Larne Business Awards 2014

LARNE Business Awards 2014

Promoting Excellence In Business THURSDAY 18 SEPTEMBER 2014 BALLYGALLY CASTLE HOTEL

LarneTimes Associate Sponsor

LARNE Borough Council

LARNE Business Awards 2014

THURSDAY 18 SEPTEMBER 2014 BALLYGALLY CASTLE HOTEL The Larne Times is proud to announce the launch of its 2nd Larne Business Awards.

The awards are aimed at recognising the talent, entrepreneurship and excellence that exists across the full range of business and commerce in the area.

The awards pay homage to the long history of individual and collective industry upon which local towns have taken root and flourished and the companies which carry on that tradition today.

The fifteen award categories cover all aspects of business and industry, giving the opportunity to enter one or more categories, and the judging process will be carried out by an independent judging panel with some awards also going to a reader vote via the Larne Times.

Anyone can make a nomination regardless of whether they are an owner, employee or satisfied customer.

By entering, businesses will not only have the opportunity to gain recognition and publicity for their achievements but also the opportunity to boost staff morale, company image and customer confidence.

The Larne Business Awards 2014 will take place at a Black Tie Dinner and Awards Ceremony on Thursday 18th September 2014 at the Ballygally Castle Hotel, when the winner of each category will be announced and presented with their award.

The Times would like to thank all the category sponsors whose generous support has made the staging of this event possible.

HOW TO ENTER The fifteen award categories are listed opposite along with the judging criteria. To enter simply complete the application form on the back with all relevant information.

A business can enter a maximum of two award categories, and each entry must be on a separate entry form.

The entry form should include a summary of the reasons why the business should be the winner paying particular attention to the criteria against which the award will be judged. Written submissions should be no more than 1000 words. Additional pages can be attached to the entry form if required. Businesses and/or persons within the Larne Borough are eligible to enter or be entered.

The closing date for receipt of completed entry forms is Monday 7th 2014.

4thJuly August 2014.

For further information or enquiries please contact Julie Forde on 028 3839 5504, email julie.forde@jpress.co.uk or Karen Fitzmaurice on 028 3839 5564, email Karen.fitzmaurice@jpress.co.uk Completed entry forms should be returned to the Events Dept, Johnston Publishing, 2 Esky Drive, Carn, Portadown BT63 5YY

LarneTimes Associate Sponsor

LARNE Borough Council

THE AWARD CATEGORIES 1. BEST RETAILER (a) brief description of business (b) briefly summarise marketing strategy (c) growth and development to date and future potential (d) good customer service and engagement with customer base (e) good presentation and upkeep of premises both internal and external

2. BEST EXPORT BUSINESS (a) brief description of business (b) summarise export marketing strategy (c) growth and development to date and future potential (d) outline current export markets (e) success in securing new markets

3. EXCELLENCE IN INNOVATION AWARD (a) brief description of business (b) brief description of innovation that has made biggest contribution to success of business (c) summarise its development & application (d) outline how commercial performance, operational effectiveness & significant growth were affected (e) summarise how market share, overall financial performance & customer engagement were increased

4. READERS FAVOURITE RESTAURANT/ CAFÉ

VOTED FOR BY READERS • readers will be asked to nominate their favourite restaurant, the nomination form will appear in the Larne Times • nominated businesses will then be listed in the Times and readers asked to vote for their favourite.

• The Larne Times reserves the right to shortlist the nominations if necessary.

• Only those nominations and votes received on genuine newsprint forms will be accepted. Photocopies not allowed.

5. BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE VOTED FOR BY READERS • readers will be asked to nominate a local business where the customer service experience has been good, the nomination form will appear in the Larne Times • nominated businesses will then be listed in the Times and readers asked to vote for their favourite • The Larne Times reserves the right to shortlist the nominations if necessary • Only those nominations and votes received on genuine newsprint forms will be accepted. Photocopies not allowed.

