Eight key tips on maximising your awards chances
HOW TO GET THAT WINNING FEELING !
All winners from the 2024 Make Your Mark Awards on stage at Hardwick Hall Hotel .
You ’ re an individual or firm doing remarkable things in the Aycliffe business world – but how do you get well-deserved recognition for your efforts ?
An easy way is to enter the Make Your Mark Awards , which reflect the breadth of business brilliance we have across Aycliffe Business Park
Simply by entering , you put yourself in line for invaluable publicity , inclusion in Aycliffe Business articles and , potentially , a finalist ’ s place on the big night .
And you might even find yourself proudly clutching one of the coveted trophies .
The awards offer a low-cost , high-visibility chance to take credit for the work you and your colleagues are doing , and to elevate you or your company ’ s profile .
They ’ re easy to enter , too – simply find the awards you want to enter on the Aycliffe Business Park website and click on the category you want to enter .
But to give yourself the best chance of impressing the judges and perhaps even winning your category , here ’ s a few simple tips on how to approach the entry process .
Be detailed : Remember , the shortlisting judges – all made up of category sponsors – possibly know little , if anything , about your business , so don ’ t assume that they do . This is the only chance you have to impress them , so serve up plenty of facts – and hopefully , those facts will speak for themselves !
Use the full word count : Again , the more information the judges have in front of them , the more they ’ ll learn about you or your business and the brilliant things it does . Detailed answers backed up by strong evidence and examples are usually the most successful in the shortlisting stage .
Make it easy to read : Avoid dry or overly complicated language and steer clear of jargon .
Always be truthful : You ’ re pitching to fellow businesses so if you start embroidering the truth , the chances are they ’ ll smell a rat !
Don ’ t be shy : Avoid being boastful , but make sure you detail your highlights and achievements .
Proofread your application : Your entry reflects your organisation , so the last thing you want is for it to seem hurried and be littered with mistakes . The standard of entries is always high , with little to choose between them , so don ’ t let little errors that are easily avoided hamper your chances .
Read the criteria and eligibility guidelines : There ’ s no point entering if you ’ ve chosen the wrong category , or you ’ re ineligible because you don ’ t quite fit the entry requirements . But when it comes to categories , consider if you can enter more than one – you can enter up to three , as long as you satisfy the criteria .
So , they are just a few ways you can enhance your chances of awards success , but one thing is for certain – if you don ’ t enter , you definitely won ’ t win !
Nominations are open for the 2025 Make Your Mark Awards – so there ’ s no time like the present to get those entries compiled and submitted .
And good luck !
MAKE YOUR MARK – COMPANY WINNERS 2024
Newcomer of the Year Sponsored by Husqvarna Winner : Forest Park School Finalist : Armitage and Wilson Furniture
Small Business of the Year Sponsored by Business Durham Winner : NC Group Finalists : Excelpoint , C & A Embroidery and Print
Community Champions Sponsored by Gestamp Winner : Pioneering Care Partnership Finalists : Palram , ManHealth CIC
Innovation Award Sponsored by Cornerstone Group Winner : Husqvarna Finalists : TBOX Tech , Excelpoint
Service Business of the Year Sponsored by Husqvarna Winner : Digital Edge Finalists : Aycliffe Dairy , Aycliffe Physiotherapy
Environment Award Sponsored by Ebac Winner : BTS Facades & Fabrications Finalist : Husqvarna
Engineering & Manufacturing Sponsored by GEM Partnership Winner : Viper RF Finalists : Durham Precision Engineering , TBOX Tech
Company of the Year Sponsored by Aycliffe Business Park Community Winner : Senstronics Finalists : BTS Facades & Fabrications , Primex Plastics , Husqvarna
MAKE YOUR MARK 2025 – KEY INFO
Entry deadline : February 25 , 2025 . Shortlists announced : W / c March 10 , 2025 Awards night : May 8 , 2025 ( Hardwick Hall Hotel )
Details : aycliffebusinesspark . co . uk / awards or scan the QR code .
To enquire about sponsorship opportunities , email martin @ resolutionpublishing . co . uk
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