Awards & Judging Criteria
 Judging Criteria for the Achievements in Export Award
Sponsor: HSBC
Open to all companies.
Entrants must be able to demonstrate outstanding and sustainable performance in export markets.
The judges will be looking for evidence of:
- Company commitment to the export ethos
- Export growth achieved and the ability to sustain that growth
- The degree of innovation and where appropriate the use of advanced technology
- Value and contribution of exporting to business expansion
- A sound financial base stemming from an outstanding profit performance
- Sufficient capital and other resources to sustain the export activities over time
- Job creation as a result of the exporting activity.
 Judging Criteria for Innovation Award
Sponsor: Welsh Assembly Government
Open to all companies.
Entrants must be able to demonstrate the development within the last 3 years of an innovative product, process or service, or a new way of working. The entry must include a clear written description of the development (Layman's terms as far as possible) and its background, including any details of protection obtained.
The judges are looking for evidence of:
- Commercial relevance of the development and actual or projected commercial success.
- Benefit of the development to the business or customer.
- How the idea was implemented within your business?
- The impact the idea has made upon your business?
and
- A continuing forward thinking approach to creating business success.
 Judging Criteria for the Manufacturing Award
Sponsor: Mid Wales Manufacturing Group
Open to all manufacturing companies.
This award is specifically designed to recognise excellence and best practice being achieved throughout the manufacturing sector in the county not only in internal operations but also in those processes that involve customers and suppliers.
The judges are looking for evidence of:
- Sales performance and growth prospects
- Productivity development
- Product development, manufacturing innovation and the use of technology
- Quality standards and monitoring
- Investment in people and equipment
- Environmental awareness
 Judging Criteria for the Small Business Award
Sponsor: Federation of Small Businesses
Open to all companies of less than 20 employees.
Successful entrants will need to show excellent and outstanding achievement in all aspects of their organisation. The judges will be looking for strong growth, innovation and leadership as well as a clear vision.
The judges are looking for evidence of:
- A sound business plan and Sales and Marketing strategy
- Strong leadership with the ability to drive the business forward
- Environmental awareness and a commitment to the community
- Innovation and ambition
all leading to
- A strong financial performance
 Judging Criteria Social Enterprise / Charity Award
Sponsor: Mid-Wales Housing Association Ltd
This award is open to any charitable organisation or a community/social enterprise trading in Powys with a social purpose and/or a not-for-profit basis.
The judges are looking for evidence that you:
- An innovative approach to the way in which the enterprise operates and/ or meet its own primary objectives.
- Make a positive impact on their society and/ or environment.
- Make a positive impact on the lives of individuals, particularly working in a manner which helps vulnerable and/ or disadvantaged individuals to help themselves.
- Projects that have the potential for future development growth and sustainability.
 Judging Criteria for Start up Business Award
Sponsor: TGAL - Tattum Guest Associates Ltd
Open to all companies which started trading after 1st June 2007.
Entrants must be able to show how their business has progressed in line with their business plan. Success will be proven by the business and its employees having a clear understanding of their products, competitors and the marketplace in which the business operates.
The judges are looking for evidence that you:
- Can convey clearly your business idea and start up process, giving evidence of a well researched business plan and forecasts for business performance
- Are delivering on - and exceeding - your original business plan and can produce evidence of a forward order book.
- Display a clearly defined vision for developing and growing the business in terms of both turnover and employment, including a strategy for staff development
- Have a strong focus on the needs of the customer through effective marketing strategies and attention to customer feedback.
- Have suitable financial controls in place to monitor progress and control cash flow.
 Judging Criteria for Training & Development Award
Sponsor: Coleg Powys
Open to all companies.
Entrants must demonstrate how their people development strategy has improved business performance and created a committed, motivated and effective workforce.
The judges are looking for evidence of:
- Significant business improvement through the training and development of its workforce
- A comprehensive system for evaluation of training programmes including value for money, performance improvement statistics and examples of the benefits gained.
- How the improved performance is going to be maintained and how learning will be used to move the organisation forward.
 Judging Criteria for the Young Entrepreneur
Sponsor: Cambrian News and The Brecon & Radnorshire Express
Open to all persons aged up to 30 years who have been trading at least twelve months.
