Word from the Sponsors

The SWRDA was established in 1999 and our goal is to improve the economy of South West England. We do this by supporting:

• The growth of businesses, development of a skilled and adaptable workforce, encouraging the supply of high quality sites and premises for business needs, developing the south west as a leading region for innovative and knowledge based businesses.

• Increasing economic inclusion, stimulation of employment, regeneration of disadvantaged communities - urban and rural.

• Improvements in regional communications and partnership.

In summary, we are here to help make sure that an improved economy plays a major part in delivering long term quality of life for the whole region.

Success depends on enterprising organisations and individuals with the aspiration and drive to grow their business. At the core is a desire to make things happen by successfully turning ideas into reality through innovation, imagination and enabling people to create and thrive on change.

Through the Enterprise Award, the SWRDA wishes to give recognition to a business that has become more productive and profitable through managing change. Such change might be related to the areas of business strategy, new processes, product, service, people or customer relationship development that has led to an improved overall business performance.

Description of the Award from sponsors

The Award is for the adoption of enterprise principles and practices that has made a notable improvement to the successful development of the business. These principles may relate to one or more of:

• Identifying and addressing key strategic issues to move the business forward.

• Developing new ideas and new ways of working.

• Implementing new practices in relation to either production, processes, services, suppliers or customer relations.

• Shift in organisational culture.

• Breaking into new markets.

• Developing the skills and motivation of the workforce.

Entry Criteria

Enterprise can be associated with a set of attributes, skills and attitudes that enable people to create and thrive on change. It is a mindset and a process whereby a business has a desire to make things happen by successfully turning ideas into reality through innovation, imagination and drive. This may be achieved by identifying and addressing key strategic issues that improves company performance. Areas of enterprise might include:

• What important strategic decisions were taken in the last year which had a significant impact on the business.

• What new idea(s) and opportunities were identified.

• What was the approach to developing these ideas. e.g. improvements in business operations and practices relating to products, services and processes; development of the workforce; development of internal and external relationships (staff, customers, suppliers).

• What improvements have resulted. e.g. more and higher value orders/business won; better understanding and measurement of how the business is performing; improved business performance overall, improved and confident ability to manage change; better communications with customers, better motivation of staff; higher skill levels; shift in business culture.

The Award is for the adoption of enterprise principles and practices in managing change that has made a notable improvement to business success.

Supporting Documentation

Your entry should be submitted on no more than four A4 typed pages describing why and how new ways of working have been introduced and what has been the impact on the business. Examples of documentary evidence to support the application are likely to be from a copy of business objectives, notes/reports from meetings or working groups, contacts of any external agencies used (e.g. Business Link, consultants), staff engagement/development and examples of business improvement.

These documents can be uploaded with the entry or sent as hard copy separately to:

Mr Rob Peters
South West Regional Development Agency
7th Floor
Merck House
Seldown Road
Poole
BH15 1TL

Entry Deadline

Nominations should arrive by close of play on Friday 6 October 2006.

Judging will commence on: Shortlisted business will be asked to give a short presentation to a judging panel in October 2006.

Sponsored by SWRDA (South West of England Regional Development Agency)

Mr Rob Peters
South West Regional Development Agency (SWDRA)
First Floor
Merck House
Seldown Road
Poole
BH15 1TL

Tel: 01202 649282
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.southwestrda.org.uk