Daily Echo | Hampshire Business | Latest news, deals and developments from Southampton and

Taylor Made Computer Solutions Award for Best Use of Technology

This award will be presented to an outstanding local business that can demonstrate effective use of technology that has created a considerable competitive or operational improvement, such as improved quality, customer satisfaction and revenue.

The judges will be looking for:
· A company which uses technology to stand out from its competitors
· A company which, through the use of technology, exceeds the expectations of clients.
· A company which embraces new technology to improve efficiency, levels of service and the quality of the end product.

Business Solent Champion of the Year Award

Champions are the driving force behind Business Solent – together they promote the business region for the good of all. This award will be presented to the Champion who has clearly shown commitment to the Business Solent ethos. The judging will focus on their dedication to enhancing and promoting the Solent region as a great place to work, invest, study, live and enjoy as well as their support for Business Solent in its role as a connector and enabler.

The judges will be looking for:
· Outstanding commitment to promoting the Solent region on a regional, national and international basis.
· A company that can demonstrate pride in the Solent region through its involvement in projects and events that bring businesses and people to the region
· Key involvement in the Business Solent action groups, projects and events.
· An example of partnership working that has benefited the Solent region.

RSM Tenon Award for Customer Service

This award is in recognition of companies with a genuine and innovative focus on customer service and care. It is designed for businesses who can demonstrate excellent customer service and achievement within that field.

Judging criteria will include customer service objectives and strategy, business performance, customer care, staff development plans and how this has driven business growth.

The judges will be looking in particular for:
· Demonstrating success in the achievement of service excellence through the delivery of customer service initiatives, objectives and strategy.
· Active improvement in employee’s customer service focus through training and development.
· Demonstrating a clear relationship between customer service activities and improved business performance.
· Showing a clear understanding of customer needs.
· Engaging employee enthusiasm for customer care and how this has driven business growth.
· How a focus on customer service has provided a platform for leadership, vision and values.
· Evidence of strong staff support, development and motivation.
· Evidence of financial growth and customer retention driven by customer service excellence.

British American Tobacco Award for Commitment to Education and Training

This award is to recognise, encourage and reward organisations that have made and continue to make a significant contribution to the continuous training and education of individuals or groups.

The judges will be looking for:
· A company which demonstrates a positive commitment to the ongoing training and education of its employees.
· A company which can prove how investment in training has brought success.
· A company which shows how staff have gained the necessary skills to maximise their contribution.
· A company which can show how its people development strategies have improved its performance and created a committed, motivated and effective workforce.

Trethowans Award for Excellence Through Innovation

This award is to recognise a company which best demonstrates success through the innovative application of a new idea, product, method, process or technology. It will go to the company with a creative and different way of working, not only to keep ahead of the competition but also to keep them fresh and to be responsive to customer needs.

The judges will be looking for a company which can demonstrate:
· Excellence in the use of market research and development
· A continuing forward thinking approach to creating business success.
· Benefits of the development to the business or customer and the impact this has made to the business.
· Job creation and/or safeguarding.
· Customer happiness and satisfaction.

Hampshire Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year Award

This award will be presented to a dynamic company with less than 50 employees, which demonstrates all round excellence in business. The judging will focus on financial performance, future objectives and the competitive advantage of the business. It will also look at examples of specific strategies which have driven business growth.

The judges will be looking for:
· Commercial success, growth and achievement.
· A company which can demonstrate success in driving forward its business plan.
· A company which is actively developing new products, services and / or new markets.
· A company which can demonstrate a clear relationship between its marketing strategy and the development of the business.
· A clear future plan for growth of the business.
· Evidence of growth in turnover and profitability
· Innovation and creativity.
· Additional exemplars such as community involvement

Southampton City Council Award for Southampton Young Entrepreneur of the Year

An award given to an individual whom the judges consider can best demonstrate exceptional vision and leadership in the establishment and development of a strong belief in oneself.

The judges will be looking for an outstanding individual who can demonstrate:
· Entrepreneurship – either individually, in partnership, through collaborative work with others or within an existing business.
· What the entrepreneur believes makes them different and their vision for the future of the business.
· Entrepreneurial flair, the ability to identify opportunities and develop them through initiative, strong leadership and organisational skills and the acceptance of risk.
· Overcoming key business challenges.
· Ambition, creativity, innovation and ‘thinking outside the box’
· Individual must be aged 30 or younger.
· Individual’s business or residential address must be within the local authority area of Southampton. NB. Postcode areas: SO14, SO15, SO16 (excluding Chilworth, Nursling and Rownhams), SO17, SO18, SO19.

Smith & Williamson Growth Business of the Year Award

Smith & Williamson, the accountancy and financial services group with offices in central Southampton is looking to give its award to the business, which in its view, has managed to show sustainable and consistent growth during 2012.

Against a backdrop of continuing economic difficulties, the Smith & Williamson Growth Award seeks to identify those businesses that have flourished in recent years. Entrants will need to be able to demonstrate consistent sustainable growth at either the turnaround or earnings level over the last two years and expect that growth to continue for the foreseeable future.

We also welcome organisations that have secured investment to fund expansion. We would encourage applicants to provide information on how such growth has been achieved.

The judges will be looking for:
· Established before 2010.
· Turnaround or profits have shown significant growth year on year.
· Examples of specific initiatives which have driven growth.
· Head Office based in Hampshire / Isle of Wight.