Awards Critera

2011 Women Into the Network Awards

Standard criteria for ALL entries

ALL nominees must display evidence of the above criteria, in addition to the specific criteria for each category entered.

Category criteria

The Susan Dobson Award for Entrepreneurship


This Flagship Award is given in honour of a truly remarkable entrepreneur, Susan Dobson.  The Award, sponsored by The Susan Dobson Memorial Fund, is to recognise a woman who, over the last 5 years or more, has achieved outstanding success in creating or growing a new or existing enterprise. The winner will have vision, enthusiasm, leadership and a stubborn refusal to be dissuaded from her chosen path!

What the judges are looking for:

 

 

Best New Business

This Award will go to a woman who has launched a new venture with passion, enthusiasm and an unwavering desire to succeed. We are looking for a woman who started trading less than 2 years ago, with a great idea and who looks destined for long term success.

What the judges are looking for:

 

 

Young Entrepreneur of the Year


Vitality, ambition and determination are important in every business.  This Award is for the Young Entrepreneur of the Year, under 30 who can add talent to the equation.  We are delighted to recognise the talents prevalent in the young people of today and are keen to showcase their successes and support growth in this sector in the future.

What the judges are looking for:

 

 

Best Small Business


This Award welcomes entries from all businesses with less than 50 employees.  The entrants will demonstrate strong brand values and clear evidence that the business is moving forward as well as excellent customer service.  On-line small businesses are eligible for this category but may be better suited to the ‘Best use of Technology’ category.

What the judges are looking for:

 

 

Best Social Enterprise


Gateshead Council is pleased to sponsor an Award which recognises women who combine strong entrepreneurial skills with a positive social mission. These are women who combine entrepreneurial spirit, with the ability to shape and spot opportunities and who know how to make a difference.

The ideal candidate will play a leading role in a successful social enterprise with social objectives, whose surpluses are reinvested for that purpose, rather than being driven by the need to maximise profit for shareholders and owners.
The judges would expect to see evidence of a strong social responsibility which could address social, economic, educational, or environmental issues.  

What the judges are looking for:

 

 

Best Creative Business


The number of new and developing creative businesses in the North East is expanding rapidly. Whether it be marketing, design, photography, literature, drama or jewellery design, pottery, dance or visual art, a growing number of women entrepreneurs are building thriving businesses through their creativity.

The path to a successful creative business, however, is a challenging one. Through this award we hope to recognise and celebrate the achievement of a woman entrepreneur who has demonstrated innovation, good business practice and determination to succeed through their creative business.

What the judges are looking for:

 

 

Best Home-Based Business


Hazel Armstrong Ltd, Designs Unique and Oxley Pratt Accounting Services are delighted to be associated with this Award introduced in 2009 to recognise and celebrate the ever-increasing number of women turning towards home-based entrepreneurship.  These women often have to overcome additional barriers such as isolation, separating work from personal life and being stereotyped as ‘hobbyists’.    

The winner will have shown great self-discipline, determination and passion to create or develop a successful home-based business, overcoming these barriers, and demonstrating a successful work/life balance.

What the judges are looking for:

 

 

Best Use of Technology


Technological innovation is the hallmark of many successful businesses – and there are few companies for whom technology isn’t essential to strong business performance.

The Best Use of Technology Award will go to the woman who has demonstrated exceptional success in using business technology to create a significant competitive advantage in any business area.

What the judges are looking for:

 

 

Best Rural Business


Helped by access to new technologies many rural-based women are now exploiting new business opportunities. Faced with physical and social isolation, a lack of rural business support and accessible (face-to-face) networks, they must also fight off stiff competition, whilst developing a thriving rural enterprise.  

The winner of this Award will have shown great determination and strength in creating or developing a successful rural enterprise, overcoming significant barriers, and creating sustained local employment – a key player in rural regeneration in the North East.

What the judges are looking for:

 

 

Best Retail Business


Sponsored by Barbour, this Award welcomes entries from all retailers or franchisees trading for 2 years or more. The entrants will show a strong financial performance, store innovation and most importantly, excellent customer service. Strong brand values and clear evidence that the business is moving forward will also form part of the judges’ criteria.  

This Award recognises the entrepreneurial spirit, achievements and long-term ambitions of those in this fast-moving and highly competitive sector.
Online retailers are eligible for this category, but again may be best suited to the ‘Best Use of Technology’ category.

What the judges are looking for:

 

 

Best Woman in International Business



UKTI are delighted to be sponsoring this award for businesses operated by women, who are based in the North East of England and are involved in import, export, outward investment or inward investment and who meet the eligibility criteria.  The Award will go to the woman who the  judges feel have achieved outstanding achievement in international trade.  Winning the award will allow you to reflect on your achievements and acknowledge those who have helped you achieve this.

This Award is open to any woman-led business in the North East, of  any size or sector that is actively trading overseas.  The organisation must meet the following three eligibility criteria to enter the awards:

 

 

Best Women's Network

Are you a member of a North East Women's Network other than WIN?  Or do you run a network supporting women?

Why not recommend your network for a special award in 2011 to recognise the great work they do in supporting women in business or networking in new circles.  WIN will be happy to hear from you with your recommendations or indeed we may nominate one or two ourselves.

The network will play a strong part in supporting women in both social and business environments and be able to demonstrate the impact it has made on their members.

This Award welcomes entries from member organisations with more than 20 members who is operating in the North East of England.  We would also recommend involving your membership in supporting your application through testimonials or recommendations.

 

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