Search is on for the shining stars
of the business scene |
 Is your business the best at what it does? Do you go that extra mile for your customers? Then why not enter the EDP Business Awards 2007 and let the region know about your successes.
CLOSING DATE:
5pm on Friday, May 25, 2007
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| BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT |
Business Development Award: Howes Percival
 This popular category provides the opportunity for businesses that have grown significantly to receive recognition for their achievements.
The winner of the Business Development award will be a company which has shown how it has enhanced its overall business.
The growth could be through the successful development and implementation of a new strategy, the launch or development of a new product or service, or through a successful merger or acquisition. The judges will be looking to see how successful business development has been reflected in increased turnover and profitability as well as increased employment.
Winner 2006 – May Gurney  ENTRY FORM |
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| CUSTOMER
CARE |
Customer Care Award:
Norwich & Peterborough building
society
 As customer care is key to successful businesses, the judges in this category are looking for companies that have developed a strong focus on listening to their customers’ feedback – proving that customer satisfaction levels are monitored.
The judges are keen to see examples of dealing with specific customer
care-related issues which help to ensure staff provide a much more personal service in a friendly and supportive environment.
Each finalist will be asked to provide evidence that shows a high standard of customer care and that they do more for their customers than other companies in the same line of business.
This award will go to the entrant which can best spell out details of customer relations procedures, provide examples of repeat custom and facilities on offer to their customers.
Winner 2006 – Digital Insurance Services
ENTRY
FORM
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| COMMUNITY
IMPACT |
Community Impact Award:
Business in the Community
 Companies now recognise that they cannot just offer a product or service in isolation and maintain a competitive edge: those companies that are sensitive to the needs of their communities, and engage with them, can gain business advantage.
This award acknowledges companies who are making a real impact on their local community. Innovative schemes are particularly sought together with those that demonstrate real partnership with community organisations.
 Nominations for this category are welcomed from either businesses themselves or community organisations that have witnessed a potential winner in action. The judges will be looking for initiatives that are sustainable, are relative to the size of the business and clearly show the measurable impact that has been achieved.
Winner 2006 – Mills & Reeve
ENTRY
FORM |
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| DESIGN
& DEVELOPMENT |
Design and Development
Award: Bidwells
Companies which have helped create new, redeveloped or refurbished commercial building projects are being sought for the Design and Development award.
Imaginative design qualities combined with practical and forward-thinking ideas will form part of the judges’ selection criteria.
They will also be looking at how well the buildings harmonise with their surroundings and other environmental design aspects, such as energy efficiency initiatives, will be taken into account.
A well-designed building can assist a business to move forward its own business and in turn often add to the local economy.
Winner 2006 – Norfolk County Council – Time and Tide Museum
ENTRY
FORM |
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| ENVIRONMENT
AWARD |
Environment Award:
Persimmon Homes
Entries for the Environment award come from a wide range of industries and services which obviously reflect the environmental wellbeing of the region.
In the past entries have ranged from relatively new companies employing a few people to established companies employing several hundred staff.
What is important is not size or longevity, but respect for the environment and a wish to do something to improve it.
The judges are looking for organisations which are conscious of their impact on the environment and have already done something to improve it.
Winner 2006 – Norwich Bus Station – Norfolk County Council
ENTRY
FORM |
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| ENTERPRISE
INITIATIVE |
The Enterprise Challenge
Initiative: Grant Thornton
This award is aimed at either individuals or teams within business enterprises. Above all, it wants to recognise firms that embody the spirit of true enterprise; companies that embrace new ideas and entrepreneurship as a key part of their culture.
It will also encompass companies that can demonstrate how flair, new initiatives and new directions have resulted in significant growth.
This is a category for the region’s entrepreneurs to show how they are driving their businesses forward with fresh thinking and bright ideas.
Winner 2006 – Digital Insurance Services
ENTRY
FORM |
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| INDUSTRY
& EDUCATION |
Best Industry/Education
Link Award: The Exchange
This award, presented in collaboration with the Learning and Skills Council Norfolk, recognises the government’s drive to introduce students to enterprise and celebrates outstanding examples of partnership.
Entries for this award will be made by an organisation/school team who are proud of their achievements together.
The project may be large or small, but it will have brought about a significant change to the way the students and employer team view each other’s world.
The judges will be looking for enthusiasm, innovation, enterprising behaviour and sustainability. Every entry will be assessed and objective, positive feedback given.
Winner 2006 – Norwich City Football Club with Flegg High School
ENTRY
FORM |
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| STAFF CARE |
Staff
Care Award: Learning and Skills
Council
The category of Staff Care award demonstrates the increasing importance for skilled and motivated workers to improve productivity and staff retention.
Entrants will want to demonstrate some or all of the following – a shared sense of aspirations, that they have created an environment where all employees feel challenged to reach their full potential, and that a mutually understanding and productive partnership exists between the company and staff.
Ultimately, this coveted award will go to an organisation which understands the importance of their staff in achieving their business goals – through motivation, development and good communication.
Winner 2006 – Byfords Café, Delicatessen and Posh B&B
ENTRY
FORM |
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| NEW BUSINESS |
Best new business award:
Shaping the Future
This award is open to start-up companies – those who have been running for at least 12 months and up to three years – which have developed a good idea and turned it into a successful business.
Using a strong business model, they will need to demonstrate how they have increased turnover.
The judges will also look for a competitive marketing edge, with sound market awareness and a clear plan for future development, growth and plans for staff development combined with an innovative approach.
Winner in 2006 – Anglia DNA Services
ENTRY
FORM |
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| BUSINESS
OF THE YEAR |
Business of the year:
Barclays Bank
This is our “winner of winners” category. All three finalists from each of the other nine categories – 27 in all – are automatically short-listed for the Business of the Year title.
The judges initially consider the overall financial performance and then focus on other measures such as – strategic planning, marketing, how a business has developed and financed its growth, the measures it takes to retain and develop staff.
Finally and potentially the “tie-breaker,” its contribution to the local economy of Norfolk.
Winner 2006 – May Gurney |
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ENTRY
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RULES |
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