| Entrepreneur of The Year :- This category aims to celebrate the
work of successful entrepreneurs who either live in Teesdale
(irrespective of the base of their employer/company) or work for/own a
business based in Teesdale. An award to recognise entrepreneurism at any
age for men and women. These are people who:
- Demonstrate some proven sustainability for their skills/business
- Can demonstrate exceptional achievements
- Have overcome obstacles and/or risen to business challenges in terms of products or ways of working
- Are a good leader and an inspiration to others
- Can demonstrate good financial performance
- Show growth potential and or future diversification
- Deliver excellent customer service
- Have engaged with their local community
- Have embraced personal skills/ technology to promote their organisation
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| Social Responsibility :- For businesses demonstrating their social responsibility. For example,
this may include imaginative ways of making a significant contribution
to reducing greenhouse gases and the reduction in the use of fossil
fuels OR using waste material in an imaginative way to assist their
business. It could be based on a project that improves the well being of
people living, working and visiting Teesdale.
- Year on year environmental considerations and implications become
increasingly important. We are looking for the Teesdale companies making
a difference for the benefit of the environment, improving the lives of
others.
- They don't have to be working uniquely in an
environmental sector; it can be a new service or product, social care,
distribution, carbon footprint, green policies, simple but effective
ideas that make a difference to customers and company as regards the
environment.
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| Best Community Engagement :- The winner will
demonstrate a significant range of engagement activities, within a
single project, with the wider community of the dale
- This is a project that is making a big difference to the lives of local people
- Perhaps it connects people, or brings together those who would otherwise be isolated
- It may show benefits for those involved in the project as well as the wider community
- The project has considered the need to be sustained beyond its initial project scope
- Teesdale-based
project that reaches out to the local community by providing additional
services, to support those living in the area
- Businesses who provide services IN ADDITION to their core product to benefit the local community
- Businesses who deliver these services in the way most accessible to those living in this rural, remote area
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| Most Innovative Business :- Recognising creativity in terms of
introduction of new products and services to the business portfolio or
the development of innovative solutions to running internal business
processes
- A company that can clearly demonstrate innovation in either its new product development, processes or approach to market
- A company where innovation is at the heart of its business approach
- An innovative product or service, new or established
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| Legends of Lockdown :- This category is new to the awards list. Nominations are invited for organisations or individuals who have gone above and beyond during the Covid-19 pandemic to support Teesdale businesses and the wider Teesdale community in lockdown. It might be an organisation or someone who delivered amazing support despite the inherent difficulties of the time and the barriers that were in place. - They will have made a real difference to the emotional wellbeing of businesses or families in need and their local communities
- They may have used technologies innovatively, supported keyworkers, or supported people to stay active
- Your submission should clearly explain how your nominee responded positively and proactively to the Covid-19 lockdown and explain the outcomes of their actions
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| Best Business trading outside Teesdale :- Recognising businesses that trade in a wider market than Teesdale, in other parts of the UK or overseas. - A Teesdale business that can demonstrate growing customer numbers and growing business turnover from outside the Teesdale area.
- This does not have to be exclusively into overseas export markets.
- The judges will be looking for evidence of a clear strategy, actions taken and results to help achieve these increased exports.
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| Growth Business of The Year :- The winner will be able to demonstrate clear growth in terms of turnover and profitability over recent years. - This is for rising stars, whatever your company size or activity. You know who you are!
- The
fastest growing company will demonstrate a trend of consistent growth
in turnover, sales volume, job creation and market share
- It will be ambitious and future facing
- Have clear objectives and a plan to achieve them
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| Best Customer Focus :- This category recognises one of the key
criteria for any successful business, how they interact with the people
who buy their products and services. Nominations for this category
should be expected from the wider Teesdale community - Open to any business from any sectors or organisational make-up. All
organisations, whether they trade B2B (Business to Business) or B2C
(Business to Consumer), in person or over the internet can all be judged
on their customer service
- Communication, before during and
after a sale or interaction, marketing, follow-up, organisation,
thought, extra services, making life easier for you and understanding
your needs as a customer
- Attention to detail
- An organisation that goes the extra mile
- Interesting value added services
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| Best Social Enterprise :- Open to any not for profit or community business in Teesdale. - This is for organisations who are making a big difference to the lives of local people
- It could be described as the company with the biggest heart through
support, information or outreach it delivers, which can be financial or
otherwise
- Perhaps it just connects people, or brings together those who would otherwise be isolated
- If the organisation stopped being here how significant would the impact be?
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| Best New Business :- Awarded to the business, that has started
trading since 01 October 2018 which has demonstrated sustainability
and can evidence further growth potential. The business can show success
in a number of areas including:
- Sustainable rural business
- Potential for growth and job creation
- Innovative
- Proven track record in sales
- Clear and focused approach to growth
- Clearly identified target market
- Shown good customer focus
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