2019 Awards Categories

This award recognises the strength and creativity of Britain’s e-commerce businesses as well as the resilience required for the fast paced nature of doing business online. The award will go to the business that has delivered an outstanding online customer journey, showing responsiveness to customers’ needs, with the business results and growth to match. Entrants for the award must stand out from the crowd, taking user experience, design, digital marketing and exceptional end to end purchasing experience to the next level.

The judges will be looking at:

• Growth strategy through e-commerce

• Innovation of techniques used to identify, attract and convert new customers

• The methods used to understand customer’s online experience and how the resulting changes have delivered success

You do not have to be a member of an Accredited Chamber of Commerce to enter the E-Commerce Business of the Year award.

This award recognises the strength of Britain’s exporters. Entrants for this award must stand out from the crowd on the international stage and demonstrate that they have generated significant and/or sustained increases in their export activity.

The judges will be looking at:

• The level of exports when compared to the size and sector of the organisation
• The barriers that have been overcome e.g. languages
• The degree to which products/services are new and markets non-traditional
• Innovative approaches to establishing and entering new markets

This award is open to businesses of all sizes and recognises businesses that have experienced exceptional growth in sales, profit, market share, jobs or international trade. Judges will be looking for an organisation that can demonstrate the highest levels of growth with a strong plan for sustainable financial performance.

The judges will be looking at:

• Significant growth and/or expansion
• Innovative products, services, applications and/or operations
• Financial performance
• Plans for further growth and/or expansion

Recognising organisations with a focus on customer service and care, this award has been designed for businesses who can demonstrate excellence and commitment in the ever important area of customer service.

Judges will be looking for:

• A robust customer service strategy and evidence of how this is implemented
• Evidence of a strong business performance
• How customer care is tied into staff development plans and how this has driven business growth

Open to organisations employing up to 75 full time members of staff. This award will go to the company that has achieved consistent growth backed by a strong financial performance, while demonstrating a clear understanding of the markets that it operates in.

The judges will be looking at:

• What differentiates the company's products/services from their competitors
• Strong managerial and financial performance
• Innovation
• Potential for growth
• Evidence of the businesses commitment to staff

This award recognises organisations that have fully exploited the range of technology available to them to grow their business. Entrants for this award must demonstrate how they have used the power of technology to transform their business.

The judges will be looking at:

• The range of technology used in conducting day to day business
• How technology has improved the businesses processes and efficiency
• The use of technology to improve customer service and engagement
• How the above practices influence the organisation’s supply chain

This award recognises organisations that demonstrate excellence in the promotion and implementation of a learning and development culture. Entrants for this award must communicate how this culture has contributed to the business achieving outstanding success.

The judges will be looking at:

• Why learning and development is important to the organisation
• How training needs and skills requirements are assessed
• Investment, commitment and support given to staff
• Direct benefit gained by both individuals and the organisation

This award recognises businesses that are creating an environment for their employees to succeed by demonstrating their commitment to the health and wellbeing of their workforce.

Judges will be looking for:

• Evidence that the health and wellbeing of your employees is embedded in your businesses culture
• The activities that your organisation undertakes to promote and encourage the positive health and wellbeing of your staff
• How you assess your employee’s health and wellbeing needs
• The impact that your health and wellbeing initiatives have had on your employees and the wider business

If you’re interested in sponsoring this category please click here.

This award is open to businesses of all sizes, operating in any sector, that is family owned and run by two members of the family. Entrants will need to show how they are preparing the next generation of their family to ensure continued family ownership of the business. Judges will be looking for an organisation that can demonstrate how the family businesses nature and values have contributed to success across the business.

The judges will be looking at:

• How the family values influence the business
• The Board and ownership structure of the business and how decisions are made
• How the interests of the family are balanced against the interests of the business

*Please note the entry criteria at the top of the entry form before commencing your entry.

If you’re interested in sponsoring this category please click here.