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Award Categories

COMPANY OF THE YEAR

The showpiece award is for the most successful company in Shropshire, based on its all-round performance.

Sponsored By Shropshire Council & Telford and Wrekin Council

Entries will be assessed on:

  • Financial track record
  • Pursuit of excellence
  • Leadership skills
  • Customer service levels
  • Sales and marketing strategy
  • Staff training and development
  • Environmental policies
  • Innovation and ambition
  • Commitment to the community
  • Awards, testimonials and accolades

OUTSTANDING CUSTOMER SERVICE

This award is for companies who go “the extra mile” in looking after customer needs and provide levels of customer service ahead of their competitors.

Sponsored By Enquire >

Entries will be assessed on:

  • Having a reputation for excellent customer service
  • Evidence of exceeding customer expectations in a cost-effective way
  • Training and development in customer handling and service skills
  • Measuring customer satisfaction, and acting on customer feedback and suggestions
  • Awards, accolades and customer testimonials

TECHNOLOGY, ENTERPRISE AND INNOVATION

This award is aimed at companies keen to show how they are harnessing latest business thinking and technology to keep them at the cutting edge.

Sponsored By University of Wolverhampton

Entries will be assessed on:

  • Evidence of successful innovation across the business
  • Problem-solving skills, research and development
  • A forward-thinking approach to creating business success
  • A determination to strive for continued success by pushing the boundaries
  • An appreciation of how new technology can deliver a competitive advantage

TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

This award seeks to reward companies with outstanding commitment to training & development.
Sponsored By Enquire >

Entries will be assessed on:

  • Evidence of your organisation commenting on mission statement, values, business objectives, workforce demographics and facilities
  • Evidence of your organisation demonstrating outstanding commitment to training
  • The impact your delivery of training and development had on your staff or client base in the last 24 months
  • Design and delivery methods of your training and development programme

BEST NEW SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS

This award is for the best new Sustainable business formed on or after January 1 2009, with a base in Shropshire.
Sponsored By Enquire >

Entries will be assessed on:

  • The business idea and strength of vision which motivated you to form a new business
  • The planning that went into launching it, and the progress made so far
  • Evidence of business planning, financial objectives and success to date
  • Ongoing marketing and product or service development strategy, to secure the company’s long-term future
  • Factors which give your business a sustained competitive advantage

INTERNATIONAL TRADE THROUGH EXPORT

This is an award for companies which have excelled in the fields of either export, or import, and built healthy links with suppliers or customers overseas.
Sponsored By Enquire >

Entries will be assessed on:

  • A forward-thinking and structured approach to trading overseas
  • Understanding of different cultures and practices in foreign markets
  • Training of staff to communicate efficiently and effectively with overseas clients
  • Tailoring of products or processes to meet needs of different marketplaces
  • Evidence of international trade improving the performance of the business

APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR

This award is designed to recognise a company dedicated to the employment of apprenticeship schemes, and a star apprentice.

Sponsored By Enquire >

Entries will be assessed on:

  • Examples of an outstanding apprentice, or apprentices, who have transformed both their own lives, and made a positive impact on the company
  • Proof of promotion and development of apprenticeship schemes, internally and externally
  • Strategies for developing the skills of apprentices through training or mentoring
  • Opportunities for apprentices to progress through the business
  • Testimonials from current apprentices about what the company has done for them

BUSINESS IN THE COMMUNITY

This award is for businesses which "put something back" into their local communities.
Sponsored By Enquire >

Entries will be assessed on:

  • Relationships built up with residents, schools and/or community groups
  • Financial support through donations or sponsorship of local causes
  • "Keeping things local" by working with Shropshire traders or suppliers
  • An environmentally-friendly approach promoted by bosses, and adopted by staff
  • Turning work experience into employment opportunities for local people

MANAGING CHANGE

This award is designed to recognise businesses which are responding to the challenging business climate by repositioning themselves for future success.

Sponsored By SP Holding Group

Entries will be assessed on:

  • A clear, shared vision - where are you now, and where are you going?
  • Evidence of commitment to change through diversification, culture and structure, from top to bottom tier
  • Communication with, and empowerment of, key staff
  • Careful financial and strategic planning
  • Assessing success - ensuring you are on the right track

PROMOTING SHROPSHIRE

This award is open to any organisation connected with the tourism, leisure, visitor attraction or hospitality sector in Shropshire.
Sponsored By Enquire >

Entries will be assessed on:

  • A sound business model
  • Quality assurance ratings and testimonials
  • Innovative sales, marketing and publicity policies
  • Dynamic customer service
  • Benefits it brings to the Shropshire economy