Additional Guidance Notes for Entrants

We want to encourage as many businesses as possible to enter the awards and these guidance notes are aimed at answering a few general questions and helping you with the entry forms for the individual categories.

What is the geographical area of the awards?

The awards extend to the membership area of the Chamber of Commerce and Lowestoft Journal sales area. These include the whole of Suffolk and Great Yarmouth BC area.

I haven't got time to complete the entry forms

The forms have been kept as simple as possible to encourage the maximum number of entries. We have given you instructions on the maximum number of words; thereafter you may use your discretion.

However, you should strive wherever possible to keep your answers focused and concise. The judges would rather read a clear 250 word answer than a rambling 10,000 word essay.

What additional information should I enclose?

Your task is to make the judges understand your business. If, after having answered all the questions, you believe the judges would benefit from additional information, please feel free to submit it.

What's the point of entering if I am know I am not the biggest or most profitable in my sector?

Judges will be looking for signs of continual improvement rather than size and profitability on their own.

I'm still in two minds about entering, bearing in mind all the hassle I will have to go through?

The organisers have deliberately tried to streamline the entry process to make your job as pain-free as possible. Establish which category/categories you like, then read through the questions. You may be surprised how simple it all is.

If you enter, you stand a chance of becoming a category finalist and reap all the great PR opportunities that go with it. If you win an award, consider the great marketing potential it gives you in your future promotional activities, and although you may think your chances are slim, somebody has to win. Why shouldn't it be you?

Ok, that’s all fine, but spell out for me exactly what the judges will be looking for.

The judges will be looking for evidence of as a general example:

• Innovative management
• Progress made within last 12 months, both qualitative and quantitative
• Expansion of team numbers
• Prospects for future – are claims made believable or justified?
• Investment in facilities
• Investment in team development
• Positive customer feedback/testimonials
• Strategic marketing and business action plans
• Recognitions/accreditations/awards from other external bodies/trade associations
• Management information systems development

Business development/systemisation – ISO 900? IIP? etc