Entries wanted for the Advertiser Newark Business Awards

Two weeks into the nomination process for this year’s Newark Business Awards, and entries are coming in thick and fast ­ ­— but there is still time to enter your business.

The grand final takes place at the Lady Eastwood Centre, Newark Showground, on Friday, June 19.

The glittering black-tie occasion is one of the highlights on the district’s business calendar.

It is the perfect opportuinity to showcase your business and enjoy an evening of networking.

Businesses and organisations have until Thursday, March 19, to enter.

The ten categories, and the requirements for each, are listed below.

When you have decided which category/categories you want to enter, simply visit the dedicated website at www.newarkbusiness awards.co.uk

You can either enter your own business, or nominate others.

There are two stages to the nomination process.

Initially, you will be asked to give basic details on the website.

Each nominee will then be sent an electronic entry pack to fill in and send back.

Independent judges from the sponsors and other relevant organisations will look over the nominations and select four finalists in each category.

These will be announced in the Advertiser on Thursday, April 9.

Following the announcement, the judges will visit each finalist and carry out interviews to decide the overall winner in each category, and a highly-commended runner-up.

The categories for this year’s awards are:

Employer Of The Year

We are looking for employers who can best demonstrate how their leadership and human resource policies support staff development, engagement and satisfaction, creating a positive and supportive workplace with a well-motivated and well-trained team.

The winner of this award will be more than just a good company to work for; its culture will deliver commercial results and will be an inspiration to employees and other businesses.

Best Independent Retailer

This award, sponsored by Southwell Racecourse, celebrates the independent shops and restaurants that make the area special.

It will be judged on financial performance and product and store innovation, as well as excellent customer service.

Employee/Team Of The Year

This award celebrates dedication and commitment to the business.

The title will go to the employee or team who always goes the extra mile and exceeds expectations within their company.

From aspiring apprentices to experienced veterans, the judges will be looking for an employee or team who can demonstrate how their attitude, commitment and dedication to their job has delivered significant benefits to the company they work for.

Best Start-up

Has your business been a roaring success in its infancy? Has it exceeded all your expectations, or is it exactly on the right track, looking strong and with excellent prospects for the future?

You may be a one-man band looking to expand, or you may have started at a larger scale and already proved your ideas work.

This award, sponsored by Newark and Sherwood District Council, is open to companies in business for up to three years from the date of the launch.

Businessperson Of The Year

The winner will be an individual who stands out from the crowd, has an entrepreneurial spirit, demonstrates outstanding achievement and inspires others around them.

The winner of this award, sponsored by Newark Business Club, will have been key to the success of their enterprise, as well as encouraging and contributing to the overall business success of the region.

Large Business Of The Year

This award, sponsored by Duncan & Toplis, is open to any business trading for more than three years with more than ten employees.

It must demonstrate business excellence, a commitment to the local community, a business strategy and vision for the next three to five years, proven success and achievement, leadership with the ability to drive the business forward, and a commitment to its staff.

Small Business Of The Year

This award, sponsored by Gusto, is open to a business trading for more than three years with up to ten employees. The company must be able to demonstrate success, excellence, and innovation in its field, leadership with the ability to drive the business forward, and funding arrangements and investment plans for the future of the business.

It must show it understands its market and is capable of responding to change.

Customer Care

This award, sponsored by Chattertons, will recognise the firm, irrespective of size or sector, that can prove it really does put the customer first.

Has your business excell-ed to help one customer in particular, or perhaps you have introduced new ways of working to help every customer?

The organisation must have objectives for high-quality customer service and clear methods of monitoring and evaluating standards.

Business Innovation

This award, sponsored by DB Wood, will go to the organisation that can best demonstrate an ability to create, grow and develop innovations or processes that improve performance, service and profits.

Best Social Enterprise

This category, sponsored by Urban & Civic, is open to charities and social enterprises that can demonstrate significant commercial and social impact of their activities.

Judges will want to see clear evidence of commercial awareness and innovative strategies that complement the altruistic aims of the organisation.