AWARDS CATEGORIES & CRITERIA

Trethowans Business of the Year Award

The Trethowans Business of the Year Award will be chosen from the shortlisted businesses in each award category. The Business of the Year will be the best of the best, the business or individual which in the view of the judges stands out from the rest. To win a business will need to show a very strong overall performance during the last year.

The judges will be looking for a business which has:

• A clear business strategy, with examples of how it is implementing this strategy.

• Strong financial management and performance.

• Clear signs of growth and development.

• Overcome its challenges to get ahead of its competitors.

• A sustainable philosophy, towards its people, its profit and the planet.

• Demonstrated a strong commitment to the Solent region.

Taylor Made Computer Solutions Award for Best Use of Technology

The winner of this award will have used technology to create considerable competitive or operational improvement such as improved quality, customer satisfaction and revenue. It will also have demonstrated success through the innovative application of a new idea, product, method or process.

The judges will be looking for a business or organisation that has:

•Used technology to stand out from its competitors.

•Exceeded the expectations of its customers through use of technology.

•Embraced new technology to improve efficiency, service levels and quality of end-product.

•A continuing forward thinking approach to creating business success.

•Demonstrated a creative and different way of working to keep the business fresh and responsive to changing customer needs.

Hampshire Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year Award

This award will be presented to a dynamic company with less than 25 employees, which demonstrates all round excellence in business. Businesses must be trading for at least 18 months, and have at least one year’s accounts available. The judging will focus on financial performance, future objectives and the competitive advantage of the business. It will also look at examples of specific strategies which have driven business growth with up to £5 million turnover.

The judges will be looking for:

•Evidence of growth in turnover and profitability (this should be detailed within your application).

•Commercial success, growth and achievement.

•A company which can demonstrate success in driving forward its business plan.

•A company which is actively developing new products, services and / or new markets.

•A company which can demonstrate a clear relationship between its marketing strategy and the development of the business.

•A clear future plan for growth of the business.

•Innovation and creativity.

•Additional exemplars such as community involvement

Meachers Global Logistics Export Award

This award will be presented to the company who has made an outstanding contribution to the Hampshire/UK economy through the export of products and services. The judging will focus on innovative sales and marketing, sustainable export growth, value and contribution of exporting to business expansion, evidence of sustainable competitive advantage and the overall company commitment to international business.

This Award will go to the company that best demonstrates excellence in the following: -

• The degree of innovation in the sales and marketing strategy

• Export growth achieved and the ability to sustain that growth

• Evidence of sustainable competitive advantage

• Value and contribution of exporting to business expansion

• The overall company commitment to international business

The judges will be looking for evidence of: -

The Company and its products/services

The viability of your company, its product/service and how successful your company’s exports/international business activities have been this year.

Indicate what the competitive edge of your product/service is in the marketplace.

Quality of your international marketing strategy

In your key markets, what did you do to secure international contracts and market acceptance? What actions did you take? - e.g. product adaptation to meet customer preferences, building relationships with distributors and buyers, addressing cultural issues in marketing materials and products, attending trade events, techniques to overcoming buyer resistance.

Explain your company's strategy in gaining a secure foothold in any new markets or how you enhanced brand in established markets.

Business Operations and Human Resources

Structure of your export/international operations and systems to effectively respond to export/international sales as well as whether your company is appropriately resourced for export expansion.

Evidence of sustainable business practices.

International Business Planning and Direction

What are your export plans for the coming year (e.g. new markets, additional staff, different marketing strategies).

Financial Strategy and Data

Clear statements that indicate the soundness of your company's financial strategy for international business.

Examples of a sound capital base (substantial net profit) and sufficient capital (cash & resources) to support export activity.

level and sustainability of international sales

In terms of value, and year-to-year percentage change in value, over the last three years or since the applicant commenced exporting

Total export earnings from major overseas markets

British American Tobacco Outstanding Contribution to the South Coast Region Award

As a long-term investor in the region, British American Tobacco is keen to recognise a business or organisation that can demonstrate its commitment to the South Coast area.

The judges will be looking for a business or organisation that can show how they:

• Support their employees’ skills development

• Support the local economy - through increased employment opportunities.

• Support community initiatives or community engagement activities.

• Have expanded or plan to expand in the region.

• Use local supply chains.

• Are passionate about the region and showcase the area as a great place to do business.

Moore Stephens Owner Managed Business Award

‘Celebrating the contribution of OMB’s to the UK economy, this award recognises small to medium sized business, that has demonstrated solid growth and strong financial performance, understands its customer, has an engaged workforce with effective leadership and is continually innovating to support future growth. Open to organisations with £750,000 to £10m turnover in their last financial year’.

Criteria

An established market position

• Excellent growth or expansion

• Potential for sustained growth

• Innovation in products services or processes

• Customer and staff engagement

• Effective leadership and management

• An ethical approach to business

• Strong business results, profitability

Weighting Percentage:

• Growth - 10%

• Innovation - 20%

• Staff engagement - 10%

• Customer Service -15%

• Leadership - 20%

• Ethics -10%

• Financial performance -15%

Winchester Motor Group Skoda/Volkswagen AR/Isuzu/Used cars Customer Service Award

This award is in recognition of companies with a genuine and innovative focus on customer service and care.

Judging criteria will include customer service objectives and strategy, business performance, customer care, staff development plans and how this has driven business growth.

The judges will be looking for:

•A company which can demonstrate success in the achievement of service excellence through the delivery of customer service initiatives, objectives and strategy.

•Active improvement in employee’s customer service focus through training and development.

•A clear relationship between customer service activities and improved business performance, financial growth and customer retention.

•A company with a clear understanding of customer needs.

•A company which engages employee enthusiasm for customer care and how this has driven business growth.

•Evidence of how a company’s focus on customer service has provided a platform for leadership, vision and values.

•Evidence of strong staff support, development and motivation.

Smith & Williamson Scale Up Business of the Year Award

This award will be given to the business which can demonstrate sustainable and consistent growth, successfully scaling up against a background of national economic difficulties.

Entrants must have scaled their business over the last 3 years in any of the following; sales, headcount, profitability, market share or geographical expansion. The business must have a minimum of 10 employees or a turnover of at least £8m in the last financial year.

To assist with your application, judges will also be looking for businesses that have:

• Invested in the business for sustainable growth

• Developed innovation in products, services or processes

• Strong financial performance

• Outstanding leadership and management