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Business of the Year
This award will go to the profitable business that has not only increased potential but has also had a positive impact on Gloucestershire’s economy as a whole, the size and age of the business will be considered against its financial performance.
The judges will be interested in innovative products, services and processes as well as expansion into new markets and different areas of business activity.
Company’s entering this category must have an annual turnover in excess of £2m or employ more than 25 people within the county.
Audited accounts will need to be submitted - all such information will be treated in absolute confidence.

Small Business of the Year
This award will go to the profitable business which has increased its potential over the latest financial year, the size and age of the business will be considered against its financial performance.
The judges will be interested in innovative products, services and processes as well as expansion into new markets and different areas of business activity. In addition, the judges would like to know more about the ‘personality’ of the business; the qualities which make the business successful.
Company’s entering this category must have an annual turnover of less than £2m or employ fewer than 25 people. Audited accounts will need to be submitted - all such information will be treated in absolute confidence.

Business Innovation
This award will go to a business that has introduced a new product, process, invention, idea, or design that has made a significant contribution to the business.
The judges will be interested in innovation that has improved an existing product, process, or an initiative that has led to the development of new products or services.
They will also be interested in how innovation is embraced within the culture of the business.

Your People Award
This award will go to the company that can demonstrate a real commitment to the training and personal development of its staff.
The judges will be interested in the company’s training policy and all training initiatives that have been introduced. They would also like to know about the adoption of strategic training and development policies resulting in benefits to the business along with details on how these benefits can be measured in terms of productivity and performance improvements and how post-training assessment was carried out.

Family Business of the Year
This award is open to first generation family owned companies, multi-generational businesses and publically owned firms in which founding families still hold a significant stake.
The judges will be interested in how the business has increased it’s profitability, the size and age of such the business will be considered against its financial performance. The judges would also like to know how the business has demonstrated best practice in aspects such as working with non-family members, developing younger family members/future leaders, and implementing successful generation transitions.

Customer Care & Service Award
This Award will be made to the company that demonstrates a commitment to continuously improving its standards of customer service.
The judges will expect to see a clear, well-implemented customer care policy and examples of service exceeding customer expectations. They will also wish to hear how customer care initiatives contribute to the overall success of the business.

Young Businessperson of the Year
This award is open to both young entrepreneurs that are enjoying success in building their own business, or to those employees that have had an outstanding impact in contributing to the successes of a larger organisation.
Applicants will need to demonstrate ambition, energy, skill and vision, as well as tangible business success.
Applicants will be judged on their personal involvement in the company’s growth or expansion, its move into new products, services, markets, or new areas of business activity. Entrants should be aged 35 or under as of 1st January 2009.

Design Excellence
This award will go to the company or person that has delivered design excellence in any sphere, including; construction, an innovative product, multi-media production, and design solutions in manufacturing.
There are no restrictions to the type of product but entries must have visual appeal, be user-friendly, economic to make, and deliver a significant contribution to business success. The judges will be interested in designs that feature quality materials, attention to detail and an empathetic approach to the overall environment of the end design.

Start-up Business of the Year
This award will be given to a company that has been launched within the past two years.
The judges will be looking for a business that has evolved from an entrepreneurial approach applied in a creative business idea, such as, a unique business concept, addressing changes in industry practices, production of innovative products or services, or the discovery of a new route to market. The judges would like to see evidence of early financial success and achievements in excess of targets, together with a sound business plan that is likely to ensure continued growth and sustainability.

Communicator of the Year
This Award will go to the organisation judged to have communicated most effectively with its target audience (internal or external) over the past year. The initiative may have been part of an on-going programme or a one-off campaign. It may have used a variety of channels such as media relations, public relations, the Internet or other media.
The judges will be interested in the business benefits that have resulted from these activities. Applications are welcome from companies or organisations in the private, public or voluntary sectors.

Corporate Social Responsibility
This award will recognise the business which has demonstrated responsible business practices across the four areas of local community, environment, their people and supply chain.
Judges will look for evidence of contribution to the overall well-being of the community, its environment and general quality of life.
The project or initiative demonstrated by the business must have been completed or at least have reached a meaningful stage within the last 12 months.

Best Use of Digital technology
This award will go to the company most successfully and effectively applying digital technology within its business.
The winner will be able to demonstrate that application of digital technology has significantly improved their ability either to reach their target market, deal more effectively with suppliers or enable their operations to become more efficient.
The judges would like to see evidence of a well thought-through and executed strategy, addressing not only the deployment of the technology, but also its effective uptake by employees and customers.