Last Chance to be a Champion
Small businesses are reminded that the closing date for entries to British Small Businss Champions (BSBC) 2007 is 31 January.
The annual BSBC awards were launched by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) in 2003 because there were no national awards schemes exclusively for small businesses.
Full details about BSBC 2007 and how it benefits busineses will be found at fsb.org.uk, where an application form can be downloaded. Or, to get an application form sent telephone 0207 592 8120 or e-mail bsb@bsbc.org.uk. Nominations are also invited from staff and customers of small businesses who should ring or e-mail and give the address of the business which they wish to nominate and an application form will be sent.
Noel Chadwick Ltd a previous regional finalist said that entering was good for their busines because entering:- “forced them to look what we are good at, and flagging that up in the best possible way - and, of course, what we are not so good at. It was a valuable exercise in its own right. It cost nothing to enter except a bit of time. The whole process was such a boost” And on the publicity that BSBC generated:- “you couldn’t buy publicity like that. Well, you could but it would have cost much more than we could have afforded!”
Each entry will be allocated to one of six geographical regions:- Central; North; South; Wales; Scotland and Northern Ireland. Each region will have an awards dinner to which regional finalists will be invited and where the overall regional champion will be announced and presented with an impressive trophy to keep. These six businesses will go forward for national judging. All finalists will be invited to the national awards celebration dinner in London, where one will be announced as the British Small Business Champion 2007.
The national champion will win £10,000 to spend in the way it feels will benefit its business and a further £5,000 will be given as a donation to the champion’s chosen charity. And, a splendid trophy to keep.
Entries are invited from thriving, established (trading for more than five years businesses employing less than 50 people (including sole traders) which are highly regarded by customers and staff and preferably involved in their local community.
