Gloucestershire is home to a great community of businesses large and small and GloucestershireLive Business Awards are going to be celebrating the very best of them.
Back for the 25th year with returning headline partner Randall & Payne near Cheltenham, the awards honour the region's best businesses, and the people behind them, from the boardroom to the shop floor, the awards recognise innovation, entrepreneurship, technology and creativity, and the those who are going the extra mile for their customers and clients.
Winners will take to the stage at our glittering awards dinner on October 12 alongside guests including some of our most influential business leaders.
Our awards are open to businesses of all types and sizes, so whatever your company does, there will be a category that fits. There are also categories for individuals, from apprentices starting out, to people who have been making a difference for decades.
The awards are FREE TO ENTER, so for your chance to be a winner, simply fill out the form.
Here are 10 top tips to follow when making your application:
1. Give yourself plenty of time
Give yourself enough time to consider your thoughts on the projects, products and initiatives that have brought you success over the past year. Ask yourself what have been the highlights over the past year? What have you achieved that has exceeded expectations or seen you go above and beyond your rivals?
2. Choose the right category and don't cut and paste
Choose a category that plays to your strengths. Don't use the same content for multiple entries as judges want to see answers that are tailor made for specific award criteria.
3. Follow the criteria to the letter
Judges will be looking at how to score entrants in each category and that can only be done if you are able to answer the specific points asked of you. You can make it clearer by using subheads in your entry.
4. Give examples
Use specific figures to illustrate your points. For example, if you've had record sales growth this year then make sure you include the figures. Or if you have taken on staff, state how many.
5. If social media is part of your application - get posting
Make sure your posts and promotions are up to date. Judges will want to see a vibrant active string of posts and interaction. Get active promoting your entry into the awards too.
6. If you have happy customers - prove it
It's one thing for you to say that customers are satisfied but it's even better to provide testimonials. Do you have customers who will be willing to say how happy they are with your service? This doesn't need to be an essay, just a snippet to illustrate a point will suffice.
7. Put yourself in the judges' shoes
When you have completed your application, come back to it and read it with fresh eyes. Ask yourself if it makes sense, could there be parts trimmed out or elements that could be written clearer? After all your entry is all the judges have to go on in deciding whether you make the top spot.
8. Do your research
It is a good idea to get a feel for what you are going up against and while you may not know your competition you can check out last year's winners and finalists.
9. Ask a colleague to look over your application
Ask someone to look for omissions and spelling mistakes. They may recommend including something that you haven't thought of or come up with a new idea.
10. Check, check and check again
Before you press send, give your entry a final proof for spelling and grammar and read it aloud - it is such a useful way to make sure your sentences make sense. The attention to detail will be worth it.
GloucestershireLive Business Awards 2023 categories
Small Business of the Year - sponsored by WSP Solicitors
Environmental and Sustainability Award - sponsored by SSE Energy Solutions
Innovation Award - sponsored by Spirax Sarco
Best Place to Work - sponsored by HR People Support
Growth Award
Global Britain Award
Rising Star - sponsored by Renishaw
Outstanding Contribution
Business of the Year - sponsored by Randall & Payne
Business Person of the Year - sponsored by Newent Community School
Unsung Hero
Made in Britain Award
Charity of the Year
This year's drinks partner is Gloucestershire College.
Entries close on July 14 and winners will be announced at the silver anniversary awards ceremony at Cheltenham Racecourse, on Thursday, October 12.
- For more information, to enter and to get tickets, visit the event website.