6. EXCELLENCE IN TOURISM (a) brief description of business (b) demonstrate how business benefits tourism in the region (c) provide details of any industry specific awards achieved (d) demonstrate evidence of growth and development to date and future potential (e) demonstrate good customer service

7. BEST RURAL BUSINESS

(Farm Diversification Initiative) (a) businesses/persons within the following 7 rural wards are eligible to enter this category: Ballycarry; Cairncastle; Carnlough; Glenarm; Glynn; Islandmagee and Kilwaughter (b) describe business and summarise marketing strategy (c) growth and development to date and future potential (d) good customer service and engagement with customer base (e) entries can include diversification of traditional rural and farm based businesses

8. BEST COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AWARD (a) brief description of business (b) initiatives implemented that have had a positive impact on the local community (c) show the benefits of any collaboration with the local community (d) demonstrate sponsorship or contributions to local sporting clubs, schools, churches, charities, either in terms of financial contribution or in-kind contribution

9. BEST ENVIRONMENTAL BUSINESS (a) brief description of business (b) environmental policies and the benefit to the company (b) awards for quality standards or recognition for environmental achievements (c) steps taken to educate staff/other companies/the local community on environmental issues (d) environmental considerations when sourcing products/materials/suppliers

10. BEST DIGITAL INITIATIVE & USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA (a) brief description of business (b) brief description of digital initiative/ use of social media (c) summarise main strengths of digital initiative/ use of social media & benefit to the business (d) demonstrate how digital initiative/ use of social media engages, interacts with & is relevant to audience (e) provide evidence of users, followers, etc, and any other relevant data to support the entry.

11. EXCELLENCE IN MARKETING AWARD (a) outline specific marketing campaign that has achieved high levels of commercial success (b) give evidence of the campaign, including effective use of media & distribution channels (c) outline how the campaign has enhanced the brand & links to the brand’s wider strategy (b) outline how its concept, approach & delivery has improved commercial performance, operational effectiveness & significant growth (d) summarise how market share, overall financial performance & customer engagement have increased as a result

12. EXCELLENCE IN PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT (a) brief description of business (b) demonstrate how training has been designed and delivered (c) measurable benefits of training to the business (d) show how the business goes beyond normal parameters in commitment to staff development

13. BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR (a) brief description of career (entrants may work for or own a business) (b) entrants should demonstrate how they stand out from their peers (c) summarise their main business achievements (d) summarise special qualities or strengths (e) summarise career ambitions

14. YOUNG BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR ENTRANTS MUST BE UNDER 30 YEARS OF AGE AT TIME OF CLOSING DATE (a) brief description of career (entrants may work for or own a business) (b) entrants should demonstrate how they stand out from their peers (c) summarise their main business achievements (d) summarise special qualities or strengths (e) summarise career ambitions

15. LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD You are asked to nominate a local business person who has made an outstanding contribution to business life in the Larne area over the course of the recipient’s lifetime. Recipient will also have demonstrated a drive and determination to succeed in business, at times overcoming difficult challenges, and will have shown a strong commitment to the area and its people. The winner will be chosen by the judging panel.

ENTRY FORM Category Number & Name ...................................................................................................................................................................

Name of Business / Individual being entered for the award ...............................................................................................................

Name of person completing the entry .................................................................................................................................................

Contact details for business/ person being entered for the award .....................................................................................................

Address ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................

Postcode ...............................................................................................................................................................................................

Telephone Number................................................................................................................................................................................

Mobile Number .....................................................................................................................................................................................

Email .....................................................................................................................................................................................................

A written submission (no more than 1000 words) should be attached. Please structure your entry to include a short paragraph against the criteria listed and mark a, b, c etc as appropriate.

Criteria (a) ............................................................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................

Criteria (b) ........................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................

Criteria (c) ............................................................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................

Criteria (d) ........................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................

Criteria (e) – if applicable ..................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................

Terms and Conditions: The judges decision is final. Entries must be received by Monday 2014.2014.

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