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| Categories |
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| Young Entrepreneur of the Year sponsored by Evans Easyspace |
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| This is open to those aged 30 years or under on December 31 2007 and seeks the man or woman who has shown a high degree of entrepreneurship and vision for the future. The winner will clearly demonstrate his/her busienss idea and start-up process, giving evidence of a well researched business plan and forecasts for business performance. The Young Entrepreneur of the Year will, in the opinion of the judges, have excellent potential to succeed in the longer term with a well defined and innovative vision for the future. |
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| Best Rural Initiative: sponsored by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society |
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| The winner of this category may have established a brand new rural venture or the winning entry may be a diversification initiative based on an existing agricultural or rural business. Judges will be looking for a well researched business plan, effective marketing, and a real potential for success. Entrants should be able to demonstrate a strong focus on customer care. The wimming business is also likely to contribute to the local rural economy and be supportive generally of positive countryside initiatives. |
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| Tourism Award: sponsored by Harrogate International Centre |
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| This award will be presented to the organisation that can demonstrate the most significant contribution to improving Harrogate’s offering as a tourism destination over the past year and is open to any organisation connected to leisure or business tourism. Examples of contribution could be a marketing campaign or strategy which has attracted more visitors to Harrogate District, a refurbishment programme, examples of exellent customer service or partnership work. The winner will need to present tabgible evidence of their specific contribution to Harrogate and District tourism. |
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| Employee of the Year: sponsored by Cardale Stockbrokers |
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| This category recognises an individual who has made a significant contribution to his or her company, whether through the innovation of a new product or service, through an idea which has led to greater efficiencies in the operation of the company or simply by ‘being the best’ in terms of continually showing unrivalled service to customers and clients. Entrants may nominate themselves or be entered for this category by managers and colleagues. |
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| Employer of the Year: sponsored by Berwins llp |
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| This award recognises the business that has shown pre-eminent commitment to the development and welfare of its people, by encouraging communication, creativity and proactivity throughout the organisation. The winner will be able to show that it appreciates that genuine commitment to and trust in its people leads to success in business, as well as a fulfilling and stimulating working environment. The winner may well have sought external accreditation of its position by achieving Investors in People or other independently audited quality standards. |
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| Best Small Company of the Year (1 to 10 employees): sponsored by Harrogate Chamber of Trade and Commerce |
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| This award is for smaller businesses that can demonstrate dynamism, commitment to growth and success in achieving planned objectives. Successful entrants will be able to demonstrate a clearly defined vision for developing and growing the business in terms of both turnover and employment. While demonstrating entrepreneurial characteristics, successful organisations will have systems in place to measure performance effectively, particularly financial controls. Staff development and involvement of the workforce will be a key characteristic of the winner, as will strong focus on the customer, with evidence of customer satisfaction and continued commitment to exceeding customer expectations. |
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| Best Medium-Sized Company (11 to 50 employees): sponsored by Si Recruitment |
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| This award will be presented to the company that has passed the initial phase in its development and is now looking to consolidate its position within its market sector. Entrants will demonstrate how they plan to further develop the organisatin in terms of both turnover and employment and will also be judged on their achievements thus far in growing their business both financially and in terms of staff development. They will show a creative and innovative approach in the pursuit of further development, including a strengthening leadership and employee base, and a commitment to exceeding customer expectations. |
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| Best Large Company of the Year (over 50 employees): sponsored by McCormicks Solicitors |
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| This category is aimed at larger businesses which have successfully grown their organisation. The company culture will demonstrate an approach to business based on encouraging employee development, creativity and empowerment. Employees will demonstrate strong proactive relationships with customers and suppliers and a shared ambition to optimise business performance. Strong leadership and clearly defined strategic objectives will have shaped the company’s growth and development. Entrants should be able to present a strong performance record and explain how their business differentiates itself from competitors. |
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| Best Company Website of the Year: sponsored by Business Link York and North Yorkshire |
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| Judges will be looking for a website that encompasses excellence in content - which is not just text, but may also be music, sound, animation or video - good navigation offering easy access to the breadth and depth of content, good quality visual design relevant to the audience and the message it is supporting, good functionality and good interactivity. |
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| The Mayor’s Award: sponsored by Harrogate Borough Council |
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| The Mayor’s Special Award, which is open to firms of all sizes, will be given to the business judged to have made the greatest contribution to the local area or community over the past year. Nominees should be able to demonstrate strong leadership, commitment at all levels of the organisation and a record achievement in areas such as environmental stewardship, encouragement for volunteering, engagement with oyung people or support for community organisations. |
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| Business Personality of the Year Award: sponsored by Saffery Champness |
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| This category recognises the individual who has made an outstanding contribution in 2007 to their own company or organisation through innovation, entrepreneurship, vision and leadership. He or she will have had a demonstrable effect on their organisation's performance towards achieving targets. He or she will be focussed on results and successes, and show real dynamism and flair. The individual may also have a high profile in the wider Harrogate and district busienss community, contributing to the success of business organisations and charity support networks. Individuals may enter themselves or anyone can nominate an individual for this category. |
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| Lifetime Achievement Award: sponsored by Cicada Communications Ltd |
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| This is our highest accolade and we invite the business community of the Harrogate district to send us their nominations for the businessman or businesswoman who is most admired. The recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award will have been running a highly successful company or companies in this district for a considerable time. He or she may be respected for their vision and tenacity in their early business years, or for their ability to innovate, have a clear focus and continuously stay ahead of their competitors overa long period. He or she may have produced a ground breaking product or service, or be admired for their leadership skills alone. The Lifetime Achievement Award is likely to be awarded to an individual who has also contributed to the wider business community, and to the charitable sector as well. |
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| The Green Business Award: Sponsored by Platinum Print |
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This category is open to all businesses in the region which demonstrate a strategic, comprehensive and innovative approach to integrating environmental strategy into all core business processes.
Submissions may include:
- details of best practice adopted to ensure environmental awareness throughout the business
- ways sought and found to minimise the impact of operations on the environment
- ways in which the local community has been enhanced or protected
- any “green” partnerships that may have been forged
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