Judges will be looking to give this award to an individual who has demonstrated enterprise, vision, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit either in setting up of a successful new small business or the successful development of an existing small business or social enterprise.
The judges are looking for evidence of:
- Innovation, ambition and clarity of vision
- Strong leadership with the ability to drive the business forward and solve day to day business problems
- A robust business plan based on sound research
- A Sales and Marketing strategy which addresses the need for growth
- Environmental awareness and a commitment to the community
- A promising financial performance
 Judging Criteria for the Growth Award sponsored by Finance Wales
Sponsor: Finance Wales
Can you show significant development in one or more of the following areas?
- Training
- Marketing
- People development
- E-commerce
- International trade
Then enter the Business Growth Award.
The judges are looking for evidence of:
- Profitable growth of the business
- Hard, tangible evidence of commercial success; effective financial controls will be important to the success of the business as will customer-focused marketing strategies
- A written business plan with strategy and vision for the next 3-5 years; and clearly defined objectives that will shape the organisation's growth & development
- Strong leadership and management with the ability to drive the business forward
- Understanding of the market and mechanisms to respond to change
- Funding mechanisms and investment plans for the business
- Organisational culture which encourages employee development, creativity and empowerment
Through the maximization of the opportunities available to them, entrants must be able to demonstrate their business growth within the competitive marketplace in which they operate.
 Judging Criteria for the Excellence in Food or Drink Manufacture or Processing Award
Sponsor: Tesco Plc
This award is open to all Food and Drink Manufacturers or Processors based in Powys. The award will be based upon a product or process which best incorporates innovation with high quality standards and environmental management within a sound business structure.
The judges are looking for evidence of:
- A product or process based within a sound business plan with clear marketing and sales strategies.
- The level of innovation in product or process. This can include post-production materials handling.
- The level of contribution of the product/process to the whole business.
- Attention to quality, hygiene and food safety standards.
- Attention to environmental management factors.
- Ongoing potential.
 Judging Criteria for the Retail Award
Sponsor: The County Times
The Retail Business Award is intended to recognise the efforts of the individual or company who has created a successful and growing retail business, based in Powys, that can demonstrate exceptional delivery through rising sales.
The judges are looking for evidence of:
- A successful business within the Retail based upon a sound business plan with clear marketing and sales strategies.
- A strong record of growth through physical outlets, new channels etc.
- Strong leadership and entrepreneurial flair and ability to drive the business forward.
- Evidence of creative thinking, innovation and ambition.
- Evidence of an ability to overcome business challenges.
- A strong financial performance.
 Judging Criteria for the Tourism Award
Sponsor: Tourism Partnership Mid Wales
This award recognises a company that has demonstrated outstanding business achievement within the tourism sector. The recipient will have demonstrated innovation, commitment and leadership resulting in the success of a tourism enterprise in Powys.
To qualify for this award, you must fall into one of these business categories: dining, travel, accommodations, winery and/or tourist attraction or service.
The judges are looking for evidence of:
- A successful business within the Tourism Sector based upon a sound business plan with clear marketing and sales strategies.
- Strong leadership and entrepreneurial flair and ability to drive the business forward.
- Innovation and amibition.
- Evidence of an ability to overcome business challenges.
- A strong financial performance.
 Judging Criteria for the Judges Special Award
Sponsor: RES Ltd
Open to all businesses.
This award recognises a company that does not meet the criteria of any of the main awards categories but has shown outstanding potential.
 Judging Criteria for Business of the Year Award
Sponsor: Powys County Council
Automatic entry for category winners.
Successful entrants will need to show excellent and outstanding achievement in all aspects of their organisation. The judges will be looking for strong growth, innovation and leadership as well as a clear vision.
The judges are looking for evidence of:
- A sound business plan and Sales and Marketing strategy.
- A demonstrable commitment to customers.
- Strong leadership with the ability to drive the business forward.
- An excellent record of staff training and development.
- Environmental awareness and a commitment to the community.
- Innovation and ambition.
- Profit growth backed up with sound financial controls.
- To demonstrate advancing equality & diversity as key features in all its activities.
- To be a standard bearer for success in Powys.
Entries are now closed.
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