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Let’s celebrate the boldest thinkers, team builders and green pioneers that will ensure that Suffolk businesses
GROW BETTER TOGETHER
We have 11 categories for this years awards from small businesses, to sustainability to innovation and more, full criteria can be found below.
Businesses were only able to enter a maximum of two awards as well as Businessperson of the Year, and previous winners are not able to enter the awards for two years following their win.**
**Businessperson of the Year (previously Director of the Year) – previous winners of this category were unable to enter the same category for two years however the business associated to the director was able to enter a team award or a different director from the business following a 1one year break. This also works in reverse with a business entering an individual award following a one year break.
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Criteria List Item 1
Suffolk Business of the Year
Sponsored By Suffolk Chamber of Commerce and Sizewell C
The winner of the Suffolk Business of the Year award will be hand-picked by the judges. This is a non-entry category and all winners will be automatically entered. The judges will be looking for a brand or organisation which has achieved outstanding things in the last 12 months. They will assess the company’s brand profile within its customer audience, its financial standing, community relations and environmental sympathies. The winner of this award will be an organisation that Suffolk can be proud of.
Judging will be based on initial application and notes from the category judging.
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Criteria List Item 4
Small Business of the Year
The Small Business of the year (up to £1m turnover) award will be given to the company that demonstrates all-round excellence in business. The judging will focus on trading performance and future objectives, the competitive advantage of the business, and will look at examples of specific strategies which have driven business growth. If your business achievements are impressive then this award is for you.
Entry evidence required – each point 20%.
1. Understanding of environmental impact and sustainability strategy
2. Defined values and mission
3. Clear and defined strategy for growth
4. Clear and demonstrated managerial leadership
5. Innovation of product / service
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Criteria
Medium Business of the Year
Sponsored by Pound Gates Chartered Insurance Brokers
The Medium Business of the Year (£1-5m turnover) award will be given to the company that demonstrates all-round excellence in business. The judging will focus on trading performance and future objectives, the competitive advantage of the business, and will look at examples of specific strategies which have driven business growth. If your business achievements are impressive then this award is for you.
Entry evidence required – each point 20%.
1. Understanding of environmental impact and sustainability strategy
2. Defined values and mission
3. Clear and defined strategy for growth
4. Clear and demonstrated managerial leadership
5. Innovation of product / service
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Criteria
Large Business of the Year
Sponsored by Larking Gowen
The Large Business of the year (over £5m turnover) award will be given to the company that demonstrates all-round excellence in business. The judging will focus on trading performance and future objectives, the competitive advantage of the business, and will look at examples of specific strategies which have driven business growth. If your business achievements are impressive then this award is for you.
Entry evidence required – each point 20%.
1. Understanding of environmental impact and sustainability strategy
2. Defined values and mission
3. Clear and defined strategy for growth
4. Clear and demonstrated managerial leadership
5. Innovation of product / service
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Criteria List Item 2
Customer Excellence Award
Sponsored by Greater Anglia
Judges will be looking for a business which shows a clear focus and understanding of their customer’s needs. Evidence should be provided of customer driven initiatives designed to raise service standards and increased customer satisfaction. The winner of this award will be a business that is able to demonstrate how they exemplify outstanding customer service, consistently delivered at the highest level, by a customer focused individual or team.
Entry evidence required – each point 20%.
1. Customer-focused alignment of defined values and mission
2. Customer satisfaction rate and effective feedback loop
3. Customer driven initiatives and procedures
4. Training for employees and service improvement
5. Understanding of environmental impact and sustainability strategy
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Criteria List Item 3
Businessperson of the Year
Sponsored by Churchmanor Estates
Businessperson of the Year is open to entrants of all levels within the business community. The winner may be a business leader who has worked in the industry for many years or an entrepreneur who is accelerating their career with speed. The judges will be looking for evidence of individuals that have implemented plans that ultimately achieve business growth.
Entry evidence required – each point 20%.
1. Contribution to business strategy and growth
2. Defined values and mission
3. Evidenced financial growth and investment
4. Clear and demonstrated managerial leadership
5. Demonstrated resilience through challenges
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Criteria
Employer of the Year
Sponsored by Ashtons Legal
This award recognises the evolution of employee engagement and its impact on the workplace. It looks to showcase organisations that have evolved a culture and ethos that is people centric. The judges are looking for evidence in three areas of recognition, innovation, and progressive people strategies.
Entry evidence required – each point 20%.
1. Understanding of environmental impact and sustainability strategy
2. Defined values and mission
3. Culture, employee engagement and wellbeing
4. Reward and Recognition programmes
5. Training and development opportunities
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Criteria
Environmental & Sustainability Award
A business that is able to demonstrate a commitment to reducing their carbon footprint through innovative and sustainable practices that is always learning and sharing their experiences of this process with others to push the move to a green economy. The judges are looking for businesses that have demonstrated how they have enhanced their environmental performance across their operations and promoted the importance of greener business models over the last 18 months and their future plans in sustainability.
Entry evidence required – each point 20%.
1. Clear and defined strategy for environment and sustainable practices
2. Commitment within company values and mission
3. Communication and engagement through employees, supply chain, stakeholders
4. Clear methods for tracking and reporting the environmental impact
5. Use of green initiatives and grants
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Criteria
Growth Business of the Year
Entries in this category must have achieved a minimum of 20% year on year financial growth (turnover) for the last three years. As well as this we are also looking for growth in market share as well as a business that has evidence of a growth in customers and/or employees.
Entry evidence required – each point 20%.
1. Evidence of investing and development in people – internally and externally.
2. Defined values and mission
3. Evidenced financial growth and investment
4. Clear and demonstrated managerial leadership
5. Specific Innovation of product / service
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Positive Impact in the CommunityItem Link
In an everchanging world, we come across challenges in business that push companies to innovate and adapt their business for the good of the wider community. Have you changed the products or services you are producing to benefit a crisis or are lending your team to assist elsewhere? Our judges will not only be looking at how you plan to create a positive impact, but what you are currently doing or have done in the last 6 months to put this in place.
Entry evidence required – each point 20%.
1. Understanding of environmental impact and sustainability strategy
2. Focus on the Local Community – Enrichment, Volunteering, Investment.
3. Defined Values and Mission
4. Long-term impact and Vision Strategy
5. Contribution to the wider business community
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Start Up Business of the YearItem Link
The winner of this award will be a business that has shown clear financial activity which translates into inward investment and/or increased turnover and/or acceleration to profit stage. The business must be less than three years old at the point of application closing and demonstrate a clear purpose for the business.
Entry evidence required – each point 20%.
1. Understanding of environmental impact and sustainability strategy
2. Defined values and mission
3. Clear and demonstrated managerial leadership
4. Evidenced forecasted financial growth and investment
5. Specific Innovation of product / service
