FREE TO ENTER | 2 TICKETS TO EVERY FINALIST | PROFESSIONALLY EDITED VIDEO FOR EVERY FINALIST
Categories & Judging Criteria
The following categories are available, please read the judging criteria below to see how the judges score entries and maximise your chances of becoming a finalist.
Start up Business Award sponsored by EvaBuild
Entrepreneurship Award sponsored by Cellpath
Micro Business Award (Less than 10 employees) sponsored by The County Times
Growth Award sponsored by WR Partners
Small Business Award (Under 30 employees) sponsored by Welshpool Print Group
Social Enterprise/ Charity Award sponsored by Myrick Training Services
Small Business Growth sponsored by Cellar Drinks
Technology & Innovation sponsored by Aberystwyth University
People Development Award sponsored by NPTC Group of Colleges
Sole Trader Award Sponsored by Mid Wales Manufacturing Group
Business in the Community Award sponsored by Radnor Hills
Excellence in Sustainability Award Sponsored by Welsh Government
Judging Criteria for Social Enterprise/Charity Award
Sponsor: Myrick Training Services Ltd
This award is open to any charitable organisation or a community/social enterprise trading in Powys with a social purpose and/or a not-for-profit basis.
The Judges are looking for evidence that you:
Demonstrate an innovative approach to the way in which the enterprise operates and/ or meet its own primary objectives.
Make a positive impact on society/communities and/or environment
Make a positive impact on the lives of individuals, particularly working in a manner which helps vulnerable and/ or disadvantaged individuals to help themselves
Projects that have the potential for future development growth and sustainability.
Judging Criteria for Growth Award
Sponsor: WR Partners
Through the maximization of the opportunities available to them, entrants must be able to demonstrate their business growth within the competitive marketplace in which they operate.
Can you show significant development in one or more of the following areas? Training, Marketing, People Development, E-commerce, International Trade. Then enter the Business Growth Award.
The Judges are looking for evidence of:
Profitable growth of the business
Hard, tangible evidence of commercial success; effective financial controls will be important to the success of the business as will customer-focused marketing strategies
A written business plan with strategy and vision for the next 3-5 years; and clearly defined objectives that will shape the organisation’s growth & development
Strong leadership and management with the ability to drive the business forward
Understanding of the market and mechanisms to respond to change
Funding mechanisms and investment plans for the business
Organisational culture which encourages employee development, creativity and empowerment
Evidence of sustained growth over the last 12 - 18 months in one or more of the areas listed. This can include established businesses that have suffered downturn and have implemented recovery programmes.
Judging Criteria for Start up Business Award
Sponsor: EvaBuild
Open to all companies which have been trading for less than 3 years at time of application.
Entrants must be able to show how their business has progressed in line with their business plan. Success will be proven by the business and its employees having a clear understanding of their products, competitors and the marketplace in which the business operates. Existing business under new management are ineligible in this category.
The judges will be looking for evidence that you:
Can convey clearly your business idea and start up process, giving evidence of a well researched business plan and forecasts for business performance
Are delivering on – and exceeding – your original business plan and can produce evidence of a forward order book.
Display a clearly defined vision for developing and growing the business in terms of both turnover and employment, including a strategy for staff development
Have a strong focus on the needs of the customer through effective marketing strategies and attention to customer feedback
Have suitable financial controls in place to monitor progress and control cash flow.
Judging Criteria for Micro Business (Under 10 Employees) Award
Sponsor: The County Times
Open to all companies of less than 10 employees (Full Time Equivalents). Successful entrants will need to show excellent and outstanding achievement in all aspects of their organisation. The judges will be looking for strong growth, innovation and leadership as well as a clear vision.
The Judges are looking for evidence of:
A sound business plan and Sales and Marketing strategy
Strong leadership with the ability to drive the business forward
A Commitment to Staff development & Training
Innovation & ambition
Strong financial performance
Judging Criteria for Small Business (Under 30 Employees) Award
Sponsor: Welshpool Print Group
Open to all companies of less than 30 employees (Full Time Equivalents). Successful entrants will need to show excellent and outstanding achievement in all aspects of their organisation. The judges will be looking for strong growth, innovation and leadership as well as a clear vision.
The Judges are looking for evidence of:
A sound business plan and Sales and Marketing strategy
Strong leadership with the ability to drive the business forward
Environmental awareness and a commitment to the community
A Commitment to Staff development & Training
Innovation & ambition
All leading to a strong financial performance
Judging Criteria for Small Business Growth Award
Sponsor: Cellar Drinks
Open to all Small companies.
Through the maximization of the opportunities available to them, entrants must be able to demonstrate their business growth within the competitive marketplace in which they operate.
