If your business is going well then you may
have considered entering into one of the
many business awards for small businesses;
but have you considered the only major
awards that let you take on big businesses
as well?
The
National Business Awards (sponsored by
Orange) are unique in that they are open to
businesses of any size from any sector;
allowing you to show off your strengths to a
wide audience.
Alastair MacLeod, Vice President Business
Solutions, Orange UK, said:
"Entrepreneurship, innovation and
determination to succeed are the central
characteristics of every thriving business.
People want to be inspired to learn from the
success of others and The National Business
Awards continue to provide an excellent
benchmark of this business success.
Short-listed companies will be required to
present in person to a panel of judges. The
presentation will take 15 minutes with a
15-minute question and answer session to
follow; additionally you should allow at
least 30 minutes to prepare.
The finalists
will appear at a gala award ceremony in
London on the 7th
Entry to the awards costs £100 +vat for
standard entry, or £140 +vat for an entry
with feedback; this covers the cost of the
judging and the preparation. With the cost
in mind, you should be confident in the
qualities of your business before entering;
although the feedback could be very useful
for future reference.
There are many award categories, so take a
look and see if there are any areas in which
your business has excelled in the past year
or two.
The 2006 Awards categories are:
-
The Orange
Best Use of Technology in Business Award
-
The Business Innovation of the Year
Award
-
The CMS Cameron McKenna Business of the
Year Award
-
The Customer Focus Award
-
The City & Guilds Employer of the Year
Award
-
The Growth Strategy of the Year Award
-
The Credit Suisse Entrepreneur of the
Year Award
-
The AXA Small to Medium Sized Business
Award
-
The Award for Business Improvement
Through People
-
The HSE Health & Safety Award
There is not much time left to enter the
awards, with the deadline being July 24th;
but you can get some help with the
Hints and Tips guide available on the
National Business Awards site
