And the Winner Is….

Congratulations! You've decided to bite the bullet and enter your company into an awards scheme. After all, every business person worth their salt knows that winning prestigious awards and commendations is a great way to add credibility to their business and services, and boost employee morale. It can even generate great publicity. So what's the problem? None whatsoever… until you face the application form, that is.

With deadlines, entry fees and photo requirements galore, the awards application form can be enough to drive even the sanest entrepreneur to some frustration. Enterprise North East Trust (Enterprise), which delivers Business Gateway services in Aberdeen City and Shire on behalf of Scottish Enterprise Grampian, organises the annual Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise (now open for entries), and Chris Travis, Chief Executive is familiar with the trials of the application form.

"The businesses that submit high quality entries are those that recognise the importance of each application," explains Chris. "Aware of the potential that the awards carry in terms of profile raising and widespread recognition, successful companies go all out to maximise their chances of reaching the next round."

To help your company overcome the odds, Chris gives his top tips on how to submit a winning entry.

• Plan Ahead

The key to winning awards is careful planning. Keeping track of all deadlines is vital, as is being realistic about how long it may take to source all the necessary background information. Make a list of all the required information including figures, testimonials etc.

Alasdair Cowie, Managing Director of TS Marine, winner of the Young Business Award in last year's Grampian Awards for Business, adds: "You may even want to designate a member of staff to be awards co-ordinator, who will take overall responsibility for the company's participation in the awards, but bear in mind that winning awards is also great for boosting staff morale, so it's worth involving as many of your team as possible in collating the information."

• Check out the Competition

Chris (Enterprise) advises that while you're unlikely to have access to the names of other companies entering the awards, you can get a good idea of the types of entrants from researching the winners and finalists from previous years. Look up the awards website (www.grampianawards.com) and the chances are there will be information on previous winners there.

• Develop a Discerning Eye

"Choosing the right category can be an intimidating task," continues Chris. "Checking each definition in terms of company age, size etc, should be your first move. You may find that there is more than one appropriate category to enter, in which case consider entering several, but be careful that in doing so you are not diluting your commitment to any one category."

Alisdair Harrison, Group Commercial Director of C&M Group, the winner of last year's Business Growth Award in the Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise adds: "Consulting with colleagues in terms of which categories to enter, is always a good idea, and remember that those categories which may have seemed inappropriate at first could be the ones in which your business will ultimately prevail."

• Pay Close Attention

Chris recommends reading the questions on the application form carefully, and answering what they actually ask as opposed to what you want them to ask. There are no excuses for applications that are littered with poor spelling and grammar so ensure that someone thoroughly proof reads your entry. Equally, try to use accurate descriptions rather than vague, lengthy explanations and use specific (testimonial) examples wherever possible.

• Use the Best Back Up

From case studies and product images to samples and client testimonials, making sure that your supporting material is of the highest quality is a must. You should also ensure that any copies are completed to a high standard and be careful to represent a wide cross-section of support material, from a number of different sources, projects or clients.

• Believe in Yourself

Perhaps most importantly, you have to believe that your work is of superior quality. After all, if you don't think that your entry is worthy of winning, why should the judging panel? A sense of conviction in the hard work and resulting achievements of your company will also be reflected in your entry so a positive attitude will go a long way to helping your case.

Entries are currently open for The Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise 2007 which are sponsored by The Royal Bank of Scotland and Business Gateway. More information about entering the awards can be found at www.grampianawards.com. Entry information can be collected from Business Gateway outlets, Royal Bank of Scotland branches and from Enterprise North East Trust business centres and offices.

Application forms are available online at www.grampianawards.com and by calling Enterprise North East Trust on 01467 672500.

The deadline for first stage applications is Friday 23 February 2007 and the shortlist of finalists will be announced on 16 April 2007. The awards ceremony will take place on 7^th June at Ardoe House Hotel, by Aberdeen.

The Business Gateway service in Grampian is delivered on behalf of Scottish Enterprise Grampian by Enterprise North East Trust. For more information telephone 01224 289725 or visit www.bgateway.com.

ENDS

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For further information please contact:

Sally Wallis

Tricker PR

Tel 01224 646401

Fax 01224 646492

Email swallis@trickerpr.com