Has your business got what it takes to be crowned Shropshire’s Company of the Year for 2007?

The Shropshire Star has joined forces with Shropshire Chamber of Commerce to lay down the gauntlet once again, with the launch of our seventh annual county business awards.

We want to reward local companies and individuals with success stories to tell, to show off what the Shropshire economy has to offer, and give them their moment in the spotlight.

It could be in the fields of training, customer service, international trade or through a commitment to the local community. Perhaps you’re a new business which has surpassed expectations, an entrepreneur breaking the mould with new products, services and working ideas, or a company which is leading the field in the use of new technology.

We have eight awards to give away this year, culminating in the top prize for the best all-round performer who will be crowned Shropshire Company of the Year at our glittering black tie summer ball.

There a special award this year, the Thomas Telford Award for Innovation, to tie in with the 250th anniversary of one of the county’s great pioneers of yesteryear.

And the entertainment on the evening will include a live Dragons’ Den style competition, when businesspeople will be invited to vote for the entrepreneur they feel has the best “big idea”.

The competition is FREE to enter, and is open to any business which has a base in the county of Shropshire, or Telford & Wrekin.

Subsidiaries of national and multi-national companies are all eligible to enter, as long as the achievements relate specifically to their
Shropshire-based activities.

Our panel of judges will be drawing up a short-list of finalists, before visiting them all to make a final decision. The winners will then be unveiled at the summer ball on Friday June 22.

HOW TO ENTER

Simply fill in our online registration form before the closing date of Friday April 27.

Simply fill in our online registration form before the closing date of Friday April 27. You can either nominate your own company, or put forward another local business which you feel deserves recognition.

There is no restriction on the number of categories for which a company can be entered – tick all the boxes if you feel you qualify.
And don’t forget to include an explanation of no more than 350 words to support your entry, and help to persuade the judges that you’re worth a visit.

THE CATEGORIES

COMPANY OF THE YEAR

Our showpiece award, which will be given to a successful all-rounder. Entrants will be marked in a series of fields, such as:

• Financial performance
• Pursuit of excellence
• Job creation
• Customer service
• Sales and marketing strategy
• Staff training and development
• Environmental friendliness
• Innovation and ambition
• Awards, testimonials and accolades

BEST NEW BUSINESS

Open to all Shropshire-based companies formed on or after January 1, 2005 Entrants need to show:

• The vision which provoked formation of the business
• The planning which went into launch, and progress made since
• How you have met or surpassed your key objectives
• An ongoing marketing and product development strategy

CUSTOMER SERVICE

For companies which go the extra mile in looking after their clients. Judges will be looking for evidence of:

• What makes your customer service unique
• Measures in place to train staff and monitor customer feedback
• How your policies have a direct impact on customer satisfaction
• Any awards, accolades or testimonials from loyal and happy clients

EXPORT

Rewarding Shropshire-based businesses which are selling their goods and services overseas. Judges want to see:

• How you set about making contacts with overseas clients
• How your product/service has been tailored to the marketplace
• Ways in which your company has tackled linguistic and cultural divides
• Your strategy for further export growth

TECHNOLOGY

Have you harnessed the latest technology to improve the efficiency or competitiveness of your company? Is so, this award is for you. We want to see:

• What prompted you into making the investment?
• How did you established that your company would be able to take full advantage of the new technology
• What investments you actually made in equipment, plant, people and skills, over what period and if any further investments are planned
• Any assistance you received from outside the company in identifying or adopting this technology
• The impact which the new technology or innovation has had on your company’s performance
• Evidence of how it has made you more efficient, cost-effective and competitive

COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY

For businesses which give something back to their local area in areas such as:

• Sponsorship or fundraising
• Green initiatives and recycling
• Mentoring or employee volunteer schemes
• Building links with local organisations such as schools

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

We are looking for an individual whose contribution to their company, community and the wider economy is both extraordinary, and measurable. Entrants must show:

• Flair, style and idea generation which makes you stand out from the crowd
• Your vision, and how it has been translated into business objectives
• Evidence of business relationships, network development and customer/staff satisfaction
• Demonstration of business success through financial performance and growth prospects

THE THOMAS TELFORD AWARD FOR INNOVATION

A special award to mark the 250th anniversary of one of Shropshire’s most famous industrial pioneers. Entrants need to show:

• A unique selling point which sets them apart from the rest
• Forward-thinking and entrepreneurial spirit
• A determination to continue evolving and pushing boundaries
• Evidence that ideas are being matched by financial success

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