Categories
The theme of this year’s awards is Sustainability; ‘We are zealous about championing the regions businesses and helping them thrive. As such we are determined to highlight and celebrate the region’s dedication to Sustainable practice – whether environmentally, economically, or societal. By integrating sustainability into their strategy, Norfolk businesses are creating harmony between economic growth, environmental protection and social responsibility. Let’s celebrate the boldest thinkers, team builders and green pioneers that will ensure that Norfolk businesses, GROW BETTER TOGETHER!’
We had 10 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 Director of the Year, and previous winners are not able to enter the awards for two years following their win.**
**Director of the Year – previous winners of this category are unable to enter the same category for two years however the business associated to the director are able to enter a team award or a different director from the business following a one 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
Norfolk Business of the Year
Sponsored By Barclays
The winner of the Norfolk Business of the Year award will be hand-picked by the judges. This is a non-entry category and all finalists 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 Norfolk 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 MAD-HR
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 Ensors
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
Director of the Year
Director 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
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 and Sustainability Award
Sponsored by Norse Group
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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Growth Business of the YearItem Link
Sponsored by Ashtons Legal
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. Understanding of environmental impact and sustainability strategy
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
Sponsored By RWE
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 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
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Outstanding AchievementItem Link
Sponsored by Barclays
This award celebrates the achievement of an individual or group which has played a transformative role in both their business and also in the wider business community. The winner’s achievements can be measured both in terms of the effect on the bottom line of the business, in an individual’s character as a leader in their chosen business field or a group’s overall impact. They are a person or group whose achievements have helped put Norfolk firmly on the map as an innovative and dynamic place to live and work. The Outstanding Achievement award is not just a look back over a career but also a look at the impact this business person or group is having both on the present and the future.
This is a non-entry category.
