The search is on for top businesses wishing to compete for the highly coveted Peterborough Telegraph Business Awards 2015, writes Juliette Fields. The event highlights the people and businesses achieving success and setting new standards in their respective industries.

If you are a company in Peterborough or you are simply a friend or client of a business you consider outstanding, don’t hesitate to nominate yourself or another business for the awards. The deadline for entries is 5pm on July 31, when judges will begin looking through all entries. The awards themselves will be handed out an elegant gala dinner at the Peterborough Arena on November 20 and will be presented by Melvyn Prior.

There are 10 categories to opt for, namely:

• Larger Business of the Year: This award will be granted to an outstanding business which garners a £4 million a year turnover in the year being considered (businesses will need to present final accounts for the previous year). Factors which will influence the Judges’ decision include the increase of profit and company performance using various criteria of success. Sharing a clear vision and set goals are also important, as are the use brilliant strategy and planning.
• Smaller Business of the Year: This award will go to a business with a turnover of up to £4 million that has been successful but has also made a positive contribution to the local community. Judges will be looking at sales and profit, as well as the extent to which the business shares a vision and goals.
• Business Person of the Year: This award goes to a person who has made a significantly positive contribution to the business they manage or work for. The judges will be looking to personal contributions made to the expansion of the company into new markets and services, or new areas of business activity.

• Employer of the Year: The judges will be looking at companies which have been significantly innovative in their approach to personnel, improving conditions and motivation for workers through important management practices. The award aims to recognise those who have gone to particular lengths to improve working conditions and motivation through training schemes, rewards and recognition, performance management systems and health and welfare schemes that may go above and beyond those prescribed by law. For instance, although employer liability insurance is compulsory for all companies with more than one staff member, many companies do take out private insurance to provide better, speedier attention to staff. Other, meanwhile, seek to keep motivation at a high through continual training and incentives.
• Customer Service: This award goes to the company that shoes it truly puts its clients at the heart of its decisions and activities, managing resources to meet the needs of all clients. The judges will be looking for proof of practices such as post-sale care and service, to make sure the client is satisfied with the products or services provided by the company. Companies should show that their interest in their clients extends beyond the moment of sale.
• Environmental Achievement: The aim is to recognise the efforts of companies which have done their share to contribute to Peterborough’s reputation as one of the UK’s most environmentally aware cities. The company should point out the strategies it has taken to reduce its carbon footprint and foster sustainable development. This may include reliance on solar energy, recycling schemes, reduced pollution, and the like.
• Corporate Social Responsibility Award: Companies opting for this award will need to show an excellent level of customer focus. The award is open to shops, restaurants, hotels, stores, leisure companies, etc.
• Social Enterprise Award: Charities and social enterprises that can show the positive commercial and social impact their activities have brought, can opt for this award. The ability to control a budget and keep a healthy balance sheet is what the Judges will be looking for.
• Young Entrepreneur: If you are aged 18 to 35 and your business was trading for at least three years before the 31^st of July, 2014, why not get into the running for this award? Your business needs to be located in Greater Peterborough and be a commercial business.
• Exporter of the Year: This award will be vied for by companies based in Greater Peterborough whose business activity includes the export of companies and/or services to markets outside the UIK. The winner will need to show a healthy sales revenues and show that its business positively affects relevant markets.

For further information or to sign up your business or another business for the awards, visit the website or send an email to: PeterboroughTBusinessAwards@jpress.co.uk.