particular, areas or projects where they have exceeded expectations
Success: demonstrates inspirational levels of achievement and attainment.
Lifetime Achievement Award
This award will go to the business person who has made a positive and lasting contribution to their business, the local economy and community – over a number of years. Our judges want to hear about individuals who have made a lasting contribution to and made a significant impact to the region’s business community.
- Enter before the deadline on Monday, August 9.
- The will take place on Thursday, December 2 at the Crowne Plaza, Plymouth. Visit the online hub for more information.