The Judges are looking for evidence of:
Profitable growth of the business
Tangible evidence of commercial success; effective financial controls will be important to the success of the business as will customer-focused marketing strategies
A written business plan with strategy and vision for the next 3-5 years; and clearly defined objectives that will shape the organisation’s growth & development
Strong leadership and management with the ability to drive the business forward
Understanding of the market and mechanisms to respond to change
Funding mechanisms and investment plans for the business
Evidence of sustained growth over the last 12 - 18 months in one or more of the areas listed. This can include established businesses that have suffered downturn and have implemented recovery programmes.
Judging Criteria for Entrepreneurship Award
Sponsor: Cellpath
Judges will be looking to give this award to an individual who has demonstrated enterprise, vision, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit either in setting up a successful new small business or successfully developing an existing business or social enterprise.
The Judges are looking for evidence of:
Innovation, ambition and clarity of vision
Strong leadership with the ability to drive the business forward and solve day to day business problems
A robust business plan based on sound research
A Sales and Marketing strategy which addresses the need for growth
A promising financial performance
Judging Criteria for Technology & Innovation Award
Sponsor: Aberystwyth University
This award is aimed at companies that can demonstrate how they are using technology & Innovation to keep them at the cutting edge. Applications should focus on a particular product or application.
The Judges are looking for evidence that the business can:
demonstrate ingenuity, and a novel approach to problem-solving.
demonstrate consolidated processes and proven capabilities.
Implementation within the business
Commercial relevance
Innovation’ is an integral and prioritised part of the business plan
Judging Criteria for People Development Award
Sponsor: NPTC Group of Colleges
The award to open to all size companies from any sector where companies can demonstrate a commitment to People Development which made a positive impact on their business success.
The Judges are looking for evidence of:
How the organisation identifies individuals and business training needs and develops skills.
How the training has impacted on the achievement of your objectives (e.g increased sales, web traffic, improved reputation, excellent customer service, better brand awareness, staff retention etc.)
The integration of skills development into a business strategy and how this supports business development.
Judging Criteria for Sole Trader Award
Sponsor: Mid Wales Manufacturing Group
We are looking to recognise sole operator businesses that are developing their business/concept all on their own. These business owners have no permanent or part-time employees, however, may utilise online contractors.
The Judges are looking for evidence that you:
Demonstrate a commitment to enhancing their own skill set.
Are delivering on – and exceeding – your original business plan and can produce evidence of a forward order book.
Implementation within the business.
Display a clearly defined vision for developing and growing the business
Have a strong focus on the needs of the customer through effective marketing strategies and attention to customer feedback
Have suitable financial controls in place to monitor progress and control cash flow.
Judging Criteria for Excellence in Sustainability Award
Sponsor: Welsh Government
This award is open to all organisations in Powys and recognises those that are leading the way to a low carbon, low waste and sustainable future.
The Judges are looking for evidence on:
How they have reduced their environmental impact and the steps they have taken to do so, whether this has been directly or in the company’s supply chain
The positive outcomes of the changes that have been made eg reduction in carbon footprint, reduced waste, more innovative and greener working practices (NB this could be in any of the criteria) etc
Any further benefits that have been seen as a result of the changes made eg reduced operating costs, staff wellbeing/engagement, positive reflection on brand etc
Judging Criteria for Business in the Community Award
Sponsor: Radnor Hills
This award is open to all organisations in Powys, Judges will be looking to give this award to any business which "puts something back" into their local communities taking into account the size of the business. (We would not expect a micro-business to be able to give as much time and other resource into the categories below as a much larger SME).
The Judges are looking for evidence on:
Relationships built up with residents, schools and/ or community groups
Financial support through donations or sponsorship of local causes
Supporting local traders or suppliers
Providing works experience or job opportunities for local people.
Supporting and encouraging employee engagement in the community
In additional to the above awards, the Judging Panel have a discretionary Award called the Judges Award , the award is to recognise some outstanding achievement or person that has come to the judge's attention during their visits and which the strict criteria for the other awards does not recognise. This is a much prized and very special award. Secondly from the Category Winners the overall Award for Powys Business Awards Business of the Year sponsored by Powys County Council.
The Criteria for Business of the Year
The Judges are looking for evidence of:
A sound business plan and Sales and Marketing strategy.
A demonstrable commitment to customers.
Strong leadership with the ability to drive the business forward.
An excellent record of staff training and development.
A commitment to the community.
A commitment to sustainability/decarbonisation
Innovation and ambition.
Profit growth backed up with sound financial controls.
To demonstrate advancing equality & diversity as key features in all its activities.
A noticeable involvement of all the staff to the success of the business.
Evidence that the current strategy is delivering sustainable growth and increasing job creation.
To be a standard bearer for success in Powys.