Applicants will enter the Leinster, Munster, Connaught and Ulster Awards, depending on where the business is located – Closing date 31 October 2008.
Entries will be judged by provincial judging panels in November 2008, and will be made up of the following representatives:
- - An Ulster Bank Regional Director
- - An Enterprise Ireland Regional Manager
- - An Irish Independent journalist
At this point applicants may have to submit further information (at judge’s discretion).
Short-listed finalists will be invited to a provincial awards lunch in late November 2008 where the provincial winners in each category will be announced.
Seven provincial winners from each province go to the national finals.
Thus, a total of 28 companies will be judged by the national judging panel (4 in each category).
All national finalists will be invited to make a business pitch “Dragons Den” style to our national judging team - Finalists will receive expert advice, mentoring and feedback from the judges at this stage.
National judges are:
- - Eddie Brown – Head of Invoice Finance, Ulster Bank
- - Maeve Dinneen - Business Editor for The Irish Independent
- - Pat Maher – Executive Director, Enterprise Ireland
A gala event will take place in mid-March 2009 in Dublin to announce the national winners in each category and an overall winner.
Entries will be judged at provincial and national level under the following headings:
- Business Sales performance – the development of your business’s sales over the past 18/ 24 months.
- Business Growth – how your business has grown and developed (or projects to grow and develop in the future) e.g. growth in the number of customers/ clients, growth in the number of employees, growth in the product/ service range, expansion into international markets etc.
- Business Milestones and Achievements – an outline of the key business achievements and/ or personal achievements including; enterprise awards, quality marks achieved, environmental standards met, accreditation secured, major contracts secured or that the business intend to secure etc.
- Business vision – the strategic vision for the development and growth of your business over the next 3 to 5 years (including the sustainable competitive advantage of your business).
- Development of Innovative Products/ Services – the role of vision, creativity, innovation and technology in the development of new products/ services for your business.
- Importance of the Business to the Local Area – the role your business plays in the local community e.g. local employment, engaging local suppliers, sponsorship of local teams/ events, engaging with local agencies and networks etc.
- The Leadership and Vision of the Entrepreneur – how the business has met and overcome the challenges of the marketplace e.g. facing down competition, overcoming internal and external obstacles etc.
In addition, at national level, judges will assess the national winners based on the above criteria along with the quality of their business pitch to the national judging panel. To help you get the most from your pitch you can expect to receive further information and advice pack from the Business Achievers team in January 2009.
